Re: [Paddlewise] Bug Repellents/Fuel

As an alternative to conventionally fueled stoves, you might want to consider
Sierra Stoves.  The Sierra Zip burns sticks, twigs, pinecones, and bits of
driftwood (being careful to avoid anything that looks like it was pressure-
treated!) and other dried flotsam.  It is very light (about 15 oz.) and about
the same size, overall, as my ancient Svea.  But, when you get it stoked, it's
a real forge!  The specs say it'll boil a quart of water in four minutes
(apologies for all these units of measure --- what's <metric> for a minute,
anyway?) but that seems a little fast --- about twice as fast as my Svea could
do it with white gas!  But it's <hot>!  Runs about $50-$60 US.

The way it works is a thing of engineering beauty!  The Zip comes with a
little AA battery powered fan which clips in as the base of the unit.  The fan
blows air up into the bottom of the fire chamber housing; the air travels up
the outer portion of the interior of the housing, down an inner baffle and
into the bottom of the fire chamber, pre-warmed and at sufficient velocity ---
there's a two position switch for air flow --- to really get the fuel burning.
It may sound a little wierd, but it's pretty rugged and really efficient!  At
the end of a cooking session, there's not more than a couple of tablespoons of
ash --- and that, the literature says, can be used as toothpaste.  (Throw a
few mint leaves in with that, and you've got a "Tom's of Maine" knockoff!)
The advantages are obvious --- no fuel to carry (or eat).  The battery lasts
almost forever, there's so little drain.  The downside is that you really have
to keep feeding wood chips into the fire chamber once it's going, 'cause the
fire is hot and consumes a lot of detritus.  But that's it!  Getting it
started is not a big issue --- pine straw works pretty well, and twigs.  Even
on the very wetest day in Alaska --- how does anyone determine the <wetest>
day in Alaska ... there were so many from which to choose! --- I had no
problem finding some dry tinder.  (The literature --- and the "book" is really
just a double-sided photocopy of some pointers --- suggests saturating cotton
balls in Vaseline and storing a whole bunch of them in a plastic film can to
use as firestarters --- possibly a viable option in western Canada or Alaska,
I guess.  Seemed like a good idea.)

There is a larger Sierra, although I've never seen one, except in pictures.
But the Zip should support a solo or pair of campers --- use it as you'd use a
Svea or equivalent. One source for this unit is Campmor in New Jersey ---
1-800-226-7667 or the web, <http:www.campmor.com>, but it's New Jersey and the
patois is a little difficult to understand, so stick to the web and their fax
line, 1-800-230-2153 for credit card ordering.  They have the unit for $49.95
US, and they also have a new one liter (aha!) pot and a windscreen and grill
which are compatible with the Sierra Zip for $13.99 and $17.99 US,
respectively.  Don't have them, but will soon.  Standard disclaimer --- I have
no connection with Campmor, yada, yada, yada.

Just good stuff, surprisingly light and still rugged, not too expensive, and
no fuel to carry (or eat).  Sticks, pinecones and chipable wood are just about
always available, and you can think of it as beach cleanup, too.  To my
knowledge, these units are legal in any camping scenario where a liquid fueled
stove is allowed.  A nice option!

Jack Martin
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