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The Biolite CampStove +2 gives you a smokeless efficient camp stove combined with an integrated electrical fan that allows you to adjust the rate of burn. A central metal rod near the top also converts heat energy into electricity allowing the stove to easily power an included LED light, recharge an integrated 3200mhA power pack AND use a USB cable to recharge electrical items like headlamps and phones while out on the trail. The Biolite Campstove will be a huge hit with Thru Hikers and people out on multi day adventures in the woods where they cant always rely on sunlight and solar power.
Full In Depth Review
When I’m out on a multi day self reliant trail adventure I have very few things to worry about. Most stops day and night revolve around taking care of feet, eating or sleeping. When this happens I like to try and charge devices as well. There are times when solar power wont work and a charger pack only carries to much power. When I heard about the Biotlite Stove I almost didn’t believe that something as simple as a stove could be used to charge my phone so I had to take a closer look.
The Hot Warmy Upy Bit
You can burn small twigs or sticks in the stove like any other stove. Biolite even include a small pack of firelighters which is super useful. You can also burn pellets in the stove. Once its burning you can use the adjustable electric fan to increase air (oxygen) flow and control the rate of burning so you get a smokeless burn. I timed it to boiling and found it took around 5 mins to boil up some water in one of my stoves.
The Lighty Uppy Bit
The stove also came with an LED light on a flexi arm. It plugs in via a USB port so it can be powered by the power being generated by the stove or you can power it from the charger power pack thats in the stove.
The Chargey Uppy Bit
The Yellow module on the stove contains a 3200mhA power pack. This provides the power for the fan and the light and also provides power for charging. Youll find that this will be enough to charge most phones once. There is a metal ‘finger’ that sticks in to the top of the stove that converts the heat to electrical energy so that when the stove is lit the charger pack is being recharged. You can see this progress on the side of the module with an easy to read green lit display.
Even when the stove isn’t lit you can then use this to charge devices and better still you can pack away the bulk of the stove in your pack and leave the disconnected yellow power module close to hand so you can charge things during the day. This for me is the real game changer for Thru Hikers and multi day adventure people.
How Tough and Practical is the Biolite CampStove 2+?
I used it at camp and then deliberately left it out in the rain for two days. Everything still worked perfectly. I’m not sure it would survive total immersion in water but its more than tough enough to be dropped and soaked without a problem. It also comes with a storage sleeve to help keep it safe.
Gripes
I only have one small complaint. Many phones have now moved to USB C ports so it would be great to see the cable that’s provided have the option to select that type of port as well.
Verdict
The Biolite CampStove +2 gives you a smokeless efficient camp stove combined with an integrated electrical fan that allows you to adjust the rate of burn. A central metal rod near the top also converts heat energy into electricity allowing the stove to easily power an included LED light, recharge an integrated 3200mhA power pack AND use a USB cable to recharge electrical items like headlamps and phones while out on the trail. The Biolite Campstove will be a huge hit with Thru Hikers and people out on multi day adventures in the woods where they cant always rely on sunlight and solar power.
PURCHASE $149.95Specs and Features
- Charge phones, lights, and more with 3W of power
- Updated 3,200 mAh internal battery stores power
- Burn sticks, wood scraps, or pellets
- Boil Time: 1L in 4.5 min
- Packs down to size of a 32oz widemouth water bottle
- Weight: 2.06 lbs
- Bonus FlexLight with ChromaReal LED technology included to light surroundings
- Boil, steep, cook, and grill
About Biolite
BioLite is on a mission to bring Energy Everywhere™ with revolutionary products that transform the way we Cook, Charge and Light our lives off the grid. We are a team of engineers and designers, operators and analysts, story tellers and evangelists, who believe that advanced technologies, built on sustainable business practices, have the power to change the world. Our unique Parallel Innovation business model pairs the needs of families living in energy poverty with the passions of outdoor enthusiasts pushing the boundaries of life outdoors and on the go.
Our founders, Jonathan and Alec, met at Smart Design in New York City where they quickly bonded over their interest in sustainable design. Alec, frustrated that almost all efficient camping stoves required fossil fuels, had the idea of a wood-burning stove able to utilize its own thermal energy to improve combustion. Jonathan, an avid camper, quickly brought his engineering background to the table and the two began the design process. Countless nights, weekends, and prototypes later, the BioLite CampStove was born: a portable biomass stove that leveraged thermoelectrics to create a smokeless fire all while charging personal devices.
