The BioLite Stove in action, the orange part contains both the charger and the fan.
As you might have noticed, I have a very broad interest, both related to renewable energy for boats and in general. The BioLite Stove is an example of something different that caught my attention. To me, it shows the technological progress that is being made all around us and all the new possibilities of energy generation. In this case, in a small and very well designed package.
The BioLIte Stove
The BioLite Stove has a very smart design. The legs can fold in, the electrical unit can detach and fits in the stove. As a result, you can easily take the BioLite Stove with you in a small poach on every camping trip and to other off grid places you might go. Weighing in at less than a kilo, it is not a too heavy either, especially as it doubles up as a fire place to put your pan on.
The BioLite Stove is made of stainless steel to which you can attach the electrical unit. It stays in places by unfolding the leg. Very smart! The top is designed to place a pan on, so you can cook or boil some water. 1l water should boil in about 4.5 minutes. That is really fast when you are camping.
BioLite in action, charging the iPhone
How does it work?
This is how they explain it on the BioLite website: “[The technique is called] thermoelectric. Our stoves convert heat to electricity that powers a fan to make the fire ultra-efficient. Surplus electricity can be used to charge small electronics like mobile phones and LED lights.” Turning the fan on and off, and switching it from high to low, you can see a significant difference in intensity of the flames. It is interesting to read that they see the electricity as a by product, and the efficient fire as the goal of the BioLite Stove.
I tested charging an iPhone. about 2 to 3 minutes per %. Not very fast, but it works if you are in the middle of nowhere. They claim it takes about 20 minutes charging for an hour talk time for an iPhone 4S. I might try that next!
So far I am really impressed with this very simple device. You can use it to charge your phone when no outlet is available, you can use to cook a meal or boil some water for a hot coffee or you can just enjoy the fire. Overall, I am really impressed and looking forward to the next product from this company!
Get one yourself!
Now you can easily get yourself a BioLite Camp Stove at Amazon. I am sure by now you know how useful the camp stove is and you are dying to get one, so what are you waiting for 🙂 ?