[pct-l] Zip Stove

[Paul Magnanti]

>From an article I wrote on stoves. You can read the whole enchilada at http://snipurl.com/p1m4

ZIP STOVES:  (Note, the data for the zip stove was provided by TerraPin. Thanks!)

Zip Stoves are an an interesting stove. They are a battery operated
stove that burns wood, twigs, cones, etc. With a single AA battery, up
to six hours of burn time can be achieved. A fan is powered by the
battery to achieve an efficient burn.
 
 AdvantagesNo need to carry fuelburns almost anything (pine cones, knots, etc.)Infinite cooking time (make elaborate meals)personal campfire" on cold, wet daysgenerally reliablevery high BTU output, once it's going (boils water quickly)Disadvantages
 tough going when it's been raining for days (solution: carry fire-starter materials)requires fire-starting skillsrequires constant attention while cooking (feeding more fuel into stove)time required to gather fuel, start the stove, and cool it after useyour cookware will be covered with soot (and most likely so will you...)Needs AA batteryWorks best in a forest environment; Obvious limitations in desert or alpine environment.If there is a fire ban, the Zip stove may be banned for useWeighs 18 oz, including batteryZip Stove Summary:  The Zip stove offers the advantage of needing no fuel other than that which you collect at camp, off the forest floor.
 

It uses a small fan, powered by a single AA battery, to create a very
hot and surprisingly clean-burning wood fire. Fuel is reduced to pure
ash. One battery provides several hours of cooking time.
 
 Its
main disadvantage is that it's fussy and dirty. It takes time to
collect fuel and start the stove, and once it's lit, you must feed more
fuel into the stove every couple of minutes. This stove will help hone
your fire-starting skills!
 
 If you spend a lot of time in camp and like to do a lot of cooking, it's not a bad choice.
 
 The "personal campfire" feature is not to be dismissed, and really needs to be experienced. No other stove offers this. 
 
 There is now a Titanium version of this stove that weighs 10 oz, but it is $129!
 
 If you look at the Zen Stoves article, there are links to DIY type stoves as well that are a bit lighter and less expensive.  
 
More info on Zips: http://www.zzstove.com/
Reviews: http://www.backpackgeartest.org/revi...20Zip%20Stove/

Doing lots of "real cooking" in a forest environment and not hiking far? :The  Zip Stove may work. 

Basically, I don't know how it work on certain sections of the PCT (desert and Sierra come to mind). If there is a fire ban, you are really SOL. An alcohol stove usually sliders under the ban...a Zip stove most definitely would not!

YMMV.


************************************************************
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
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