What it is: A compact, folding twig stove.
The test: I ordered two sizes, the LF and the larger XL kit and used them throughout the 2023 spring turkey hunt and foraging season. Hands were warmed, water was boiled, and eggs were fried.
What we think: Setting up a Bushbox stove is about as easy as it gets. They are hinged and fold outward like a lawn chair. The stove’s heavy duty outdoor bag is, indeed, heavy duty. It’s tough polyester with two slots for the stove’s parts. This may not seem major, but many twig stoves are stored loose in their bags, which can get noisy when you’re trudging around in the turkey woods. That just won’t do.
My stoves are high-quality stainless steel. Bushbox models also come in titanium, which resists heat warping better, but ups the price. So far, I’ve not experienced any warping with either Bushbox. I attribute this to the slightly heavier gauge steel as compared to many other twig stoves. The trivets (pieces of steel that raise cookwear above the stove), clip into the back of the stove for easy storage. This is actually very handy because these little tools are usually the first thing to get lost. They can be used in several different configurations, depending on the task at hand, and do a good job of supporting a cup, mug or pan.
The universal grate is a nice addition and something I haven’t encountered with other brands. The grate helps with stability and doubles as a toaster.
Bushbox mightiness
These stoves are small but mighty. Thanks to the venting at the base of the stove, a small collection of branches and twigs can muster a surprising amount of heat. Boiling a small pot of water, the standard test for any outdoor stove, takes anywhere from three to five minutes depending on how dry your fuel is.
The Bushbox offers a much more even heat distribution than what you’ll get from a Jetboil–type gas stove. Although heat is still more concentrated than over an open fire, twig stoves don’t come anywhere close to the intensity of high-tech gas systems. The larger Bushbox XL was especially well adapted for cooking with a small frying pan.
My only complaint is the height of the fuel opening (where you feed twigs in). I prefer these to be a touch lower, allowing for fuel to be placed directly into the base of the fire or angled overtop of it. This is far from a dealbreaker though, as I had no trouble keeping the Bushbox alight.
When push comes to shove, these stoves would be a great addition to anyone’s year-round kit. They offer just the right balance of function, practicality, and finesse.
Bushbox stove kits:
$108.25 (LF Kit), $151.25 (XL Kit)
www.canadianoutdoorequipment.com
Bushbox stoves are made in Germany. Both kits are light and slim, easily slipped into a pack, turkey vest, or even a coat pocket for the smaller sizes.
Originally published in the August 2023 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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