BioLite CampStove

There are hundreds of portable camp stoves out there that get the job done, but backpackers everywhere are getting excited for the BioLite CampStove for its USB-charging capabilities. No matter how far into the wild you go, digital technology is now a staple for backpackers everywhere, making the BioLite CampStove an attractive option for the digital camper.

While the USB port is a major breakthrough for campers, the actual stove is quite impressive as well. BioLite designed this product to burn compact fires using small plant matter instead of logs. A thermoelectric generator captures heat energy from the flames, charging a battery, which powers a fan that increases combustion by feeding more oxygen into the fire. The result is a clean, efficient fire with minimal smoke powerful enough to boil water and cook. Tests have shown the stove can boil a liter of water in seven to 14 minutes, on par with most wood burners on the market.

The USB-charging port utilizes the battery charged by the fire. If there is a surplus of energy, you can charge your device while the fire is burning. Unfortunately, this isn’t a replacement for your battery packs, as you can only charge while you are burning a fire, and only if it is powerful enough to create more energy than is needed to power the fan. Tests have shown an hour of charging will increase an iPhone’s charge by about 15 percent, so this device is better suited for topping off your already charged devices.

You can learn more about the BioLite CampStove on their website.