BioLite Stove for cooking and charging?

Advice
#1

Do you think the BioLite (http://biolitestove.com/) stove would be a good option for keeping electronics charged on an extended trip?



I really don’t know how long I’ll be out there, but I imagine it will bee close to 2 months (roughly 2400 miles). I was trying to figure out how I was going to power the few electronics I’ll carry, GPS, maybe some sort of communication device (sat phone?) lights, camera, maybe an e-reader or tablet. I figured my only options were to carry lots of batteries or a solar panel. Perhaps the BioLite stove would be a good option being dual purpose.



What do you think?



Disclaimer: I have no interest in BioLite stoves other than potentially owning one.

#2

It does not seem to work that well
for charging electronics. And it eats wood quickly.

One BioLite user had it on two major trips

http://www.myccr.com/phpbbforum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=39749&start=45

#3

id go 12v
Use 6v latern batteries wired to combine voltage. Then use solar panels to top them off. Just a thought.



Ryan L.

#4

Thanks
Thanks for the reply. The rough consensus is they don’t work all that well. I guess I’ll stick with solar alone.

#5

There are quite a few reviews on
You Tube about the BioLite stove. I did not watch them all. But it seems you need to keep a fire going for a long time to do serious recharging.

And it does not seem to be a unit you can walk away from and do something else for half an hour.

#6

Not much electricity
2 watts continuous at 5 volts = 400 milliamps.



That’s less than the USB standard 500 milliamp output.



So it will charge things slower than a standard USB charger.



Some devices, like large tablets won’t charge on standard USB, they need more current.



My Android phone takes about 4 hours to fully charge. Are you willing to tend a fire for 4 hours?



I suppose if your usage of electronic gadgets is limited, and you only need to keep them “topped up” then this would work. Doesn’t seem practical if your gadget use makes a serious dent in the battery.

#7

solar
Personally i’d look at the Brunton solar panels that fold out and roll up.

#8

Goal Zero - Solar Charger
These units are used all over the world

and have a great reputation, numerous reviews.



http://www.goalzero.com/