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Vargo Wood Stove Stainless Steel Review

Vargo Wood Stove Stainless Steel Review

This Vargo wood stove review was written by the Financial Forager. He is an avid hiker, forager, and outdoor adventurer.

I have been doing a lot of hiking these past few years. I always carry a gas backpacking stove with me to cook meals and brew some tea. I decided to try my luck with a Vargo Wood Stove. It requires no gas, just some dry wood, and before you know it you’re boiling some water. Here is my Vargo Wood Stove review.

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The Vargo Wood Stove Stainless Steel

I wanted a small wood stove to have an option to burn wood. I decided to buy the Vargo Stainless Steel Wood Stove. My first impression when I opened the package was what a great design. The stove folds up flat and stores very nicely in its Velcro carrying case. It takes up hardly any space in my backpack and is very lightweight.

Field Test

Lighting The Vargo Stove

I decided to take a hike the next day to give it a test run. I hiked out to one of my favorite spots on the lake. I started to gather up some small pieces of wood and bark to get my stove lit. It did not take long to gather up the wood since I was close to a forest. Lighting the stove was quite easy. Before I knew it the stove was up and running. I kept feeding it with small pieces of wood to get enough fuel to boil a cup of water for some tea. I was surprised at how little wood was required.

Boiling Water

It took about 5 or 6 minutes to get my water to a boil. I decided to keep the stove going and see how it would function as a mini campfire just to stay warm. To my surprise, it threw off some nice heat. It kept my hands warm. The Vargo Wood Stove has a nice swivel door in the front that allows you to add wood when needed. It also has holes on the bottom to allow airflow.  I ran the stove for about one hour and it worked quite well.

I decided it was time to head back home. I allowed the stove to cool down for a few minutes, shook off the excess ashes, and packed it back into its carrying case.

Pros:

  • Small
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
  • Efficient
  • Readily available fuel source

Cons:

  • Takes more time than a gas stove (gathering wood, set-up & lighting)
  • Smokey
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Conclusion

I have used the stove several times since my initial test. I think the pros outweigh the cons. I would recommend this stove to anyone who wants a good way to cook with wood. I have been using both the Vargo Wood Stove and my gas stove. It is a great backup and lightweight option to have in your backpack. There is nothing better than to be out in the woods and cook over a wood flame. Does it get any more basic than that? Overall, the Vargo Wood Stove review rating to me is excellent.

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