Introduction: Littlbug
camp stoves burn wood or alcohol. Go light and gather sticks
for your stove or carry alcohol for quick, convenient heat.
You can switch between using wood and alcohol to meet your
needs and still pack less weight than you would for a stove
that requires refined fuel. Littlbug challenges the assumption
that a backpacking stove has to take space in your pack. Littlbug
Stoves unique geometry results in a remarkable size reduction
when stowed for transport and the pieces nest in a fashion
that permits you to wrap the stove around a sleeping pad.
Designers of gas stoves are hindered in their attempt to reduce
the size and weight of what you carry because most of the size
and weight of their package is fuel. Littlbug Stoves are designed
to reduce or eliminate the need to carry fuel – the choice
is yours. Littlbug Stoves burn sticks so depending on where you
go you may not need to carry fuel. This provides weight, space,
and operating cost savings.
Details: Liquid and butane/propane
stoves use refined fuel, fuel containers, windscreens, heat
exchangers, and spare parts. Some or all of these elements
make up the total package that ends up on your back. Each piece
adds to the weight that you have to carry and uses up space
in your pack. The largest and heaviest part of this package
is fuel. The amount of fuel you decide to carry depends upon
your own particulars. For this comparison, 2 fuel containers
were used. You
can adjust the fuel quantity used in this comparison to match
your requirements. For this comparison,
it is assumed the Littlbug Stoves will be using wood for fuel.
Liquid fuel stoves range in weight from 372g
to 659g (13.1oz to 1lb 7.3oz). For this comparison, the lightest
stove was used. Fuel bottles are available in 11, 22, and 33
fluid ounce sizes. The medium size fuel bottle (22 fl oz) was
used.
Butane/propane stoves range in weight from 180g to 754g
(6.4oz to 1lb 10.6oz). For this comparison, the lightest stove
was used. One 450g butane/propane fuel container will not last
as long as one 22fl oz fuel bottle (approximately 25min/100g
of fuel vs. 30min/100g of fuel). In this evaluation they are
considered to be equivalent.
The lightest comparable[1] liquid gas stove package weighs over
3lbs more than the Littlbug Junior Stove and takes over 9 times
the space to transport. The lightest comparable butane propane
stove package weighs 2.4lbs more than the Littlbug Junior Stove
and takes over 12 times the space to transport.
The lightest comparable liquid gas stove package weighs over
2.5lbs more than the Littlbug Senior Stove and takes 6.5 times
the space to transport. The lightest comparable butane propane
stove package weighs 1.8lbs more than the Littlbug Senior Stove
and takes over 8.75 times the space to transport.
If the gas stoves in this comparison would take no space in
your pack, the fuel containers alone would still take 8 to 11
times the space of the Littlbug Junior Stove[2] - even after
all the fuel is gone! It would be ideal to have a stove that
takes no space in your pack and that's what the Littlbug Stoves
are designed to do. You can wrap a Littlbug Stove around a sleeping
pad and carry it on the outside of your pack.
Summary: This evaluation
compares the weight and space requirements of various stove
pack ages. The Littlbug Junior Stove is the lightest and takes
the least space. There are other important factors to consider
when you choose a stove. If you don't find your particular
concern addressed in the FAQ (Frequently
Asked Questions) please call Littlbug Enterprises @ 218-751-2710
for more information. We welcome your comments and questions.
[1] A comparable stove can boil 1 quart of water in 6 minutes
or less.
[2] Liquid fuel containers are 80cu in, butane/propane containers
are 160cu in, the Littlbug Junior Stove is 14cu in.
This is a subjective evaluation conducted by Littlbug Enterprises,
Inc. Data for the competing stove models was taken from the Spr
'99 REI Stove Product Information Guide. REI does not endorse
the Littlbug Stove.
