First of all, this is more a flexibility and fuel efficiency test rather than a boil speed test. Mainly because Im not convinced that boil speed is the best test of a stove, especially as, when Im out and about, I enjoy the whole ritual of collecting the firewood, getting the BushBuddy going, then waiting patiently for the tea while I enjoy my surroundings. I am about to do a few days on the Pennine Way and I wanted to see if this combination of stoves would fit the bill as you often cant find much in the way of firewood for the BushBuddy on the moors.
What got me thinking was buying one of these:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/low-hassle-lightweight-food/6141.html
The idea is that you boil 450ml of water, add it to the bag and wait 5 minutes (up-market pot noodle?) I decided to see how efficiently I could boil 450ml using each stove, in the wilds of my backyard. Just so you know, the BushBuddy is the original(?) Canadian type and the Whitebox is the Duo version.
The set up:
The fuel for the BushBuddy:
The fire going:
Rolling boil after about 9 and a half minutes (OK, I did time it!
):
Left over fuel:
I reckon there is easily enough left over to boil up some more water for pasta or couscous and a brew while the water does its stuff in the pouch.
Then it was on to the Whitebox. I filled it with meths up to its maximum:
Once lit, you have to wait for the the gas that escapes from the holes in the side to ignite and form a corona. (Difficult to see as all those who've burned themselves on a Trangia will know!)
The pot sits directly on the stove so you have to be careful not to put it on before the gas has ignited as you will put the stove out.
Rolling boil after 10 minutes:
Again, easily enough fuel left to boil water for couscous (maybe not pasta).
The problem with the Whitebox is the same as with all meths stoves - estimating how much you will use as it is difficult to put the stove out and reuse the left over meths.
The Whitebox fits neatly inside the BushBuddy, which fits neatly inside the pot:
All in all, I'm encouraged by this little test. It does mean that I have to carry a meths container but a small one should go a long way if it is only used to supplement the work of the BushBuddy. As for the dried food? - I didn't use it - saving it for the Pennine Way!
What got me thinking was buying one of these:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-news/low-hassle-lightweight-food/6141.html
The idea is that you boil 450ml of water, add it to the bag and wait 5 minutes (up-market pot noodle?) I decided to see how efficiently I could boil 450ml using each stove, in the wilds of my backyard. Just so you know, the BushBuddy is the original(?) Canadian type and the Whitebox is the Duo version.
The set up:
The fuel for the BushBuddy:
The fire going:
Rolling boil after about 9 and a half minutes (OK, I did time it!
):
Left over fuel:
I reckon there is easily enough left over to boil up some more water for pasta or couscous and a brew while the water does its stuff in the pouch.
Then it was on to the Whitebox. I filled it with meths up to its maximum:
Once lit, you have to wait for the the gas that escapes from the holes in the side to ignite and form a corona. (Difficult to see as all those who've burned themselves on a Trangia will know!)
The pot sits directly on the stove so you have to be careful not to put it on before the gas has ignited as you will put the stove out.
Rolling boil after 10 minutes:
Again, easily enough fuel left to boil water for couscous (maybe not pasta).
The problem with the Whitebox is the same as with all meths stoves - estimating how much you will use as it is difficult to put the stove out and reuse the left over meths.
The Whitebox fits neatly inside the BushBuddy, which fits neatly inside the pot:
All in all, I'm encouraged by this little test. It does mean that I have to carry a meths container but a small one should go a long way if it is only used to supplement the work of the BushBuddy. As for the dried food? - I didn't use it - saving it for the Pennine Way!
