Gear Review: Solo Stove Lite and Pot 900

[MotoNews]

Published in: Gear

The Solo Stove Lite is a versatile backing stove that’s lightweight, packs small and simple to use. Instead of using gas canisters the Solo Stove Lite works by burning twigs, bark, dried leaves and wood chippings for fuel. No gas canisters mean more space in your saddlebags and less weight to carry. The kit is made mostly of stainless steel and the double wall construction is ventilated to provide ample airflow to a contained flame. The flame burns in the middle of the stove, elevated by a wire grate that allows ash to fall to a pan towards the bottom. This prevents the stove from scorching whatever’s underneath it, so it’s completely safe to use on a wooden picnic table. I’ve even been able to pick up and move the Solo Stove mid-burn, although this isn’t recommended and you should place your stove in an area that is safe where it doesn’t need to be moved.

The Solo Stove Lite is small and only holds a handful of wood, so the user will need to frequently feed the flame. It requires preparation and offers a more involved experience than using a gas camping stove, but it’s fun to use after you get the hang of it. A gas stove is easier to use and can cook faster, but we’re not camping to be comfy, are we? Pro Tip: stuff alcohol soaked cotton balls into a plastic 35mm film container to use as tinder. It can be stored inside the stove along with a lighter. There’s also enough room to store some twigs, but not enough to keep the flame running if you’re camping in an area where wood isn’t abundant.

 

If you’re using the stove to cook food, have your ingredients within arm’s reach and chopped, ready to throw into the pot. A cut-out allows the user to easily feed the fire with broken twigs which you’ll also want to have pre-prepped before you start cooking. While in use, the kit will build up soot, especially around the bottom of the pot, but this is easy enough to remove with over-the-counter soot remover. Caution: The Pot 900 slides around on the stove posts fairly easily, so be sure to place the kit on level ground. Although the Solo Stove Lite is wind resistant, strong winds might be enough to push the pot off the stove. Detents on the bottom of the pot would be a welcomed feature, or maybe the posts could be formed in a way that holds the pot centered.

The aluminum Pot 900 holds 30oz of water, enough to make a meal or coffee for two. It comes with a lid with a rubber coated lift tab that can be locked in the upright position. The handles fold flat against the sides of the pot for easy storage. You’ll want to make sure these handles are cool enough before you pick up the pot. Sometimes the wind can blow the flame towards the handles and really heat them up. The Pot 900 and Solo Stove each come with their own storage sacks and the stove stores into the pot to create a tidy and compact cooking kit that’ll fit nicely in your panniers or backpack.

On a recent camping trip I used the Solo Stove Lite to make Bún Bò Huế, a traditional spicy Vietnamese beef noodle soup. The extra care required to make the meal made it taste better in the end (surely it had nothing to do with my culinary skills). I had forgotten to bring a spoon, but the Pot 900’s handles allowed me to use it like a big mug. Your meals don’t need to be as complex as this, but if you’re handy with a kitchen knife, you could have some real fun figuring out what to cook-up on your next camping trip. We also boiled water and made coffee using a Chemex. The whole process added to our camping experience and was much more enjoyable than the “set it and forget it” feel that gas burners provide. On the road, I can imagine using the kit to whip-up a quick ramen noodle meal, or bacon mac-n-cheese.

The smallest version of the Solo Stove isn’t for everyone. The Titan and Campfire versions are more convenient, since their larger size and capacity will probably require less maintenance. Multiple pots and pot sets are also available. However, if you’re looking for the most compact and lightweight cooking kit available, you’ll be happy with the Solo Stove Lite. At the time of this writing, Solo Stove is having a sale, so be sure to nab a kit for yourself, or the camper in your family. While you’re at it sure to check out SoloStove’s uber cool Bonfire firepit! MSRP: Solo Stove Lite $89.99 (on sale for $69.99) | Pot 900 $49.99 (on sale for $34.99) SoloStove.com  

Also available on Amazon.com (Affiliate).

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PROS	CONS
▲ Light weight and packs small	▼ Will put your fire starting skills to the test
▲ Eco friendly
▲ Well designed, works great, simple to use
▲ Fuel is free and usually abundant

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Looking for pre-packaged, dehydrated meals you can make using the Solo Stove? Check out Good To-Go meals by CLICKING HERE! 

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