Wood Burning Stove Build Contest

[zelph]

I want to have a wood burning stove build contest. Best stove to be decided in the month of October.

We need some parameters/suggestions

[realityguy]

Best stove to be decided in the month of October

.

What do we do until then?

[DarenN]

Best stove to be decided in the month of October

.

What do we do until then?

build stoves?

[just tinkering]

We need some parameters/suggestions

Minimal soot/tar build-up on the pot?
Passive (no batteries)?

[DaddyMnM]

How are you going to account for differences in BTU's for the various native woods for regionally diverse Bplite members? Seems like there should be some attempt to create a test standard.

[ConnieD]

It seems to me, if something has really outstanding characteristics or more outstanding characteristics, then, that is the best one.

Make your own case, why the characteristics you have are optimum.

[Ridgerunner]

"Wood" this be a tent wood burning stove or just a meal cooking stove

[realityguy]

Cuz..that's a good question..basically it wood take two different stoves to get best results for each purpose,efficient heat(without CO poisoning) and efficient cooking.I think ideally the best stove would do both options superbly.Some sacrifice in efficiency of cooking is needed when using it for vented heating and enclosing the flame..verses cooking directly in the flames.
Size matters?..is this for hiking/backpacking,winter tipi camping,or carcamping?Are you going to have catagories?

[zelph]

Let's design with newbie Do it yourselfers in mind. Availability of materials to be readily available.

Lets use wood pellets as our test fuels. (DaddyMnM0)

The stove wood be for tent warming. If it has a shelf on it to hold a pot, all the better. Sure wood be nice to have a warm cuppa something

The stoves can be judged by whatever suits your taste.

Size of the stove to be for a 2 person tent, dirt floor.

No batteries/fans

The less soot the better. The use of pellets and top lighting will help to the max in that area. Let's keep in mind the principle of top lighting that we learned from the Canadian stove maker featured in one of our threads.

[realityguy]

I don't know what's available for pellets around here..only that they usually come in a 60+lb bag! However..my neighbor at the other house does use a pellet stove so I might be able to ,beg,borrow,or steal some test materials from him..
The "standards of fuel pellets..are fine and dandy for 'standardizing' tests across the nation..but in reality,I wouldn't be using them in the field but more than likely larger wood for the later burn.I think both factors should be judged,real wood and phony processed crap.
Results:.. of the stoves can vary as far as heat output..who knows what BTUs a stove is really putting out verses others being built out there?This might be a hard thing to judge.
I'm just mentioning there are huge variables that are going to come up..especially between tent heaters and ones that can cook also..or just cookers.You may need a members' vote to consolidate the best overall ideas(and why) from people onsite.
variables are:
heat output,of course..
length of burn..
ease of assembly in home and in the field
construction requirements
weight and packability
overall size
and other items..
Lots of things..