Lofi Electric Wood Stove review

This has got to be one of the most innovative stoves on the market for wild camping. A true ultralight stove yet with a bushcrafty open fire feel.
Anything you can find that will burn be it wood, pine cones, animal dung, this stove has the power to burn it efficiently and hot enough using the powered fan to force the air through and give control over the flame. Non affiliate link can be found here:
www.lofi.com/lofi-stove/
Discounted real coffee from the Brew Company here
brew-company.com/NOVICEWILD

[@JonnyLOFI]

Ah, this is so good to see. I'm glad you're enjoying the stove, it's definitely something that takes a little getting used to in terms of the size of fuel/twigs used. I find that cutting up thicker wood gives for a much longer and more steady burn with less refuelling needed. I'm looking forward to seeing how you find it over the long term :)

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Used it a few times now and I'm impressed. It's a really neat package and so much more enjoyable than boring old gas or alcohol. 👍

[@jonfisher9214]

I was thinking that watching the video. Wood preparation makes all the difference. I use a folding wood stove and I prep wood for it in several different ways. I have thin split Black Birch for a quick boil to make coffee, and thumb thick Oak for slower cooking my dinner. I think your stove is a really interesting and well designed product and I hope you do well with it.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

I admitted to jonny that I didn't prep my wood properly. Would definitely work even better then. It's not only functional but fun to use as well which makes a nice change and adds to the camping experience. 👍

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Not sure if i tagged you correclty in one of the comments that you may be able to answer about replacement fans.

[@craig6542]

Does it have qpd fast charge functionality? This would be good in future models if not!

[@BaroudeurAventure]

I usually hope for the stove to charge my phone and not the opposite but that's an intelligent design.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

It's only the biolite that does that and that'd massive and heavy. You could even use a lightweight solar panel for this

[@GazianoOutdoors]

Interesting bit of kit , not seen anything like that before 🔥 👍

[@NoviceWildCamper]

It's really good. And also fun to be honest. It's nice to have a real fire but without ruining the area or carrying a massive stove. 👌

[@longrider42]

Ah yes, I used one similar back in the early 80's A wood gasification stove with a fan. There is even a large one "Biolite" made, that is self powered. Using the heat of the fire to generate electricity. It doesn't work very well. So, yeah, maybe the stove he made is new to him. But not new to me.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

I'd be interested to know the model of the one you had in the 80's 👍

[@longrider42]

@@NoviceWildCamper I believe the stove was custom built. I do remember it used two AA batteries and had a speed controller, and it was loud, and went through wood quick. I am going to modify a Wood Gasification stove I have, and add a USB Fan with Speed controller. Just out of curiosity. So that should be done by the end of May.

[@JonnyLOFI]

Sierra Deisgns made one in the 80’s called a ZIP stove, I’d actually not seen them until I’d started prototyping this one - someone on KZbin brought my attention to it. I’ve read good things about it! 🔥

[@cyrilhaessig27]

You have to admire the ingenuity, the work, and belief it takes to design/manufacture something and make it work. All the best @jonnyLOFI

[@NoviceWildCamper]

I love how compact, light and also hoe enjoyable it is to cook on an open fire without all the hassle and issues surrounding open fires.

[@JonnyLOFI]

Thanks for the support Cyril!

[@AngusBeath]

That's cool. Very nifty

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Yeah I think its a great idea.

[@boyzinthewood1]

After watching the live version of this video I can confirm this is an awesome bit of kit. Yup it's costly but your fuel will always be free #PAYSFORITSELF

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Cheers gez. It works on so many levels. Bit like us 😂👍

[@CuriousGoose]

They should make one the same size as a trangia 27. You could get thicker pieces of wood in and use it for warmth.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Yes but I think the whole point is to keep it small and light for backpacking. 👍

[@Funkteon]

The fact Mr Lofi sells a fan replacement kit in the event your fan spins "with no magnetic resistance", it's pretty evident that the high heat over time completely fucks up the motor magnets in the fan... So yeah, for 100 pound sterling, I can think of better ways to spend my money than on a gimmick that breaks every few hours of burn time.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Well I'm no expert in the product so I'll let @jonnyLOFI answer that but I'm sure that wouldn't be the case. Your local car dealer sells spares and parts so doesn't mean they just aren't any good does it 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@JonnyLOFI]

I’ve had a few people return the stove when the fan has overheated, yes. This is normally due to it being unplugged when the fire was still burning hot. I’ve developed a new circuit board which will monitor internal temperatures and adjust the fan accordingly for the future units. I’ve also sourced a new fan motor which will take even higher temperatures before demagnetisation which should eliminate these edge cases and give a more robust design moving forward. This is a young product, and I’m keen to keep innovating to improve it 🙌

[@garysgotatent]

Great to see something home grown.biolite do similar stoves originally designed for countries and communities with zero power and areas prone to power cuts.great to see a good compact size and hope it sells well.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

It's a great idea and is taking off so fingers crossed it gets out there 👌👍

[@longrider42]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, there is no hardwood where I live, at 6000 feet above sea level. Just pine/fur, cottonwood and elm, and that's about it. So I would have to keep feeding it. Plus, its so Loud! I guess that's why I like my Trangia so much.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

They all still burn fine, doesn't have to hard wood.

[@longrider42]

@@NoviceWildCamper But with out hard wood, I could not get mine to gasify, and I was contently feeding it. So maybe not a good idea after all. Also I live at 6000 feet above sea level, so maybe the lower air density is a factor? I know water boils at 200 degree's up here.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Yeah possibly an issue for you. The forced air might help but can't confirm that.

[@THE-RIVER-RAT]

I know I have disagreed with a few of your reviews, however, I don't want you to think I don't like your channel because I do. When I first saw this a few weeks ago I thought that looks cool. However, (sorry) once again I think this would be a waste of money for £135 it's something that there's just no need for, a fan on the bottom of a small one-cup wood fire, and as you said it burns the wood down so fast. I can see people buying this because it's a new gismo But I bet not many people will keep using it. However, It's British made so I hope I'm Wrong. 👍👍

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Yes it's expensive, but think of the fact that you'd never have to buy fuel again? I've cooked on this using pine cones and even sheep dung so it's very versatile. And the speed of the burn is down to how fast you have the air blowing so you can slow it down. Also with small twigs they will always burn quicker than thicker hardwood etc. Bearing in mind you could pay the same money for an MSR set up and still have to pay for fuel I don't think it's as bad as you would initially think

[@OJ4HIRE]

I do not do any canister fuel so anything using wood is great, I only use wood and alcohol for fuel but that’s just me don’t want the hassle of having to responsibly discard the metal canister and all too much work, just do me burn and dig a hole and cover it

[@NoviceWildCamper]

@OJ4HIRE that's where this stove comes in great. Never have to buy or dispose of fuel ever again 👌👍

[@longrider42]

Yes, it needs to be bigger, the Trangia 27 set up is not very big. I have one. Plus I've used a Biolite wood burning stove with a electric fan. And you have to keep feeding it. Way more trouble then its worth. If you have a good wood gasification stove and hard wood, you can get it to do the same thing, but you have to keep feeding it. I love my little Trangia 27. I also have a twig stove. But where I live, there is not always twigs.

[@longrider42]

So all I would have to do, is buy a good sized Wood Gasification stove and install a USB powered fan, which by the way, you can get with a speed controller.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

You can give it a go. I've found they are pretty large and heavy generally though.

[@frambo7]

Looks cool but deffo for use outside the tent I presume🏕🔥🔥🔥🔥😱😱😱

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Well in theory they all are but this one definitely yes. I did however use it in my vestibule with the door open last night and this morning with no issues 👍

[@frambo7]

@@NoviceWildCamper YOU HAVE NO FEAR🤜

[@NoviceWildCamper]

😂 or brains

[@timmo971]

Yeah I need to charge my phone with my power bank not waste it on cooking. I could go this way but then I need a heavier power bank.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

To give you an idea on consumption, he's making a leas that will connect to your phone instead of a USB to power bank and to boil a litre of water it uses 2% of your phone so will probably be even less on your power bank as thet will have a larger capacity.

[@freeforester1717]

Mine goes all the way up to eleven! 🤣👍🏻

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Lol

[@TimmyBobinson]

100% support English business.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Definitely. No doubt the Chinese will come up with a cheap copy soon though 🙄

[@phililpb]

A stove that needs two different fuel sources to work. strikes me as a solution looking for a problem

[@NoviceWildCamper]

It doesn't need two different fuel sources to work. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@phililpb]

@@NoviceWildCamper it needs electric and wood thats two

[@NoviceWildCamper]

@phililpb all stoves need one source. This stove needs one source. If you have no electric, apart from possibly being in serious trouble with zero communication, you can use it as a normal wood gasifier stove without the extra power to control the flame. So no, you don't need two sources of fuel. 👍

[@phililpb]

@@NoviceWildCamper so it just a wood stove then?

[@NoviceWildCamper]

@phililpb I think your missing the point. It's a wood stove (or anything that will burn) that you can control the heat and power with so not just a woodstove. Can boil quickly, unlike a wood stove and is small and light unlike any other wood stove. It's not going to be for everyone so if it's not for you then fine but it sells well and people who have it love it. I was dubious before I got it but once you actually try it yourself you realise the benefits to it and also how nice it is to have a real flame but with a compact stove plus you're doing zero damage to the environment with disposal of plastic alcohol fuel containers when you buy them or empty gas cannisters. Even if they are recycled, recycling uses energy so still isn't as efficient as not having to recycle. It's simple yet efficient and enjoyable. And made in the uk by one man so ticks all boxes all round so its a good and original, innovative product.

[@Scot-land]

Think it's out of stock

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Just checked and let's me order 👍

[@ipythe68]

£155 for a can with a fan

[@NoviceWildCamper]

Same as an MSR windburner but without having to pay extra for fuel. 🤷🏼‍♂️ you have to remember as well that this is hand made by one guy in the uk as a start up and not by some massive Chinese company

[@longrider42]

Yes, I suspect you could make one, using a computer fan, since I believe they are 5 volt usb.

[@seasoldier3902]

I would rather use a gas, gel, or alcohol stove. It is lightweight as you point out but hiking along a long-distance footpath as opposed to an "overnighter" with this stove is debatable. For bushcraft, would the person not just build a small fire? It is down to personal choice. I usually hike along a long-distance footpath and use my power bank to recharge my phone, air pump, and head torch. I would not buy one of these stoves because of the cost and my opening comment.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

But this is where it comes into its own. Long distance/multi day hiking requires more fuel to carry than an overnighter and theres always a concern thst you haven't got enough so carry more than is necessary. With this you don't have to carry any, just scavange as you go and you've got all the free fuel you need. Tests have been done on this using a phone to power it and it only uses 2% for a 1 litre boil so as you're cerrying a power bank anyway then it will make virtually no difference to your consumption. Plus if you had zero power you can still use it as a gasification stove but without the fan but if you run out of alcohol or gas, your knackered. And yes you could build a fire but using a normal 750ml cook pot on one is a nightmare. At the end of the day, an MSR windburner is about the same price yet double the weight and size plus you then need to carry the weight of fuel and no one bats an eyelid at that. Because this is new and different it will always cause a little controversy until you actually use it then you realise what you've been missing.

[@phililpb]

@@NoviceWildCamper most people dont do long multi day hikes in the UK and if you do you are never that far away from a local shop most are lucky to get a few weekends away. If it does solve a problem it is a very niche one.

[@NoviceWildCamper]

@phililpb it serves both. I only mention mutli day because you said long hike so if its one night or five, you get free fuel and don't have to carry fuel or worry about running out. There's zero downside to it apart from the cost and as I've said, many people spend £150 on heavier stoves and then buy and carry heavy fuel so why not remove that issue by using this 🤷🏼‍♂️ 300g all in and never run out of fuel

[@phililpb]

@@NoviceWildCamper it depends on the trip. it seems like a nice little product but it is not ground breaking. By that I mean I am not about to get rid of my existing equipment to replace it with this but if I was just starting out and needed to buy something to cook on this might be an option

[@matthewpulliam7473]

@@phililpbsounds like you need a holiday in the US. We’ll hook you up with long trails, inexpensive gear, and much better pizza. :)