Überleben’s Stöker Flatpack Stove is a wood-fire tenting range that breaks all the way down to the dimensions of an envelope. It permits for rustic cooking in a contemporary design that received’t break down, put on out, or run out of gasoline.
Growing up within the woods of New England, I’ve all the time carried a canister range with me within the colder months — for each meals prep and heat.
At the tip of the day, as scrumptious as they’re, I don’t wish to eat one other PROBAR. I wish to reward myself with one thing sizzling and scrumptious. Something that eases me into the half-assed high quality of relaxation that comes with sleeping on the bottom.
I began with an MSR PocketRocket after I was a child. Then I graduated to the Dragonfly. And lastly, for the final 20 years, I’ve been utilizing the Original JetBoil range. As a lot as I like all of those backpacking stoves, there are occasions — particularly within the useless of winter — after I don’t wish to take care of gasoline and regulators or the prospect of one thing not firing up after I want it.
Enter the Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove. It’s 4 panels of stainless stamped metal (or titanium) that retailer flat till you assemble them into a good little field fueled by leaves, twigs, tinder, and a little bit little bit of coaxing out of your breath.
In brief: The Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove ($48 stainless, $68 titanium) is the dimensions of a sandwich and fewer than half-an-inch thick. It can heat up each you and your meals and depends solely on the pure gasoline strewn throughout the forest ground. And it might’t break down on you as a result of there’s nothing mechanical about it.
This little range is a powerhouse backcountry companion. It’s dependable, environment friendly, and inexperienced. Open fireplace isn’t all the time a viable possibility for cooking, however when it’s, this range actually shines
Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove Review
Specs
- Weight: 15 oz
- Carry Dimensions: 7” x 6” x 3/8″
- Assembled Dimensions: 6.5” x 5.5” (4.5” W on the high of the range)
- Includes:
- x4 – 304 Stainless Steel Plates (Stove)
- x1 – 304 Stainless Steel Base Plate (Fire Platform)
- x2 – 304 Stainless Platform Slats (Cooking Surface)
- x1 – Waxed canvas sleeve that doubles as a tinder bag
First Impressions
The Stöker confirmed up in a flat cling bundle that you’d count on a range upkeep package to return in. It was sufficiently small that I might simply slide the range into my pack with out creating any bulk.
The range is extremely straightforward to arrange, use, and break down. It didn’t embody any instructions. But it was pretty intuitive how every part went collectively simply primarily based on the design of the plates. Each piece locks into the opposite. And the path of the notches is a transparent indication of how they mate up.
The metal plates are .025 inches thick — or 24 gauge. They have been reduce and stamped for ease of use, sturdiness, and rigidity, making the Stöker fairly stout however not cumbersome.
I did a dry run on the home to see if there have been any tips to getting it collectively. The solely factor I can level out is that it’s best to put the entrance plate on final, because it’s the one plate that doesn’t notch into the bottom plate.
In the Field
The first time I used the Stöker, it was bitter chilly. But with solely a little bit little bit of snow on the bottom, I used to be in a position to decide up sticks and tinder alongside the way in which. I discovered an incredible spot off the path the place I set the range up on a big, flat rock and received an excellent fireplace rolling inside it inside two minutes.
Because of the cutouts within the plates, the Stöker burns effectively, permitting air to move out and in in each path, even up from the underside. But this effectivity requires the hearth to be fed fairly a bit to start with.
That isn’t a nasty factor; it’s simply one thing it’s best to take into account. I began the hearth with small sticks and leaves. But as soon as it was at a spot the place I knew it might preserve burning, I added a few bigger sticks, and the hearth was in a position to preserve itself.
There’s no dependable strategy to benchmark how shortly a range like this may boil water. But I had 16 ounces boiled in a few minute in my GSI Halulite Minimalist. This rivals any canister range I’ve ever used.
But once more, it’s all decided by the hearth you will have going. You don’t need flames leaping up and surrounding your cup or pot. Instead, it’s best to have a constant fireplace with an excellent base of coals working while you put your cup or pot in place.
The range is secure on most surfaces. Burning embers can drop down by the Stöker’s aerated backside plate, so that you’re going to wish to set the range up on stone, sand, or filth — one thing that received’t burn. You might set it up on the snow, however the snow will soften and will block airflow coming by the underside.
Stainless metal doesn’t maintain warmth until it’s being heated, so this range really cools down moderately shortly. In my expertise, it took lower than 5 minutes from the purpose the place the hearth went out to when the Stöker was cool sufficient to be dealt with for breakdown and storage.
Is a Wood Backpacking Stove Right for Me?
A range just like the Stöker will likely be much less cumbersome than a liquid gasoline backpacking range however extra cumbersome than a canister range. That’s to say that liquid stoves are fiddly and require administration, though they’re predictable. Cannister stoves are tremendous easy to make use of. A range just like the Stöker requires you to construct a hearth, which is able to range in issue relying on many components. So you want to ask your self: How concerned do I wish to get in getting ready a meal?
I feel a range like that is concerning the expertise. I head into the woods to flee and decelerate. And I discover the easiest way to transition from the bodily a part of the journey to my interval of relaxation and leisure is to do one thing that requires my consideration. I’ve to do one thing that forces me to decelerate.
For that objective, the Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove is a perfect backpacking instrument.
I additionally take pleasure in an excellent meal on the finish of the day. Of course, any sort of backpacking range can accomplish that, however there’s one thing about making a hearth and taking the time to prep a strong meal after an arduous day that basically appeals to me. It’s rustic, it’s old-school, and it’s soothing.
Fire Restrictions, Fuel Sourcing, and Legality
Legality is usually a little bit of a gray space in the case of the Stöker. The range is basically an open fireplace contained inside 4 partitions and a base plate. That makes this range not possible (or a minimum of unlawful) to make use of any time, wherever there’s a fireplace ban. This makes this range a poor possibility for individuals trying to backpack in dry areas.
Complicating issues, State and National Parks have their very own guidelines and laws concerning open fires. And they’re as much as interpretation and depending on climate circumstances.
For instance, Yosemite’s tips state:
“Fires are only allowed in grated grills, existing fire rings, stoves, and barbecue grills.”
But, the rules for the entire Vermont State Parks state:
“In developed State Parks areas, fires are allowed only in fire rings, fireplaces, or charcoal grills at designated picnic and camping areas. All fires must be attended and under control at all times.”
I’d argue that each of those statements permit for the Stöker for use. A ranger may disagree.
Where you get your wooden gasoline for the Stöker will also be a difficulty. It’s unlawful to move firewood greater than 10 miles in most states (50 miles in lenient states). That’s as a result of shifting wooden lengthy distances can introduce invasive pests or illnesses to new areas. So, one needs to be diligent to solely supply gasoline from the quick space you’re utilizing the Stöker.
And even then, I’ve nonetheless been hassled by park rangers who swore on their moms that I introduced my firewood from out of state regardless that I purchased it proper there on the ranger station.
So, as with the rest within the outdoor, preserve a low profile and use your greatest judgment. Check park web sites for guidelines and modifications in laws, particularly through the dry months or drought. And even when there’s no fireplace ban, but it surely feels too dry to burn safely, perhaps depart the Stöker at residence.
The Amazon Alternatives
Like every part else, Amazon is rife with different stoves just like the Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove. And, on the floor, they give the impression of being nearly an identical. In the previous couple of years, manufacturers like this have grown in quantity and recognition as a result of they’re available and cheaper. But does that imply they’re higher?
I don’t know. I can’t actually let you know with out testing out every considered one of these different stoves.
What I can let you know is that Überleben, as a model, is comprised of outdoor-oriented individuals who noticed a necessity for this product. They’re a small firm making wise options that received’t break your financial institution. That’s an enormous win for me, as their foundation for current is all a part of the tradition of the outside.
In phrases of construct, it’s arduous to beat the American 304 Stainless Steel the Stöker is constituted of. The United States nonetheless produces a few of the greatest metal on this planet. And with regard to chrome steel, 304 is the cream of the crop. Especially for an utility like this, because it’s corrosion-resistant and stands as much as excessive warmth extremely nicely.
Taking under consideration the design of the range, it’s apparent that a variety of thought went into designing every plate. There’s nothing extra that you simply want and nothing that may break down. The Stöker is straightforward and balanced, and there’s no cause you shouldn’t be capable to use it for many years to return.
I can’t confidently say that about Amazon’s many alternate options.
Überleben Stöker Flatpack Stove Conclusion
Old habits die arduous, and people who’ve been utilizing canister stoves for years will discover it difficult to alter over to a range just like the Stöker. Even as an optimist and the one that introduced this range to his editor, I used to be searching for ways in which it wouldn’t be nearly as good or as straightforward to make use of as my Jetboil. But I couldn’t.
In reality, I discovered the Stöker expertise to be extra in-depth and relatable to why I went out within the woods within the first place. A range like this forces you to decelerate and listen.
Do I feel it’s the proper alternative for somebody hanging off the face of a mountain on a portaledge? No, not even a little bit bit. But for the typical individual heading out on an informal journey within the outdoor, it is a incredible different to a canister range. I personally suppose it might develop into your staple — your go-to range, particularly in areas with low fireplace hazard.
Widening the spectrum of thought, the Stöker is a one-time buy — $48 for the stainless model and $68 for the titanium variant. You don’t want to fret about shopping for and carrying extra gasoline or gasoline canisters or ever working out.
To quote Überleben: “If you can’t find fuel for this, you’re going to need more than a fire to save you.”
