TGO Rating: 4.5 stars

The Sierra Stove was one of the first portable wood-burning stoves and has been around for many years. It consists of a double-walled firebox and a small fan powered by a battery which sits in a housing away from the firebox and is attached by wire.

The firebox has holes at the bottom of the inner walls and a large hole in the base into which the fan clips so that when switched on air is blown into the fire. The fan runs on a single AA battery, which lasts around six hours. The fan and battery pack fit inside the firebox for packing. The standard Sierra Stove, which I bought some years ago, is quite heavy but there is now a lighter titanium version weighing 284g (but costing a hefty $129). There are small pot supports on the firebox that will support fairly big pans. The base of the fan housing is quite wide and the whole unit is stable as long as it’s placed on level ground. It can be moved when lit but this is awkward as the battery pack has to be lifted as well as the stove.

The fan has three settings – Low High and Off – and these do make a difference. When lighting the fire the fan should be off or it may blow out the flames. Once the fire is established the high setting will produce a roaring blaze and boil water faster than any of the other stoves tested. On high it also consumes fuel fast, however, so unless hot water is required quickly or you are boiling large amounts the low setting is better for fuel conservation. For simmering turn the fan off. Small twigs can be pushed into the fire in the narrow gap between the pot and the firebox but for larger pieces of wood the pot has to be removed. A cross-grate (70 grams) is available that sits on top of the firebox. This allows longer sticks to be used and makes it easier to add fuel without removing the pot. It can also be used for simmering by raising the pot above the flames.

The Sierra Stove works well and having some control over the flame is an advantage. However the battery housing isn’t waterproof and needs to be wrapped in plastic in rain. The wires make it more vulnerable to damage too, though of course the stove would work without the fan. The big drawback compared with alternatives is the weight. Even the titanium version is heavy compared with the Bushbuddy Ultra or Caldera Ti-Tri. But if the weight isn’t significant and the control the fan gives is appealing, the Sierra Stove is a good choice.

TECHNICAL SPEC
Design: double-wall firebox, battery-operated fan
Materials: stainless steel/aluminium
Boil time: four minutes for a litre
Weight: 515g
Likes: fast boil, adjustable flame
Dislikes: non-waterproof battery case, heavy

ZZ Manufacturing
www.zzstove.com