Biolite Campstove 2: Charge Your Devices Faster than Solar

While solar battery banks are one of the most popular methods for charging small devices in the outdoor and off-grid setting, it struggles in two major areas: charging time and consistency.

Portable solar batteries have a notoriously slow charging time, often taking many hours to reach full charge capacity. And the sun itself isn’t always available on cloudy days or at night.

What if there were a way to utilize a more abundant resource for energy. A resource as abundant as, perhaps, twigs, leaves, and wood?

The Biolite Campstove 2 is an ultra-popular, off-grid device that does just that: turns organic fuel into usable energy.

By continuously burning twigs, wood, leaves, or any combustible organic material you may find in the outdoor setting, you can potentially have an endless source of energy for charging your small devices.

This is my review of the Biolite Campstove 2.

• Charge small devices with 3W of power
• Burn wood, twigs, leaves, or pellets as fuel
• Use as a stove to cook food or boil water
• Boil 1 liter of water in 4.5 min
• Packs down to the size of a 32oz water bottle
• Weight: 2.06 lbs

Who Makes the Biolite Campstove 2?

Biolite is an American company founded by a team dedicated to providing sustainable energy to those in need. With their Energy Everywhere mission as the driving force behind their products, Biolite has developed a catalog of innovative items that provide sustainable energy in off-grid or rural settings.

They've since provided energy to 19 different countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and North America.

CampStove Night lamp / Biolite

The Biolite Campstove 2 generates energy by burning organic material such as wood, twigs, and leaves. Through its patented combustion technology, a vortex of smokeless flames rises from the stove and can be used to cook meals and boil water. The heat generated from the flames powers the attached powerpack which can be used to charge small devices such as phones, flashlights, and cameras.

Biolite's patented technology captures excess heat from the stove through a heat probe attached to the powerpack. This heat is converted into electricity through a thermoelectric generator, storing the energy into the powerpack to be used to charge external devices via USB cable.

The internal fan allows for the elimination of smoke and for controlling the distribution of heat toward the thermoelectric generator, providing a safe and controlled environment.

Biolite Campstove 2

1. On-Board Battery
   Integrated 2600 mAh battery charges devices with or without a live fire
2. Smart LED Dashboard
   Real-time feedback on fire strength, power output and fan speed settings
3. USB Charge Out With 50% More Power
   Updated thermoelectrics create even more electricity from fire
4. Internal Fan Jets
   4 fan speed settings circulate air for improved combustion and efficiency
5. Lightweight Aluminum Legs
   Fold legs up and away for nested portability
6. Honeycomb Heat Mesh
   Protective barrier from the inner burn chamber
7. Scalloped Pot Stand
   Accommodates BioLite KettlePot, Portable Grill and other cookware

• Battery: 2600 mAh
• USB Output: 3 watts
• Boil Time: 4.5 minutes for 1L
• Fuel: Biomass (sticks, twigs, pellets)
• Compatible Devices: Most USB-chargeable devices (phones, cameras, lights)
• 4 Fan Speeds
• Weight: 2.06 lbs (935g)
• Dimensions: Packed: 5.0" x 7.91" (127mm x 201mm)

Biolite Campstove / InnerBark Outdoors / Youtube

Function

The Biolite Campstove 2 essential has two functions: it can act as a portable stove for cooking and can charge small devices with its powerpack.  Powerbanks that rely on other external energy sources such as solar are dependent on the weather conditions and aren't consistently available for power. The Biolite Campstove 2 works great as an additional power source and can potentially provide unlimited energy provided there are fuel sources nearby. The Biolite can even be used to recharge your primary solar powerbank whenever sun conditions aren't quite optimum.

While the combustion chamber is small and might require frequent feeding of fuel, the stove itself burns quite well as it allows for great circulation, providing a strong, consistent flame.

Portability

At 2 lbs and 5" x 8" in packed size, the Biolite Campstove 2 can easily fit into a 32 oz canister holder and carried along in a pack. Its light weight and compact size make it easy to carry on long hikes and don't take up much space.

Charging Times

With the stove burning, it can take about an hour to charge the battery to about 50% capacity. At 3 watts, the battery can sufficiently charge small devices to capacity before needing to be refueled. An LED light on the side of the powerpack indicates the power level.

Is it safe?

Some customers have voiced concern over the danger of having a battery as part of a stove. The design of the Biolite 2 intentionally keeps the battery away from the flame and the internal fans regulate the heat absorbed by the thermoelectric generator. The Biolite Campstove 2 is very safe and has undergone rigorous testing.

Biolite Campstove 2 Video Review

Watch this video preview by Biolite

Cindy
The stove is very easy to use, I love it!
I got some pellets from the hardware store and they work great! I'm a car camper (so weight isn't an issue) and wanted something small and quick to heat water for tea/coffee and dehydrated meals. The light is useful and the power port is nice to have. 

Jay Boi
Lightweight and durable
Fantastic for backpacking! You can break it out and have a fire going in minutes.

• Charge small devices with 3W of power
• Burn wood, twigs, leaves, or pellets as fuel
• Use as a stove to cook food or boil water
• Boil 1 liter of water in 4.5 min
• Packs down to the size of a 32oz water bottle
• Weight: 2.06 lbs

Summary

The Biolite Campstove 2 is a portable smokeless stove that uses organic material to charge small devices. Its built-in power bank converts heat to electricity, providing 3 watts of power to charge phones, tablets, and cameras. It packs away at 5" x 8" in size and weighs 2 lbs, making ideal for long backpacking trips.

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