Creator Digest
JJupiterHikes· 107K subscribers

Is a Wood Burning Backpacking Stove Worth the Hassle?

14 min videoNov 2, 2026The notes cover it

Choose a wood stove for fire-side fun and fuel independence, not speed; use it only where conditions and fire rules allow.

  • Collect about twice the wood you expect to need, cut it into 3–4-inch pieces, and start with thin twigs before adding thicker sticks.
  • Expect soot and ash: use a pot koozie or protective pot bag, and usually cook with the stove door open for airflow.
  • Check fire restrictions and weather; carry an alcohol or Esbit backup—or food that needs no cooking—when fires may be difficult or prohibited.

The practical tips and trade-offs are clear from the notes; the personal use case adds little extra. · Best for: Hikers planning short trips in areas where fires are permitted and wood is available.

The creator reviews the Vargo Hexagon wood stove, covering its portability and enjoyment, operating tips, drawbacks, and suitable hiking conditions.

Why use a wood stove0:00

  • The creator used the stove nightly for cooking during a 1,700-mile, two-month bike trip across Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.
  • Its appeal is having a small campfire, relying on gathered fuel, and enjoying the cooking process.

Weight and portability2:06

  • The stove weighs 4.2 oz; with its case, it weighs about 5 oz and packs flat, roughly the size of a piece of paper.
  • The creator compares it with a BRS 3000T and a small fuel canister, which together weigh about 5.5 oz before the fuel is used.

Fire and cooking tips4:19

  • Gather about twice the wood you expect to use and prepare sticks in 3–4-inch pieces before lighting the fire.
  • Start with thin twigs, then move to thicker wood as the fire strengthens.
  • Protect gear and hands from soot with a pot koozie or a pot’s carrying case.
  • The creator usually leaves the door open for airflow; the Hexagon 2.0 has airflow holes on every side.

Backup options and drawbacks7:36

  • In wet or uncertain conditions, consider bringing an alcohol or Esbit stove as a backup; the wood stove can serve as its windscreen.
  • Wet weather can make a fire hard to start, and fire bans can make use illegal.
  • Wood stoves are slower than gas stoves; boiling water may take about twice as long, depending on wood quality.

Where it makes sense11:00

  • The creator suggests areas where fires are often feasible, naming the Appalachian, Benton MacKaye, Pinhoti, Superior Hiking, and Long trails.
  • Check for burn bans and wildfire risk; short trips with reliably suitable conditions are a good fit.
  • The creator values the stove for fun, not efficiency or minimum weight.

Step by step

  1. Before starting, collect roughly twice the wood you think you need.
  2. Break wood into 3–4-inch pieces and sort it into piles.
  3. Light the fire using thin twigs; add thicker pieces once it is burning well.
  4. Keep the stove door open in most conditions to provide airflow.
  5. Use a pot koozie or carrying case to keep soot and ash off gear and hands.
  6. Check local fire restrictions and conditions; bring a backup stove or no-cook food if needed.

Tools & resources mentioned

  • Vargo titanium Hexagon wood stove — compact wood-burning cooking stove; the creator also mentions its Hexagon 2.0 update with added airflow holes.
  • BRS 3000T — gas stove used as a comparison for weight and speed.
  • Toaks pot carrying case — helps keep soot and ash off gear and hands.
  • Alcohol stove and Esbit stove — suggested backup options; the wood stove can be used as a windscreen.
Watch on YouTube

Notes are AI-generated from the video's transcript and may miss nuance.