Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting kifaru stove

Do any of you actually pack these stoves into the back country to use? Really seems like a great product just didnt know about weight and all. Just looking to get some advice from those that have used them in there tents

IMO, it's a very "personal" decision. They're extra weight, and an extra PITA to assemble/break down and gather wood for. BUT they're also a game changer in bad weather, enabling you to dry your gear, warm your core, and start the next day fresh.

For the gram weenie, or someone who's running fast and light, it might not make sense. For someone who's base-camping, or staying a minimum of a couple days in one spot before moving on, I think it's worth considering----------generally speaking of course, and assuming an environment with inclement or unpredictable weather.

I've used similar stoves and it's hit or miss. I've had times I've carried a stove and not used it. I've also had times I should have used it but did not, due to poor preparation (not making a wood pile in spare time during fair weather). Warming your core, drying your gear, and a good nights sleep are hard to replace, and can lead you to make other poor decisions.

Haven't used a Kifaru stove, but have used similar designs. I find the heat rejuvenating. Finding enough wood is really not that hard. We used the stove in the morning and evenings in lows somewhere around 25 degrees. I think the best option going are the roll up titanium stoves for the gram counters. Otherwise you can make a heck of a stove out of the stainless steel canister design like the one show at HPG.

I pack mine in for use at a "base camp" only. If I'm carrying camp on my back the whole hunt, I don't take the stove. If I have a base camp for 7-9 days and bivy out for a few nights, the kifaru comes along, but stays at base camp. I only use it in the evening; no mornings because I'm in a hurry to get hunting. Makes a definite difference in the tent after a long day.

I could see how it could make for a better night rest warming up

I carried mine into the Marble Mountains last October and it made a couple of dark stormy wet nights into dry and warm delights.

I seldom go in the fall without a stove. Heck, with a BCS shelter and one of my roll-up cylinder stoves, I only have 5 lbs total weight. If I don't need the stove I don't have to use it, but less than 2 lbs brings me lots of comfort.

Kifaru stoves are good also, just a bit heavier.

EdT hit the nail on the head and he ought to know. Compare any 5lb tent to the BCS shelter with his roll up stove and see who is thriving after a week or two in cold, damp weather.

On some videos i have watched on youtube on kifaru stoves i notice they change color from the heat which i understand. But do they hold up pretty good as far as durable?

You can get them cherry red time after time and they will be fine
Tim

I've got a couple of 'em I hope I get to wear out. Oughta be some good times.

The Kifaru stoves are plenty durable. I ran one for almost a decade. Then I sold it. Here's why:

http://www.hillpeoplegear.com/Forum/tabid/679/forumid/23/threadid/1322/scope/posts/Default.aspx

Bottom line, the SO box stoves run WAY better than the Kifaru ones do.

I use a modified shangri-la 4 with a T-goat cylinder stove on stone sheep hunts from late aug to late sept. The total weight is 5.5 lbs and even if I dont need it I would only be saving 1.5 lbs if I left the stove at home(which I have done and regretted). The heat is awesome when you need it, and if you get stuck in the tent for a day or two with crap weather it actually gives you something to do and makes those days a little more bareable. You can alternate between napping in the tent and huddling under a tarp to relieve the stiffness that sets in being tent bound or you can have a 1.5 lb stove that you can play with all day and end the day being dry, warm and ready to go when the weather breaks.