Does anyone have experience with either/both of the Kifaru and Ti-Goat Stoves and can comment on the pluses and minuses of each?

I am just starting to research them and havent decided on the size of stove I want yet ...

Is one particularly easier to assemble and take down in the field than the other?

Is one "tougher" than the other?

Is one generally more airtight than the other?

Thanks for any insight ...

hmt ,

I have the titanium goat cylinder stove but have yet to fire it.

It sets up ok basically from what i see -the more compact the more set-up time.

hmt- I've got two Kifaru's...the large and the small...I've only got a few fires through the small, but the large has been burned upwards of 50x with no signs of wear at all. I'll bet that both will outlast me and I'm only 35.

The Kifaru's are not airtight and need to be fed regularly...every 10-15 min's or so for the small and 20-25 for the large...if you need to boil water, a steady supply of finger sized or smaller wood does the trick.

The Kifaru stoves seem to be very, very expensive. What benefit do they provide that would offset the extremly high price?

Between my bud and I we have a (Kifaru) 4 man with small stove and an 8 man with large stove, Mannlicher: the benifites are durability, weight, and packability.
MIke

The kifaru stoves are less than the comparable Ti Goat stove. If you were comparing to a regular wood stove for a tent it would be bulk and weight. -Ian

My Kifaru's never really seemed expensive when I've been sitting around poking wood to them in my tee-shirt while it was 0 out...

Beats cold camping.

What are you comparing the Kifaru's to Mannlicher?

Does anyone have experience with assembling any of the Kifaru or Ti-Goat stoves?

Is it a 3 minute ordeal, 10 minute or 30 minutes of lost screws???

Thanks for everyone's thoughts so far ... good stuff ...

I've set up large and small Kifaru stoves and the Ti goat cylinder. The first time is a little tough to get the stove pipe to curl smoothly without bending, expecially the smaller diameter Ti pipe on the goat stove. Once it's been burned in, your good to go in about five with all of them.
Don

Thanks Doc ... I have been really curious about the "fiddle factor" ...

I think I might start with the Ti Cylinder Stove ... but get it in the extended version like that mentioned by one of the other members on the board ... the screen name escapes me at the moment ...

HMT,
There's one for sale on the Kifaru forums
Ti Goat 18" cylinder stove

thanks 5x5 ... I have to wait about 2-3 months before I can buy the stove ... just planning at the moment ... I'll keep it in mind in case it is still available ...

I was not impressed with the Ti Cylinder Stove, to many parts to lose in the field. I sent it back.
I've switched to a less packable, but more reliable stove for a "camp" situation. I carry a down bag+pad, bivy, & sil-tarp; for the occational over-nighter away from camp. Much lighter (less than 5lbs total), and you can still enjoy an old fashion camp fire.

The 4-man Kifaru (or para-tipi) and small stove, is a sweet set up, but it's still weight you have to carry. 9lbs + bedding.

I am solo a lot though.

Now split between 2 guys I would take the Kifaru system every time.

hmt, are you wanting a stove that callapes or just a small light stove? If you are interested in just a small light stove I have made one that works ex. and is small and light. It packs small and all the stove parts fit in the stove to save space. My stove w/ pipe, baffle, and dampner weighs right at 2# 2oz. and cost around $40.00 to build, it measures 61/2hx4wx91/4L. If interested I can get some pics.--Allen--

Allen ... I'm all ears ... what ya got???

I will get some pic's and put them up. With some details.--Allen--

Done Tx.

Now you have to tell the story. Nice baffle plate.

Thanks Allen/Woods ... I'm planning on adding the Ti-Goat stove jack to a GoLite Hut 2 I recently purchased ... I might see if I can make something similar to this stove since my gear budget is depleted again for a few months ...

As a side note ... GoLite is clearing out all of there shelters to make way for a complete new line for next year ... so anyone wanting a Hex or Hut or xyz might want to take advantage of some of the deals some of the gear sites are offering ...

I've got my eye on next years "4 Person" tipi instead of this years hex to get the little bit of extra room when hunting with a buddy ... and hopefully the Hut 2 will work out for solo use ...

not much to write up. I got the stove pipe and dampner from Ti Goat and the stove is a colman fuel can. The baffle is just a piece of tin with the hail screen attached and then riveted to the stove. Just make sure that the front lip is lower than the inside baffle so the smoke will draw up the pipe. The legs are just alum. arrows. It works just as well sitting on the ground. This stove works ex. in my Vertex 5, and as I said before it only weighs 2# .2 oz and I think I could save some with a lighter inside baffle if I had shopped around better. oh well. It all packs inside of the stove and I also keep my tent stakes and a pair of stove gloves in it also, with a little room to spare. Best of luck!!--Allen--

thanks Allen!

I figured the pics would pretty much tell the story ...

time to start experimenting ...

Allen--
How did you tie the arrow shaft legs and stovepipe into the Coleman can? Are those big hose clamps lying on that piece of metal (and how is that all used) on the lower left of the second photograph? It's too late here; my mind isn't working...

jockc, I just used some screws and washers to attach the legs and that way I can take them on and off. the stuff in the 2nd pic is for the stove pipe. The cable rings go on the outside to keep it round and there are 2 cable clamps w/ the ends brazed together on each one to fit into each end of the pipe to keep it's shape. I only use one in the bottom of the pipe to allow the dampner to work easier but it is not really needed. That is acually a little bag to keep the rings in to keep from losing them. --Allen--

Allen--Final question, I hope. Does the stovepipe just sit in the stove on its own weight, or is it somehow fixed against movement (wind, falling snow, etc.)?

jockc, the dampner(flapper) is inserted about 2" up from the bottom and it has a little piece sticking out each side and this is what the pipe sits on, but the weight of the pipe is all that is holding it inplace. I ordered the dampner from TiGoat for about $5.00 when I ordered the pipe. Good luck--Allen--