Backpacking stoves come in all shapes and sizes, from the ever popular Jetboil, to slow simmering Primus stoves. But for the ultralight backpacker or survivalist out there, size matters. That’s why the Bluet Pocket Stove is a good option. It may look like just a square piece of metal, but this little guy works, and it won’t take up any space in your pack.
The Bluet Pocket Stove is a compact metal square made from galvanized steel that folds out so a pot can be placed on it. The stove burns Bluet solid fuel cubes (included) that you place in the middle, under your pot or backpacking mug. The cubes burn long and hot, and one cube will burn for around 15 minutes.
After I received the Bluet Pocket Stove, I never had the opportunity to backpack with it. But it’s pretty obvious that such a small and light stove would weigh nothing in the pack as it’s only 3.25 ounces. Therefore, I figured it was more important to test out the stove’s ability to cook food and boil water. So I took it down to Gooseberry Mesa on a mountain biking trip, determined to use it for all of my culinary needs. So how did the Bluet perform?
The company says the pocket stove will boil a pint of water in eight minutes. So, of course, I timed it come morning. One pint of water took closer to 10 minutes to boil, however it was cold, there were light winds on the mesa, and I didn’t cover my mug which allowed heat to escape. Also, the cube didn’t burn for 15 minutes. In fact, the fuel burned out soon after the water was finished boiling. Not quite what the company claims, but conditions were not ideal, and my water got hot regardless, which means the stove did its job and my instant oatmeal got cooked, which is all that matters.
That night, I decided to actually cook something on the Bluet Stove, rather than just boil more water. So I opened a can of chili, and put the can directly on the stove with the fuel cube underneath it. The cube burned and soon, the chili was bubbling. I had to frequently stir the beans and meat to keep a consistent temperature throughout. Once the cube burned out, I took a bite and was happy with the result. While the chili wasn’t piping hot, it was steaming warm, more than hot enough to eat.
The next morning, I boiled more water for my oatmeal and coffee and was still happy with the outcome. However, one issue I ran into after burning four cubes was the residue the fuel left on the bottom of the stove. A small mound of burned cube material stuck fast and nothing would scrape it off. I had to spend some time chipping away at it to level the stove’s floor again. Not a huge deal, but it did make unburned cubes placed into the stove tilt at an angle, which could affect the direction of focused heat and make the stove less efficient. Perhaps there is an easier solution to removing the residue at home, but while in camp, not even a sharp knife could dislodge it.
Another issue with the fuel cubes is that they do burn fast, and after one weekend, I was down to only three. Six cubes are included with the stove, but for serious outdoorsmen who recreate a lot, a large quality of cubes would need to be carried. You can purchase a 12 pack of additional cubes at the AGS Brands website for $5.99. While this isn’t a big deal, it isn’t quite as easy as running down to the corner store for gas canisters, which are readily available everywhere.
Overall, I’m impressed with this little stove. It works great for not only boiling water, but even warming up your lunch or dinner. I could see it being used for a number of activities, even backcountry skiing. It never hurts to have something on your person that can boil water, especially in emergency situations, and for something so light and small, I could really see how this stove would be a welcome addition to any survivalist or light-and-fast junkie’s pack.
For more information or to purchase, visit AGS Brands Bluet Pocket Stove online.