Firebox Nano, GSI Pinnacle Skillet, & PDW Versabears

[DAVE_M]

Was able to test out a few new pieces of kit this past weekend: Firebox Nano Stove, GSI Pinnacle 10" Pan, & PDW Versabears.

Me and two good buddies went out for a 10 mile round trip hike through Homochitto National Forest to test out some gear, which included a new firebox stove and skillet. I packed in a skirt steak, tortillas, pancake mix, and three versabears filled with Cooking Oil, Salsa, and Maple Syrup. Needless to say, we were anxious to get to camp. Five miles of hilly terrain led us to camp right before sundown. Steak tacos after a five mile hike is like winning the lottery, and waking up to hot pancakes was just icing on the cake. The versabears are just awesome to say the least. If you don't own some, get some.

Arriving at camp, my buddy set up the firebox and rounded up the kindling. The Jetboil was very handy for making a quick hot cup of water for our instant coffee, while we got the firebox rolling. Once the skillet was nicely heated, we got the steak going. While we let it rest, we started the camp fire. Then it was time for some good ole tacos with salsa out of the versabear.

The next morning we woke up to comfortably chilly weather and got the stove fired up once more for some hot pancakes!

 

[DavidZ]

That looks like a great time! How did the stove work out for you? I see that you can feed it fro two sides.

 

[neeman]

How did you find the Nano?

I love the way it just opens
but
I had trouble with is as it did not seem to draw air well
It was more like a box than a designed stove with a built in draft
So I always struggle with it
(the Emberlit draw very well, both sizes)

 

[DAVE_M]

That looks like a great time! How did the stove work out for you? I see that you can feed it fro two sides.

It worked very well for its size. We learned very quickly that you essentially have to put kindling vertical in the stove to get a good flame going. Then you can start to feed it from the sides. It will get very hot, very quickly, so you have to monitor the kindling being fed in through the sides. Since it is open on two sides, you can overlap the kindling as you feed the fire.

How did you find the Nano?

I love the way it just opens
but
I had trouble with is as it did not seem to draw air well
It was more like a box than a designed stove with a built in draft
So I always struggle with it
(the Emberlit draw very well, both sizes)

It works extremely well, even when there is plenty of wood stuffed inside. The makers of the firebox did a very good job designing the stove itself.

 

[knoefz]

Looks like a fun trip. Love that little firebox! Thanks for sharing.