Fireant initial use

The other weekend I went car camping in RI.  Whenever I go car camping I like to try out any new gear that I got, and practice various skills.  This time I focus on using the Emberit Fireant stove.  I recently got the stainless version, and this was the first time giving it a try.

The stove is very easy to setup, although the edges are a tad sharp, so it is worth it to pay attention to what you are doing.  The first time I set it up at home I got a small cut on my finger.  It is likely worth touching the edges with some 220 grit sandpaper.  My initial thoughts were of how cool the stove is, and how quickly it goes together.  I love the versatility of the design.  I have a homemade alcohol stove with a less than ideal pot stand, and an esbit solid fuel stove.  The Fireant can function as a pot stand for my alcohol stove, or as a solid fuel stove, or biomass stove.  I love the versatility.

My first attempt at using the stove was somewhat frustrating due to the wood I was using.  The firewood at the campground was oak, which might have not been fully dry.  Unlike the state parks I am use to the setup was not optimal for just going out into the woods and grabbing some deadfall.  So I cut off appropriate sized chunks, and made shavings and used that with some deadfall that was nearby.

The first time I lit it was with a cotton and petroleum based tinder and ferro rod.  This worked very well and I was able to light it through the open for wood.  The second time I tried using the IGKNIGHT fire starting blocks.  These were harder to light with my small ferro rod while in the stove.  I had great success lighting them outside of the stove and then putting them inside.  Those fire starters work extremely well and burn for a good amount of time.

Keeping the stove going with the wood I had was the real difficulty for the first few uses.  It took more active management than I was hoping, and needed to be blown on a few times.  I think that more softwood in the mix probably would have worked much better.  Despite this I was successful in cooking steak, eggs, and bacon with the stove.  Overall a win, but it takes a bit more practice to use well than say a pocket rocket.  This was expected though.  I will continue to use this stove, possibly even as my primary for trips this year to see how it works out.