Budget v's Best- Twig Stove Comparison. 

By the time you got that bushbox thing assembled I would be cooking on the cheap unit.

My experience with these (I have a Lixada clone of the Überleben Stöker) is splits of wood take longer to boil water than twigs. The smaller, thinner, the better. They all catch fire, the fuel goes berserk, the heat is incredible, water boils fast. I think something to do with the surface area to volume ratio. Even if you're using small splits of wood or thicker twigs the very fine stuff catches well and gets the thicker stuff up to temperature quicker. But that's by-the-by, great video, lovely presentation. Thanks!

Germany: Bushbox: Around 50€ (Big One) Inexpensive Bushbox: Around 15€ (Big One) Bushbox: Overpriced Inexpensive Bushbox: Perfect value! I have an inexpensive one and I'm happy with it.

I have that small China stove and absolutely love it. Its the perfect height for my minibull design gnome stove and is an adequate little lightweight wood stove that fits perfectly in my fire kit. Great video mate, love comparison videos. Subbed!

Seems like a good video with lots of good information, but I have trouble with the thick accent and the speech being so fast. Mark, maybe if you speak slower, the silly Americans could understand you better. Keep on making good videos!

There's nothing wrong with the speed u talk or ur accent, and no I am not from the Midlands. That person's probably foreign, you can tell by how slow they write.

A good practical review I've got one of the cheap Chinese stoves and the little pan that comes with it does have it's uses. If you fit it into the upper slots (you have to trim off one edge of the rim with an angle grinder to do this!) it will hold enough alcohol to boil a pot of water or cook a meal in a small pan. If you're burning wood or charcoal you can put the pan under the stove with some alcohol to get the solid fuel burning faster If you do buy the Chinese one, get the hinged version shown in the video. There are some sold with separate panels fitting together with tabs which are even more fiddly than the Bushbox, and fall apart at the drop of a hat!

The Amazon stove, they added 2 pieces of steel like the expensive one for proper support for the cup or pot.

In your video you didn't mention that the more expensive stove has an ash catcher which the made in china didn't....probably important for keeping live embers from falling on the ground and possibly starting a grass fire or such.

Excellent review mate. Just subscribed.

Nice Videos My friend You are Amazing creator

I think the cheaper one is a Superior design

one thing for sure is when I`m in the woods building a fire to eat or drink something hot I dont cvare wethere it take 10 or 15 minutes to get things going....I am never in any hurry!

This is good if I can use a folding pot that has silicone and that i can keep the flames away.... Otherwise, it's better to get one that will fit in a conventional pot.... No need to be flat in that case....

I own the cheaper one and it does the job fine 👍👍

Hi Mark, The smaller one would be my choice too! By the way, I've just found your awesome channel and subbed! Looking forward to watching more. Thanks for sharing mate. Take care, Steve. 👍👍

Have you ever worked as a demonstrator because you’re explaining it really well

I have a Bushbox XL and recently bought a Chinese mini wood burning stove. My reason for adding the Chinese stove is that it's made of titanium obviously lighter than stainless steel. Plus, I paid $85 for the Bushbox, but only $9.20 for the Chinese stove. Either stove will do its job, my reason for choosing one over the other, would be the weight factor when backpacking.

Like me old Dad used to say, "you pay for what you get son"👌

If a guy really wanted to, he could go out and buy some metal striping in a "coil," from a hardware store and make himself some cross bars / cup holder with just a pair of tin snips for the little Chinese fold-out stove. And maybe eventually buy or make a little net pattern grill to place on top of the stove to cook food on.

Thank you. Your comparison was fair and honest. I see pros and cons with both stoves. It looks like the bush box would last longer. If that’s important to a person. But I agree that the cheaper, lighter one is a good bargain.

You would have to be a mong if you got the £30.00 one ,and people who always worry about the weight of there camping kit when they need to lose 5kg themselves plus if you had cold hands or maybe you could only use. One hand you would never get it together .

Why are they called Twig Stoves, when in all these videos, everyone keeps putting planed wood, or shop bought wood/pellets in them. Do they not work properly with twigs.

I used a catering food tin with holes punched all over it for years as the only cooking stove in my life...used as a proper hobo stove😁. Now I use the base of a Kelly kettle with their pot "attachment" that sits on top of the base to make it more useable. Awesome, light, strong as and no parts to loose. Another great video mate, thanks for it.

Thanks for the comparison Mark. I to have a little wood stove and I love it. Instead of creating a big fire just to cook a meal, I can just use sticks off the ground and minimize my impact on the environment. Have a wonderful weekend. - Josh

Great video, a lot of educaion. The solution for me is buy two of the cheap stoves. Same weight as the the other and lots of redundancy.

Bushbox looks like a nightmare.

Thanks for your job! Regarding base measurements, which one would you recommend? (9x9cm) (10x10cm) (12x12cm).

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Hi my friend. Thanks for the great video you shared with us. Very interesting. Really nice movie. Thanks for sharing. please keep in touch, ..., 💕, .,💖💯.,

I love cooking with the hobo. I have a folding hobo from Russia. cost about 30 euros. I'm very satisfied. It is a bit heavier but it can be set up in a few seconds. Great review my friend. Have a great time and greetings Marco & Racoon

I've had the Lixada (the inexpensive Chinese version) twig stove for a a little over a year now and I use it almost every weekend when I go bushwhacking. It is quite sturdy construction wise, made of thick stainless steel, with a couple of braces on top to support smaller containers. I am so happy with it that I bought another one as a back up. Great video

This is amazing useful stuff

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Great review I have the bush box I really like it but over the years I have used tin cans a few rocks whatever is average thanks for sharing

very nice

For the cheap stove, I use small skewers to sub for the trivits. They work really well and are cheap. You can also use the skewers for a number of other tasks. Cheers.

With the price of the bushbox stove you think they would give you the black corridor bag !!! come on this stove is exspensive !!!

Just watched again Mark 🙂. About time I got one of the Chinese twig stoves. Definitely makes making a brew quicker and easier than an open fire every time 🙂🔥. Hope you're having a great weekend 👍

There is a cheaper Chinese version of Bushbox stove manufactured by Lixada.

Great video. I have both stoves but find myself using the cheap one ( 6.99 ) all the time now, due to finding the Bushbox a bit fiddly To put together. Had my cheapo stove for over 3 years now & it’s still going strong. It’s easy to make a trivet if you needed one.

I can immediately tell that you're from my neck of the woods, duck 🙂

Great job on the video brother but I don't have to tell you that. I was curious if you would be interested in joining me in a live show called outdoor enthusiasts live, where I interview my guest in an attempt to inspire others to go outdoors and find Adventure. The series starts back up in December I took a break for Native American Heritage Month, I would love to have you on an episode all you need to join is your cell phone no special apps are required.

Hey Mark, titanium distributes heat better than steel so that's probably why the Bushbox was faster. Love your videos, just subbed.

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Nice jacket man!

hi mark are you ok it been a while since i heard from you hope everything ok mate

I have a Meru Pagoda (much better design than the emberlit, but don't tell that to the tantrum throwing adult child who sells them) and even though it's stainless, it's the best low cost stove I've used.

Water will boil quicker if the top of the cup is covered.

Thanks for the review Mark. I am disabled (hands) So I think the cheap one would be easier for me. Good to see a well made video and fair review. Subscribed.

Bit late ,, that cheaper stove ,,couple wire type tent pegs mate ,, throw holes on side plates,,, I've often seen these wee wood/ multi fuel stoves as almost gimmicky, , however, ( as I say a tad late ), I ordered one on the strength of your reviews. I tend to believe that the Bush box ,although high quality, too much for a stove. I'm thinking about buying 3 possibly 4 more of the cheapest version, one to use/abuse , , with one in reserve, and rotate others into little kits ,I'm definitely putting one in a fire kit , I also purchased the larger version (£14 aprpx) , of which again I can see the worth in have a couple, for longer duration, I thank you for the shout mate , good bits o ' kit 👍👍, got too get em' dirty now (( I love "" shiney " kit )).

Good point made below by 2btpatch. No arrestor plate. Need to put the cheapo on a rock or some no burn surface.I have both. I also prefer the cheapo . Cheap fix for the trivets or cross pieces. Go to the dollar store and pick up a set of SS BBQ tongs. Using a hack saw cut off the handle and the ends leaving two strips of SS. Cut slots in the ends to match the stove and there you have it. Trivets for a dollar. Also all I carry one med fry pan and a plastic insulated cup. You can do everything in a fry pan and it is low profile in your pack and you can have your "Tea" in the insulated cup. I just don't get the SS cup logic. Burned fingers, burned lips.

#4554 n like 1,3rb. Nice video. You teached wild life. A new friend from Indonesia. Stay connected

That bushbox seems like they've made a really simple device and made it fiddly for no reason. Personally, I just use 3 right angle shelf brackets - arrange them in a triangle so they rest over themselves (and look like a triangle from on top). Cost me 45p thanks to a homebase sale.

I own the budget model. And like many others who have it, I just made a small grate for the top to enable the use of smaller cups and bottles.

You could make cross pieces easily enough for the cheaper stove if it was an issue for you, an old metal tent peg sawn in half would do the trick, even a couple of bits of metal coat hanger.

Wow sharp cool thank you for sharing its me nenematit.

Hi Mark....Great video content as usual from you mate. Not a big fire fan myself when it comes to knocking up a brew or a bit of grub, I had a folding firebox for a while but it ended up just being a pot stand for my trangia. I thought both stoves you showed had some merits so a tough choice for people in the market. Thanks for sharing man. Be safe and be lucky, Wol.

Ya mug. That little dish ya threw away is for hexamine tabs, alcohol or, in my case wax and corrugated cardboard. Using a windshield it boils in 7 mins and burns long enough make a coffee and fry up 2 eggs. I'm an all weather camper, many times there is no dry wood around. That little dish is essential to me. PS I have the same el cheapo stove.$9.00 Au on eBay. Works a treat.

Nice show good looking little stoves thanks

I just got my cheap stove in the mail I watched your video before I'm going to test the stove thank you for the video

Great video great bit of kit we just subscribe to your channel 👍

Good result. Nice to look at ! I will be in touch and watch you! Thanks! I am Subscribing. bell, like.....

I have one question and one idea. On the more expensive model what's the half moon slot on the bottom plate used for? When comparing boil times wondered this. The cheaper model appears to be open on all four sides. Allowing air movement from all four sides at the bottom. The other stove has only two opens. Would only two openings force more air in at a faster rate causing more combustion and increasing boil times, or not? Was fuel consumption the same or did one eat more wood. Then is the height of each burn chamber the same? Great comparison video. Thanks for putting this together.

Nice straight to the point, no nonsense review. I liked this video and the fact that you weren't biased from the off towards the more expensive option as a lot of reviews are. A fair ballanced test with an actual honest opinion at the end. Thanks

Brilliant review of both stoves - just what I was looking for 👍🏕

nice video thanks

Are use the smaller cotton sachet packs measure about 2 1/2 x 3 1/2” and put ground coffee in them. I use one of those small wood burning stove to boil water drop the sachet packs in and I have delicious groundless coffee. Clean them out and they’re reusable.

Lovely video and well articulated. Great review of both stoves, you’ve earned my sub

Hey Mark! Great content as I have come to expect when I see a new video of yours! One improvement if I might suggest - putting the web links into the description should not be too troublesome and helps us greatly! By the way, I just got my Mora Bushcraft Black based on the review of yours and have been loving the knife!

Bush box is good .. ace price ..easy put together.. that’s the one I’d go for cheers buddy Chris & Sam

Great vids man!... new subscriber here.... I recently bought the spitfire patrol rocket stove... works super well... it's not a pack stove but works for the truck or camp van. I liked it so much that I two more of it's little brother called the spartan. A bit expensive, but I expect them to last a lifetime... best of health, wealth and timing to ya... :)

Why not just build one from a vegi can? You can always fill it up with gear and put it in your pack and it will not take up any more room.

I have both and IMHO they both produces the same results. Cost and weight are 2 important factors as, perhaps, Asia wages are not as high as European or American wages. Weight , even an ounce is a factor when you have jungle terrain to travel. If we non-biasly look at the number of wooden stove sold, I believe the majority is still the cheaper stove for the regular outdoor person. This again is my opinion that I observe while camping and hiking in Asia. The higher end stoves are usually used by some blue-moon hikers or campers who are probably more urbanites and outdoor centric

I will stick to my two bushbox I did have a Chinese nock off and it ended up melting after 6 times use

Thank you very much for the great video ! What kind/brand of jacket are you wearing ? Best Regards from Norway/Stefan

Done subs.. watching from Connecticut..

If you have transport to get near to your desired location the weight may not be an issue. Personally, I prefer to travel light - and given the price on the cheaper stove? Have to say, it's got my vote. But, I use the British army hexi stove which can also be utilised with twigs - a healthier alternative.

Mr. Mark, thanks a lot for this video. It was very illustrative and well put. I needed a comparison and this one is the best video about it.

the little pan you threw away was for using alcohol to burn.

the problem with these tiny stove is that u can never find them in the house when u need it, I can never find it

Just gave you a sub! Sammi Prepper Bushcraft Australia sent me. Really great video! I have one of the cheap ones, it works when I need something light it's good enough for what it is. I got a Sterno stove at Walmart for almost nothing it's a little more than twice the size of a twig stove, and it works fantastically.

I go for the cheapest one.

I use 4 tent pegs the round metal ones and some mesh on top in my fire cost nothing had it already if you can't use a fire then I'd go for the cheaper version of that wood stove easier to assemble etc good video like it 🖒🖒🖒

Top man only just started watching your channel about an hour a go subbed and will watch all your vids now :) honest and true 👍

there is an easy way to assemble it... i have that kind of stove but bigger than he got...

Nice video mark I might buy the el cheapo and give it a whirl might be ok for when it's almost time to pack up camp 😀

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I love the bushbox and I also use the ultralight with my trangia they are both solid bits of kit and you don’t have to worry whether different pots will fit or not,cheers bud

Excellent review, thank you. Like yourself, I've used all these type of stoves in the past, but tend to stick with the newer Bushbox Titanium now. (160grams) Bit pricey but pretty much a bomb proof stove. Still find them a right old fiddle to put together though...! ATB, Steve

So satisfying watching kindling being cut, lol.

I came across you in a thread on Ant's Survive the Night channel. For some reason I'm not being alerted of your new videos though I am still subscribed and the notification bell is turned on. For that reason, I thought I'd visit your channel again. I really enjoy these honest comparison videos. Particularly when they compare higher ticket gear to budget gear. There are certain things I'm willing to spend more on, such as you put it, a good knife for example, but I generally go with budget priced wood burning stoves. Since they're not going to be holding up a large amount of weight, I find Lixada, or Tomshoo stoves to be just fine.. There really isn't much that can go wrong with them. As always, I enjoyed your video brother.

great review Mark thanks , I was due to get the all singing all dancing firebox recently but this virus thing means that everyone is home shopping in boredom and everything has either sold out or gone up in price!! there`s still a few cheap lixadas about and I reckon they might be the better option anyway , thanks again

I pound coffee can with he appropriate holes use one yr. get another. Just a thought. Good video, Thank You.

i just discover you my friend,very good work..greetings from Greece

Aloha from Hawaii. Thanks for the review. Subbed.

I thought I finally had stick stoves figured out, but I recently came to the conclusion that I don't like the way any of the ones I've used are designed. I did find that cutting an opening in the opposite side of the feeding hole solved one of my main objections, which was how much wood could be in the stove, and the awkwardness of having so much of the stick on the outside, and having the ends of the sticks at such a high angle. Now I can pass sticks all the way through the stove, let them lie flat and burn in the middle. As the sticks burn apart in the middle, I pass them through the stove again from both directions, and they still lie flat until they're small enough to actually fit inside. This may not be a plus for everyone, but it's certainly made stove life easier for me. But I still can't find a stove that has all the other features I want, such as arms on top that will fold out to allow a larger skillet or pot, a grate system that allows me to catch ash and cinders below the stove, etc. I guess I want an actual stove, at least within reason. I think I'm going to have to make one, if I'm to get all the features I want. I'm not even opposed to a stove that doesn't fold. Such a stove still slides easily into a pack, and by filling it with other gear, you lose little, if any space. But I don't know. I really did think I had it figured out, but this little thing that little thing, and the other not so little thing kept bagging at me, and now I'm pretty much back where I started.

great comparison atb steve

nice vid fella .

Hi mark hope you are well .not seen any posts in ages .