Frequently Asked Questions
Why a gasifier stove?
Ganesha stoves have double walls that let superheated secondary air flow to the top of the fire, where it helps burn the smoke. This is more difficult from a design point of view, but has some really big advantages that make it worth it:
-Fires are easier to start
-Burning is much cleaner and hotter
-It’s easier to keep the fire going
-Uses less fuel, and is more tolerant of damp or unusual fuels (like bundled grasses or dried dung)
-The cooking fire doubles as a “personal fire” that is very pleasant, even after cooking is done
Can this stove handle hot fires and repeated folding & unfolding?
Yes! We have used it extensively ourselves, with several hundred burn cycles per stove. Like many ultralight items, it should be used carefully, but it is designed for years of use.
What kind of fuel is best?
-Tinder like dry grass, combined with small twigs, is best for starting the fire
-Wooden sticks the diameter of a finger or thumb are best for keeping the fire going
-Small pieces can be fed in the top, while longer pieces can be fed into the lower opening
-Adjust the amount of fuel to control heat
-Dry dung also burns well, though it will need some firewood to keep it burning hot
What kind of adventurer is this stove best for?
-Those who enjoy simplicity and paying attention to the natural world
-Fast & Light, but with hot meals and beverages
-Leave No Trace - it’s easy to use the stove and still leave your cooking area pristine
-Don’t want to use fossil fuels and disposable canisters
-Those who enjoy a campfire
When should this stove not be used?
This stove should never be used in an area with an active fire ban.
Can I use an alcohol burner in the stove?
Yes, just invert your alcohol burner stand, place the burner on it, and put it inside the Ganesha stove. Turn the stove so it protects the alcohol flame from the wind, and you are good to go.
What’s the groundcloth made of?
The included groundcloth is fiberglass with a silicone coating on both sides. It is impressively fire resistant (we’ve built big fires right on the groundcloth, and while it discolors, it doesn’t melt or burn). Please note that while the groundcloth won’t burn, it can still transmit heat to the ground below. Make sure to clear all organic matter from the area before placing the groundcloth and stove.
Which pots will work best?
These pots are the correct dimensions to fit down inside the stove on the pot supports:
-MSR Titan Kettle 850ml
-Snow Peak Titanium Trek 900ml
-TOAKS 750ml Pot, Light Titanium 700ml Pot, Titanium 900ml Pot, Titanium 1100ml Pot
-Evernew Titanium 900ml Pot, Titanium Pasta Pot 1000ml
-Vargo Ti-Lite 900 Mug
-Optimus Terra Xpress HE Cooking Pot 600ml
Pots larger than 5.5 inches in diameter (14 cm) can be placed on top of the stove. Small frying pans also work well.
Is it patented?
Our unique stove design is protected under US Patent 12,163,666. This is a utility patent, with design and other patents pending.
When can I get one?
Stoves are in production (in both stainless steel and titanium) and we will have them in stock in late April/early May. We are now taking pre-orders, which are fully refundable. By placing a pre-order, you claim your spot in line, so you will get your stove as early as humanly possible.
What are the specs?
Material: Titanium or Stainless Steel
Packed Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.5 inches (25 x 17.5 x 1.3 cm)
Assembled Dimensions: 5.25 x 5.25 x 6.8 inches (13.3 x 13.3 x 17.3 cm)
Weight: 7.8 ounces (220 g) in titanium, 13.0 ounces (367 g) in stainless steel
Fuel: Biomass (twigs, sticks, dung)
Recommended Pot Size: 4.2 to 4.6 inches in diameter (10.7 - 11.7 cm), to fit properly on the pot supports inside the stove. Pots larger than 5.5 inches in diameter (14 cm) can be placed on top of the stove. Small frying pans also work well.
Boil Time (700 ml): 4 to 6 minutes
Time to Fold/Unfold: < 10 seconds
Country of Origin: Designed in the USA, handmade in India
Groundcloth: Fire-resistant fiberglass, coated on both sides with silicone
How does it compare to other stoves?
How does it compare to the Solo? Bushbox? Firebox? Uberleben?
It’s true, there are many wood-burning stoves on the market, aimed at outdoor adventurers. If any one of them were perfect, we wouldn’t have put the work into designing and manufacturing the Ganesha Ultralight. And is it perfect? We’re looking forward to hearing your feedback on that.
Solo Stove - there are many sizes of Solo, from tiny to giant backyard firepits. Even the lightest of them is heavier than the titanium Ganesha Ultralight.
The Solo Stove Lite has a truly tiny fire volume. To keep it going, you need a pile of small-diameter short twigs. Starting a fire in it can be difficult, and once you start the fire, you need to feed it continuously. Because the pot sits on a grate above the fire (not surrounded by it as in the Ganesha Ultralight), it takes a long time to heat up your breakfast or dinner. It weighs 9 oz vs. 7.8 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight titanium. Its packed volume is 103 cubic inches, vs 34.2 for the Ganesha Ultralight.
The Solo stove most comparable in firepower and ease of use is the Solo Campfire. We did a 7-day backpacking trip with this stove, and cooked all our meals on it. BUT it weighs 35.2 oz vs. 7.8 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight titanium. It’s the size of a rice cooker (7” diameter, 9.5” high), and doesn’t fold flat.
Bushbox - the Bushbox LF is comparable in firepower to the Ganesha Ultralight. It is a single-walled (non-gasifier) stove, so it uses much more fuel and is smoky, creating much more soot. It folds flat, which is a great idea! In titanium, it weighs 10.6 oz vs 7.8 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight titanium. And in stainless steel, it weighs 16.8 oz, vs. 13.0 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight stainless. Packed size is comparable to the Ganesha Ultralight.
Firebox - the Firebox G2 is about the same size as the Ganesha Ultralight. Like the Bushbox, it is a single-walled folding stove, which makes it pack small, but it’s also much more inefficient and smoky. It is far heavier - 17.5 oz in titanium vs. 7.8 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight titanium, and 33.2 oz in stainless, vs. 13.0 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight stainless. Packed size is comparable to the Ganesha Ultralight.
Uberleben - the Stöker stove is a single-walled stove that comes apart into 6 pieces, with assembly and disassembly required each time. So, lots of smoke. It is much heavier at 18 oz (only stainless available) vs. 13.0 oz for the Ganesha Ultralight stainless. Assembly and disassembly is almost impossible to do without getting soot all over your hands. It packs smaller than the Ganesha Ultralight.
Our experience with single-walled (non-gasifier) wood stoves - single-walled stoves are very different to use from a gasifier stove. We have tried many, and were unhappy with the amount of smoke they created and how much fuel they required. The Ganesha Ultralight Stove is designed to be something better - hotter, cleaner, and still incredibly light.
Do you have more questions? Just email us at brice@ganeshastove.com