Burn Baby Burn

I wrote about the BioLite CampStove a while back, and now there is an exciting update worth sharing.

What Is the BioLite CampStove?

The BioLite CampStove is a wood-burning stove that uses a thermoelectric generator to convert heat into electricity. You burn sticks and twigs, and the stove generates enough power to charge your phone or power small electronics.

The Update: The BioLite Kettle

BioLite has now launched the BioLite Kettle, which works with the CampStove to make the whole system even more practical on the water and at camp.

The Numbers Are Impressive

• Generates 2W of usable electricity from burning wood
• Reduces smoke emissions by 95% compared to an open fire
• Burns wood scraps and biomass — no gas canisters needed
• Charges phones and small electronics via USB

Why This Matters for Boating

For offshore sailors and cruising boaters who want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, the BioLite system is genuinely interesting. It uses renewable fuel (wood, biomass), generates its own electricity, and is highly portable.

Is it a replacement for solar panels? No. But as a supplementary system for cooking and backup power, it is a clever piece of kit.

The innovation here is the combination of two functions — cooking and electricity generation — in one small, efficient package. That is exactly the kind of thinking the green boating movement needs.