@Dan

You said "I can see the pot supports are too low and will cause problems"

[edit: you can read below my first defensive response; see my less defensive and data-based response a couple posts below]

If this were actually true, why aren't I hearing about it from folks using a FireFly? How can I use my own FireFly with no problems? There are YouTube videos of the FireFly that were made by folks other than me that do not show any such problem.

The air inflow and outflow of a woodburner is a dynamic system, influenced by the size of air inlets, the size of air outlets, the amount and position of fuel wood that might block air flow, and finally the pot on top. I know you know that's true. The FireFly outlet is designed to match the inlet (adjusted for an average amount of fuel wood obstruction). The FireFly outlet is larger (in surface area relative to the firebox size) than the Emberlit designs, which work well and are very popular. So I'm gonna have to disagree with you on your statement.

[edit: actually, after further testing, have to agree with Dan that at least for larger pots, higher pot supports definitely work better; and a solution is now available as a free retrofit for existing owners of FireFly stoves and included with new stoves]

Edited by QiWiz on 05/13/2012 15:20:53 MDT.

Hello Robert,

Chris Martin is the first to let you hear that someone is having an honest to goodness problem with your stove design. He said he bought it used from someone here on bpl. That person didn't want anymore.....wonder if he had the same problem as chris Martin.

One of the reasons stove designers/makers don't hear from customers is that they think it's their fault a stove does'nt work. They are too timid to ask for help from the designer/seller. Chris Martin is an exception. He wants knowledge. He want to know the how to's and what fors.

We've heard of people having problems with alcohol stoves and the the reason given by the designers/sellers is "bad fuel" or you didn't prime it long enough.

Robert, now you are saying that the position of fuel wood might block air flow. see, it's fuel related, not the design of the stove.

We have to listen to what Chris Martin is saying. He says the stove is on fire, burnig just fine. Plenty of oxygen for ignition and burning. He puts the pot on and all of a sudden things go to pot. He takes the pot off and things go back to norm.

Robert, there are a lot of folks out there that would'nt say diddly squat if they had a mouthful. Let's be glad that Chris Martin is not one of them. We can learn from guys like him.

Just because you can make your stove work, don't expect everyone out there to have your fire making skills in you stove design.

Increase the height of your pot supports and you'll a lot of Chris Martin's happy.

I may have seen an Emberlit video that showed the exact same thing that Chris experienced but who want's to go searching for videos?

As it stands, I still say to Chris, the pot supports need to be higher and it's not his fault the fire goes into a smoke mode when the pot is put on.

I have quite a bit of experience with wood stove design to back up my statement. It's just my 2 cents woth.

Well, time to eat some humble pie. First off, I'd like to thank Dan (zelph) for bringing up the idea of having higher pot supports, and that this might explain what Chris Martin described (see FireFly puzzler posts above this one). Dan has lots of stove experience, and I'm glad he took the time to make his observations, as I believe the growing number of FireFly users will benefit from them.
Anyway, this being a non-working, non-hiking weekend for me, I thought it would be a great time to do some backyard testing of Dan's hypothesis. I did numerous burns this morning using found twigs from my backyard without any special preparation. I have come to 4 conclusions:
(1) If you are using a tall cooking mug, a beer can pot, or something similar, the regular height of the FireFly pot supports (3/4 inch) works just fine.
(2) If you are using a fairly large pot with a big bottom diameter, like a squat 1.3L Evernew pot, higher pot supports definitely work better (less smoke, better burn and heating of pot).
(3) If you are using something in a middle size range, like a squat 900 ml pot, you will probably also prefer higher pot supports, though you may decide that the regular height works just fine for you. Tall 900 ml pots work pretty well without them.
(4) If your goal is to have a longer burn with little smoke, lighting your fire from the top is definitely the way to go.

The FireFly, fortunately, was already designed with and shipped with small pot supports for narrow/tall cooking mugs, beer can pots, and the like. This made it easy to come with (drum roll) "large pot supports" that are attached the same way, and raise a pot an additional 1.25 inches. Time for a photo:



So for those of you who have a FireFly, including Chris (if I can get his mailing address), I will send you on request, at no charge, a pair of these large pot supports. For those of you thinking about getting a FireFly, these large pot supports will also be included as part of the basic package. They go easily into your tyvek pouch with the stove.

For a video showing a top down burn with a large pot and the new supports (as well as boiling 3 cups of water with one stove-load of wood), see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1GyV2h2EqE&feature

Edited by QiWiz on 05/14/2012 11:25:26 MDT.

See thread above regarding the new large pot supports. I'm happy to say that a pair has been made and sent out to everyone who has purchased a FireFly. If I somehow missed you and you do not get a pair by a week from today, please contact me and I'll take care of it. These will now be a standard item included with any new purchases.

until 6/18/12. Combo deal is a discount on any ti trowel and any FireFly stove system. QiWiz.net "Specials" page has the information.

Can you dig it?

I'll be on trail from 8/30/12 through 9/15/12.

Gear ordered in next week (through 8/24) will be mailed out before I go. ; )

After that, you may have to wait until the week of 9/17 to get your gear. : (

Your patience is rewarded, if you've been waiting for the next stove+trowel combo deal. This one's on until November 1st. In addition to saving on the combo price, order as many stove accessories with your stove as you want and pay no extra shipping costs.

Can you dig it? My Specials page has the details.

Edited by QiWiz on 10/21/2012 13:37:10 MDT.

As of today, all FireFly stoves will have titanium rod (rather than steel) small and large pot supports, FlexPort door keepers, and windscreen supports (for MultiFuel option). Lighter, stronger, better.

Can you dig it?

The FireFly is now laser-cut, which has allowed me to reduce the price more than 10% for the very popular FlexPort-equipped model. Less than 2.4 oz for the unenhanced version; less than 2.5 oz even with the FlexPort side. 8 mil ziplock pouch included at no extra charge.

QiWiz.net is the place to go for all the information about the FireFly.

Edited by QiWiz on 01/20/2013 11:49:43 MST.

I think the FireFly is as light as a folding or take-apart wood stove that packs flat can be and still be big enough to work well.

However, the bigger the firebox, the easier it is to start and maintain a fire. A bigger firebox also makes cooking with bigger pots or groups of people easier.

To that end, I've designed and had titanium cut for a limited number of FireFly XL stoves. These come standard with my FlexPort fuel door, built-in large pot supports, stainless steel mesh floor and titanium foil floor insert (to use if less bottom ventilation is desired), and titanium rod small pot supports if/when needed.

All this for 5.9 ounces and a firebox that is twice the volume of the FireFly.

Get 'em while they're hot at QiWiz.net
Photo shows XL's next to regular FireFly stoves for comparison.

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Edited by QiWiz on 02/12/2013 12:39:29 MST.

Get a FireFly wood burning stove and get 10% off any other items you get at the same time: a trowel, a saw, a complete cook kit, a titanium windscreen, etc. No maximum. Make sure you go to the Specials page at http://QiWiz.net/specials.html when you place your order to activate the discount. I will rebate it back to your PayPal account. Offer expires March 1.

During March, 2013, buy any wood burning stove OR trowel and I'll rebate back to you 10% of your entire order, including any additional items you want to get at the same time. To get the discount, visit my Specials page and add the discount to your order for a penny.

And you thought March Madness was not related to backpacking!

Can you dig it?

More versatile, dual use, more durable, lighter - what's not to like?

Check it out HERE

Edited by QiWiz on 03/17/2013 13:16:25 MDT.