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Wood burning stoves question


Tom Tieman

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I can't answer your question directly but do know alot of the anti-fire sentiment comes from the fragility of the thin soil on most of the islands. The ashes from a fire create a rather stubborn dead zone. I believe Jonathan (?) could shed some light on the regulations as they bear upon the fragile environment.

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Many islands in Maine prohibit or discourage campfires, but allow stoves. Does anyone here know if wood or twig burning stoves are allowed in places where gas burning stoves are allowed?

An open fire is a fire on the ground. A stove is a stove, regardless of the fuel it uses. OTOH, some areas prohibit the gathering of wood for fuel, so that's the type of regulation I'd be concerned about.

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i have a wood stove that a member of the Westcoast paddlers forum made...folds flat...

he designed it so that he could use it in their parks out there-very few places allof a open fire....

it is a great stove that is all stainless steel and packs flat..i have used it a bunch of times and love it...

between that and my Kelly kettle i am all good!!!

The Neufeld MKI Stove

This stove is worth every Canadian penny of 50$CA.....

r

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Many islands in Maine prohibit or discourage campfires, but allow stoves. Does anyone here know if wood or twig burning stoves are allowed in places where gas burning stoves are allowed?

For those who have not see a twig burning stove:

and

http://www.pond-doctor-dave.com/rocket-stove.html

On MITA islands they ask that you use only driftwood for fuel for fires and to leave any dead or fallen brush as-is. The decaying foliage provides the only source of dirt for these islands.

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On MITA islands they ask that you use only driftwood for fuel for fires and to leave any dead or fallen brush as-is. The decaying foliage provides the only source of dirt for these islands.

As the Trail Director for MITA I am following this thread with interest. I think the thread is right on target - open fires are different from stoves, but the problem with the twig burning stoves is that you have to gather twigs, which, as noted, are generally better left as future soil material.

Frankly, it is a matter of scale - I'm sure nobody would notice a twig stove here and there, but if everyone started using them it would become a problem. Smaller islands that receive a lot of use, for example Sellers in Eggemoggin Reach, might be more susceptible than, say, Campbell, which is far larger.

One solution might be to bring a small collection of twigs with you, which might not be too much of a problem in a typical kayak.

MITA really appreciates the clear care and thoughtfulness that you are bringing to the islands and general use of the Trail. Thank You!!!

Dave Mention

Trail Director, Maine Island Trail Association

trail (at) mita (dot) org

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i have a wood stove that a member of the Westcoast paddlers forum made...folds flat...

he designed it so that he could use it in their parks out there-very few places allof a open fire....

it is a great stove that is all stainless steel and packs flat..i have used it a bunch of times and love it...

between that and my Kelly kettle i am all good!!!

The Neufeld MKI Stove

This stove is worth every Canadian penny of 50$CA.....

r

Here's a stove I had good success with this summer on a 6-day trip:

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/falk-w...tove/index.html

I made a smaller version, creating the opening the same proportion as the cited stove, and found a smaller can (cookpot) in the grocery store that wood fit inside the burner, for easy packing. Cookcan is suspended at top of burner by 2 thin wire rods. I packed in my own small bag of dried pine twigs, and had plenty to spare to use as firestarter in a traditional, last-nite, below-high-tide campfire.

The obvious disadvantage to this type of stove is the sooty mess, so be sure to pack a pair of $2 brown cloth gardener's gloves. I much prefer the "cat" stove that Kate turned me on to in her TR from Canada:

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/falk-catstove/index.html

Much cleaner and no clean-up required.

Gary

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