I've only used the stove once since I got it the other day but it seems well built and should hopefully last a long time. Stainless body and internal combustion chamber, cast iron pot supprt, and black painted base and stove door surround (no idea what metal is under the paint). Pop rivetted and welded. As far as I can guess, I suspect the cast iron top may be it's only real point of potential (unlikely) breakage. But i can only see that cracking if it's hit hard or has a lot of cold water poured on it when it's roasting hot. Secondary burning of wood gases is part of the stove's design apparently, but I haven't figured out where the gas holes inside the chamber actually lead to in order to circulate gases released from the burning wood.
The stove definitely performs best with small diameter twigs and kindling. That's where you get the most heat output from the top. I experimented with larger wood up to maybe four centimeters and it will burn, but less fiercely (obviously). This might be good if you want to make some hot coals for your dutch oven lid. Stove can be fed from the top or the sides and the stove door closes to retain a little heat.
Smokey at first, once the burn gets underway the smoke almost disappears completely, but expect your cookware to get blackened (if you wash it right away it'll come off, otherwise have dedicated pots and they will absorb heat more readily with the soot on the base).
Handles allow you to move the stove when hot and the simple feed tray detaches and can be stored inside. Exterior walls remain cool due to the insulated core. Empty cold ash out by tipping it and shaking it clean. It's a simple, well made stove that doesn't require a lot of time messing with.
I'm still a bit confused by the presence of the Petromax version of this stove, which looks identical in every way. I don't know whether Silverfire (usa) or Petromax (germany) are competitors or collaborators. But if they are identical then I think price is about all that's going to decide your choice. The Petromax company do seem to supply accessories, such as bags and cookware and the like. Silverfire does have a skirted pot dedicated to its stove, but that one pot is £65 right now, so I won't be rushing out to buy it!
Value for money? I would say at it's current price of £99 it's good value for money. Any more and I would have been put off by price. It is, after all, just a stove, albeit a decent one. There's a stove frenzy in the market at the moment and some of the smaller camping stoves have had some silly price tags. By comparison to some of those tiny designer stoves, you get a lot more stove for your money wih the Silverfire, but £99 is a high enough price in my opinion.
| Product Dimensions | 27.94 x 27.94 x 31.75 cm; 5.67 kg |
|---|---|
| Part number | 852661234672 |
| Material type | Stainless Steel |
| Power source type | Wood |
| Manufacturer | SilverFire |
| Item model number | Rocket |
| ASIN | B00CHF1K0U |
