Ecozoom Rocket Stove Review – Portable Cooking with Multiple Fuels
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We’ve talked about “Emergency Cooking – 10 Ways to Have a Hot Meal When the Power Goes Out“, and I firmly believe that everyone should have multiple ways to prepare a hot meal in case of emergency. If you’re camping (at least around here), it’s getting tougher to have an old-fashioned campfire. Due to concerns about the emerald ash borer, you can’t transport wood around the state.
Enter the Ecozoom rocket stove. The Ecozoom is a compact camp stove designed to burn wood, biomass or charcoal that can cook a full meal with a very small amount of fuel. I was contacted by Tom from EcoZoom and he asked me if I’d be willing to host a review and giveaway. The giveaway has wrapped up, the review follows.
What is an Ecozoom Rocket Stove?
The EcoZoom Versa rocket stove features an abrasion resistant and durable ceramic combustion chamber with a 10 cm in diameter vertical section that forces the gases to mix with the flame, decreasing harmful emissions. The Versa adds a refractory metal liner to the inside of the combustion chamber. This liner protects the ceramic insulation, increases the life of your stove, and improves combustion efficiency.
This stove features new hinged combustion chamber doors enabling for an effortless conversion from wood to charcoal fuels. Both the main combustion chamber door and the damper door (bottom door) have reinforced metal frames. They also have hinges that securely close the doors and regulate airflow. The Zoom Versa also has a durable, reformulated 3-pronged cast iron stove top that improves heat transfer for all pots including round bottom pots and woks. The stove could be used for water bath canning, provided it is well fueled.
I shot Tom some questions about EcoZoom, and here’s what he had to say.
Are there specific aspects of the Ecozoom Rocket Stove that set it apart from competitors?
We offer a few models that use a lighter weight insulation to save on weight as well as a double burner model. (Editor’s note – the double burner model is a beast!) The biggest difference is the work we do in international countries. We have a team that is located full-time in Nairobi, Kenya working to sell our improved cookstoves to those in need as well as partner with aid organizations.
To date we have delivered stove to a variety of countries and cultures where people are affected by breathing in toxic smoke while cooking over an open fire or inefficient cookstove. The reduction in fuel usage means people spend less money of fuel, have to spend less time gathering fuel, and don’t have to breathe in the large amount of smoke with basic cookstoves or fires. You can read more about their international work on their website at “Public/Private Partnerships in Kisii, Kenya” and EcoZoom Partnering with MercyCorps to Help Survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Where are EcoZoom rocket stoves manufactured?
Our stoves are made in China. The long term goal is to assemble and manufacture in Africa.
How long has EcoZoom been in business?
Our company has been in business almost three years, growing organically each year without outside investors.
Does Ecozoom offer a guarantee?
We offer all of our customers a satisfaction guarantee when they receive our stove. We’ll work with customers to ensure they are happy with their purchase.
What size and how heavy is the stove?
- Height: 11.5″
- Diameter: 9.5″
- Weight: 14.25 lbs
Is the EcoZoom rocket stove for outside use only?
Correct, with the exception of the Plancha model. This could be used in a well ventilated indoor dwelling such as a cabin or yurt.
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Is there a warranty on Ecozoom rocket stoves?
We don’t have a warranty claim at the moment but as mentioned earlier we will work with customers to make sure they are happy. With proper care, our stoves will last more than 10,000 hours of cooking and have stoves used daily for hours on end in developing countries. They may not look pretty after all that time being cooked on but they will still work!
Is the stove certified or recommended in any way by a third party organization (such as EU, Federal Government, military, consumer’s union, etc.)?
To date we don’t have any third party certification but they have been tested for emissions standards at the Aprovecho Research Center and have been piloted with aid organizations for efficacy and adoption in East Africa. We are currently working on finalizing an agreement for a large distribution project with DelAgua.
The EcoZoom Versa rocket stove is a sturdy multi-fuel stove that’s small enough to keep on hand for emergencies or tote along camping, but durable enough to serve as a primary cook stove in rough conditions.
Get the Ecozoom Versa Rocket Stove
Compare the Ecozoom and other popular rocket stoves.
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