Thous Firedancer Oil Lamp Stove

[Anianna]

It's an oil lamp you can cook food on.  

I don't know that I would trust it to cook a fat steak like they show in some of their marketing images, but I expect it's comparible to my little alcohol stove I use to heat canned foods as well as water for soups/drinks when the power is out.  I do like that it's multipurpose and another backup method to heat food, but what I really like is that you can buy replacement parts including the heatproof glass:

https://www.thouswinds.com/collections/new-in/products/thouswind-firedance-oil-lamp-stove?variant=44442212958400

I was disappointed that the tiny griddle in their images is not sold on their site.  Where the heck does one get a little six inch or so griddle (that is actually for cooking food and not just a toy)?

The oil lamp stove is also available on Amazon, AliExpress, etc, all for varying prices, but I didn't see any that were less than $127.99.  

[EBuff75]

I was disappointed that the tiny griddle in their images is not sold on their site.  Where the heck does one get a little six inch or so griddle (that is actually for cooking food and not just a toy)?

The text on it reads "Gaobabu" and a quick search turns up the "Gaobabu Multi-Grill Plate for mess tin".  

Amazon:  https://a.co/d/g2EAYAn
eBay:  https://ebay.us/m/L7Xifq

[Moab]

My question is:

"Is a $123 wick-based lantern-stove economically or functionally superior to an alcohol stove (and traditional oil lamp), when measured by: boil time, simmer control, maintenance, fuel availability, and total system cost including lighting?"

A cat can stove is free not including the alcohol. Or a Coleman unleaded/white gas pump stove is way less expensive and burns and cooks way better. A simple knock off oil lantern can be had for $20. 

Cooking with an oil wick is not ideal. I think a larger wood gas stove made out of a coffee can would perform much better. There is the Rayo Lantern Cooker for $54. But I still think a separate fully  functional cooker and light is a better option. 

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[tirls]

My question is:

"Is a $123 wick-based lantern-stove economically or functionally superior to an alcohol stove (and traditional oil lamp), when measured by: boil time, simmer control, maintenance, fuel availability, and total system cost including lighting?"

A cat can stove is free not including the alcohol. Or a Coleman unleaded/white gas pump stove is way less expensive and burns and cooks way better. A simple knock off oil lantern can be had for $20.

Cooking with an oil wick is not ideal. I think a larger wood gas stove made out of a coffee can would perform much better. There is the Rayo Lantern Cooker for $54. But I still think a separate fully  functional cooker and light is a better option.

You cannot view this attachment.

https://a.co/d/8l9ZnuV

Who cares about functionality? Look at it! It's glorious.

I'd see it more as a "need light, heat up your mulled wine/ soup at the same time" use. Similar to wood stoves with a heating nook or inbuilt samovar.

[Anianna]

My question is:

"Is a $123 wick-based lantern-stove economically or functionally superior to an alcohol stove (and traditional oil lamp), when measured by: boil time, simmer control, maintenance, fuel availability, and total system cost including lighting?"

A cat can stove is free not including the alcohol. Or a Coleman unleaded/white gas pump stove is way less expensive and burns and cooks way better. A simple knock off oil lantern can be had for $20.

Cooking with an oil wick is not ideal. I think a larger wood gas stove made out of a coffee can would perform much better. There is the Rayo Lantern Cooker for $54. But I still think a separate fully  functional cooker and light is a better option.

You cannot view this attachment.

https://a.co/d/8l9ZnuV

Who cares about functionality? Look at it! It's glorious.

I'd see it more as a "need light, heat up your mulled wine/ soup at the same time" use. Similar to wood stoves with a heating nook or inbuilt samovar.

Right?  It's so cute.  

[Anianna]

My question is:

"Is a $123 wick-based lantern-stove economically or functionally superior to an alcohol stove (and traditional oil lamp), when measured by: boil time, simmer control, maintenance, fuel availability, and total system cost including lighting?"

A cat can stove is free not including the alcohol. Or a Coleman unleaded/white gas pump stove is way less expensive and burns and cooks way better. A simple knock off oil lantern can be had for $20.

Cooking with an oil wick is not ideal. I think a larger wood gas stove made out of a coffee can would perform much better. There is the Rayo Lantern Cooker for $54. But I still think a separate fully  functional cooker and light is a better option.

You cannot view this attachment.

https://a.co/d/8l9ZnuV

Yea, that's why I mention it as another backup.  I have a little alcohol stove and a rocket stove for if the available fuel is wood, but I also already have oil lamp oil for my oil lamps, so an oil lamp that can also hold a pot is just another way to use the available resources.  

I admit that I had not seen that particular model, but, after reading the reviews, I think I'll spend the extra money if I'm going to have a lantern that doubles as a cooker.  Extra expense doesn't always equal better quality, but sometimes cheap is just cheap.  

[majorhavoc]

My question is:

"Is a $123 wick-based lantern-stove economically or functionally superior to an alcohol stove (and traditional oil lamp), when measured by: boil time, simmer control, maintenance, fuel availability, and total system cost including lighting?"

A cat can stove is free not including the alcohol. Or a Coleman unleaded/white gas pump stove is way less expensive and burns and cooks way better. A simple knock off oil lantern can be had for $20.

Cooking with an oil wick is not ideal. I think a larger wood gas stove made out of a coffee can would perform much better. There is the Rayo Lantern Cooker for $54. But I still think a separate fully  functional cooker and light is a better option.

You cannot view this attachment.

https://a.co/d/8l9ZnuV

Who cares about functionality? Look at it! It's glorious.

I'd see it more as a "need light, heat up your mulled wine/ soup at the same time" use. Similar to wood stoves with a heating nook or inbuilt samovar.

Right?  It's so cute. 

Well, if anyone's interested in trying it out, this is about the best price I could find. $42.41 delivered. ETA: Never mind, that was just for the f*cking storage bag.  AliExpress wants $300+ for the actual stove.  Looks like Walmart's $119 clone is your best bet.

Agree it's adorable.  I have a bit of a weakness for Youtube antique restoration videos (OK, they're totally my kryptonite - there's something soothing, almost zen-like about them) and coincidentally, I recently got lulled into a nearly catatonic state by watched one about this kind of device.  Apparently they were at one time a functional and fairly common item.

Looks like fuel selection is really important.  And as tiny as EBuff's accessory Multi-Grill Plate is, I bet it does a better job than a large frying pan at concentrating the modest heat this thing produces for cooking.  

[Moab]

My question is:

"Is a $123 wick-based lantern-stove economically or functionally superior to an alcohol stove (and traditional oil lamp), when measured by: boil time, simmer control, maintenance, fuel availability, and total system cost including lighting?"

A cat can stove is free not including the alcohol. Or a Coleman unleaded/white gas pump stove is way less expensive and burns and cooks way better. A simple knock off oil lantern can be had for $20.

Cooking with an oil wick is not ideal. I think a larger wood gas stove made out of a coffee can would perform much better. There is the Rayo Lantern Cooker for $54. But I still think a separate fully  functional cooker and light is a better option.

You cannot view this attachment.

https://a.co/d/8l9ZnuV

Who cares about functionality? Look at it! It's glorious.

I'd see it more as a "need light, heat up your mulled wine/ soup at the same time" use. Similar to wood stoves with a heating nook or inbuilt samovar.

Right?  It's so cute. 

Well, if anyone's interested in trying it out, this is about the best price I could find. $42.41 delivered. ETA: Never mind, that was just for the f*cking storage bag.  AliExpress wants $300+ for the actual stove.  Looks like Walmart's $119 clone is your best bet.

Agree it's adorable.  I have a bit of a weakness for Youtube antique restoration videos (OK, they're totally my kryptonite - there's something soothing, almost zen-like about them) and coincidentally, I recently got lulled into a nearly catatonic state by watched one about this kind of device.  Apparently they were at one time a functional and fairly common item.

Looks like fuel selection is really important.  And as tiny as EBuff's accessory Multi-Grill Plate is, I bet it does a better job than a large frying pan at concentrating the modest heat this thing produces for cooking. 

I have a soft spot for cast iron.