Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Cook Sets > LuxuryLite Koozy Kitchen > Test Report by Erich Roetz

LUXURYLITE KOOZY KITCHEN
TEST SERIES BY ERICH ROETZ
INITIAL REPORT
May 08, 2008

TESTER INFORMATION

Backpacking Background: I started backpacking when I was Boy Scout over 27 years ago. I do mostly medium weight backpacking with an average weight of 45 lbs (20 kg), but I am moving toward more lightweight backpacking with an average weight of 28 lbs (13 kg) now that my son is a Boy Scout. We camp one weekend a month all year round in temperatures from very hot (Virginia summers of 100 F/38 C) to very cold (Pennsylvania winters - below freezing) from sea level to about 2000 ft (610 m) elevations.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Courtesy of LuxuryLite

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

LuxuryLite Koozy Kitchen

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The directions included preparation for military Meals Ready To Eat (MREs), prepackaged wet foods, and dehydrated foods. The directions were clear and concise.

From the website, the stove is marketed as a compact, light weight camp kitchen that uses standard butane/propane canisters. The website also promotes the 'Leave No Trace' program. The site professes the following four advantages to the Koozy Kitchen:
1) No dirty dishes to wash,
2) No chance of unsanitary contamination,
3) No water is dumped or wasted, and
4) The Koozy Kitchen uses less fuel to heat a meal than any other portable stove

In my testing, I will look into the first three aspects, as I don't think that I can measure the 4th claim.

Packing Step One

Packing Step Two

Packing Step Three

As far as packing the stove, the koozy fits around the plastic, graduated cup. The stove and canister fit inside the plastic cup. The stainless steel cup fits on the bottom, securing the stove and canister into the plastic cup.
The website advocates that leaving the canister connected to the stove in a secure manner prevents unnecessary fuel loss when disconnecting the components. The website also mentions reusing the water used to heat the food for hot cocoa. Since the food never touches the water, in theory, the water should not be contaminated.

TRYING IT OUT

When I tried the igniter, the stove lit on the first push. There was very little wind and it was a dry afternoon when I tried it out. I was able to turn the flame adjuster knob easily. The adjuster know folds out of the way when stored. I will report on how well I am able to make fine adjustments in the flame setting. The three support legs of the stove supported the cup well. I will report on how flat the coking surface needs to be to provide a stable base. I will also report at what wind speed I decided to use a wind break. My first cup of water boiled in 3:10 with an ambient temperature of 78 F (26 C) and almost no wind. I will report on boiling times with different flame levels and weather factors.

SUMMARY

I am looking forward to the testing the Koozy Kitchen Camp Stove. This concludes my Initial Report. Please check back for my Field Report that will be posted in approximately two months (mid July).

I would like to thank LuxuryLite and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Cook and Food Storage Gear > Cook Sets > LuxuryLite Koozy Kitchen > Test Report by Erich Roetz