Name:	Thomas Peltier II
Age:	31
Gender:	Male
Height:	6' 0" (1.8 m)
Weight:	155 (70.3 kg)
E-mail Address:	Thomas@Goldenautomotive.com
City, State, Country:	Bakersfield, California, U.S.A.
Date:	06/22/2004

Backpacking Background:

I have been in the outdoors since I was a toddler. My mother introduced me to backpacking when I was in the backpack. I in good turn joined the Boy Scouts to get away from Mom on the weekend hikes. My first backpack trip with the Boy Scouts was down a dirt road to a park and campsite. That was my last trip with the Boy Scouts. Since then I have been backpacking mostly in the Sierra Nevada.

I have been a professional river guide and kayak instructor for the last 11 years; however, I currently work at a family establishment in Bakersfield, California. Working a "Real Job" keeps me away from the outdoors a bit more than I would like. My summers are busy between city work and river guiding. Much of my packing is done on the river in the summer. This has driven me to long winter trips and short summer trips for the last several years. I took up snowshoeing to help get into winter packing. I have found that less is often more in my backpacking and my summer trips I find myself as happy in a pair of Chacos carrying my pocketknife as I do with a heavy pack and big boots.

Product information:

 

    Manufactur:
    Innovations by Finbar


    Year of Manufactur: 
    2004 

    
    
        Manufacture URL: 
        www.finnovations.org


    Material

    Stainless Steel


    Listed Size = 
 Actual Size:
    18 in x 5.25 in
 (45.7 cm x 13.3 cm)



    Listed Weight:
    8 oz
 (227 g)


    Actual Weight:
    7.125 oz 
(202 g)


    
    Stuff Sack Actual Weight 
    0.125 oz
(3.54 g)


     Total Actual Weight 
    7.25 oz 
 (206 g)

Long Term Product Review

I have enjoyed cooking by fire for many years and I am always looking for new and inventive ways to improve my skills and ability. The Finbar Folding Fire Grate has done just that. It is light, packable and very effective. I can set the fire grate up on most any fire pit. With minimal adjustments to the rocks that ring the fire pit I can generally create a stable surface for cooking. Pots, Pans and skewers all work very well over the fire grate. It is simple to use with an open flame or open hearth style fire pit. After six months of use and many many fires the grate is still maintaining it's functionality and strength.

I have used the Finbar Folding Fire Grate in the Sierra Nevada and California Coastal range mountains to cook over fire 10 nights in the last six months. I have used the fire grate to cook or for testing over a fire pit at home countless times. The metal has not sagged or given at all. The grate will turn black with soot however it can be cleaned. A little bit of elbow grease some sand from a nearby stream or a bit of steel wool and water will always bring the fire grate back to a clean and shiny finish. The joints show no signs of failing and hinges easily after six months of use. I will continue to carry the fire grate whenever there is a chance to cook over the open flame.

Read more reviews of Innovations by Fin gear
Read more gear reviews by Thomas Peltier II

Long Term Report

All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson