Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox XL Combination Kit

The Bushbox is a great idea in principle but a design flaw means it does not pack away as it should once the metal has warped from being heated.

The Bushbox XL is very similar in design to the Firebox XL. Both are box-shaped, wood-burning stoves that unfold and collapse without the need to assemble any parts like some designs. It comes in a tough pouch, a universal grate and two trivits. weighing 816g, it is slightly lighter than the Firebox XL. It stands around 5" tall and folds down into a neat package that can be stored in a backpack.

In use, it unfolds easily and I soon got a roaring fire going thanks to the large chamber. It is quite heavy so it is best used in a more permanent camp or with a group. It is too big for solo use, but there are smaller more suitable options available which are well worth checking out. Like all of these designs, they can be used with a Trangia or with solid fuel, but I cannot see the point of this due to the weight of the stove. I would only do this as  last resort if wood was not available to burn.

It really is best suited to burning wood, which it does very well. The air holes provide good ventilation and air turbulence to get a good fire going and the large capacity chamber means larger bits of wood can be added to create coals. These are much better for cooking on once the fire has died down and water has been boiled. The trivits can be used to place smaller pots on the top and/or to raise or lower the pot to the source of heat.  

I was really impressed with the ease of use and performance of the Bushbox XL until I came to packing it away. It takes a while to cool because of its size, but when I attempted to collapse it down I could not get the integral fire grate or ash pan to go into its correct position so it would not collapse down. It worked eventually but I really had to force it. I suspect this is because of some warping that took place when the stove got really hot when I burned it for an extended period to cook a stew. I cannot say if this is a common feature, perhaps it jut affected this particular unit. The Firebox XL does not suffer from this problem as the fire grate and ash pan are not integral. 

In summary, it is a great idea but its integral ash pan and fire grate mean it may not collapse down properly after extended use and the metal warps. That being said, it is lighter than the Firebox XL so it may be worth considering if you are looking for a large, collapsible, wood-burning stove. 

Background

Used for a short trip for basecamp cooking. Used for boiling water and cooking food (stew).