I also have the Mesa XL. I bought it with the kit because I gatered some Information first and came to the conclusion it was nessesary. A few weeks later I bought the heat deflector. I did not use it yet but it looks great. Today I bought a cooking fire ring. It looks more windproof than your Ninja star. Inhope to share some video’s soon. Thank you for yours.
Ah, cool! It's nice to see you're motivated about making a video. I had fun making this one. 😃 I saw the heat deflector, but I wasn't sure if that was actually usable or just a gimmick. I just glanced at it while looking at other accessories, so I don't know if it works. Hopefully it works out for you. I didn't feel cold while making this video, but it was a warmer day than usual. The jacket I was wearing is pretty light. Although, I'm not sure if wind across the top is the only problem. I think the wind was going underneath the Solo Stove too. Also, I saw the circular cooking tops, but I liked the stability of the ninja blades. It has a wide reach. So, you might have to be extra careful with what you place on top.
I've had mine for about a week. I love it. It's not perfect, but it is very cool. I bought some cheap pellets, which are not great. I have ordered hardwood pellets. When we redid out k7tchen, the flooring guy, whose wife is very friendly with mine, gave us half the quarter-sawn white oak flooring for nothing. I bought him one as well, and presented it to him at dinner tonight. He was tickled pink. He has given me four bags of white oak cutoffs. I cut a bunch of it in five inch lengths and split it. I filled a milk crate with carefully stacked pieces and dropped it off last week for him. As mentioned, the wind is a big issue. I am in the process of making protective alcoves lined with aluminum sheeting. The prototype works great. I have been using the stove in my fireplace in its reflective alcove, and the temperature in the room actually goes up despite all the warm air escaping up the chimney. As for snuffing the flames, I bought an aftermarket lid that renders the stove safe to leave alone if there are no flammables near it. I have had both the Mesa XL and my bonfire going at the same time. The reflective alcove gives the Mesa XL nearly as much impact in terms of physical presence/ambiance with a fraction of the fuel consumed.
After making this video, I learned there's a difference between “Food Grade Wood Pellets” and pellets for heating. So, I picked up a bag of Bear Mountain Gourmet BBQ pellets. It was good. But unfortunately, the cats also prefer it as kitty litter. 😸 Overall, the Mesa XL has been good. I still like it! 🙂
I'm a technologist, so naturally I like the indoors. But, I also can enjoy outdoor activities too. Unfortunately, with all the talk of cyber attacks, CMEs, EMPs, and straight up terrorism, what if peacefully staying indoors is no longer an option? In an instant one could be without grid power and Internet connectivity. And that's one of the lessons I learned while making this video - survival skills takes practice. It seems obvious, but I experienced it for myself. Also, it speaks to the importance of preparedness - which is why this video is on the Tech Security & Preparedness playlist. th-cam.com/video/MkCO5WV0iYs/w-d-xo.html If you analyze the biggest mistakes made in this video, it resulted from a lack of knowledge / experience and a lack of supplies. That's the essence of prepping. It's gaining that info and materials, in the event that disaster strikes. …and I can play Crossy Road outside… th-cam.com/video/lgmOefCVvQk/w-d-xo.html 😄
Heh, that's cool. 😎 I am a bit on edge though. During the last presidential election season, things got pretty screwed up. After a rough few years, things are settling down. So hopefully 2024 isn't a crazy year. 😄
At 1:25 I show a picture of the “Starter Pack” from Solo Stove. As comparison, Solo Stove Fire Pit Starters on Amazon (I couldn't find the Starter Packs) are $15 for 16 little squares. That seems too expensive. Before making this video I looked around for cheaper kindling, but that was also kinda expensive. This was the last video in the series, so I didn't want to delay it looking for cheaper alternatives. I'm happy I was able to get the fire started with just two lighters. 🙂
If the person you'll be giving this lives in a rural area then it is a great gift. But if they live in an urban area or suburb, it will depend on the preference of the person.
It definitely depends on the person. If they don't like fire, don't like to barbecue, or have no space to use it, then a Solo Stove is not such a great gift idea. I've been enjoying it though. Wow, I made such a tasty burger with it recently. 🍔😋
Wow! Cool! There are windscreens… th-cam.com/video/YG3q3BUCK9E/w-d-xo.html It looks like there's a Solo Stove Windscreen for $20 on Amazon, so not even that expensive for a Solo Stove accessory. Although, I'm not sure if it's tall enough for the Mesa XL. The listing says the windscreen has a height of 9.5 inches, which seems a little short.
I also have the Mesa XL. I bought it with the kit because I gatered some Information first and came to the conclusion it was nessesary. A few weeks later I bought the heat deflector. I did not use it yet but it looks great. Today I bought a cooking fire ring. It looks more windproof than your Ninja star. Inhope to share some video’s soon. Thank you for yours.
Ah, cool! It's nice to see you're motivated about making a video. I had fun making this one. 😃
I saw the heat deflector, but I wasn't sure if that was actually usable or just a gimmick. I just glanced at it while looking at other accessories, so I don't know if it works. Hopefully it works out for you.
I didn't feel cold while making this video, but it was a warmer day than usual. The jacket I was wearing is pretty light.
Although, I'm not sure if wind across the top is the only problem. I think the wind was going underneath the Solo Stove too. Also, I saw the circular cooking tops, but I liked the stability of the ninja blades. It has a wide reach. So, you might have to be extra careful with what you place on top.
I've had mine for about a week.
I love it. It's not perfect, but it is very cool.
I bought some cheap pellets, which are not great. I have ordered hardwood pellets.
When we redid out k7tchen, the flooring guy, whose wife is very friendly with mine, gave us half the quarter-sawn white oak flooring for nothing.
I bought him one as well, and presented it to him at dinner tonight. He was tickled pink.
He has given me four bags of white oak cutoffs. I cut a bunch of it in five inch lengths and split it. I filled a milk crate with carefully stacked pieces and dropped it off last week for him.
As mentioned, the wind is a big issue. I am in the process of making protective alcoves lined with aluminum sheeting. The prototype works great.
I have been using the stove in my fireplace in its reflective alcove, and the temperature in the room actually goes up despite all the warm air escaping up the chimney.
As for snuffing the flames, I bought an aftermarket lid that renders the stove safe to leave alone if there are no flammables near it.
I have had both the Mesa XL and my bonfire going at the same time. The reflective alcove gives the Mesa XL nearly as much impact in terms of physical presence/ambiance with a fraction of the fuel consumed.
After making this video, I learned there's a difference between “Food Grade Wood Pellets” and pellets for heating. So, I picked up a bag of Bear Mountain Gourmet BBQ pellets. It was good.
But unfortunately, the cats also prefer it as kitty litter. 😸
Overall, the Mesa XL has been good. I still like it! 🙂
Maybe your only survival outdoor activity should continue to be Crossy Road while staying inside
I'm a technologist, so naturally I like the indoors. But, I also can enjoy outdoor activities too.
Unfortunately, with all the talk of cyber attacks, CMEs, EMPs, and straight up terrorism, what if peacefully staying indoors is no longer an option?
In an instant one could be without grid power and Internet connectivity. And that's one of the lessons I learned while making this video - survival skills takes practice. It seems obvious, but I experienced it for myself.
Also, it speaks to the importance of preparedness - which is why this video is on the Tech Security & Preparedness playlist.
th-cam.com/video/MkCO5WV0iYs/w-d-xo.html
If you analyze the biggest mistakes made in this video, it resulted from a lack of knowledge / experience and a lack of supplies. That's the essence of prepping. It's gaining that info and materials, in the event that disaster strikes.
…and I can play Crossy Road outside…
th-cam.com/video/lgmOefCVvQk/w-d-xo.html 😄
@@PhoticsTV I was just joking with you. I understand. Beautiful scenery from your backyard.
Heh, that's cool. 😎
I am a bit on edge though. During the last presidential election season, things got pretty screwed up. After a rough few years, things are settling down. So hopefully 2024 isn't a crazy year. 😄
I love camping so this would be perfect to have thank you for showing this
I'm glad that you liked the video. The Solo Stove is nice. But if you get one, be careful. 😄
Apparently they sell packets of some powder to ignite the stove. Seems like that is nearly a necessity.
At 1:25 I show a picture of the “Starter Pack” from Solo Stove.
As comparison, Solo Stove Fire Pit Starters on Amazon (I couldn't find the Starter Packs) are $15 for 16 little squares. That seems too expensive. Before making this video I looked around for cheaper kindling, but that was also kinda expensive. This was the last video in the series, so I didn't want to delay it looking for cheaper alternatives.
I'm happy I was able to get the fire started with just two lighters. 🙂
If the person you'll be giving this lives in a rural area then it is a great gift. But if they live in an urban area or suburb, it will depend on the preference of the person.
It definitely depends on the person. If they don't like fire, don't like to barbecue, or have no space to use it, then a Solo Stove is not such a great gift idea.
I've been enjoying it though. Wow, I made such a tasty burger with it recently. 🍔😋
They do sell metal windscreens…
Wow! Cool! There are windscreens… th-cam.com/video/YG3q3BUCK9E/w-d-xo.html
It looks like there's a Solo Stove Windscreen for $20 on Amazon, so not even that expensive for a Solo Stove accessory. Although, I'm not sure if it's tall enough for the Mesa XL. The listing says the windscreen has a height of 9.5 inches, which seems a little short.