REVIEW: Bushcraft Essentials Bushbox XL

First of all: If you want to enjoy the "naturalness" of outdoor cooking again and don't break any laws, you can't get around using a hobo stove! Hobo stoves are cooking spots that work on the chimney principle, i.e. the air flowing from bottom to top fuels the stove properly (similar to a chimney starter when grilling) and ensures strong performance. The fact that with the Hobo like the Bushbox XL you can burn found firewood, twigs, cones, combustible waste, pellets, etc., makes it a practical companion. And you can avoid the widely prohibited, open campfires in nature! Caution and skillful handling of flames, embers, and ashes are still required.

The Bushbox XL from the German company Bushcraft Essentials (BE) is a premium class hobo stove. This is reflected not only in the price (around 80 euros) but also in the quality of construction. The rust-free, 1 mm thick stainless steel is produced and processed into the stove in Germany. This alone is a rarity nowadays, but also the handling and use of the Bushbox XL are very pleasant.

Even after cooking several times, nothing warps, the hinges work just like on the first day. The wall thickness of 1 mm is noticeable in its robustness. Even a 10-liter pot stood very stable and safe on our Bushbox. For the ultralight trekker or solo traveler, the XL may be a bit too big, at 800 grams it is not lightweight either. In this case, a smaller model is recommended. But for groups, canoe trips, bike tours, it is great!

Once the Bushbox has caught fire properly, you can also burn damp wood or cow dung. If you are traveling for several days or weeks, you save a lot of fuel, be it gas or petrol, weight, and money with a hobo stove. Of course, one thing is clear: you can't avoid searching for fuel in the evening! The romance of crackling wood and the experience of cooking your food on a "real" fire compensate for that many times over!

If you absolutely want or need to, you can also heat your Bushbox XL with a spirit burner, all the necessary provisions are available for that. The delivery includes two stainless steel rods that can be used either as pot rests, as carrying aids for the hot Hobo, or as a holder for the spirit burner.

With a few gadgets, such as a grill plate, you can "pimp" your Bushbox, as seen on the BE homepage.

CONCLUSION: For those who want a high-quality premium hobo stove that can even cook for multiple people, the Bushbox XL is the right choice. You can overlook the higher price, after all, the product was made in Europe under normal working conditions - and we think that's great!

You can get the Bushbox XL directly from BUSHCRAFT ESSENTIALS for 79.90 euros.

The Bushbox XL in field test.