Great cost performance and fun! Onoue Seisakusho "Mini Kamado" alcohol & solid fuel practical use review

Onoue Seisakusho's "Mini Kamado," a combustion device that can be used on a camping table, was discovered during a brainstorming session. I was attracted by its versatility, being able to use many types of outdoor fuel with one device, and I actually enjoyed using it with an alcohol stove and solid fuel.

What is the mini stove from Onoue Seisakusho that seems to be useful during cold seasons?

The mini stove is a portable combustion device that serves three roles: as a "fire pit," a "stove with a trivet and windbreak for alcohol burners," and a "trivet for solid fuel." The assembled size is approximately 125×125×115 mm, making it palm-sized. It weighs 300g and becomes even more compact when stored, allowing it to be stacked with hand-held cookers quite easily. The price is reasonable at 2480 yen.

The reason I was looking for such a combustion device is that it seems easier to operate than gas burners, which lose pressure in low temperatures when cooking at the camp in winter. I thought it would be ideal to use alcohol or solid fuels instead.

I purchased the mini stove because I thought it could use alcohol and solid fuels and has a stable design for both the main body and the trivet. Since there are many fire pits available, I plan to mainly use it with solid fuels and an alcohol stove.

Testing the trivet and windbreak function for the alcohol stove

First, I will test the trivet and windbreak functions using the alcohol stove. The alcohol stove I will be using is the "Evernew Ti Alcohol Stove."

Generally, alcohol stoves require separate trivets and windbreaks, and I haven't found one that I liked, so I haven't had the opportunity to use one until now. Upon setting it up, there seems to be enough space between the trivet and air holes, so it doesn't seem to be an issue. For now, let's boil some water.

After placing the aluminum cooker on the heat and waiting for about 6 minutes, it started to boil nicely. It’s burning well, but since the bottom of the cooker is tapered like a bowl, I’m thinking of changing the configuration of the stove supports to improve air circulation.

When I turn the stove supports the other way around, it allows the fire to escape more easily at the top, which seems better for smaller cookers. I’m glad I bought it, as it seems adaptable to various tools I have on hand.

Trying out the main solid fuel while camping

I will use the solid fuel, which is the primary purpose, in an actual camping scenario. There are two patterns for setting the solid fuel, and the height of the tray can be adjusted according to the size of the solid fuel. The solid fuel I used this time is a larger 30g type, so I chose the lower pattern for the tray. Once I lit it, the overall fit was good, and the atmosphere was nice. Now let's cook the ingredients for this time, scallops.

Excited about the imagined ryokan meal: "Scallops"!

I happened to find a scallop still in its shell, and it fit perfectly! When you think of "solid fuel" on a "tabletop," you imagine the meals at a ryokan, so the image I had in my mind was brought to life, and my excitement hit the roof!

I just grilled it, but the taste was fantastic. With a typical campfire setup, you often have to move around busily and cook, but the relaxed feeling of tabletop cooking is like that of accommodations. I also enjoyed the aroma of the shellfish cooking, and it felt like a new camping style was born.

The time spent grilling was enjoyable, "Teppanyaki of hormones."

Next up is grilling hormones on the teppan. The atmosphere is better with the teppan, but I think it should be done in a frying pan due to the heating power. However, this time, I chose the teppan on purpose for testing. Although it takes time for the heat to get through the teppan, its high thermal mass means cooking should be possible. The leisurely grilling and the sizzling sound were enjoyable, making the waiting time feel good.

Since it's fresh offals, it's soft and very delicious! I didn't use a gas burner because, due to its high output, it seemed like it would turn ON/OFF repeatedly in this situation, but this solid fuel has a relatively gentle output, so there's no need to adjust the fire. Thanks to this decision, I was able to relax and enjoy my meal.

The convenience of solid fuel and the enjoyment of new equipment experienced during winter camping

By the way, the solid fuel "Nichen Clean CA 30g" used this time can burn for an astonishing 25 minutes and 30 seconds (according to the manufacturer). After actually using it, I found the long burn time that allows cooking everything from scallops to hormone skewers with just one fuel source to be a great discovery. Furthermore, with 24 pieces available for about 480 yen (when purchased by the author), its cost performance is excellent, making it a promising companion for future camping trips.

A common occurrence during winter camping mornings is the decrease in the spray pressure of the aforementioned gas burner, which happens because the gas enclosed in camping gas cans becomes difficult to vaporize at low temperatures. There are products designed for low temperatures that have a higher ratio of butane gas, which vaporizes easily, but in near 0°C environments, they still tend to be difficult to operate.

This doesn’t mean the gas is inferior; rather, solid fuel and alcohol are alternative options that prove very useful on cold mornings. If you find camping has become dull, it may be a good idea to incorporate new tools and imagine the fun while planning a new camping trip.

Trying out new tools leads to new discoveries and expands the enjoyment. However, please ensure proper ventilation when using combustion devices.

Interview and text by Kazuma Tanaka

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