Abstract:
Stoves and stove-related methods. Some embodiments provide three-piece camping stoves configured for flat storage. Some stoves comprise two flexible and flat panels and a flat crosspiece. The panels define male couplers extending from the panels, female couplers, and crosspiece couplers. The female couplers define slots in the panels while the crosspiece defines panel couplers. Furthermore, the male and female couplers are configured to releasably couple with each other, as are the crosspiece and panel couplers. The panels can possess the same shape and/or the crosspiece couplers can be spaced apart from the panel edges. The female and male couplers can define two differing lengths while the male couplers can comprise in-plane extensions of the panels (define two differing lengths). Moreover, the panel couplers can comprise in-plane extensions of the crosspiece. Additionally, the widths of the panels and crosspiece can be the same.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and is a non provisional of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/804,627 filed on Mar. 23, 2013 by Kevin M. Bailey and titled Collapsible Lightweight Camping Stove the entirety of which is incorporated herein as if set forth in full. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Serious campers, hikers, mountain climbers, canoers, rafters, kayakers, boaters, fishermen, hunters, bicyclists, motorcycle riders, and many others find themselves in need of cooking in remote locations. Moreover, like almost everyone else, these people enjoy a warm (or hot) meal. Yet, because they have limited carrying ability, they cannot carry a normal stove around with them. Even heretofore available camping stoves, while being smaller, often take up too much room, weigh too much, etc. to be carried conveniently. Long carrying distances aggravate this situation. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, many heretofore-available camping stoves require several piece parts for their assembly. If even one becomes misplaced, the affected stove might be only partially functional. Indeed, one missing part can disabled a large number of camping stoves. Combining two or more parts into one integral piece, of course, creates an even more unwieldy stove. Of course, broken or malfunctioning components create many of the problems that missing components cause. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosed subject matter, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such subject matter. A purpose of the summary is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed disclosure that is presented herein. The current disclosure provides stoves and related methods and more specifically, the current disclosure provides compact, lightweight, yet reliable stoves. 
         [0005]    Embodiments provide light, reliable, and compact stoves. Stoves of the current embodiment are also easy to setup, simple to use, and durable. Stoves of these embodiments can weigh only 1.8 ounces (50 grams) and can be smaller than a typical trail map (when stowed). Such stoves are well suited for use on backpacking trips and a variety of other activities. These activities are much more enjoyable when the gear involved does not weigh down the participants. If so, the participants can go farther, see more things, and feel better at the end of the day and they participate in these activities. Indeed, many of these participants want to leave non-essentials behind, lose themselves in nature (or other environments, activities, etc.), and/or get away from it all—like it ought to be (in their opinion). 
         [0006]    Moreover, stoves of the current embodiment can be so lightweight that they are essentially not noticeable in a backpack yet they provide a strong structure on which to cook heavy objects. Moreover, the curved sides of stoves of some embodiments provide a stable pot-stand. They have no moving parts and can be stowed in thin (small) pockets in many backpacks. Yet, these stoves provide fuel support, wind screening, and a pot-stand in simple and elegant manners. 
         [0007]    Stoves of embodiments can burn solid fuel tablets. Accordingly, users of these stoves enjoy the benefits of using fuel tablets. For instance, by counting their fuel tablets, users can quickly know how much fuel they have left. They can be conveniently carried and can leave no ash, hot coals, canisters, packages, etc. following their use. Thus, users need not carry any residue out with them and the risk of wild fires is diminished accordingly. Moreover, they burn at cold temperatures (even below  11  degrees Fahrenheit) and high altitude and can serve as fire starters in a pinch. Thus, they provide versatility without requiring a user to carry multiple (partially) redundant items. Stoves of some embodiments can hold popular alcohol burners used by many minimalist users. The denatured alcohol used in these burners can be found at many hardware stores. Likewise, the burners themselves can be found at many outfitters (both on and off-line). Thus, stoves of the current embodiment share many of the benefits of these alcohol burners (which can be clamped to the side of these stoves). 
         [0008]    Furthermore, stoves of some embodiments are made from brushed,  301 , stainless steel and have dimensions of 4.84 in. (length)×2.87 in. (height)×3.0 in. (width) when assembled. These 1.8 ounce stoves can accommodate pots of 3.5 inches and larger. Of course, larger and smaller stoves are provided by embodiments. Thus, stoves of the current embodiment can be used to boil water for sterilization and/or for addition to dehydrated meals as well as for other purposes. Some stoves can boil 16 ounces of water in 6-8 minutes using a single 14 gram Esbit® tablet (depending on ambient temperature, elevation, and/or the starting temperature of the water). Note that Vertex Outdoors, LLC of Austin, Tex. provides stoves of embodiments. 
         [0009]    Some embodiments provide compact stoves. For instance, stoves of some embodiments comprise first and second panels and crosspieces. The panels define male, female, and crosspiece couplers wherein the male couplers are configured to be positioned at opposite ends of the stove and are in-plane extensions of the panels. The female couplers, furthermore, define slots in the panels and two differing lengths and wherein the male couplers are the shorter of the two lengths wide. The panel couplers of the crosspieces are in plane extensions of the crosspieces. Furthermore, the male couplers are configured to releasably couple with the female couplers and the panel couplers are configured to engage the crosspiece couplers. Moreover, at least one of the panels is a flexible panel configured to bow out when coupled with the other panel so that the panels and crosspiece form a structurally stable stove when coupled directly to one another. 
         [0010]    Three-piece stoves of embodiments can be configured for flat storage. For instance, in some embodiments, the stoves comprise two flexible and substantially flat panels and substantially flat crosspiece. The panels of the current embodiment define respective male, female, and crosspiece couplers wherein the male couplers are tongues extending from the panels and are configured to be positioned at opposite ends of the stove. For their part, the female couplers defining slots in the panels. Meanwhile, the crosspiece of the current embodiment defines two panel couplers. In the current embodiment, the male couplers are configured to releasably couple with the female couplers and the panel couplers are configured to engage the crosspiece couplers to form structurally stable stoves when so coupled. 
         [0011]    Such flat-storage stoves can comprise a variety of features. For instance, the two panels can possess the same shape and/or the crosspiece couplers can be spaced apart from the edges of the panels. The female couplers can further define two differing lengths whereby the male and female couplers latch. For their part, the male couplers can comprise in-plane extensions of the panels and can define two differing lengths also. Moreover, the panel couplers of the crosspieces can comprise in-plane extensions of the crosspiece. In addition, or in the alternative, the as-stowed widths of the panels and the crosspieces of embodiments can be the same. 
         [0012]    Other embodiments provide stoves and/or methods of assembling stoves. Such stoves comprise first and second panels and crosspieces. The panels of the current embodiment define in-plane male, female, and crosspiece couplers such that the male couplers can be positioned at opposite ends of the stove. In the current embodiment, the crosspieces define panel couplers. Furthermore, the male couplers of the current embodiment are configured to releasably couple with the female couplers the panel couplers are configured to engage the crosspiece couplers. Thus, the panels and crosspieces form structurally stable stoves when coupled directly to one another. 
         [0013]    Stoves of such embodiments can further comprise various features. For instance, some stoves comprise panels which are flexible and are configured to bow out when coupled with other panels. In some stoves, the panels can be the same shape and/or the panels possess the same shape. Furthermore, if desired, the crosspiece couplers can be spaced apart from the edges of the panels. Moreover, or in the alternative, the stoves can also comprise solid pieces of fuel which are configured to be placed on the crosspieces. In some embodiments, the male couplers define two differing lengths whereby the male and female couplers latch and/or the panels and crosspieces possess the same (as-stowed) width. 
         [0014]    To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the annexed figures. These aspects are indicative of various non-limiting ways in which the disclosed subject matter may be practiced, all of which are intended to be within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Other novel and/or nonobvious features will become apparent from the following detailed disclosure when considered in conjunction with the figures and are also within the scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0015]    The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number usually corresponds to the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures usually indicates similar or identical items. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a scene involving several stoves. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a stove. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of stove components. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side plan view of stove components. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross sectional view of a stove taken along line AA of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a stove. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detail view of a stove. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a stove taken along line BB of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a stove taken along line CC of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a partially stowed stove. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates a flowchart of a method associated with stoves. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross sectional view of a stove as taken along line DD of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    This document discloses stoves and related methods and more specifically, the current disclosure provides compact, lightweight, yet reliable stoves.  FIG. 1  illustrates a scene involving several stoves. Among other things,  FIG. 1  illustrates a scene  100 , a mountain  102 , a tent  104 , users  106 , their backpacks  108 , a stowed stove  110 , stove sides  112 , a stove crosspiece  114 , an assembled stove  116 , a pot  118 , and a fire  120 .  FIG. 1  also illustrates a heretofore-available camping stove  122  and several of its many parts: a propane bottle  124 , a fuel adjustment knob  126 , a grill  128 , and a lid  130  to name a few. The heretofore-available camping stove  122  takes up comparatively much space, weighs relatively much, and involves quite a few components. Thus, it cannot be readily carried to remote sites such as the one depicted by  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    Moreover, each of its many parts represents a failure point in that if any part is missing or damaged the stove might be unusable or marginally functional. For instance, it is not uncommon for a user  106  (relying on such a heretofore-available camping stove  122 ) to forget, misplace, forget to fill, etc. the propane bottle  124 . In other scenarios, the fuel adjustment knob  126  can become damaged, stuck, twisted off (and lost), etc. Thus, the heretofore-available camping stove  122  can be rendered useless or, perhaps, stuck at one fuel flow (and “temperature”) setting. Furthermore, the grill  128  can likewise be lost or damaged causing additional/alternative restrictions on the use of the heretofore-available camping stove  122 . The cover  128  also represents a failure point in that if it is bent or damaged the ability to stow the heretofore-available camping stove  122  can be further compromised and/or other components stowed within it (for instance, the grill  128  and/or propane bottle  124 ) can become separated from the assembly and/or lost entirely. 
         [0030]    Embodiments provide lighter, simpler, more compact, more durable, more reliable, easier to carry, etc. stoves than heretofore available. With such considerations (and/or others) in mind, consider scene  100 . The illustrated mountain  102  indicates that the scene  100  is occurring in, perhaps, a remote area in which the users  106  might nonetheless desire a warm meal or at least a source of heat with which to warm/heat certain items. For instance, a user  106  might wish to boil a pot  118  of water over a fire. While heretofore-available camping stoves  122  might provide a source of warmth or heat, they also might be too large, heavy, cumbersome, etc. to conveniently carry to remote sites such as the one illustrated by scene  100  of  FIG. 1 . Of course, it is not necessary that such sites be remote to be within the scope of the current disclosure. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the tent  104  indicates that the users  106  might have more than just a stove to carry with them. For in some user circles there is a believe that in fragile, remote areas one should “take nothing, leave nothing.” While such beliefs are not necessary for the practice of embodiments, they do illustrate that some users  106  have a “minimalist” approach to their activities in scenes such as scene  100 . Accordingly, the weight and/or volume of many pieces of equipment which users  106  might carry can take on added significance if they are to be both carried in and taken out of these scenes  100 . In addition, or in the alternative, to minimalist users  106 , some users  106  might be too diminutive and/or have little desire to carry more equipment than a certain amount. Indeed, many users  106  can be expected to have little more than their backpacks  108 , carrying bags, duffle bags, etc. with which to carry their equipment or, colloquially, “gear.” 
         [0032]    Embodiments provide stoves which minimize, optimize, and/or reduce the amount of gear represented by stoves. Stoves of such embodiments can be stowed in compact, flat configurations while providing easy to assemble, strong, durable, and reliable sources of warmth/heat for cooking and/or other purposes. More specifically, stoves of embodiments can be carried in backpacks  108  and can take up no more room than a typical folded trail map. They can also weigh so little that they add little or no appreciable weight to the backpacks  108  and/or other apparatus used to carry them. Yet they can also be durable, reliable (due at least in part to their low parts count), and/or easy and/or simple to setup and use. 
         [0033]    As  FIG. 1  further illustrates, a user  106 A can carry stoves of embodiments in their backpacks  108 . They can also easily extract these stowed stoves  110  from their backpacks  108  because (in part), being stowed flat, they and/or their piece-parts slide relatively easily out of even tightly packed backpacks  108 . For instance, two flat stove panels  112  and a flat crosspiece  114  can be stacked one on each other and stowed in an appropriately shaped bag, pouch, satchel, or other type of enclosure. When a user  106 B desires to use such stoves, they can remove the stove sides  112  and crosspiece  114  from stowage and assemble a stove. Such assembly operations can include coupling the two stove sides  112  to each other via couplers positioned on the ends of the two stove sides  112  and/or inserting the crosspiece  114  between the coupled stove sides  112 . Thus, users  106 C can create assembled stoves  116 . 
         [0034]    Furthermore, the user  106 C can place the assembled stove  116  on the ground, a table, a rock, etc. and place a tablet of fuel, an alcohol burner, etc. in the stove. The user can then light the fuel and allow the resulting fire  120  to build for a moment before placing a pot  118  (or other cooking utensil) on the stove. Of course, the user  106 C could otherwise suspend something which they wish to warm over the fire  120  in the assembled stove  116 . Since the assembled stove  116  has only three parts that can be stowed together, the chances that any of the particular piece parts might become lost are low. Moreover, since the two stove sides  112  can be coupled together first and then the stove crosspiece  114  can be inserted in between the couple stove sides  112 , two handed assembly is possible and can occur quickly with little room for error. Furthermore, the stove (or rather its components) can be stowed in a book or between objects with flat surfaces so that protection from mechanical abuse/damage can be easily arranged. Thus, embodiments provide simple, easy to assemble, and reliable stoves. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a stove. More specifically,  FIG. 2  illustrates a stove  200 , two sidepieces  202 , a crosspiece  204 , a side tongue  206 , a crosspiece tongue  208 , a fuel tablet  210 , a fire  212 , and a combustion volume  214 . The stove  200  of the current embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , has been assembled and loaded with a fuel tablet  210 . Subsequently, the fuel tablet  210  was lit thereby creating the fire  212  in the combustion volume  214 . In some situations, though, a user might elect to place an alcohol burner  211  in the stove instead of the fuel tablet  210 . 
         [0036]    The assembler of the stove  200 , of course, used the three component parts thereof: the two side pieces  202  and the crosspiece  204 . The two sidepieces  202  are shown as being coupled to each other and therefore bowed outward thereby creating the combustion volume  214 . The crosspiece  204  is shown engaged with the panels and clamped there between by those sidepieces  202 . It therefore helps hold the two sidepieces  202  in a spaced apart and/or bowed out relation. Note also that the crosspiece  204  is positioned approximately halfway between the top and bottom of the stove  200 . As is disclosed further herein, such configurations lend structural stability to the stove  200  allowing it to support objects (for instance, water filled pots) weighing many times its weight. 
         [0037]    At this juncture it might be helpful to consider aspects of the components and/or features of the stove  200  in more detail. Accordingly, the two sidepieces  202  are formed from thin gauge stainless steel (for instance 32 gauge sheets). When they are not coupled to one another they therefore tend to lie flat consuming little volume when stowed. When coupled together, the sidepieces  202 , as noted elsewhere herein, bow out. That coupling between the sidepieces  202  can be by way of male and female couplers on the ends of the sidepieces  202  (and hence stove  200 ). In the current embodiment, those couplers are formed by the inclusion of the side tongues  206  and mating slots (not shown) in the sidepieces  202 . Those side tongues  206  extend from an end of each side piece  202  a short distance (for instance 0.2 inches) and generally run for a large fraction of the width of the side pieces  202 . The slots are positioned at the opposite ends of the sidepieces  202  from the side tongues  206 . Moreover, they are shaped and sized in a corresponding manner so that the side tongues  206  can mate with the slots and couple the sidepieces  202  together. Further still, the side tongues  206  are long enough to extend through those slots with a some margin so that they will remain engage with the other side piece  202  when they are coupled together. 
         [0038]    In the current embodiment, the crosspiece  204  is also formed from thin gauge, stainless steel, sheet metal. The crosspiece  204  includes tongues (crosspiece tongues  208 ) too which extend from two opposing sides of the crosspiece. They mate with correspondingly shaped slots in approximately the center of the sidepieces  202 . The crosspiece tongues  208  run along a substantial portion of the length of the sidepieces  202  and, more particularly, about ¼ of that length in some embodiments. Note that the crosspiece tongues  208  are long enough to engage the sidepieces  202  along their length even when the sidepieces are bowed out. The crosspiece  204  includes other features that are disclosed elsewhere herein. For instance, the crosspiece  204  provides an elevated surface on which to place fuel such as fuel tablet  210 . It thus, keeps the fuel tablet  210  elevated thereby providing a breathing space beneath itself and enabling the flow of air into the stove. 
         [0039]    Moreover, in conjunction with the sidepieces  202 , it helps create the combustion volume  214 . That combustion volume  214  is shielded from wind by the sidepieces  202  and to some extent the crosspiece  204 . The crosspiece  204  also, by elevating the fuel tablet  210  (and thus the fire  212 ) provides some thermal insulation for the fire from the ground. In other words, the breathing space  216  (see  FIG. 12 ) under the crosspiece largely eliminates conductive heat loss from the fire  212  to the ground. The remaining conduction paths (the side pieces  202 ) are made from stainless steel and therefore have a minimal ability to conduct heat at least as compared to other metallic materials. However, the piece parts of embodiments could be made from other materials. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of stove components.  FIG. 3  generally illustrates the two sidepieces  202  and the crosspiece  204  in a disassembled, uncoupled, and/or stowed (or stowable) configuration. Accordingly, the three stove  200  components lie substantially flat without being bowed out. Also, and more specifically,  FIG. 3  also illustrates crests  302 , troughs  304 , coupler slots  306 , crosspiece slots  308 , notches  310 , hooks  312 , a fuel holder  314 , lobes  316 , vents  318 , and shoulders  320 . With regard to the sidepieces,  FIG. 3  illustrates the side tongues  206  and the corresponding slots coupler  306 .  FIG. 3  also illustrates the crosspiece slots  308  (on the side pieces  202 ) into which the crosspiece tongues  208  slide. 
         [0041]    Each of the coupler slots  306  define two differing lengths  11  and  12  which are approximately equal to each other. However, the portion of the coupler slots  306  with the longer lengths  11  are located toward the center of the side pieces  202  with the shorter (length  12 ) portions being located toward the ends of the side pieces  202 . In contrast, the longer portions (with length  13 ) of the side tongues  206  are located away from the ends of the sidepieces  202  while the shorter portions (with length  14 ) of the side tongues  206  are located adjacent to the ends of the sidepieces  202 . The coupler slots  306  therefore form or define notches  310  (between the portions thereof with different lengths  11  and  12 ) and the side tongues  206  define corresponding hooks  312  (between the portions thereof with different lengths  13  and  14 ). 
         [0042]    As a result, the side tongues  206  can be slid through the longer portions of the coupler slots  306 . A user can then push on the ends of the partially coupled side pieces  202  to bow one (or both) of them out thereby bringing the other side tongue  206  in proximity to the other coupler slot  306 . This action causes the engaged side tongue  206  to slide into the shorter portion of the coupler slot  306  (moving longitudinally relative to the side other side piece  202 ). When it abuts the side of the coupler slot  306  it is therefore seated in the coupler slot  306  and substantially fills the length  11  thereof with the hooks  312  caught on, engage with, hung up on, etc. in/on/near the notches  310 . 
         [0043]    The user can then insert the other side tongue  206  in the other coupler slot  306  and release the sidepieces  202  from pressure. The elasticity of the bowed out side pieces  202  will thus cause the sidepieces  202  to try to straighten out. However, this action will cause the side tongues  206  to seat in the shorter length  12  portions of the coupler slots  306 . As a result, the bowed out side pieces  202  will be at least partially stable in this coupled configuration. 
         [0044]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 3  it might now be helpful to consider the crosspiece  204  of the current embodiment in further detail. More specifically, the crosspiece  204  defines a fuel holder  314 , a pair of lobes  316 , and several vents  318 . These features of the crosspiece  204  can be formed by stamping a piece of sheet metal. More specifically, the fuel holder  314  can be a slightly depressed (or elevated) portion of the crosspiece located more or less centrally on the crosspiece  204 . Its shape can correspond to commonly available fuel tablets  210  if desired. The lobes  316  of the crosspiece  204  can extend longitudinally from the center of the crosspiece  204  and can play a role in forming or defining the combustion volume  214  and breathing space  216  (somewhat similar to the combustion volume  214  of the current embodiment) of the stove  200  of the current embodiment. The vents  318 , meanwhile, allow air to communicate between that breathing space  216  and the combustion volume  214 . They can be located across the crosspiece  204  but, in some embodiments, are concentrated around and distributed about the fuel holder  314  to provide air to the fuel tablet held therein/thereon. 
         [0045]    As noted elsewhere herein, the crosspiece tongues  208  can extend from opposite sides of the crosspiece  204  a distance sufficient to remain engaged with the sidepieces  202  when inserted in the crosspiece slots  308  of the sidepieces. Moreover, the bowed out side pieces  202  will press against the shoulders  320  formed between the crosspiece tongues  208  and the central body of the crosspiece  204 . With the crosspiece tongues  208  seated in the crosspiece slots  308  (of the side pieces), the crosspiece  204  will therefore hold the stove  200  in a structurally stable configuration as illustrated by  FIG. 2 . 
         [0046]    With regard to the crests  302  and troughs  304  of the sidepieces  202 , these features allow the combustion volume  214  to breathe and/or vent exhaust from the fire  212  from the stove  200 . More specifically, even with a pot  118  covering the top of the stove  200 , the troughs  304  provide vent spaces underneath the pot  118 . Meanwhile, the crests  302  provide a place to rest the pot  118  and also provide structural support thereto. Of course, the crests  302  and troughs  304  provide similar functionality on the other side of the sidepieces  202 . For instance, on the bottom of the stove  200  a breathing space  216  similar in some ways to the combustion volume  214  is formed by the side pieces  202  and the crosspiece  204  with the troughs  304  allowing that space to breath. The crests  202 , moreover, can rest on the ground thereby providing structural support to the stove  200  and any objects which might rest on top of it. Note also that the crests  302  and troughs  304  create a notched, crenelated, arcuate, etc. edge which users might find aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side plan view of stove components. More specifically,  FIG. 4  shows that the side pieces  202  of the current embodiment are flat pieces of shaped sheet metal. The crosspiece  204  is also illustrated as being substantially flat although the fuel holder  314  of the crosspiece  204  can define an area of the crosspiece  204  which departs slightly from its otherwise planar or flat nature. Indeed, that amount can be just enough to keep a fuel tablet  210  in place in the fuel holder  314  as it burns from its initial shape and size until it essentially vanishes at the end of its life. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a stove as viewed along line AA of  FIG. 2 . Generally,  FIG. 5  illustrates two coupled side pieces  202  clamping a crosspiece  204  of the current embodiment in place to form a structurally stable stove  200 . Note that the side tongues  206  are engaged in the coupler slots  306  and the crosspiece tongues  208  are engaged in the crosspiece slots  308 . Moreover, the sides of the crosspiece slots  308  are abutting and pressing against the shoulders  320  of the crosspiece  204  of the current embodiment. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  also illustrates that the lobes  316  of the crosspiece  204  extend from the center of the crosspiece  204  out into the volume defined by the bowed out side pieces  202 . However, in the current embodiment, they extend just far enough to remain spaced apart from the areas of the two side pieces  202  which define the couplers (or the side tongues  206  and coupler slots  306 ). Moreover, the lobes  316  remain spaced apart from the side pieces  202  along their entire lengths although embodiments are provided wherein the lobes  316  abut the side pieces  202  to varying degrees. Nonetheless, in the current embodiment the lobes  316  of the crosspiece  204  and the (bowed out, coupled) side pieces  202  define a pair of somewhat convex/concave spaces  502  between themselves. 
         [0050]    While a fire  212  burns in the stove  200 , therefore, ambient air will be drawn in through the vents defined by the troughs  304  near the bottom of the stove  200 . As air continues to be drawn by the draft created by the fire  212 , the air will rise through the vents  318  of the crosspiece  204  as well as through the spaces  502 . Some oxygen in the air will react with the fuel tablet  210  thereby creating the fire and heat which power the draft. The resulting hot gases (or exhaust) will rise and/or circulate in the combustion volume  214  underneath the pot  118 . A flow rate of the exhaust proportional to the air drawn in and/or fuel being consumed can then exit via the vents defined by the troughs  304  along the top of the stove  200  and/or the pot  118 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a stove. Again, the side pieces  202  are coupled together and bowed out accordingly. Moreover, the side pieces  202  have the crosspiece  204  clamped between them. In addition, the notch  310  of one side piece  202  is seen engaging the hook  312  of the other side piece  202 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detail view of a stove while  FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a stove taken along line BB of  FIG. 6 . It too shows the side tongue  206  of one side piece  202  extending through the coupler slot  306  of the other side piece  202 . Note that the side tongue  206  will tend to abut the outer edge of the coupler slot  306  due to the torsional force tending to cause the side pieces  202  to return to their flat, planar (rather than bowed out, curved, etc.) condition. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a stove taken along line CC of  FIG. 6 . The drawing shows the crosspiece tongue  208  extending through the crosspiece slot  308  of one of the side pieces  202 . Moreover, the edges of the crosspiece slot  308  are shown abutting the shoulders  320  of the crosspiece due to the torsional force in the side pieces  202 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a partially stowed stove. More specifically,  FIG. 10  illustrates a pouch  1000  holding the two side pieces  202  and one crosspiece  204 . While both side pieces  202  are shown extending from the pouch, one side piece  202  extends further than the other and is shown being behind and/or under the other side piece  202 .  FIG. 10  also illustrates the crosspiece  204  extending from the pouch  1000 . However, the pouch  1000  of the current embodiment is long enough to accommodate the entire length of both side pieces  202  and that of the crosspiece  204 . In addition, the pouch  1000  can be wide enough to accommodate the widest piece of the stove  200  whether it is one (or both) of the side pieces  202  or the crosspiece  204 . In some embodiments, all three pieces have the same (as-stowed) width with the pouch being sized accordingly. Of course, the pouch  1000  can be deep enough to accommodate the thickness of the three pieces (the two side pieces  202  and the one crosspiece  204  being stacked one on another). 
         [0055]      FIG. 11  illustrates a flowchart of a method associated with stoves. In accordance with the current embodiment, the method  1100  can begin with obtaining sheets of sheet metal with which to form the three pieces of stoves  200 . See reference  1102 . These three stove pieces (two side pieces  202  and crosspiece  204 ) can be formed from the same sheet and, accordingly, can be formed in parallel with one another. Although, in some embodiments they can be formed in separate operations as illustrated by reference  1104  and  1106 . Moreover, these stove pieces can be formed by stamping, cutting, and/or punching the sheet metal to form the various features of the pieces. For instance, the overall shapes of the side pieces  202  and crosspiece  204  (including the fuel holder  314 ) can be performed with a die that both cuts the pieces as well as molding the fuel holder  314 . Thus, the coupler slots  306 , crosspiece slots  308 , and vents  318  can be formed while the side tongues  206 , crosspiece tongue  208 , the crests  302 , the troughs  304 , lobes  316  etc. are formed. See references  1108  and  1110 . In addition, the pouch  1000  can be formed by, for instance, sewing or otherwise joining some selected material together as illustrated at reference  1112 . 
         [0056]    Method  1100  can continue with the three pieces of a given stove  200  being stowed in a pouch  1000 . See reference  1114 . One or more of these stowed stoves  200  can be transported to a distribution point, sold/given to users, and then carried conveniently in a backpack or other handy device to some remote location. See reference  1116 . At some point, a user can extract the stowed stove  200  from the container in which it might have been carried as indicated at reference  1118 . 
         [0057]    With continuing reference to  FIG. 11 , the user can begin assembling the stove  200 . For instance, the user can engage one of the side tongues  206  with the coupler slot  306  of the other side piece  202  as indicated at reference  1120 . Moreover, the user can press on the ends of the side pieces  202  while bringing the other side tongue  206  into the vicinity of the other coupler slot  306 . This action can cause the partially coupled side pieces  202  to bow out (see reference  1122 ). The user can also engage the still free side tongue  206  with the still empty coupler slot  306  as indicated at reference  1124 . The user can then release the ends of the side pieces  202  allowing the side tongues  202  to slide across the space defined by the respective coupler slots  306 . This action can cause the notches  310  and hooks  312  to engage each other and releasably couple the side pieces  202  together. See references  1126  and  1128 . 
         [0058]    Method  1100  can also include the user inserting the crosspiece  204  between the coupled (and bowed out) side pieces  202 . This action might include opening the bowed out side pieces  202  a bit to accommodate the width of the crosspiece  204  as measured across the crosspiece tongues. As well, it can include inserted one of the crosspiece tongues  208  through one of the crosspiece slots  308  of one of the side pieces  202 . The user can also push/move the crosspiece  204  so that the other crosspiece tongue  208  can then be inserted through the other crosspiece slot  308 . See reference  1130 . The user can then set the stove  200  down and release any force that the user might still be exerting on the side pieces  202  and/or the crosspiece  204  as indicated at reference  1132 . If desired, the user can confirm and/or adjust the orientation of the stove so that the combustion volume  214  is pointing up and/or so that the fuel holder  314  forms a small depression in the crosspiece  204 . In this manner, the fuel tablets  210 , when positioned in the fuel holder  314 , will tend to stay centered in the fuel holder  314  rather than sliding, translating, moving, etc. to one side of the stove  200  or the other. 
         [0059]    Thus, the user can place a fuel tablet  210  in the stove  200  (in the fuel holder  314 ) and light it. The user can also place a pot  118  on the stove  200  and warm, heat, cook, etc. food with the stove  200 . See reference  1134 . Furthermore, method  1100  can be repeated in whole or in part as indicated by reference  1136 . 
         [0060]    Embodiments provide compactly stowable, light-weight stoves for use in a variety of remote locations (as well as other locations). Stoves of many embodiments can be formed by one manufacturing activity such as using a single die to cut the pieces thereof, while punching out various features, and or molding others. Stoves of many embodiments can be structurally stable and support many times their weight. Furthermore, while certain terms (for instance, “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “side,” etc. have been used herein, these terms are used merely for the sake of convenience. They do not imply that the stove  200  (or its piece parts) must be in any particular orientation and are therefore non-limiting. Nonetheless, the current disclosure provides simple, compact, light-weight, durable, and reliable stoves. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0061]    Although the subject matter has been disclosed in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts disclosed above. Rather, the specific features and acts described herein are disclosed as illustrative implementations of the claims.