[Convenient in Hokkaido all seasons] FORE WINDS' first outdoor heater, FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER, is light and small, so you can rest assured.
Written by Saito Titoce
OGZ Membership Recruitment
Have you ever been camping and found yourself cold in the mornings, evenings, or even during the day depending on the weather? At times like these, you'll probably think, "I wish I had a small stove!" We tried out the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER, a small cassette gas stove from the long-established Iwatani manufacturer, which meets that need
table of contents
What is Iwatani's "FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER"?
The FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER seen from the side. It has a very simple, practical design
Iwatani's outdoor brand FORE WINDS' first compact cassette gas stove for outdoor use
The FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER is the first heater designed specifically for outdoor use by Iwatani's outdoor brand, FORE WINDS. It's available at the official online store, Iwatani Ai Collect, for 12,800 yen (tax included). It's a gas heater that burns Iwatani's signature cassette gas (CB canister)
Its greatest feature is its extremely compact dimensions when in use (W) 181 x (D) 261 x (H) 244mm, and when stored (W) 181 x (D) 208 x (H) 169mm. The main body weighs just 820g, making it a light, under 1kg outdoor gas stove
The maximum heat output is approximately 1.28kW, which is equivalent to approximately 1,100kcal/h. What's more, the continuous burning time with one gas cartridge is approximately 160 minutes
This outdoor-specific heater is equipped with a regulator valve and will not flare up even if it is carried or shaken while lit.The combination of a spherical burner and reflector allows it to heat a wide area
What caught my eye was the fact that it can be used with cassette gas (CB cans), its lightweight and compact design that makes it easy to carry around, and its simple, beautiful design that is full of functional beauty. I thought that the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER would solve the "slightly chilly" feeling that you might get in the mornings and evenings outdoors without taking away from the enjoyment of being outdoors. So, having actually used it, I would like to share my impressions with you
Recommended points
- Lightweight and compact design, weighing approximately 820g
- Can use easily available cassette gas (CB cans)
- A simple and beautiful design that doesn't ruin the outdoor feel
- One CB can provides approximately 160 minutes of heating
- The piezoelectric ignition system makes it easy to light and extinguish, and there's no need to clean up afterwards
Points that interest me
- The usable temperature range is strict, between +5 and 25°C
- It is for outdoor use only and cannot be used indoors
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Iwatani FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER |
|---|---|
| Maximum heat output | Approximately 1.28kW (equivalent to approximately 1,100kcal/h) |
| Body weight | Approximately 0.82 kg |
| Continuous Burn Time | Approximately 160 minutes |
| Dimensions when in use | (W) 181 x (D) 261 x (H) 244 mm |
| Storage dimensions | (W) 181 x (D) 208 x (H) 169 mm |
| Gas used | FORE WINDS Normal / FORE WINDS Iso / Iwatani Cassette Gas / Iwatani Cassette Gas Power Gold / Iwatani Cassette Gas Junior |
| Country of origin | |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |
| design | ★★★★☆ |
| Weight and size | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| Warmth | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cost Performance | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review
It's very easy to use! Attaching and detaching the CB can, lighting and extinguishing are super easy
The front view of the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER. Most of the unit is made up of a reflector and gas combustion unit
Perhaps it's because my main outdoor field is Hokkaido, but it's generally cold in the mornings and evenings. The other day I was at the top of Mount Hakodate for a photo shoot, and even though it was mid-April, the puddles were frozen. The temperature was below zero
The snow melts on the plains, so the temperature doesn't drop below zero, but it's colder than you'd expect. After a little research, I found that even in Sapporo, which isn't a particularly cold area in Hokkaido, the average daily minimum temperature only exceeds 15°C in July and August. This means that during the coldest times of the day, such as before sunrise, it's normal for the temperature to drop below 10°C, which is when people would normally wear winter clothes
So whether you wake up early in the morning while camping, or stay out late into the night drinking and gazing at the stars, it can still be a little chilly. We thought the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER would be the perfect solution to this chill, so we decided to give it a try
It's probably just a little design know-how and ingenuity, but the cassette gas can be attached and detached very smoothly, so you can use it comfortably without worrying about gas leaks
It uses cassette gas (CB canisters), which are easily available at home improvement stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores, so you can get fuel near the campsite, making it a great advantage of CB canisters. What's more, unlike firewood, it's easy to clean up afterward. First, we tried attaching a CB canister to the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER, lighting it, and extinguishing it
I'm happy that there is almost no gas leakage when installing a cassette gas can. Many people are concerned about the small amount of gas leakage that occurs when installing a gas canister, even when using appliances that use gas canisters such as CB canisters. I'm also concerned about this. However, when I installed a cassette gas canister in the "FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER," I found that there was almost no gas leakage
The mechanism is simple: align the notched gas cartridge with the convex guide on the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER gas cartridge holder, then press down and turn the cartridge about 30 degrees to lock it in place. With a little care, there's virtually no gas leak or smell. It's a very comfortable and convenient way to insert a gas cartridge
It uses a piezoelectric ignition system, so it's easy to light with just one touch. At high altitudes, it can be difficult to light due to the air pressure, so it's recommended to use a match or lighter
After loading the gas cartridge, attach the power booster, turn the valve counterclockwise about 3/4 turn, and then use the piezoelectric ignition switch to ignite the gas. The valve adjusts the amount of gas, but it's easy to use and doesn't suddenly release a large amount of gas, so you can ignite it with confidence. Another convenient feature is that it doesn't require a lighter or matches
Also, the appliance knob is designed so that turning it counterclockwise increases the flame power and turning it clockwise
decreases it. Turning it clockwise all the way to the end will turn it off. It's a very simple mechanism, but when you actually use it, you'll be amazed at how smoothly all the operations work. That's what you'd expect from Iwatani. It's very easy to use.
How warm is an outdoor stove with a maximum heat output of approximately 1.28kW?
Imagine using the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER while sitting in a camping chair, about 60cm away from the stove. The heat seems weaker if you are up to 1m away
The maximum heat output of the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER is said to be approximately 1.28 kW (equivalent to approximately 1,100 kcal/h). However, I have no idea how warm this actually is
So, when we looked into the maximum heat output of Iwatani brand cassette gas heaters, we found that the standard "My Dan" model, which has the smallest maximum heat output, has a maximum heat output of 1.0kW (900kcal/h). On the other hand, the "Marudan" model, which has the largest maximum heat output, has a maximum heat output of about 2.09kW (equivalent to about 1,800kcal/h), so the "FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER" has an intermediate heat output
This is the normal angle for use, with the cassette gas horizontal. If you are using it while sitting in a chair, this angle is easy to use
Although it's designed for outdoor use, the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER isn't a gas stove that boasts a powerful flame. In fact, when you light the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER and place it outside, the best distance is about 60cm, and if you're more than 1m away, you won't feel much heat. It's best used by placing it next to a camp chair or standing a little distance away to warm your bottom
By the way, the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER can adjust the heater angle in two stages, up and down. If you're using it while sitting in a chair, we recommend the normal angle with the gas cartridge horizontal, and if you're standing nearby to warm your bottom, we recommend the upward angle. For me, who stands about 50cm away, both angles hit the heater just right
When using the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER, it doesn't have enough heat to warm your whole body even outdoors in winter, but it does warm the areas where the heat is hitting you. That said, it reminds me of the saying that just having a fire makes a huge difference. It's amazing how cozy the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER is
If you use the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER while standing, we recommend the upward position of the two available angles, which will warm your buttocks
The design is simple and uncluttered, as if pursuing functional beauty, so we recommend using it to enjoy the sound of the gas burning and the flickering flames
However, in the case of cassette gas (CB canisters), standard cassette gas can only be used at temperatures below 10°C, and even low-temperature compatible gas cylinders with a higher isobutane ratio, such as FORE WINDS Iso/Iwatani Cassette Gas Power Gold, can only be used at temperatures up to about 5°C. Therefore, the fact that the usable temperature range is between 5°C and 25°C above ambient temperature is concerning. This makes it unreliable for outdoor heating in Hokkaido's winters, where temperatures typically drop below zero
It's a good idea to have one to diversify your available energy sources
The FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER folds up very compactly, making it a reliable source of heating not only outdoors but also in emergencies
If you live in a cold region like me, you have no choice but to imagine the worst case scenario of a disaster during the winter season. Planning how to keep warm even temporarily in such a situation is, without a joke, a matter of life and death
I actually experienced the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake on September 6, 2018. As it was September, there were no heating issues, but we did experience a prolonged power outage. While gasoline was difficult to obtain at gas stations, I found diesel relatively easy to obtain, and even during the power outage, supermarkets and convenience stores began selling cassette gas (CB cans) along with batteries immediately after the earthquake
It is also important to consider the advantages of being able to use easily available cassette gas (CB canisters) and the disadvantages, such as the narrow temperature range in which cassette gas can be used
When a disaster occurs, the available energy sources can change suddenly depending on the situation. For this reason, I have set up a system in my home for emergency heating that does not rely solely on any one energy source. I have kerosene heaters and electric heaters that run on kerosene even when there is no electricity, as well as a FF heater that runs on diesel from a camper van, but a gas stove that can be used with cassette gas (CB canisters), which are relatively easy to obtain even in a disaster, is also very important for heating in an emergency
The FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER is priced lower than other Iwatani brand cassette gas heaters, and is very compact, making it easy to store and ideal for emergencies. This is also a noteworthy point, but it should be noted that unlike other Iwatani heaters, it is designed for outdoor use only. However, depending on the situation, this outdoor-only design may be an advantage
Summary: An outdoor gas stove recommended for many people who enjoy the outdoors solo
This is the perfect device for those moments when you need a little extra fire
Stored in the included drawstring bag. The unit weighs approximately 820g, making it quite lightweight for a stove that uses cassette gas, so it can be used in a variety of styles
After actually using the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER, my impression is that it's "pretty good."
As an outdoor stove, the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER isn't particularly warm. It's decent in terms of its fundamental function as a stove for simply keeping you warm, but when people are enjoying the outdoors alone, they want a fire for more than just to keep warm
At least, that's how I feel. When you're drinking coffee for breakfast while camping solo, or when you're out with your family in a camper van and want to have a drink by yourself after everyone has gone to sleep, don't you sometimes crave the feeling of a fire?
Of course, starting a bonfire every time is daunting, considering the hassle of not only lighting the fire but also cleaning up afterwards. However, with the FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER, all you need to do is load a gas cartridge and light it. Not only will it warm you up, but the flickering flames and the sound of the gas burning will also have a calming effect on your mind. Plus, cleaning up afterward is super easy
The FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER doesn't heat a very wide area, so rather than for multiple people, it's a cassette gas stove I'd recommend to many people who want to spend time alone outdoors with a flame. It has a great design and is cost-effective, so I highly recommend it for outdoor activities in the slightly chilly seasons from early spring through early winter
For details and purchasing of "FORE WINDS OUTDOOR HEATER"
For more product details, please visit the FORE WINDS official website
Photography cooperation
Right next to New Chitose Airport! " Forever Camping Paradise "
Saito Titoce
Former monthly camera magazine editor. While pursuing the spectacular views of Hokkaido and the wildlife, I was completely hooked on the outdoor life of camper vans and sleeping in my car. While traveling the entire country with his 2-year-old son and wife, he is a photographer writer who photographs and writes everything he has experienced, not only cameras and lenses, but also outdoor camping, child-rearing, PC gadgets, cooking, and dieting. OUTDOOR GEARZINE plans to write a variety of articles, focusing on the QOCL (Quality of Camping Life) Improvement Committee, which will improve the quality of life in camping and camper vans.
NEWS: We've put up the latest tents that have been rumored! Outdoor Gear Touch&Try 2017 in Jonanjima Seaside Park Campground
Announcement of the Outdoor Gearzine 5th anniversary event "Outdoor Gearzine Trailhead 2019"!