Too bad you can't use it in places that don't allow fires.

I can use my whiperlite in all those places that don't allow fires, and this thing actually encloses the flames more so than a whisperlite or a jetboil does, so I don't think it would be a problem.

If a parks officer did come by, he wouldn't even be able to see what you were burning for fuel anyway, the unit is completely enclosed.

I am going to order one this week, and when I get it, I will do some side by side tests next to my whisperlite.

I love the idea. The stove itself is only 35 grams heavier than my Whisperlite. Its only the size of a nalgene bottle, where my Whisperlite I have to pack the stove and fuel bottles, so it will save space. Even if I had to carry twigs with me, they are much lighter than a bottle of fuel, and I don't have to worry about them leaking in my pack.
I personally think it is an amazing idea. I will still have my whisperlite for areas where this is not suitable, but I think I will get a lot of great use out of this thing.
Maybe I should apply for a job in the BioLite PR department :)

I don't think that's the point.

Thermoelectric generators are hilariously inefficient, and as you pointed out they require the stove to be on for a period of several hours to even partially charge any devices, in my experience, camp cooking endeavors take 30-40 minutes at most. Their claim of "20 minutes charge time for 60 minutes of iphone talk time" is probably assuming a completely discharged battery (logarithmic charge rates and all that). Anyway, it would probably be more weight efficient and definitely more space efficient (although more expensive) to just carry spare batteries or have one of those battery based charger stations (uses AA batteries to charge your electronics) so I will consider the charger element to be somewhat of a gimick or at best an emergency feature.

Now, for the stove itself I can see several problems.

1. It has moving and electronic parts required to make it work. The ventilator fan controls the burning and the thermogenerator with battery powers the fan, more complexity = more shit to break at the worst possible moment, turning your fancy stove into a small portable firepit.

2. It uses solid fuel (e.g. twigs), these burn rather dirty and sooty, also, not particularly hot (compared to liquid or gas fuels). Additionally there is the problem of collecting suitable material, particularly above the treeline. I couldn't find anything about wet twigs either (after storm/snow) but I'm sure they don't help

Multi-fuel camping stoves like the whisperlite and the omnifuel have the benefit of burning literally any combustible liquid material in a pinch (omnifuel and some whisperlites also burn gas) and have a relatively simple design that is easy to field repair. They are also quite hot and get working after a rather quick priming cycle (no priming with gas). And for the same price as this stove. They also work at altitude or when wet, and can burn dirty fuel. Also, they have simmer controls that aren't just "wait for the fire to die down"

Anyway, I would be interested in seeing a full review, and it may be convenient as a backpacking stove, but until then I don't see it being that much better then a traditional fuel stove and a small campfire for emergencies. Although I can be convinced otherwise.

I am weary, but I can't pass up the chance to see how well this thing works. I will carry it with me and try it on a bunch of day hikes first, then maybe some weekend trips.
I imagine, it will only be suited to certain optimal conditions. For example, shorter multi day hikes in mid summer during the dry season.
I will order mine and try it out. I will post any information I can.
If you can think of any specific tests you would like me to try let me know. We'll put this thing through it's paces. Also, I am wondering if it is waterproof???

I think it would be interesting to compare different fuel sources, and specifically focus on working with only wet fuel sources as would be the case post-rain (e.g. starting and cooking with only wet twigs). Maybe see the ease of lighting without the consumable lighting aid (the magnesium stick).

Comparing the cook time to an omnifuel or whisper light would be interesting, the full cook time for boiling like a liter of water, priming/starting + heatup + heating. Also weight comparisons for a typical liquid fuel stove + fuel compared to this thing (that battery/fan pack probably weighs a bit).

I'm specifically worried about its reliability, but thats hard to test. I've heard stories from friends backpacking in siberia burning dirty russian fuel and even ethanol (joke was that it ran on vodka) in their omnifuel for months with nothing but routine field stripping and cleaning. Although an occasional weekend hike may not require that kind of reliability.