While we had high hopes for the Fold N Go, it simply didn't stack up when put through our rigorous testing process. It can get most jobs done decently and the price point is alright, but when compared to other options available this one isn't our first choice.
Performance Comparison
Cute and compact for sure, but this stove just wasn't able to hack it in our head-to-head tests overall.
Time to Boil
This stove had the slowest time for boiling water of all the models in our review. Our boiling test was performed on a sunny day with zero wind, and still, the Fold N Go took a full seven minutes to boil a quart of water. Even stoves with fewer BTUs boiled faster than that. We think the issues lies in the fact that the cooking grates sit too high above the flames. Combine that with only having 10,000 BTUs per burner, and you just don't get a stellar performance.
Here you can see how much empty space there is between the burner and the cooktop on the Fold N Go. This caused it to have trouble boiling quickly even with no wind present.
Wind Resistance
This is where the Fold N Go struggles the most. With no windscreen and the cooking grate sitting too far above the burners, wind transforms what could be an adequate stove into a barely-functioning one. In our box fan test where we boiled water with a fan pointed at the burners, we gave up after 25 minutes because the water wasn't even pre-boiling. And out in the field on a breezy morning, we had to switch stoves while cooking breakfast in order to finish. Our food was barely getting hot even after cooking for more than 10 minutes. We switched over to our other foldable model, the Genesis Basecamp and had no problems whatsoever.
We also noticed a difference in fuel efficiency between this stove and the Basecamp. When testing directly (by weighing fuel canisters, boiling tons of water, and then re-weighing the canisters) the Fold N Go used more fuel than the Basecamp by a slim but notable margin. We used the Basecamp more out in the field due to its superior performance, and yet — upon packing up to leave on our windiest morning — noticed that the fuel canister used on the Fold N Go was lighter.
Even covering all our pans on a breezy morning wasn't enough to get this stove to be able to put up a fight against the breeze.
Simmering Ability
On our first dinner field testing session, we were impressed by this stove's simmering ability — we perfectly caramelized onions, made rice, and prepared a big pot of slow-cooked curry without a hitch. On an essentially windless night, simmering was great.
A tiny amount of breeze actually aided this stove with simmering, keeping it from getting too hot!
Come the next morning, though, there was a steady breeze in the air, and we couldn't get a proper simmer at all. Even with the burners turned up high our sweet potatoes stayed lukewarm and raw until we switched to another stove. Bottom line: if you are cooking with zero movement in the air, the Fold N Go can simmer well, but if wind crops up so will problems.
Ease of Set Up
Set up is relatively simple with this model, though it does require an extra step from our other folding model, the Genesis Basecamp. For the Fold N Go to be packed away, one of the cooking grates must be removed and flipped upside down (and you don't want to do this if it's still hot). To set up, you flip it back over, squeeze the edges, and attach it to the stove body. Not a big deal, but an extra step nonetheless. We do like the fuel adaptor — it's easy to attach because the threads are fully exposed instead of recessed and hidden inside the stove body, as on most traditional models.
Both setting up and breaking down this stove requires removing the cooking grate and flipping it over. This means that if the stove is hot, you have to wait to touch it.
Ease of Care
This is about as easy a stove to clean as any. Just remove the grates to get to the stove body and scrub away. We do, however, feel that packing this up is a bit tedious. Besides having to flip a grate over, you need to make sure that the two sides are perfectly in line before folding them up — otherwise, it hinges improperly, and you won't be able to close the latch on the handles. Furthermore, the latch is flimsy and, if you squeeze the handles together too tightly, it just pops open during transport. The fuel regulator can nest inside with the burners, but you have to search around for just the right spot or it won't all Tetris together. All minor inconveniences to be sure, but it adds up to a less streamlined experience than other, better-conceived, models.
If you don't pay attention when folding this stove up, it gets stuck in a wonky way that doesn't allow you to close it.
Portability
The Fold N Go is definitely more portable than a more traditionally shaped two-burner. It only weighs 8 pounds and packs down to 13.75" x 12.25" x 5.25". However, it's a bit of an awkward shape — we much preferred the compact streamlined design of the Genesis Basecamp.
The Fold N Go, packed up and ready to go. While it's decently lightweight and compact, the way the hinges and handles stick out creates a rather awkward, not-easily-packed-into-a-kitchen-box shape.
Best Applications
This folding stove is appropriate for those that want something affordable and more compact for occasional car camping trips. If you're someone that just camps once-in-awhile, this might be a great option, but for anyone that plans to cook much, we think you have better options.
For fair-weather campers that just need a sometimes-stove, this model is fine -- but we think you can do better.
Value
The Fold N Go retails at a decent price, but it's still a bit steep when you consider the significant performance issues. We can't recommend this stove whole-heartedly when our longstanding Editors' Choice, the Everest, is a comparable price and much better system. Even our Best Buy winner, the Gas One, performs better in all metrics and it's super cheap. You could get four of them for the price of the Fold N Go.
The Fold N Go with our other foldable model, the Genesis Basecamp, right behind it. The Basecamp, our Top Pick for Portability, performed better in every category, though it is also twice the price.
Conclusion
While we liked the overall concept of the Fold N Go and believe it is sufficient for uncomplicated weather, it has enough kinks and quirks that we think your money is better spent elsewhere.
