29 / 56
The novel design of the EZ-ECO
operates on two types of fuel and
can be filled by two different canis-
ter types. Filling the stove is easy.
Simply insert the slender, bayonet-
mounted butane cartridge, com-
monly used with portable tabletop
cookers sold at Asian markets,
directly into the stove. There is an
adapter supplied with the EZ-ECO
for filling with threaded canisters.
Knowing the status of the fuel sup-
ply is straight forward too. The fuel
reservoir is made of a translucent
plastic so visually checking the fuel
level is not unlike checking the fuel
on a BIC lighter, albeit a giant one.
Although EZ ECO has not yet
been slated for production, Park has
been lobbying hard to get it into the
U.S. market.
“So a lot of this design and pro-
duction of the EZ ECO was more
like a concept car at auto shows,”
explains Park. Similar to how those
cars aren’t made for the general
public but rather to showcase what
can be done, Kovea is looking to
show what it can do and what other
companies should be doing for the
outdoor industry, explains Park.
“It shouldn’t be just about
selling their product but making
products that will change the way
people think about going out into
the outdoors,” he continues. “If the
EZ-ECO gets out into the market,
even though people might not buy
it, maybe they will think twice about
throwing the canister out.”
Although Park admits the EZ-ECO
is a niche product, Toyota also consid-
ered the Prius a niche product when it
was introduced. Similar to the Prius, a
bridge technology to electric cars, the
EZ-ECO could be serving as a gateway
to stoves requiring no gas.
“Kovea’s vice chairman’s vision
has the company getting away from
conventional fuel sources, some-
thing that will really limit your foot-
print when the products are being
used,” says Park.
Until then, the EZ-ECO will help
ease the burden of partially deplet-
ed gas canisters, make canisters saf-
er to recycle, initiate conversations
on the responsible consequences of
product design and pave the way
to Kovea’s first portable induction
backpacking stove. Dong Sook Kim
would be so proud.
The business end of the EZ-ECO
Inside
Outdoor
|
Spring 2016
29