Esbit folding stove as a back-up.

[Stumpalump]

In my rig a use a two burner 1lb propane bottle type stove but would like a back-up. I was thinking about one of those tiny stoves that burns the little fuel blocks. Esbit. What do you think? I'm thinking if I just want a cup of instant joe it may be easier to just use it if it will boil a cup of water fast enough. Here is a link and rest of the site is cool. http://bepreparedtosurvive.com/Stoves available from Survival Resources.htm

 

[1leglance]

I love mine and I have carried it and used it for 30 yrs...from cubscouting where I was often the only one drinking hot choc, to boy scouts to years of motorcycle & backpacking to my wilderness EMT course where our "injured" person had a hot beverage while in the snow to today where I will often use it out of ease and to stay in practice.

The tablets are easy to use and last for years, the stove can't really break and in use with a sierra cup or stainless mug it works great.

Not to mention they are cheap.

 

[Spikepretorius]

I still have an Esbit stove from the 70's when I was a Scout. When I was in the army we used the fuel blocks on their own without the stove to save weight.
Make a small hole in the ground and chuck the fuel block in the hole.

I actually need to check my fuel to see if it's still ok. I last used it about 25 years ago.

 

[AmericaOverland]

I have a lot of these. I use this as backup cooking heat for my alcohol burning stove in the even of power outages and hurricanes. The thing I don't like about them is that it stinks!

Stephanie

 

[robert]

I keep a couple of them around too. I've used them for lightweight backpacking but now they reside in my emergency bags that I keep in my vehicles. I may get stuck somewhere but at least I won't miss tea time.

 

[VicHanson]

I've never used an Esbit stove, but another option that was mentioned above, in passing, is an alcohol stove. They are simple to make, work great and are clean burning. Actually you don't even need to make one, you can just use an empty tuna can or cat food can. Pour in a little methanol, and you can boil a couple of cups of water in 5 or 6 minutes. The best fuel I have found readily available in the U.S. is gas line deicer - the yellow bottles of HEET, or similar. Buy it in a auto parts, hardware, discount or grocery store, all much cheaper than at a gas station! Make sure it says methanol, burns cleaner and better than the red bottles of HEET. It is better and cheaper than denatured alcohol as well. Easily carried and does double duty in your vehicle in winter. There is a little odor, so make sure you use it in a ventilated area, but I don't think it is as smelly as Esbit tablets.

See my review of a simple soda can stove here, which also has a link to show how to make them:
http://www.spgear.org/reviews/3374/Soda-Can-Stove.html

The soda can stove in the picture is one I have used for about 6 years. The tuna can stove has holes punched in it with a paper punch, and then you don't need a pot stand. BUT make sure you don't use this in windy conditions without a large clear area or on a fireproof riser. The wind will blow through the can and flames will shoot out about a foot on the other side! Best to use a windshield with both of them.




Vic