Anybody use solid fuels once in a while?

[ganchan]

I was intrigued by the no-spill, non-explosive, space-saving properties of solid fuels such as Esbit (heaxmine) tablets, so I was looking at a few of the solid fuels mentioned here:
http://zenstoves.net/SolidFuelBurner.htm

Not too thrilled about hexamine's production of cyanide gas (and apparently the military wasn't either), but presumably the amount is too tiny to matter in the open air.... Looks like just about any fuel emits some nasty thing or other. No getting around that.

Interesting that the site mentioned gelled alcohol as a "solid fuel." I hadn't really thought about it that way....

I've also seen some little round brick-red "patties" in some camping stores, but I don't know what they are.

Anybody have occasions to use any of these (or other) solid fuels?

 

[ganchan]

Looks like the "patty" was this thing, it's made of cedar:
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_997259_-1?ICID=CRT:025706367P

 

[LeeRevell]

I have used hexamine outside but would never use it inside a van or TT. Sterno is safer but not as much BTU output. Intended more for warming than cooking.

 

[ganchan]

I'd rather cook outdoors anyway, no matter what the fuel source. More room to move pots around, etc.

 

[RVTravel]

Don't use hexamine (esbit, coghlans, bleuet) inside. You may regret it.

 

[Tin Can Express]

I use the cedar patties as fire starters, easy to light no kindling needed . They burn hot and long ! Google Super Cedar , they have a good deal on bulk orders. I believe they also sell a cooking adapter .

 

[LeeRevell]

The article on Solid Fuels reminded me, I do have a case of the old Triox GI bars stashed away. Again, only use OUTDOORS with plenty of ventilation. A third to a half bar is plenty for one quart pot of water. A full bar is a LOT of heat/flame! Leaves an ashy residue. Works well in an Esbit type stove.

A lot of GI's would use a small piece of C4 explosive to heat their rations. It burns in the open rather than explodes. But great care is needed!

GI Surplus MRE meals sometimes include their own chemical heater packs. Again, OUTSIDE use only! They create a lot of heat and steam. A one-time use product per pouch though.

Most grocery stores sell some largish wood product 'fire starter sticks' that can be used as solid stove fuel. They have potentially toxic vapors too. They are treated to burn really well. Outside use only.

 

[highdesertranger]

to low of heat output and to expensive for everyday use. however they do have their place. backpacking, emergency fuel storage, etc. highdesertranger

 

[Tin Can Express]

For fun I conducted a highly scientific comparison of my small emergency type stoves. I cooked Ramen noodles  .
I tested the Esbit stoves with hexamine tabs and Super Cedar chunks.
 

• Esbit Folding stove
         Using hexamine tablet, 7 ½ minutes to boil plus 4 minutes cook time. Total: 11 ½ minutes.
         Using Super Cedar, 9 minutes to boil plus 4 minutes cook time. Total:13 minutes.
    Esbit Nesting stove
         Using hexamine tablet, 8 ½ minutes to boil plus 4 minutes cook time. Total : 12 ½ minutes.
         Using Super Cedar, 9 minutes to boil plus 4 minutes cook time. Total: 13 minutes.
    Trangia Spirit Burner
         6 minutes to boil plus 4 minutes cook time. Total: 10 minutes.
   Magic Heat Stove
         15 minutes to boil plus 4 minutes cook time. Total: 19 minutes.
  

If anyone is interested in reading the full writeup it can be seen here pocket stove comparison.