Misc ideas on Esbit stove alternatives
The key to even a very cheap off-brand Esbit stove or DIY improvised out of a metal food can (alloy containing iron) is to keep it very dry. I.e. no dew left out over night etc.
There are several very small and compact wood stoves that can be adjusted to use Esbit style fuels, or alcohol stove, canister or wood/biomass. These are typically made out of stainless steel or titanium alloys, over time aluminum melts and galvanized steel gives off mildly toxic fumes which may not be a major problem in a well ventilated area but long term is not ideal. Some of these stoves fold down smaller and lighter than a Esbit brand stove. Dozens of brands. Or buy Ti or SS foil or sheet + HW mesh and make your own.
Not exactly the same thing but I have two of Peter Nelson's CR2. It is an ultra-light camp stove stands 1.8 oz or 51 grams each. Fits inside my small Titanium cook pot. I paid $20 each.
http://www.critterstand.com/CR2/CR2.html
add a bit of SS HW mesh/cloth or sheet (or inverted cat food can) and it works OK with Esbit fuel.
CR1 is only 30 grams and shorter so may actually be better for Esbit style of fuel, either way a short sheet of Ti foil as wind screen is a good idea it fits in pot for storage. Cost is about $15 typically but much cheaper alternatives are available, i.e. aluminum flashing.
2 Attachment(s)
SP 900, CR2, 2 stoves and silicone lid space for fuel as well
Photos of my set without wind screen:
Attachment 10447
both stands and "stoves" pack up inside one Snow Peak Trek 900 Ti Cook Pot 30 oz (900ml) and my $2 silicone lid from pet supply store.
Attachment 10448
I occasionally use the mini-fry pan but it is mostly a worthless waste of weight and space. Does make a good loud rattling sound to alert bears I am coming. Small shammy cloth to clean up softens this sound some (not shown), both that and silicone are hot pads as well.
Edit: "tripod" stand is inherently less stable than one with 4 legs, therefore a tight fitting windscreen helps to keep your pot from dumping your supper/meal. I.e. this is my ultralight solution not for car camping.
Solid fuel comparison tests?
Sorry to go a little off the OP's initial question but has anyone experimented with different Esbit solid fuels types and the same exact stove, pot and amount of water, time to bring to boil etc?
The primary brands of solid fuels I am aware of are several sizes from Esbit, Coghlan's tablets, and Weber Lighter Cubes but there must be others.
These are a great alternative or backup to other stove fuels IMO because no risk of leaking and can scrape a little onto tender to start a fire in very wet conditions etc. Beyond that I have very little experience with them and was not able to find a good side by side "scientific" comparison online. Cost also varies a lot. Sort of like regardless of whether some off brand yellow bottle "HEET" is most efficient for your Ally stove if you can find it in some small town, roadside Dollar store or gas station it will work well enough. Just my 2 cents. I like both lab science and practical survival whatever works.
I need to take a metal food can stove and boil some water on it out in the backyard and post a photo of it just for fun, or just one made of stones.
Ti or Aluminum WS as only Esbit stove
Quote:
Originally Posted by
1stimestar
My esbit in a rock cairn. Lot of bears around so I was just cooking real quick then moving on.
I really like your stove with rock windscreen (aka cairn). That is one of the lightest setups for backpacking, i.e. using found materials also quick to grab and run for trees or whatever as you mentioned.
Here is another idea: Ti or aluminum flashing (from HW store) windscreen, place solid fuel on small piece of Ti/alum/SS foil on top of stone or Ti/alum/SS ground stakes or SS BBQ skewers thru holes in the windscreen Ti foil or flashing. There are at least 4 online sources for Titanium foil and in most large cities at least one locally but here is a good one (Titaniumgoat dot com):
http://www.titaniumgoat.com/windscreens.html
If you only want to protect the solid fuel (Esbit for example) about 12 inches by 6 may work (4 x 3.141 approx for < 2.5" diameter with overlap) cost about $12 + shipping. I should probably add a photo but over time these seem to get lost, take up server space and this is very obvious. This is not great for use as wood stove, but can work in an emergency, OK for alcohol stove. A windscreen of stone, mud, "punky" wood or whatever improves fuel efficiency and therefore indirectly reduces your backpack's weight. Biggest problem I have with Ti windscreen compared to found stones is that a strong wind can blow it over the mountain side or into the river. Dog gone it! ;-)
Edit: Due to higher shipping costs to Canada if you live there you may what to consider Titanium Joe (also ships from USA for Americans etc) http://www.titaniumjoe.com/index.cfm...s/sheet-plate/
Also the very thin Aluminum Flashing can be ordered free shipping "ship to store" at most HW stores but over time if you burn hardwoods, it will melt away so this is why I consider it an emergency wood stove or gasifier material only.
