Esbit stove rusting

[natertot]

About five years ago, I bought an Esbit collapsible stove. It was the smaller version, not the big one. I never used it until about 2 years or so ago. I used it about a dozen or so time, always burning milsurp fuel tabs from Germany in it. The last time I used it was about a year ago and I wiped it out and put it away like always.

Today I was goofing around a bit and decided to play with it again. To my amazement, the thing was nearly rusted shut. After some work with a scrub pad and a little oil I got it open and cleaned up a bit. One side was still a pain to open and close, so I just pitched it after I used it. I only paid $5 for it five years ago after all.

I was just curious if anyone else has had issues with Esbit stoves rusting. Mine is the first one I have really stumbled across or heard. Any storage suggestions are welcomed as well. Thanks!

[crashdive123]

Sounds like the stove on the right in this pic. They do rust easily.

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[Tokwan]

This stove is too cheap to keep for a long time. But if you apply some light oil before storing, they usually are ok.

[natertot]

Hey Crash, you are spot on. The one on the right is exactly like it. I thought they were a stainless steel so I didn't expect the rust. Is the one on the left more or less prone to rusting? I'd like to find one that is a bit more durable to keep in the car.

Tokwan, I agree that A light coat of oil would be beneficial. I just would like to find one that is less maintenance. The one that I had I thought was stainless steel and that I could wipe it out, fold it up, and use again later. What can I say? I like easy!

[Tokwan]

I would suggest, get some pieces of aluminum, and diy the same type of stove. A thicker metal would make it sturdier, and with aluminum, it would not be rusting...then you have a lighter stove, better lasting and rust free.

[Rick]

The one on the left is made by Esbit and is made of galvanized steel. The one of the right, I believe, is an East German copy. I've never had an Esbit stove rust.

[hunter63]

Part of the problem with gear....any gear, is that if not used frequently, tend to fall into disrepair......rust, mold (leather products)dry rot,....just for sitting.

My hunting gear groups gets used hard for a few weeks several different seasons and groups of equipment.....and a before season check and repack is necessary.
Same with rendezvous gear and camps......was a time when tit wa used twice a month, now down to twice a year......

Bags packed as preps....BOB, GHB, GOOD......vehicle bags......even the used every trip Go bag.....you have to stay after it.

I have a couple of those stoves in my BOB bags,..... in the stove and cooking compartment, one pouch on Alice pack....so I suppose I should go check them...haven't since I repacked the freeze died food and check batteries, last spring.....and didn't unpack the stove.

Now if I could just figure a way to see if those chemical hand warmers are still good......they should print dates in big letters on them.
Is it gonna work, ....still not hard....I'll try one....yup it works....now toss it....hummmm, wonder if the others work?

[crashdive123]

Hey Crash, you are spot on. The one on the right is exactly like it. I thought they were a stainless steel so I didn't expect the rust. Is the one on the left more or less prone to rusting? I'd like to find one that is a bit more durable to keep in the car.

Tokwan, I agree that A light coat of oil would be beneficial. I just would like to find one that is less maintenance. The one that I had I thought was stainless steel and that I could wipe it out, fold it up, and use again later. What can I say? I like easy!

The one on the left is made by Esbit and is made of galvanized steel. The one of the right, I believe, is an East German copy. I've never had an Esbit stove rust.

Exactly as Rick stated. The Esbit brand has not rusted.

[natertot]

Thanks guys.

Hunter, you are spot on with keeping up on gear. Even with all the diligence I can muster, on occasion, there is a piece of gear that falls through the proverbial cracks. I also have the same sentiments with those hand warmers. Only way to know is use them, once they're used they are done. That is why I keep a ton of those around. I figure 6 out of two dozen gotta work, right?

With my Esbit milsurp knock-off, I threw it in the box of "stuff" in the garage. I am not a huge fan of these little stoves, although I do like the fuel tabs. I usually dig an "X" in the dirt, place tab in the middle of the "X" and place cup/pot over the top of tab. I have found on a few occasions , where digging an "X" is not an option or is ill advised. That is when the stove itself comes in handy.

Coghlans has a cheap one for about $6 with fuel tabs. No long term reviews, but tons of good initial reviews. But since you guys here have more experience with them, and long term experience, I am gonna pony up a bit more for an actual "Esbit" brand.

Here is the "contact us" page for Esbit, if y'all wanna try to collect royalties! http://www.esbit.de/en/contact

Seriously though, thanks for the feedback and guidance.

[Rick]

On the handwarmers, I've found that somewhere around a year +/- they go bad. My experience is with the products made by Grabber. I don't think the cellophane used to package them is completely air tight. That's just my opinion though. In any case, I've been so disappointed with their shelf life I went with the Zippo hand warmers. You do have to fill them but at least I know they'll work when I need them to.

[hunter63]

I really think the problem is "time goes fast"....and seems faster the older you get.
Seems just yesterday I repacked the BOB's....did the batteries, food water... stuff in the spring....and it won't be long before next spring is here.

Hunting season I was eating last years "Sweet tarts"....weren't bad.

[Rick]

Man, I hear that. Before you know it, it will 2010.

[natertot]

Rick, I think you are spot on with the hand warmer date. Whenever I buy them, I mark the date of purchase on the packs and I lose trust after 8 mos. After that, it is try one and if it don't work grab the next one until you find one that does. For this reason, I never buy these things on clearance in the spring. I rather pay full price in the fall for freshness.

It is also ironic you mentioned the Zippo hand warmer. I friend gave one to me yesterday as a gift. I haven't opened it yet though cause I don't even have Zippo fluid yet. Out of curiosity, I have used rubbing alcohol, camp fuel, and a few other flammables in the Zippo lighters. Do you think this would work on the hand warmer too?

[Rick]

I've never tried it but I don't see why camp fuel wouldn't work. It works on the same principle as the Coleman convection heaters. Make certain your first fill is two of the filler cups to fill it up. Two will fill it completely full but it won't light unless you do. If you use it regularly after that then you can fill it with one but if used infrequently you'll need to fill two each time.

[natertot]

Good to know. Thanks Rick

[Tokwan]

Naternot, I also dig the X in the ground stove..and put a solid fuel there...but I placed some wood on the solid fuel and i have a fire going ...hehehe

[TXyakr]

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.

[TXyakr]

Photos of my set without wind screen:

cp2.jpg

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.

CP1.jpg

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.

[Tokwan]

I have 2 sets of Esbit stoves and cookset, both can take solid fuel and alcohol. I love them and use them for my daily and also a couple days hike as they allow me to carry them ligthweight and my fav method of cooking is either using alcohol or solid fuel in case it rains. I also used solid fuel as my firestarter when making wood fire. Its simple and light.
But sometimes, a simple can is good enough to house solid fuel and work as stove, and simply trash them when you get home without the need to do any maintenance.

[ElevenBravo]

Ive used the MIL heat tabs and canteen stove for years, it was a hoot having hot coffee in the field! Or hot shaving water..

Fast forward to today and I really prefer my alcohol stove from Mechanic Mike off ebay, he builds them to simply WORK... I tried to build one, it "kinda" worked.

Denatured alcohol is fairly inexpensive for this application and the heat is righteous! No need for a stand, the side jet... once plumed... holds the pot or canteen right on the lip. Love these things.

If I run out of alcohol... theres always rocks and twigs. Simple is as simple does.

EB