Sterno Stove

[Tactical Tom]

Guys I scored a neat little stove - Sterno Stove - I got it on clearence at K-Mart for $3.50 ! & the fuel is .50 ea. I didnt purchase the fuel, I think you coudjust build a small fire in it & do just as good ! Has anyone else tried one of these out ? This little stove flods down flat so it's very easy to pack !

[crashdive123]

I've got a couple of them with 4 or 5 boxes (3 cans per box) of fuel.

[Sourdough]

Years ago, well many years ago, we used primous and optimus stoves. but you could not get the white gas to flow at -35* below. So we would put a gumdrop size amount of sterno under the generator and perheat it for 5 min.

[Ridge Wolf]

I was down at the military surplus store today and saw one of those. I have another type so didn't buy it but I'll agree that they are convenient.

[crashdive123]

Years ago, well many years ago, we used primous and optimus stoves. but you could not get the white gas to flow at -35* below. So we would put a gumdrop size amount of sterno under the generator and perheat it for 5 min.

I used a little Coleman Peak One. When I used it in really cold weather starter paste was in order (smelled like airplane glue without the glue part). smeared a bead of it on the generator just like you did with the sterno.

[Ole WV Coot]

They are cheap, little space, fuel-cheap or nothing, did I say they are cheap and best of all they work fine. If this gets out the price will triple.

[Rick]

Sterno is a good choice. Anything compact, light and dependable is good. I don't know how long the fuel burns because I've never used one. That would be an important piece for me. But judging from the Sterno burns I've seen in restaurants/parties they seem to burn quite a long time.

I guess you know you're out of the mainstream when you go to a nice restaurant and instead of spending time aaaahing over the 2001 Chateau de Roquefeuille you keep checking your watch trying to find out how long the Sterno burns. Instead of admiring the silver challis you wonder if it would make a good trail cup.

[Sarge47]

Yes, that's right, Sterno is a "multi-us" item; just ask any "Alky"(they call it "squeeze"). Anyway, my folks had one when I was just a tadpole, shows you how long it's been around. There's also the "Esbit" stove that takes the Trioxane Fuel (tabs). However, for a small, safe, emergency Stove i carry the "Hank Roberts II".

[bulrush]

I used those in a camping trip in 1979. They work well in calm conditions, not so well at all in windy conditions. Flame stays lit but heat just blows away from your pots. Better to make your own stove with windscreen.

Take a metal coffee can. Cut a hole in the side close to the bottom. Insert tuna can, place sterno or Trangia alky stove on top of tuna can inside coffee can. Put pot on top.

[RobertRogers]

My first hiking stove at 13 years old was a sterno. I bought one several years ago for old times sake.

[crashdive123]

Since I had never timed them, I thought I would. Last night I opened a new can of sterno fuel (2.6 ounces. They do make larger cans) and lit it. Burned for 56 minutes. As Bulrush said, they are affected by the wind. The sides of the stove do OK, but a sheltered area or and additional windscreen is probably called for.

[Rick]

Here's a cheap and easy way to make a sterno stove that's wind "proof".

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tin-Can-Sterno-Stove/

[Ole WV Coot]

I personally find it interesting just how many important items can be made with "junk". The ole brain, when it's rational can come up with a lot to survive. Guess that's why controlling panic is important. I really would rather have a "good" mechanical aptitude and common sense. Extreme intelligence in a few people would cause them to analyze to death each option until they dropped.

[crashdive123]

The sterno stove that I bought actually has pretty good wind shielding properties. On the burn time, I noticed that the can states a 45 minute burn time (it exceeded that by 11 minutes). Tonights experiment while I'm puttering in the workshop will be to see how long the same volume of alcohol will burn.

[awfoxden]

also you can use the pop can alchohol stoves in them or the esbit stoves if you some place where wood is scarce or you wanting to leave no trace. creates a very nice light weight dependable stove package - if the alchohol runs out you still have the wood fire option with a nice pot stand. - i tend to like to alchohol stoves a little better than the sterno - just my opinion

[Rick]

It's sad but I've stopped using the camp fire to cook over. I use the pocket rocket mostly. I have started carrying an Esbit. I'm tired of scrubbing soot off my stainless GI cookware. The MSR fuel burns clean so I just toss it in the dishwasher when I get home and presto, it's clean. Lazy has it's benefits.

[Ridge Wolf]

Here's a cheap and easy way to make a sterno stove that's wind "proof".

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tin-Can-Sterno-Stove/

What a neat site that link is. Thanks Rick. There are other things on there that are neat to make too. Man, I wish I would have thought about that site as a business idea.

Hmm, might get some ideas off there for a crafters business. Somethin' to do.

[bulrush]

Thanks for the link Rick. That's the idea I was getting at.

[Omid]

Guys I scored a neat little stove - Sterno Stove - I got it on clearence at K-Mart for $3.50 ! & the fuel is .50 ea. I didnt purchase the fuel, I think you coudjust build a small fire in it & do just as good ! Has anyone else tried one of these out ? This little stove flods down flat so it's very easy to pack !

ur kidding me!

[skunkkiller]

I have a sterno stove that I put a bottom in and now all I use is wood small stick . It is square about 10 in. and 6 in. high has steel grill and all folds flat made a nice case for it so it go on all my hikes can make lunch coffe what have an all you end up with is ashes no can to pack out or in . I use flint and steel to lite all my fires . Backwoodsmen mag. did a sprade on it .