[pct-l] Re: Esbit Stoves

[awest00@umail.ucsb.edu (Andrew West)]

While perhaps not carried on the trail, Esbit can be easily found in Army
Surplus Stores in the US.  Pretty cheap too, like a couple of bucks.  I like
the stoves cuz they are "idiot"-proof (meaning ridiculously easy to use) and
make great emergency stoves, in case your primary one fails.  Problem with
Esbit tablets is that they are hard to light.

> Message: 1
> From: "Bob Bankhead" <wandering_bob@msn.com>
> To: "PCT List Forum" <PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 10:12:27 -0700
> Subject: [pct-l] Esbit Fuel Availability on PCT
>
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> Neil:
>
> The bad news:  I carried an Esbit from Yosemite NP to Castella this summer =
> and never once did I see Esbit tablets on a store shelf. That includes Old =
> Station, which has about everything a hiker could ask for. In all my years =
> on the PCT, I have never seen Esbit tablets on any store shelf; it's hard e=
> nough to find white gas in some locals, let alone the little propane/butane=
>  cylinders. In fact, Esbit itself ran into a supply problem this spring tha=
> t made availability even from major internet sources difficult. Therefore, =
> I suggest that you (1) order in bulk - I bought 15 boxes of 12@ - well in a=
> dvance and (2) ship them to yourself along the trail as needed.
>
> The good news!  The tablets only weight 0.5 ounces each so you can easily c=
> arry a 10 day supply easily and thereby reduce the number of mail drops you=
> 'll need. One half tablet will easily boil 16 ounces of cold water, so 1 ta=
> blet (1/2 oz) made one day's fuel supply figuring 1/2 tab each for breakfas=
> t and dinner. Ten days =3D 10 tablets + 1 spare tablet for "emergencies" =
> =3D 5.5 oz.
>
> You will love the Esbit stove. Just be sure you have a GOOD windscreen with=
>  you.
>
> Happy trails,
>
> Wandering Bob
>