[pct-l] non-explosive fuel that can legally be shipped by air

[o123david at hotmail.com (David O)]

An alternative to alcohol stoves is solid fuel.
Either Esbits from REI, Campmor, etc
or at half the price Coghlan's fuel tablets from Canada at 204-284-9550, 
also at some local stores.
They both have the same amount of energy per ounce but the Coghlan's leave 
some ash.

You need less of either by weight than alcohol for the same amount of 
cooking.
No bottle, no spill. A flame you can see that never gets out of hand. You 
always know exactly how much you have left. If you have extra just blow it 
out and use it next time.
High flashpoint so they can safely and legally be mailed by air!!

The stove is even lighter and simpler than an alcohol stove. Just a piece of 
aluminum for the
tablet(s) to burn on. Needed because the fuel somewhat liquifies as it 
burns.
For the pot stand just use a strip of hardware cloth. For the 0.9 liter 
titanium Evernew pot from REI
you need a strip 1 3/4" wide. For a pot with a larger bottom use a wider 
strip to keep the pot up higher. The flame should be just as wide as the 
bottom of the pot (but no wider) for the most efficient cooking.
Use a cut-down MSR Whisperlite windscreen that goes part way up the sides of 
the pot.

Compared with alcohol, solid fuel costs more (not that much more) but is 
lighter and far more convenient.
The disadvantage is that solid fuel leaves a residue on the bottom of the 
pot, easily removed with a little dirt and water.
Esbits come 12 tablets/box and Coghlan's 24 tablets/box. In both cases a box 
contains 6 ounces.
--David (who has no commercial interest in either fuel)

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