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RE: [pct-l] Iodine Tablets and Esbit Stoves



The Esbit tablets are composed of different chemicals than the Trioxane
tablets. As a result they burn longer and don't have the same fumes. In
doing some test cooking with the esbit, I cooked on my kitchen counter
without major odors penetrating the house. 

The Esbit tablets are more expensive than Trioxane. At aprox. .50 each (in
the major suppliers) they can add significant cost on long trips. However,
they can be purchased over the net at discounted prices. I believe my last
batch cost around .35 each. They were acquired from www.backpackgear.com.

Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fallingwater Journals - www.fallingwater.com
Pacific Crest Trail Assoc. - www.pcta.org
American Long Distance Hikers Association - West -
www.gorp.com/nonprof/aldhaw

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Beth Murdoch [mailto:dorothea@jps.net] 
Sent:	Friday, January 02, 1998 10:53 PM
To:	Ronald Moak; margepr@cyberhighway.net; Pct-l
Subject:	RE: [pct-l] Iodine Tablets and Esbit Stoves

Here is a question about the fuel tablets:  I'm assuming that my army
surplus stove that burns tablets is the same as the esbit.  It uses tablets
made of "compressed Trioxane"".  What the heck is that?  Does it do harm to
a person's body to breathe the fumes?  I'd love to find out that it is
harmless, but may be overly optimistic.

Thanks,
Beth Murdock, Portland, OR

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pct-l@backcountry.net [mailto:owner-pct-l@backcountry.net]On
Behalf Of Ronald Moak
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 1999 4:04 PM
To: 'margepr@cyberhighway.net'; Pct-l
Subject: RE: [pct-l] Iodine Tablets and Esbit Stoves

Prolonged exposure (6 months or more) may cause some people to develop
iodine toxicity. However, that generally isn't a problem in short trips.
Stay tuned to the PCTA Website. There will be a whole series of articles
posted on water purification. Hopefully shortly after CrestFest. I'll
announce it here when they are up.

Esbit stoves along with alcohol stoves are becoming popular for weight
reduction. Each tablet will burn for aprox. 15 minutes, weighs 1/2 oz and
generates enough heat to boil 2 cups of water.  While not sufficient for
multiple people it works reasonably well for solo hikers. It does take some
practice, especially when cooking items like noodles that like to simmer for
a while. I used one on the last trip and it worked fine.

Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fallingwater Journals - www.fallingwater.com
Pacific Crest Trail Assoc. - www.pcta.org
American Long Distance Hikers Association - West -
www.gorp.com/nonprof/aldhaw

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Marge Prothman [mailto:margepr@cyberhighway.net]
Sent:   Tuesday, September 14, 1999 1:40 PM