Jerry,

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of Esbit. Esbit is the lightest fuel out there (based on the studies that I've read) -- you can get a titanium wing stove (sort of like the Wetfire stove), and you're in business for a few grams -- but I've never liked the smell, the difficulty in lighting, the residue, or the slowness.

The one really big advantage of Esbit is it's the only fuel that you can carry on a plane. Gas canisters? Coleman fuel? Kerosene? Forget about it. But Esbit is just fine. It also stores well. I can see that it has some uses, but it's never been my favorite fuel. Sometimes I've carried it in my emergency kit, but never as my primary cooking means.

HJ