Maybe the first part of my post is pure nonsense LOL. But really, I don't understand the cut pattern on some esbit stoves. The one in above picture is symmetrical and nice but in some other models they are cut in odd geometry. I tried to figure the purpose but failed.

Anyways, interesting about the one pictured above, if you notice the cut is somehow like teeth. Right ? In one U-tube, I noticed a hiker used the stove upside down ON A LOG, not on the ground or a flat surface. The "teeth" had a good grip of the side of log and the stove didn't slip during cooking. Something to appreciate if you have lots of debris on the ground after a hurricane or earthquake.