I can't answer either of your questions, but here are some thoughts.
Maybe a meat cleaver can do a hatchet's job, but I wouldn't want to cook with a hatchet.
Alcohol swabs can also be used to clean electronics and sanitize contact areas. I don't know how they compare to iodine in terms of germ-killing power or longevity.
Edited by Bingley (01/29/12 03:50 PM)