Before posting, I did a cursory online search and did find the following CFR language - 36 CFR 2.13 Fires (a) (2) Only chemical based camp stoves may be used.

I suppose alcohol is a chemical - perhaps a slightly modified can is not a "stove"??

I do recall seeing somewhere that permissible stoves had to have an on-off valve....

None of this bureaucratic twiddle will prevent some doofus from starting a fire in circumstances that are clearly inappropriate.

I use Esbit-style stoves, but with Hexamine fuel that does not leave a residue. I've not had any problem blowing it out when I'm done. I think Esbit is easy to blow out too. Am I missing something here?

For me the main disadvantage is how hard solid fuel is to light. I generally use tindercard or similar to help get it going. Alcohol will ignite with a spark (at least, if it's reasonably warm - it's the vapour that ignites). And for me the main drawback of alcohol is my fear of spilling it while it's aflame.

Weird. I haven't used Esbit much but I found it essentially impossible to blow out after burning for a few minutes. I also had no trouble getting it lit.

It is fairly easy to put it out with a piece of wet cloth. It can be lit again after that. It´s just not recommended because of the fumes.
Besides Esbit stoves are meant for heating a container of defined size. The tablets usually are burnt up by the time you are done anyway (or shortly before, if you failed to shield it from the wind).
If I can afford spillage, I take my Trangia burner.

No oral hygiene?

Jeanette Isabelle

I did have some oral hygiene in this kit for a long time, Jeanette - tooth brush, paste and some dental floss. It is one of the components I debate adding again, along with deodorant. Dental is easy to add, but at the expense of space and weight.

Suggestions?

Although my cook kit would say I'm a fibber, I'm trying to save weight. Right now, the pack probably weighs close to 25 pounds, including water and food. I don't have a gear budget right now, so I'm working with what I have, and slowly upgrading over the next couple of years in prep for a big trail hike.

Peppermint liquid castile soap is versatile as soap, shampoo and toothpaste. It tastes like soap when using it as toothpaste but it works.

https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/PEPPERMINT/OLPE02.html

I never tried Flosscard; I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work. It's the same size as a regular business card.

http://www.flosscard.com/gallery-retail/

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with either company.

Jeanette Isabelle

Great suggestions, Jeanette. Thanks! I haven't seen liquid castile soap, but know there are many fans of it on this forum. If I can use it for soap, shampoo AND toothpaste, I'm sold. Do you know if it works for dishes too?

You can get many of the items you mention in single use packets. Search for "travel size toiletries."

Deodorant and dental floss are available in single use packets.

I haven't seen toothpaste in a single use packet, but you can get it in very small tubes. Here is a 0.6oz tube:

http://www.traveltoiletrykits.com/mm5/me...tegory_Code=ORL

Since you are looking to stock a GHB, you should only need enough for 1-3 days. Single use packets will be much lighter than regular travel size packages. The toothbrush will be the heaviest item. Some people cut off half the handle to make them lighter.

Longish thread -- Is it too cold in the far North for an IsoPro canister stove like the MSR MicroRocket? That is the stove in my GHB along with a small IsoPro canister.