Here is a page that tells how to make sterno.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001YYN

... not arrived yet !
I took two days off, to wait for it and go try it in the contryside, but no luck so far ...
I just get a mail saying it will be shipped from London (when ?), except for the extra large rain fly, which will be ship from Canada. They offer to reimburse the extra customs fees I will have to pay. Nice ...

I sent the link to an uncle who teaches chemistry ... to see what he thinks of those receipes....

Sterno (gelled alcohol) will blow out constantly in a slight breeze. Takes forever to heat water

I found it next to useless.

Flip

That was another post, if you want to put it out, just slip the lid back on it(don't burn your fingers doing this!). We used to do this every night at the restaurant. It won't keep long term, but it works just fine over-night, if you get it seated just right, it'll seal itself back up when it burns the oxygen out of the can. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Troy

Thanks for your answers.
It seems of relatively poor value outdoors (maybe good as tinder) except in fair weather and more interesting for indoor use (in a 72hr kit ?)

Sorry for the "jellyfied" thing .. I just thought "hum... let's see ....mummy >>> mummyfied, so jelly >>> jellyfied !!!" <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

You certainly can shut it (Sterno) off by replacing the lid. It even says so right on the can, and I have done it many a time then have used the remaining Sterno a week or two later with no problems as long as I reseal the can well.