Benton:

I have an Esbit Stove, and yes, I do like it. Do I love it? Well?? It is not a burning relationship (pun intended). Lets just say we?ve agreed to remain friends. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

To answer you questions:

Exbit stoves, or sometimes called ?Hexi-stoves? were initially made by the Esbit company in Germany for the German army. Today, they are issued by several European militaries (Germany, Netherlands, UK to name a few) to heat rations, and are made by several manufacturers.

You can get Esbit stoves on e-bay, or at Campmor, for less than 10 bucks. Fuel for them is also rather inexpensive, supposedly non-toxic (as opposed to the US Army fuel tabs), and have enough heat to just about scare a canteen cup of water to a boil. On a good day. And not too cold. And, NO wind. I have used mine many times and it does give good service. But?.

Without a windscreen, you can wait a lifetime to a rolling boil. I use an MSR wisperlite windscreen with mine, and it improves things drastically.

The Esbit is rather heavy if all you want to do is heat a cup or two of water. Today, I now use a US Army canteen cup with the cup stand/stove that fits around the cup for storage. Very compact. Toss a few Esbit fuel tabs in the bottom of the canteen cover, and you?re all set.

For larger quantities of heating and cooking, I take along a Swedish Mess kit with a Trangia alcohol stove. The mess kit has a windscreen as a part of the kit. I can boil 1.5 litres of water in about 9 minutes. Rolling boil. Plus the stove fuel is denatured alcohol, which is a darn site better for the environment if it spills. One fill-up will last about 25 minutes of burn time. Plus, in a pinch (or, if you want to impress the crowd with your rarified tastes) it will burn gin. I swear.

Yes, Esbit fuel tabs can be a bit of a trick to light. I usually set a twig alight and place it next to the base of the fuel tab. Seems to work. The fuel is a waxy base, which explains the ?waxy? issue. I have no idea about the shelf life of the fuel. You see, I keep mine in a trunk. (Sorry. I couldn?t resist that one.) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Recommendation? Not an EDC carry or PSK carry, but it does have its uses. It is more flexible than the canteen cup stove/stand when using other pots/pans. Operationally, it is simplicity itself. Pop open stove. Pop open fuel tab. Cook. You can hold 4 fuel tabs inside in safety. (5 if you?re REALLY good). As long as you take a windscreen, for the money it is a good buy.

Hope this helps.

?..CLIFF