I have had similar results with Ebits (single tabs). Neither Sterno or Esbits will boil 12+oz of water for me in a timely mannor, if at all. I have found that I can speed up the process with Esbits by using two tabs and with Sterno by adding cedar twigs (to increase flame size) but then that is kind of defeating the purpose isnt it?

I always thought that Esbit fuel, Triox, Cotton/Vaso, etc. would be used to start a fire in an emergency, not to *be* the fire. Emergency tinder rather than emergency fuel was my plan, although I've never been in the unfortunate circumstance of actually needing a fire in an emergency situation (knock on wood!)

Several weeks ago i tried to light both an esbit fuel tab and a generic one, directing a pinpoint of sunlight on a hot, sunny days with a cheap plastic magnifying glass -- the one that comes with the Coughlin's (I know, not the highest quality equipment) thermometer/whistle/magnifier combo. That didn't work for me either. I was going to try with a fresnel lens but haven't taken the time.

Maybe this weekend.

Michael