I believe that the body processes food by burning it. Most food has too much water to burn. Calorie counts are determined by burning the food in a bomb calorimeter. If food can't be burned, you probably shouldn't eat it. Google for more info.

"When Taboylan mentioned in passing that it would be possible to eat the tallow candle in his PSK, it reminded me of some latent knowledge I had in the back of my mind. "

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Where does one get real tallow candles these days? I've looked for them and can't find them.

I wondered the same thing, and did some googling. All I could find was the definition, which I already knew, and some semi-instructions on making them, but no ready source. I guess you would have to make your own. I will also bet that they would really taste nasty...

The "Wise" brand of chips burn particularly well. Or so my arson instructor said. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Unfortunately for me, the low carb diet Nazi won't let me buy any chips, even after I explain that they would not be to eat, but to burn...

If I were to carry such fire/food items I'd go with beeswax candles. Readily available and they sound more appealing. They would also wax your threads for making that pair of mocassins from the tanned hides of the folk who weren't so well prepared!

If I remember correctly, during Vietnam, troops would add a few drops of insecticide to the small can of peanut butter that came in C-rations and light it off. The oils in peanut butter will burn but they need to be heated first; thus, the few drops of insecticide which are more easily ignited. Then they would put their steel helmet (minus liner) over the burning mixture. The helmet became a radiant heater as they squatted down under their poncho. I see that 0311 already mentioned this.