Jellyfied alcohol

.... Nah, not booze to drink ... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
but to use in a stove .....

Does it offer any advantage, for use in a 72hr kit or a BOB or in a hiking perspective ?

I have seen a lot of "micro" stove (cat stove a.s.o. ..), using liquid alcool.

How does jellyfied alcohol (sometimes used in restaurants, for small table stoves) compare vs liquid alcohol or Esbit (and the like ..) tabletts, regarding following aspects :
- heating efficiency ?
- risks during transportation ?
- min/max storage temp. ? shelf life ? other storage factors ?
- volume/weight factor ?
- any other comment ?

I think you are tallking about what we here in the States call "sterno". It does not make as efficient a stove as the mini-alcohol types. For example, it takes 15 minutes to bring 8 oz. of cold water to a boil over sterno. But I use it while hunting/hiking because it is so simple to use: just pop the lid and light. No measuring fuel or packing a seperate fuel container. I fabricated an aluminum ring about 1" high that fits around the top of the can that allows me to heat cans or water on it. I usually get 2 1/2-3 hours per large can.
Like I said, it's not going to win any speed contests, but if you are looking for a safe, simple, and convenient means of heating food or warming yourself on the trail then sterno is hard to beat. For my vehicle or home I would probably go with a white-gas or propane stove for cooking (NOT heating.)
I like sterno so much I bought a case on Ebay not too long ago.

(Drinking it is not recommended! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

Regards, Vince

I looked for "Sterno" on the web and found the company site.
I guess that's what I was thinking about.
Thanks.

What is the most efficient : Sterno or Esbit ?
Which one has the longest shelf storage time ?

I use Sterno cans as well. I have also fashioned a can/cup holder from wire that holds my metal "camp" cup about an inch above the top of the Sterno can. Norad is right about it taking a loooooooooooooooong time to boil water. About 3 times as long as the flame from a good camp fire. I have tried the Pepsi can alcohol stove and I prefer the Sterno overall due to the fact that it's light, neat, compact and 100% self-contained. No need for anything extra. Even my nifty little metal cup stand is not absolutely needed, as I could easily fashion one in the feild from what nature provides (rocks, dirt or maybe even wet green plant material). If Im in an emergency situation with a can of sterno burning and I REALLY need a hotter flame all I need to to is build a camp fire, which (for me anyway) would be a piece of cake even in the rain with a broken arm, since the sterno can is already flaming and makes about the world's best "fire starter". <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's another use I had in mind.
Should be able to light with a few sparks from any firesteel or a sparklite or an empty Bic lighter.....

Most jellied alcohol/Sterno has a shelf life of about 2 years, though I have seen it last longer. When going through supplies for events, we always use the oldest stuff and I have found that it can evaporate quickly with a small hole in the seal. Do not open it to see what it looks like and try to seal it back up. It also is not for a short use heat situation as it will not go out once it is lit. Regard it as what it is, a form of napalm. Do not touch it, to not eat it, and do not mix it with any other flameables or caustic materials, unless you like to make things go boom.

Maybe I sould not have said that... <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Rena

We'll forgive ya, most of those of us who caught it, already have our favorite recipes anyway <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Great!

You just put Sterno on the TSA's list.

Bountyhunter

Hey Alain,
Sterno may prove to be more stable than you think. Experiment with it some before going to the field, I've dropped a lit match in the can and had it go out before I got ignition. That's not to say there's no place for it on a weekend outing, just know the limitations. As several have already said, it takes forever to boil water over a can of Sterno, but , it is a cheap, easy pot-warmer that's relatively safe, clean, and easy to handle. As to it's use as a firestarter, yeah, it makes a good firestarter, but for the weight/volume/number of fires started/ease of handling, I MUCH prefer cotton balls with a hint of vaseline.

Troy

P.S. How's the Hennessy?

"It also is not for a short use heat situation as it will not go out once it is lit."

I thought you could "turn it off" by shutting off the oxygen supply (i.e., placing an empty can - upside down- over it.

'Pup

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.