Esbit® Pocket Stove?

imported
#1

how does the Esbit® Pocket Stove
work? does one tab of fuel for once time use? how long does it burn? does teh tabs of fuel cost more than gas? any other disadvatages or advatages to it? thanks

Anthony

#2

My experience with the fuel tabs is that they are quite expensive over the long run. Last time I looked a pack with 8 tabs ran about 4 bucks. And took 2 tabs to bring a 2 cups of water to a boil. Per weight they are light but the cost is pretty high. I would consider alcohol stove if you want to go light.
Search this sight, I believe others have posted their own reviews of it as well.

Spacewalker

#3

I purchased a dozen esbit for $3.00. It took exactly 1 tablet to burn 8 oz of water in 8 minutes, poured my mac-n-cheese in, put it in my cozy and it was ready in 10 mins. I also have a metal cup I use to heat up water for tea and this only takes a half tab. You can extinguish the tab by simply blowing the flame out. They are reusable. To me, they are the cheapest, lightweight and sensible. I’ve been using it for 2 1/2 years. Most outfitters now carry the esbit tabs too. If it’s taking too long to boil water, you must not be using a wind screen. A piece of cheap foil will do. Like I said, you can’t beat the price and the WEIGHT !

Marsha

#4

I’ve had the same results that Marsha had,only I used a few stones to block the wind.I’ve used the Esbit stove for the last 2 years I’ve hiked the AT and, in the Sierras.It also saves you space in your backpack.The tabs can also be mailed along with your food drops.Enjoy your hike Anthony.:cheers

Bill Harris

#5

I was surprised at the number of ezbit users on the trail during my recent hike. At least with the hikers I encountered, I’d say it was even with the alkie stoves. I think that tells the story of their popularity - the stoves themselves ar very small, lightweight; fuel tabs are easy to find, can be divided for amount of fuel use needed, lights reliably (lights best by holding the tab between the fingers to light and then position it on the stove) Overall the cost is very reasonable. I took my pocket rocket last time out, but wished I’d had my esbit - for all the above reasons. One disadvantage - they smell real stinky.

peep

#6

I started using the Esbit system in '98, and it’s my preferred method of cooking solo. A windscreen is absolutely required to use the Esbit system efficiently, however.

Esbit doesn’t work as well if trying to boil more than about 2.5 or 3 cups of water. So for a group meal, probably not a good idea. But for solo hikers–great!

If you have any left over, blow them out and they can be re-used to make hot water for tea. Or keep a bunch of small leftovers wrapped up in some aluminum foil–makes excellent firestarter.

Skyline

#7

Hey Peep! -Paco and I used them on our Damascus hike when we met you. He actually researched different stoves and ended up with the esbit, not even knowing that I had one-actually got it off ebay. He loves it too. Yes, it is only good for single hikers, not group cooking. I’ve seen other people use rocks as a windscreen too. I remember one year actually leaving my alcohol at a shelter with the tin can stove because of the weight (I was about 8 lbs. over on that trip) and used my friend’s esbit until I got to an outfitter to buy my own. I had an esbit w/tabs sitting at home too-I was mad for not bringing it to begin with but I was determined to use the alcohol stove! Great topic-I always debate. See you soon-StarLyte

Marsha

#8

Thought that was you Starlyte! I wasn’t sure about you & Paco using the Esbit, but I remember Seeker-2 (at Saunders Shelter) and a few others were. And Seeker-2 had this great meal going eith his ramps he’d picked up as he hiked into the shelter. As I’d said above, I carried my pocket-rocket and had meant to bring some esbit fuel tabs anyway but forgot. In a pinch, I could have set up an esbit tab between a few rocks as my stove top and fired 'er up - or, as Skyline said, used as firestarter. Nice to hear from you again Starlyte- get in touch with me if ya (Paco too) wanna hike down here. Peep

Peep

#9

I tired the Esbit route in 2003 but the smell made me so nauseated I didn’t want to eat. So now I only carry a few in my food bag as emergency fuel and have returned to the pepsi can stove. (I used Esbit brand tabs not generic.) Sue/HH:girl

Hammock Hanger

#10

If you want to keep your packweight down then the Esbit is the way. I didn’t experience any of the negatives like stink or the wind…although I would say a screen of some kind even aluminum foil would be a good idea. I still have mine…just don’t use it because all my hikes now are shorter and other stoves are just quicker and hotter.

Doc Holiday

#11

Besides the smell, which I also noticed, the tabs leave an obnoxious, sticky brown exudate on the bottom of my pot.

That said, I usually carry one tab for spare fuel and emergencies; they also make a really great fire starter. Sometimes only a camp fire will dry out wet gear when temps are low and you’re still two days out from being able to bail.

LiteShoe