Gelled Esbit Type Fuel?

S

Scott Free

Joined
Sep 15, 1999
Messages
3,319
Someone here posted about a gelled fuel that is now being used in MREs. It comes in a foil ketchup type packet. They also provided a purchasing link, but I failed to bookmark it. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
 
That might be it. I think the link I remember also has a little stove for using with a crusader cup. In any case, I need a US supplier. Thanks, though. :)
 
For the year's of 2008 till the year's of late 2009, i did buy GreenHeat from the .99cent only stores in phoenix arizona. The boxs i see on the net are around 4.00 dollars, and you pay the shipping. I have in storage about 12 boxs, i payed only .99cents & tax. Great deal for me, now bad deal for any others, but if i see it any time im in the stores for .99cents, i will post it on blade fourms for you all. Your friend at the post, Donald S.
 
Scott Free said:
Someone here posted about a gelled fuel that is now being used in MREs. It comes in a foil ketchup type packet. They also provided a purchasing link, but I failed to bookmark it. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
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It must be so new It isn't fielded yet, I ate MREs for the last 2 weeks and there is no gelled fuel in them. Chris
 
I could be wrong about them being included with MREs. I just seem to remember that from the original post. That post, and this one, are the only times I've ever seen them mentioned anywhere—until now. I like the fact that these don't have shelf life. I can spread them throughout the cars, packs, and kits and then forget about them.
 
If I remember correctly, Sterno — and others — do sell essentially the same thing in tubes. It's generally marketed as "fire starter," but it works for what you're talking about, too.
 
Sterno is alcohol based—right? I wonder how the two compare...BTUs/oz. of fuel?

While I want to spread these throughout the cars and kits, my main reason for wanting these is for a cold water canoeing ditch kit. If I come out of a cold river on a cold windy day, I want to get a fire going (of course.) I also want a hot drink in me ASAP. I have a road flare as a mostly sure fire way to get a fire going quickly. Even with a road flare, though, a cooking fire will take at least a little time. With a packet of goo, I think I could have a cup of hot chocolate in me quicker than by waiting on a fire. There are probably times when a hot drink might be all I would really need. I usually like alcohol stoves, but they're much too fiddly if your shivering. The last few days I've been paddling in 50 degree water—so I think about these things. :)
 
Scott Free said:
Sterno is alcohol based—right? I wonder how the two compare...BTUs/oz. of fuel?

While I want to spread these throughout the cars and kits, my main reason for wanting these is for a cold water canoeing ditch kit. If I come out of a cold river on a cold windy day, I want to get a fire going (of course.) I also want a hot drink in me ASAP. I have a road flare as a mostly sure fire way to get a fire going quickly. Even with a road flare, though, a cooking fire will take at least a little time. With a packet of goo, I think I could have a cup of hot chocolate in me quicker than by waiting on a fire. There are probably times when a hot drink might be all I would really need. I usually like alcohol stoves, but they're much too fiddly if your shivering. The last few days I've been paddling in 50 degree water—so I think about these things. :)
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I canoe a lot too and have actually been in the situation that I NEEDED a fire now. I had three or four firestaws and lit them all on fire at the same time. I can see that your pack of goo would work well, trioxene bars might be something else for you to look into. A chunk of fatwood on a lanyard and a mora might be another option. Chris
 
Scott Free said:
Sterno is alcohol based—right? I wonder how the two compare...BTUs/oz. of fuel?

While I want to spread these throughout the cars and kits, my main reason for wanting these is for a cold water canoeing ditch kit. If I come out of a cold river on a cold windy day, I want to get a fire going (of course.) I also want a hot drink in me ASAP. I have a road flare as a mostly sure fire way to get a fire going quickly. Even with a road flare, though, a cooking fire will take at least a little time. With a packet of goo, I think I could have a cup of hot chocolate in me quicker than by waiting on a fire. There are probably times when a hot drink might be all I would really need. I usually like alcohol stoves, but they're much too fiddly if your shivering. The last few days I've been paddling in 50 degree water—so I think about these things. :)
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I have used the gel in a tube in the past, but it was years ago, so i can't remember if it was alcohol based, or not. I can say that having a tube of that stuff along can't be a bad thing. Squirt some on your wood as a fire starter, and some in your stove to heat your water; light both; heat chocolate; say "ahhh..."

There may be other stuff that would work as well, but i can't think of what it might be. The gel is easy to carry, waterproof, and just about foolproof, too.

There are several brands out there. There's Sterno, of course, and Coghlan's, and others I can't think of off the top of my head. You might try REI, Cabela's, and similar sources.
 
I have a few fatwood sticks and the mora. I also have a firesteel, bic, REI matches, PJ cotton balls (and I already mentioned the road flare.) My whole kit is mostly centered around fire. I also have the usual get-ya-thu-the-night survival stuff. It all get carried in a lumbar pack. It's loosely around my waist but it mostly rests on the seat so I don't really even notice it.

I'm currently carrying esbit, but I don't like the smell or shelf life.

Chris- When you had to get that fire going, were you alone?
 
The Greenheat stuff seems like a Canada or UK thing. No one seems to sell it in the US. Wonder if it's the same stuff?
 
Scott Free said:
When you had to get that fire going, were you alone?
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No, I was with my son, it was March the 3rd, 3 years ago, my 40th birthday. He got caught up in a bad strainer capsized his kayak. I also got soaked getting him out of it and recovering his yak. I have no idea what the water temp was but the air temp was in the 40s, the river was in flood but we had ran it several times that high with no problems, but sometimes the bear eats you. :o

I don't carry much on my pfd but a small dependable fire kit is always on my person. The day I am talking about, I ended up building almost a bonfire on a small island and stripping down to my skivvys to dry out, me and my son both looked like drowned rats. :D Chris

EDIT: Another thing I have carried that works very well is a small bottle of either lighter fluid or alcohol, I use the small flat bottles that nasal spray comes in, easy, small and foolproof.
 
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