Esbit vs canister

[MuddyWaters]

As far as I know, there is no equivalent solid fuel that is equal to esbit.

3, four gram esbit will boil 2 cups of water.

I dont recall others being as good as esbit, but cheaper , easier to light, and more available do count for something....

[Venchka]

As far as I know, there is no equivalent solid fuel that is equal to esbit.

3, four gram esbit will boil 2 cups of water.

Other brands of solid fuel are mentioned in this discussion. Just trying to be inclusively correct.
The reason I asked: I took an MSR 110g canister with 9 grams of fuel on vacation. The idea was to empty it using my JetBoil SOL. 2 boils @ 1.5 cups and 2 @ 1 cup later and I don’t think it’s empty. I wasn’t super observant to turn the stove off at the instant the water boiled.
Just adding a data point.
Wayne

[zelph]

I dont recall others being as good as esbit, but cheaper , easier to light, and more available do count for something....

The ones that are less expensive have less energy/btu's. My guess is that 2 Coglan tablets need to be used to equal 1 esbit. Will there be a savings?

If only 1-1/2 Coglans are needed, you have to deal with the un-burned portion. Is it worth it? Is the leftover piece easy to light...I don't think so???

More available???? Plan ahead and make them available at resupply points.

[Just Bill]

I carry a 35mm film can for my partially burnt esbit. Fits right in the nose of my caldera cone and does the job.
Either for a quick cuppa or as a fire starter when needed.

Never had great luck with the other brands either... I pretty much stick with the 14g tabs too. Fits right in the gram cracker... burns right. Blows out easily too.

The only time I struggle to light them is in cold when I forget to keep my lighter in an inner pocket... which is really a lighter issue not an esbit one.

[cmoulder]

I carry a 35mm film can

What's that? ()

[Venchka]

What's that? ([/COLOR])

I could send you a few. Dozen.
Grinning!
The metal screw top Kodak cans are the ultimate.
Wayne

[cmoulder]

I could send you a few. Dozen.
Grinning!
The metal screw top Kodak cans are the ultimate.
Wayne

You'd have to spend hours rummaging thru an antique store to find a screw-cap Kodak. Well, maybe there are some in grandma's attic. My grandma used them for snuff.

[nsherry61]

. . . a screw-cap Kodak. . . My grandma used them for snuff.

I used them for film once upon a time! They worked pretty well for that also.
Actually, my first waterproof match container, copied from my mom's backpacking match container, was one of those. You had to break off about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the full sized wooden strike-anywhere match sticks to fit them in, but that was just part of prepping for the trip.

[Venchka]

You'd have to spend hours rummaging thru an antique store to find a screw-cap Kodak. Well, maybe there are some in grandma's attic. My grandma used them for snuff.

If I still have them they are in my desk or the film ‘fridge in the garage. In between the sheet and 120/220 roll film. Yes. I’m one of those people.
Wayne

[Scrambler35]

This is a long old thread, and I may have spoke my piece but shortly for a thru esbit is heavier as you end up carrying far too much because of undependable resupply. Canisters last a long time and resupply is easy if not free in hiker boxes.

Here in the UK we don't have hiker boxes so we have to carry all our fuel with us...Esbit with Strider tablets works out to be far lighter than gas, and takes up a lot less space in your backpack too...Like I said, weight wise there is no competition to the Esbit...Apart, of course, from making an open fire with free firewood every time you camp but this isn't even allowed in many places now.

[George]

The ones that are less expensive have less energy/btu's. My guess is that 2 Coglan tablets need to be used to equal 1 esbit. Will there be a savings?

If only 1-1/2 Coglans are needed, you have to deal with the un-burned portion. Is it worth it? Is the leftover piece easy to light...I don't think so???

More available???? Plan ahead and make them available at resupply points.

advantages to coglans - other than the price:

efficiency of the size- I never saved partials or broke esbits

stinks less

less black crud deposits

but heh, hey had me at the price

[zelph]

George.... they're working for you and that's the most important thing goin. Stick with them.

Yes, Esbit are know for their stinking high prices. Takes a lot of internet searchin to find the good deals.

[nsherry61]

. . . my partially burnt esbit. . . The only time I struggle to light them is in cold when I forget to keep my lighter in an inner pocket... which is really a lighter issue not an esbit one.

I've had pretty good luck lighting Esbit tablets with sparks from a flint if I put a drop of alcohol based hand sanitizer on the tablet first.