Back in Pack
Section Hiker
I know there was a short discussion in one of the other threads about firedragon tabs but would like opinions: I have used gas canisters for years but I am now starting to use a solid fuel setup as well.
Esbit - been around for years but the hexamine gives off Cyanide, Ammonia and Formaldehyde when it burns. leaves residue all over the pots. Very cheap and small tabs will boil a pot of water
Firedragon - used by British military. “Bio” ethanol. can be used as hand sanitizer. Burns very hot. I found half a 27g tab will roiling boil a pot of water. More expensive. Approx twice as heavy as hexi for same thermal value. Does not leave a residue.
I have started using the solid fuel set-up for shorter 1-2nt trips. and prefer the Firedragon tablets. Solid ethanol seems like a good compromise between liquid alcohol and hexi.
I think me and meths stoves are too much of a fire risk!.
That the FD tabs light instantly in any sort of bad weather: rain/snow is very important. Getting a hexi tablet to light can be a pain sometimes.
however they are difficult and very expensive to get hold of here in Switzerland.
has anyone had any bad experiences with hexi fumes when cooking near/in vestibule of tent. How do you remove the residue in the backcountry?
IYO: Is the 2x weight worth it?
Esbit - been around for years but the hexamine gives off Cyanide, Ammonia and Formaldehyde when it burns. leaves residue all over the pots. Very cheap and small tabs will boil a pot of water
Firedragon - used by British military. “Bio” ethanol. can be used as hand sanitizer. Burns very hot. I found half a 27g tab will roiling boil a pot of water. More expensive. Approx twice as heavy as hexi for same thermal value. Does not leave a residue.
I have started using the solid fuel set-up for shorter 1-2nt trips. and prefer the Firedragon tablets. Solid ethanol seems like a good compromise between liquid alcohol and hexi.
I think me and meths stoves are too much of a fire risk!.
That the FD tabs light instantly in any sort of bad weather: rain/snow is very important. Getting a hexi tablet to light can be a pain sometimes.
however they are difficult and very expensive to get hold of here in Switzerland.
has anyone had any bad experiences with hexi fumes when cooking near/in vestibule of tent. How do you remove the residue in the backcountry?
IYO: Is the 2x weight worth it?