[at-l] Esbit, was at-l] Da stove question again---~~~

[garyticknor at starpower.net (Gary Ticknor)]

Bror8588@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 11/1/2005 3:17:55 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
> garyticknor@starpower.net writes:
>
>     BTW,
>     evaporating alcohol fumes are not good for your liver, or so I've
>     been
>     told. Probably as bad as Esbit stink ;)
>
> Cooking with alcohol while camping in the out-of-doors provides very 
> little opportunity to inhale the fumes from the alcohol.  Don't you 
> think? 

We were discussing spilled alcohol which "evaporates in fairly short 
order", not cooking with alcohol. I do think that  cooking with alcohol 
while camping in the out-of-doors provides very little opportunity to 
inhale the fumes from the alcohol. The alcohol is consumed by burning. 
We were discussing evaporating spilled alcohol.

> Whereas those who use the Esbit tabs might be tempted to use them 
> while in their tents.

Might might might. Are those who cook with alcohol not similarly 
tempted? One sounds like a good way to burn a hole in the bottom of the 
tent (or worse), the other sounds like a good way to set a tent on fire 
(or worse).

> Now that brings up the advantage of Esbit over Alcohol in that on a 
> stormy evening or morning it is possible to cook in protected space 
> with Esbit whereas it is not safe to do so with Alcohol.

I do not think much of the fumes from Esbit, despite the manufacturer's 
claims that the product is non-toxic. I am not so tempted, I think 
ventilation here is important.. So in the name of safety I don't see 
that as an advantage for Esbit.

>  
> On the other hand, if a separate shelter (awning or such) can be 
> arranged then alcohol can be used without getting wet albeit one would 
> be standing during the cooking and eating, whereas cooking in a tend 
> might allow one to sit or lie down while performing kitchen chores.

If a you carry a separate shelter, why not just carry a whisperlight and 
have done with it? I thought the point here was to minimize pack weight. 
If you are in a shelter already, then Esbit is still more convenient. By 
a tad.

- Greenbriar

>  
> Are there other opinions to be voiced on this subject?
>  
> Skylander