[pct-l] Fuel Tablet Comparison

[Ronald Moak <ronm@fallingwater.com>]

Just for fun I ran a fuel tab comparison last night between Esbit tabs and
the locally available (Portland, OR that is) StanSport tabs. Here are the
results:

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Results:
 
Water: 2 cups of tap water (approx. 60 degrees)
Pot:	.9 liter Ti pot
Conditions: Air temps in the low 50's with a slight breeze (enough to blow
the pot stuff sack around if not weighted down). 
Stove: custom stove (http://www.fallingwater.com/pct2000/gear/2ozStove.asp)
 
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Stansport:
 
Weight (per tab): .7 oz
Cost: $2.99 for 8 tablets
Contains: Hexamethylenetetramine
*Toxicity: No claims on tablet 
Residue: As it burns it forms a heavy ash block around the fuel. I needed to
knock this off to expose the fuel to burn. The ash was cutting off air flow
to the fuel.
Odor: Has one but didn't seem objectionable in an open air environment. 
 
Time to steam & bubbles: 5 minutes 15 seconds
Time to rolling boil: 7 minutes 30 seconds
Time to burn out: approximately 15 minutes.
 
Comments: Seems to boil cleaner than the Esbit without the stick residue on
bottom of pot. 
 
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Esbit:
 
Weight (per tab): .5 oz
Cost: $6.00 for 12 tabs.
Contains: Methenamine
*Toxicity: Claims non toxic. 
Residue: No ash around the fuel, however; it leaves a sticky residue on the
bottom of the pot.
Odor: Claims to be odorless (Their tester must have no sense of smell.)
 
Time to steam & bubbles: 5 minutes
Time to rolling boil: 7 minutes 45 seconds
Time to burnout: 12 minutes
 
Comments: 
 
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Conclusion: From my limited test I can't say that either tablet was a clear
winner. However, it is good to have a good and cheaper alternative to Esbit.
 
 
*Toxicity - Both products say to keep away from children and call a doctor
if swallowed.
 

Ron "Fallingwater" Moak
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PCT 2000 Journey - http://www.fallingwater.com/pct2000

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