Ultralight Backpacking Stove Comparison: MSR vs. Alcohol vs. Esbit vs. Stove in a can

[@heatherg1296]

No disrespect towards your opinion at all on the Esbit. I totally get it. I just wanted to mention though, that you can find on amazon tablets in a box of 24 for $3 that are lighter than the standerd Esbit ones. So it can be made really affordable if you like that specific stove. Thanks for this informative video

[@Arfonfree]

For really cheap fuel: I take the leavings of my paper shredder, soak them in paraffin and press into a mold. Seems to burn cleaner than the stove-in-a-can. Burn in a little folding wood burner.

[@Sondretheman71]

Nice video! Used Esbit alot of times in my military service. The ease of use, compactness and how silent it is, is extremely useful in freezing situations when you just need a cup of hot water to make your food. Made a huge difference sitting on post all day in -25 Celsius. All you need is the esbit pack, a cup and a match and your life maybe saved. I'll try to make the homemade can stove.

[@RevHiker]

Sondretheman71 Thanks for watching. The Esbit certainly is compact and easy to use. Each stove has its strengths and weaknesses. Good luck on the stove build!

[@covocy842]

Great video. I like the Esbit cause I can use it as a "twig" stove if I run out of Fuel Bars, but the favorite go to is the MSR.

[@lefevrealban]

Nowadays, always carry an Esbit as a backup. Went on a trek with friends and during a part where we hitchhiked, we managed to loose our gas bottle and stove. No need to say that we were pretty depressed after that. The Esbit would have been a very nice backup at the time. It's compact and reasonably lightweight so you can stuff it somewhere deep in your backpack and use it only if you really need it.

[@BurningSpooon]

You dont need Matches for the alcohol Stove. You can dip a stick into the stove and light the stick.

[@f22shift]

Yup. Also a ferro rod can light it without being close to it. Or you can spill a little on the canister for ease of lighting. That'll help the canister prime as well to vaporize the liquid.

[@grannieannie1371]

Or just bring a couple of birthday candles. For just in case situations

[@mgeorgeson24]

Yeah, like you said throw the esbit in your car, I think that's where it has the advantage, just because the fuel isn't easy to ignite, so safer than compressed gas or alcohol. Not the nicest to use but happy to have in an emergency.

[@RevHiker]

agreed. Thanks for watching

[@jayusn-et2231]

Nice Video. :-) When I do my pseudo-ultralight trekking, I take both an old Svea 123 white gas stove (purchased used in the mid 1980s) as my primary stove and an alcohol small aluminum can "rift stove" as my backup. The SVEA stove may be old technology, but it is adjustable from blow-torch to simmer and has never let me down. I would guess that on med-high, it would complete your one cup test in about 2:15-2:30. (I usually boil over 1 liter if I need hot water, which usually takes about 4 minutes at 9,000'-11,000'.) Svea negatives; you have to prime it and its loud when you turn the throttle up more than medium. If weight is not an issue, like overnights and weekend treks from a basecamp, I love my bio-matter Kelly Kettle Trekker for boiling water and the Hobo Stove adapter for cooking on. It is basically a small rocket stove. It's negative is that it's 2 lbs, not adjustable and you get soot on your cookware, but nowhere near the residue that hexamine/Esbit tablets leave on your pots and pans. If you soap the bottom of your cookware and inside the Kelly Kettle before cooking, (Palmolive works great) and if you use dry sap-less twigs in your Kelly Kettle, cleanup is quick and easy. I personally like the smell of cooking over dry twigs, and most people want a Kelly Kettle after seeing one used properly in the backcountry. The Trekker boils .8 liter in about 2.30 minutes at altitude. Another big positive with the Kelly Kettle is you don't need to carry fuel; decent fuel for the very efficient Kelly Kettle rocket stove is literately all around you. It's perfect from desert to forest if the extra pound is not an issue. (I like my Pocket Rocket too, but have I have experienced an Isobutane-propane can failure in the wilderness. Luckily we had a backup Trangia.) BTW: Carrying a clean used tuna can (with stored goodies) works well for snuffing out the flame of an alcohol stove. You turn the cooled stove upside down in the tuna can to reclaim unused fuel, and use the tuna can to pour the fuel back into your storage bottle.

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 .. some good tips, thanks. The Svea 123 .. a good stove. I have it's cousin, the Optimus 8R Hunter (same Burner Mechanism) .. also bought new in the latter 70's and still in use.

[@fatmanfaffing4116]

The Esbit stove was originally made for the German Army in the 1930s. I used a version called a Hexy Stove (Hexamine is the fuel) in the Australian Army in the 70s and 80s. The residue does suck. The smell on the other hand has more positive association for me as it meant a hot brew or food. To light you need to scrape a bit of the surface wax off and hold it with flame applied to the edge. I break the tab in half and it is easier to light one half then put the other next to it. I still carry one out of nostalgia and as a backup but the gas is quicker and the alcohol is cheaper and lighter. I mostly use a Goshawk gasifier stove with titanium alcohol stove which I can also burn twigs in. Enjoyed your video.

[@gormr1899]

The thing that speaks for the solid fuel stove is the durability when not used, and how it isn't sensitive to tipping or spilling. As noted, it is the ideal BOB or emergencystove for your vehicle.

[@Recon3Y3z]

Put the alcohol in a squeeze bottle with a flip-top to prevent spilling.

[@catherinejohns8449]

Recon3Y3z I was thinking the same thing.

[@jamesgreen4522]

I have both the alcohol and MSR and love them both. I use the alcohol when on long hikes and the MSR at base camp.

[@Barracuda6USA]

Haha, I actually have and use all of those stoves and a few others :) For short backpacking trips in good/warm weather, I opt for the alcohol stove for the weight savings. For rainy/windy/fall/winter backpacking, multi-day trips, or flop camping (vehicle near the site) the MSR rocket is first in line. Excellent performance in crap weather with minimal size and weight. The Esbit stove is mainly used in our emergency kits and they only come out a few times a year. Smelly as all get out, but they light every time and burn hot (I use trioxane tabs). They're also good for starting tinder for a camp/survival fire. On a side note, the Esbit stove can also be used as a stand with a twiggy fire below it if you run out of fuel tabs (been there, done that). We ditched the stove-in-a-can since the other options afforded more flexibility. Excellent video!

[@RevHiker]

I agree with all your points...each one has its benefits and limits. Thanks for watching!

[@Nessunego]

I like going light. Bring Esbit and its foldable stainless steel stove. If I can get wood easily and wood fires are not forbidden, I build a wood fire and use Esbit like a firestarter (works really good in wet days), if I can't build a wood fire, I use Esbit to boil my two cups of water. When I'm backpacking I always bring food that can be boiled/rehydrated in hot water and two cups of boiling water are always enough to me. With Esbit and it's stove it takes 6 minutes to boil (the Esbit tab last for 16 minutes on average). I really don't care about the soot, I bring my pot in a small sack inside my backpack. I really never ever wash the outside of my pot, also when I'm home. I don't see the point in having it clean. I clean the inside.

[@viewsandreviews180]

There was an alcohol stove I made that used a wick and could be easily ignited with a lighter. It weighed a little more than the type you reviewed here but was worth the additional ounce. I used two aluminum cans (both were potted meat cans), removed the tops and cut the bottom out of the smaller diameter can. Then wrapped the smaller diameter can with fiberglass cloth and crammed that assembly inside the larger can. The fiberglass acted as the wick and allowed me to use a lighter to ignite the stove. As an aside, the smaller diameter can was approximately 20 mm taller than the larger can and also acted as a good pot stand.

[@bigbuck762]

I have a esbit stove I was in Walmart a few years ago and picked up the Weber charcoal fire starters they are the exact same thing Esbit fuel tabs I think they were like two dollars for 12 of them and they don’t put off a smell It’s definitely not my main camp stove but it will work in a pinch

[@wes326]

I think a folding box stove where you could use twigs, alcohol, or tablets would be the most flexible. Thanks for sharing.

[@holamateo]

Awesome video. I've been searching for info on stove comparisons and you did a great job of illustrating the pros and cons of each system. Nicely done!

[@RevHiker]

+holamateo thanks!

[@Anlushac11]

The Esbit stove was a WW2 issue stove to German troops. Mine is a East German army surplus from 1954. What I like about mine is the fuel tabs and some matches fit inside folded up. I glued a match striker to a outside leg to make it easier to light matches. As for your cup, the black stuff wiped off the bottom of my cup no problem.

[@wsntsnks]

I enjoyed your review. Thank you for doing this! I decided to do the Esbit, due to flying to Kauai (airlines don't like combustible liquids on their planes). We are planning to go straight to the trail head from the airport. However, I really like the MSR.

[@RevHiker]

Naks thanks... have fun on the hike!

[@jcoronet2000]

I use an alcohol stove with denatured alcohol. I like to bring a can of soup for my first meal, then use the left over can as a pot for the rest of the trip.

[@RevHiker]

+jcoronet2000 thats a pretty good idea!

[@jcoronet2000]

+John Smith www.rei.com/product/401100/open-country-aluminum-pot-lifter?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-4011000009&CAWELAID=120217890000769592&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

[@jcoronet2000]

John Smith the soup actually heats quite well in the can, I've never had a spill over. you have a point with the plastic coating many companies use a BPA plastic (I need to do more research into this, thank you for bringing this to my attention) I wouldn't say I'm a "serious" hiker, I'm more of a "frugal hiker". the can itself weighs about as much as any fancy titanium pot on the market but is basically free. even the pot lifter costs about 1/5th the cost of a low end pot (mine has been weight reduced to 1oz). separating food and water doesn't make it lighter, you have to carry the the food and the water either way. I think the point of a lightweight stove is to reduce the weight of the stove not to limit your diet to freeze dried food.

[@RevHiker]

John Smith You sound less like a "serious" hiker, and more like an arrogant one. Because someone does not do things YOUR way, does not make it wrong. It makes it different. Spending lots of money does not make you a serious hiker, FYI (It just means you spent more than the next guy, congrats). In my 20+ years of backpacking, I have seen tons of different ways to do things, and have seen people bring canned food into the backcountry. I have seen guys bring chairs, beer, cans of food, coffee makers (campfire style) and kitchen pots 10+ miles into the backcountry. Thats what they wanted, thats what they brought. The seemed pretty serious about having it. Would I bring that stuff? nope. Does it mean they cant, or that it didnt work? Nope. Just means it was different. Using a can for a 3-5 day trip a totally viable option, and opening a can will be a breeze if you carry a multitool, which is pretty common sense while backpacking. As for "bugging out"... you may think its stupid, or only a "kook" (as you put somewhere else on one of my videos) would talk about it, but, having an emergency plan is wise. Thats all bugging out is. If there is a natural disaster, its a set of gear you can easily grab to be prepared to leave your home for a short time, usually a few days. For someone who has been hiking for 40 years (claimed) you have some growing up to do. You can choose to add something to the conversation, or leave. Guys like you are the worst to meet on the trail. A Backpacking Know it all, better than you, old stick in the mud. jcoronet2000 , sorry you had this guy do this to you. I have met plenty of them while hiking, and on the internet. He has no videos up, just snarky comments on other peoples videos. Most likely hasnt hiked in a decade or two. If you have an idea about the soup can, test it out at home first. Hobo's have used soup and coffee cans to cook in for a while now. They dont last too long, but they will work. Get outside and have fun! Dont worry about this old codger... I mean..."serious hiker".

[@RevHiker]

John Smith Get a life. I am a 46er (46 high peaks in NY), have most of the Presidential Range, and Climbed Bachelor In Oregon, as well as hiked in Montana, Washington, Colorado, and have extensive winter climbing under my belt. I have seen someone drag a camp chair into the backcountry. Money gets spent on gear...I know first hand, but money spent is not equal to a "serious hiker". I have seen plenty of clowns spend thousands to look the part, and have the latest greatest, and I have seen real hikers have cheap old stuff and put down 2x the miles with 99% less whining.

[@archygrey9093]

With alcohol burners (usually bought ones) you can usually have simmer rings and caps that snuff out the flame and store the alcohol in the burner for later use.

[@Sokol10]

Can have simmer rings, snuff caps with soda can made stoves too, depends on their design. E.g. The popular Fancy Feast wick stove need a extra can to be the simmer ring.

[@ledatangen]

Thanks for these reviews! I bought the Pocket Rocket stove based on all the positive reviews I read. And this was good to actually see it in action, and actually hear your comments. Thanks!

[@RevHiker]

+Leda Tangen Thanks! Its a great stove

[@fatbikejamie]

For a pot stand rather than tent pegs that roll around i use the wire guard off an old computer power supply fan. Makes a lot of stove/cup combos possible.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I see the esbit and stove in a can as emergency stoves, throw them in the car and forget about them. I used bluet gas stoves for years, if you keep the canister off the ground/snow and use a windscreen the canister will warm up and run fine. The alcohol fancy feast stove works in to the -0s.

[@chetgravatt9562]

Use my Esbit to burn wood, works great. What does your stove burn if it runs out of fuel?

[@wanderingcalamity360]

@@chetgravatt9562 Your "stove" is a steel plate with folding legs. Doesn't really compare to other stove designs. That said, there is something to be said for multifuel capable stove designs.

[@Rangersly]

What I like about the Esbit pocket stove is the light weight, the way it is ultra compact (you can store 4 tabs inside the folded stove). Takes way less room in your pack (important factor for me) than a Pocket Rocket and with it's can of fuel. I don't like alcool stove because I always fear spills, plus alcool evaporates. Anyway, thank you for doing this video comparing 4 very different compact stove. Good job!

[@RevHiker]

+Rangersly thanks. Glad you enjoyed it

[@jeffsims7386]

I store my fuel can and pocket rocket inside my cook pot/mug and still have room for more in there. I've never used the esbit though.

[@charleswalter2902]

In 3 months the fuel in an 8 oz. alcohol bottle had evaporated making my stove unuseable. Lucky I had an Esbit backup.

[@explore1018]

@@charleswalter2902 I would definitely suggest getting a new bottle if u haven't yet. If your fuel is evaporating in the bottle there is definitely a small leak. An 8oz. Soda bottle works great and is cheap and sometimes free. I've had fuel stored in one for over two years with no evaporation issues. Hope this helps. ✌

[@steve8189]

I have a coghlans folding - similar to Esbit (with better vent holes at bottom??). Anyway, advantage of carrying one of these is that you DON'T need fuel tabs. Makes a great small wood burning cooker, leaves/twigs, etc. No dependency on bringing fuel, other than a lighting source...

[@andrewgjennings]

Nice review. I'll just add that if you are concerned about the soot on the bottom of the cup when using the Esbit, then, use a little dishsoap and rub it on the bottom and lower sides of the cup. It's messy, but no more messy then the cleanup without the soap. The result is that the cup will wash clean with a little water and a paper towel.

[@TunaTheMiner]

I'm a fan of the Esbit. It also doubles as a wood stove if the fuel tab didn't burn long enough. And for a little more money you can get the flush-folding "emergency" stove that weights about 2.5 ounces. Great video!

[@RevHiker]

Thanks. The esbit worked well enough, I just preferred the alcohol stove. Thanks for your support!

[@chetgravatt9562]

First used my Esbit back in the late 50s' in the Cub Scouts it still works. Durability is proven. We will have to wait and see if all the others last as long. Also it can be used to burn wood if you run out of fuel. Try that with the others.

[@Paul-up3pb]

Thank you 👍. Agree about Esbit. They smell like fish. And stink up any clothing you have in your pack. I tried putting in plastic ziplock bag; smell still permeated into pack so I scrapped the Esbit fuel tabs, BUT ... I use the Esbit metal pot holder with Trangia alcohol stove which nests in the Esbit pot holder. Or I use trioxane military fuel tabs which work in the Esbit pot holder. And you can store 3 of the trioxane tabs in the Esbit pot holder folded down in my pack ... just a thought. (Too ... trioxane fuel tabs aren’t that expensive.)

[@simonsiron887]

I have had my esbit for 46 years and it never let me down

[@shootingsportstransparency7461]

Exact same here, Love the high energy dence of hexamine tablets

[@rogermalone673]

esbit is better than alcohol stoves in this field because this test was done in a garage with limited air flow. Alcohol stoves can get blown out in even a slight breeze without a wind screen protecting it whereas the esbit has better protection from the wind by it's very design. But hey just my opinion.

[@guymorris1963]

The only backpacking stove I have is the MSR Pocket Rocket stove you have in this video. I bought it about twelve years ago at REI when I lived in southwest Denver and my son was around two years old. The first time I used it was when I took my son car camping at a public campground located at Kenosha Pass at a 10,000 feet elevation as you head toward Fairplay in Park County. It took my stove around 3.5 minutes to boil water but that's still fast enough for me. It is light and small enough but would be nice if there was a wind guard available. I will keep it but also buy the MSR XGK multifuel stove. I used this same stove on a cycling/trail running trip to Moab, Utah. On both trips this stove was used during summer and early fall weather conditions so no snow to deal with.

[@katharina...]

This is fantastic, just what I was looking for. Thanks a mill for sharing your wee experiment!

[@ALYoder]

Hey Rev - I love all your videos and have subbed. I really appreciate how you are thorough and give your personal experiences / opinions but you also give other considerations as well. I'm just getting into backpacking and so many of your suggestions are helpful and easy to implement. Thanks!!!

[@RevHiker]

A.L. Yoder Thanks for the feedback...that was the whole reason I started the channel...to help people get into backpacking. I have bought so much and made so many mistakes, I figured I could save people some hassle and cash! Thanks for watching!

[@sepehrjafari793]

Nice video bro. I've used butane stoves for years. After damaging my spine disk I had reduce my packet weight as much as possible. So I turned to alcohol stove which is pretty much lighter option. Recently I've seen some smaller size of butane canister on the market. So I turned back to butane stoves again.

[@RevHiker]

+Sepehr Jafari Sorry to hear about your back...I went ultralight for the same reason. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching!

[@jay-by1se]

Are used what you’re calling an Esbit with hexamine through my entire tour in the army. I suspect that’s where it came from, exclamation is basically the primary ingredient and C4 and soldiers have been using C4 to cook food on since they were issued C-4. It worked really well for ramen. The reason we used them in the infantry is they’re small and they’re rugged and you really can’t break them. Whereas the MSR constantly gets broken if you’re smashing around on it. It’s nice to have something that just works 100% of the time.

[@thomaspigg306]

I use a "penny can stove" and have always had god luck with it. I also have a coffee can that I've cut a square opening in the side of it and an old triangle tipped can opener to open vents around the top and bottom of the sides of the can. I guess you could call it a rocket stove, although mine doesn't have the inside smaller can like I see some people make theirs with. I just jamm it full of twigs, light it through the square, and I can put sticks into it either from the top or through the square opening. Both have served me well in my outings. Loved the videos! God Bless Brother and keep'em coming!!!

[@bigbuck762]

if you scrape the top of the esbit tab it will light a lot easier and you can also blow it out and reuse the remaining of it

[@jeepnicc]

Two minutes in.... pause.... Boil times? no contest.... Pocket Rocket. Great video... Thanks for sharing!

[@rungavagairun]

This was made more than 9 years ago. I'm not sure when the BRS 3000t stoves came on the market, but they are lighter, smaller, and way less expensive than the MRS pocket rockets. I did a test boil with my BRS using 1 cup of water yesterday because I'm working on a blog article about alcohol stoves vs canister stoves. My rolling boil time with the BRS stove was around 1:50, so almost 15 seconds faster than your pocket rocket. Granted, elevation can make a difference, but that's impressive to me for a stove that weighs around 1 ounce and costs less than $20.

[@theone-so9br]

I would have tried using the lid for the "stove in a can" as a top for the ring. Then set the Sierra cup on top of that. Nice video. I use a micro stove similar to the MSR with push button igniter.

[@framergod69]

6 $

[@xenaguy01]

11:45 You don't need a marker, scissors, razor blade, or much of anything but a sharp knife and a sharpened nail to make an aluminum can stove. Lay your knife on a rock about 1/2 inch above the ground, and twirl the can against the blade to score the aluminum, then separate the pieces with your fingers at the score line. A sharp nail suffices for jet holes, the knife can make any crimps or slits needed for the type of stove you make. These alcohol stoves are fascinating! I've seen different people make about 20 different designs on KZbin in the past 30 hours. And there is not a single one that can't be made in 15 minutes on the side of the trail with one or two empty cans, a knife, and a nail (or push pin, or thumbtack, or awl or corkscrew blade on any Swiss Army-type knife).

[@texinst8282]

I'm interested in beginning ultralight backpacking. A stove is one of the last items I need. This surely sold me on making an alcohol stove. The lighter weight for only an extra two minutes seems like a no brainer. Alcohol is super light too. This was an awesome video. It convinced me to subscribe, like, and also follow you on Instagram and Twitter. I look forward to watching many more of your videos.

[@RevHiker]

Thanks David! Glad this helped! Thank you for the support

[@rebeccasilveous8898]

I love my MSR rocket stove and I also have several denatured alcohol stoves. I love them! They are the best.

[@elrabbitstacticalreviewsl3737]

This was a great review brother! I appreciate the testing!

[@RevHiker]

+El Rabbit's Tactical, Survival Thanks!

[@billyandrew]

I made a cap from tinfoil to extinguish my alcohol stove. On your Esbit, make small shavings, same as with a magnesium bar and it easily takes a spark. I believe it's kerosene that fuels the blocks. Not to my taste either, but I have a few of the blocks as alternative firestarters.

[@hmpeter]

Ok, me being German, I might have an irrational soft spot for Esbit.^^ I like them for their simplicity. They are the kind of stove that ride in your car from glovebox to glovebox until the day you need them, like 20 years later. ^^ They are super inoffensive look and noise wise and easy to use, even for the untrained non- outdoorsy people. They also make smaller ones, the lightest being at 11g or ~1/3oz.

[@vvs3796]

8g

[@dd-5634]

You can get lower-cost fuel for the esbit stove at Home Depot sold as fire starters If you stand the esbit tab on edge you'll get a nicer burn

[@OutLan]

Nice comparison, Rev! I completely agree with you on the MSR--it always ends up being my go-to stove because it's so light, reliable, and convenient. I also have the Esbit and took it out once (and only once) into the backcountry. It took WAY too long to boil water with it. But, I will say those fuel cubes do make good fire starters. Great vid! Keep them coming!

[@RevHiker]

Thanks! I recommend the MSR Pocket Rocket to anyone and everyone...awesome stove. Never had any issues, except in exceptionally cold weather.

[@explorermike19]

Very nice video. Thank you. After using every stove known to man, I still think the old school liquid fuel stoves are all-round most efficient: SVEA, Optimus, even Coleman single burner. Keep these cool vids coming!

[@RevHiker]

Explorer Mike thanks!

[@stephenlittle7534]

The Esbit. Well, I started when I was in The scout's in england. The stove was made for the Forces. MRI packs. And as I am 71 now. They have been around me some time 😅😅😅. Great show of how the difference between the burners . The gas one can slow down on heat when used in the snow. So longer time to heat up things.

[@Shane-Singleton]

I had high hopes for the stove in a can. Seemed like a cool idea. I think i'd go with the pocket rocket in almost any scenario. The only other scenario, as you mentioned, for a bug out or get home bag. In which case i'd have the Esbit. But only for its shelf stability of the fuel. Don't have to worry about spilling all your HEET or accidently not getting a good seal on and allowing all of your isobutane to leak out. That and here in Texas I wouldn't want to leave Heet or Isobutane in the car in the summer so esbit or maybe Sterno would be my only options as a stored fuel. Otherwise i'd just have something like maybe a folding stick burner stove. Good comparison, though. I enjoyed the video.

[@BoingBB]

If you don't like the smell of the fuel tabs, the Esbit might still be worth carrying to use as a pot stand and protection from the wind for the Alcohol stove.

[@whomee2]

first off, i have to say "well done." i'm not an outdoorsman. I haven't camped out in over 10 years. But I am a gizmo guy. I like seeing how these gizmos work. Your vid here made a simple, straightforward presentation of the viability of each stove. I love the improvised alcohol can stove the best. I love the simplicity of it. I concur with your assessment of the esbit and the stove-in-a-can, they are junk and not worth the effort you have to put into them. thanks for your time and effort to show us these.

[@RevHiker]

whomee2 thanks!

[@xenaguy01]

10:00 If you put the alcohol stove over the alcohol spill, you can light the spill to help prime the jets.

[@meliketrolleys]

my favorite is the svea 123. Of course heavy cause you need furl bottle. Would last a weekend on one fill, though. Get a vintage one made in sweden. Will work in any weather. Nice vid. I'm a sucker for stoves. Used to backpack but too old now. God Bless you and your Church.

[@RossPotts]

esbit tabs are scored so that you can reduce the amount burned by breaking them up. it should be noted that when a tab is unsealed from its plastic, it needs to be used as soon as possible, as it evaporates some of the fuel. you'd be good for a couple days, but you need to keep them sealed as long as possible. I've had some that were crumbled after a week.

[@RevHiker]

+Ross Potts I didnt know they went bad like that. Thanks for the tip

[@RossPotts]

+BigTallYetiG yeah, that'll work. the ones I used came in foil packets, so I just rewrapped them. let me go a step further here: they won't disintegrate in a few hours, but can lose their effectiveness. as long as you use just what you opened, you are okay with just the foil. if it takes 1/2 tab to boil your water, you can rewrap the other half for the next time. it takes experimentation to find EXACTLY what you need. economize accordingly.

[@AnimeFanatic5602]

As far as the Esbit goes, this might be a cheaper option for the tablets: during World War 2, a man named Norman Stark was tasked to develop a fuel tablet to replace the sterno canisters that the army had been using up until that point. In 1976, Mr. Stark published the recipe that he came up with. Combine three pounds of paraffin wax with four pounds of fine sawdust in a double boiler, and pour into a mould. He suggested using cardboard tubes from toilet paper rolls, which could then be dipped in wax for waterproofing and cut into sections. You could also use an ice cube tray to make something approximately the same size as an Esbit tablet. You could also use it for the stove in a can if you want. Here's a link to the article that I found about it: www.mreinfo.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5228

[@jamienightingale707]

I made an alcohol stove to fit in an esbit stove, back up to my pocket rocket stove

[@normanmallory2055]

Well done.. Great video.. Myself I have used MSR stoves for over 30 years now and of the different models I own I have never had one fail.. I went away from MRS 18 years ago for my first canister stove i choose Snow Peak, soon my second Snow Peak stove came my way with a larger burner , built in windscreen for cold weather use.. I like both very well, excellent quality and performance.. The lightest model is made from Ti and falls in @2.4 oz.. Ti pots and cup, mini solo cook set came next, excellent gear.. Alcohol stoves I have never used one or made one, but am thinking about that idea.. Seems kinda cleaver , fuel is everywhere.. From what I have seen so far, there is really no flame adjustments unless you slide a small flat plate over the burner head.. One would have to play with one like you are doing.. You did give me ideas..

[@Lord_Messiah_Disciple]

18:47 ''Be forewarned.'' said just before striking a match towards him lol.

[@manofthecloth777]

Just wanted to mention that their are much more cost effective lightweight options for solid fuel stoves. There is a folding titanium wing that weighs like 0.3oz. And you can buy solid fuel tablets that are a different brand that are half the size so you can choose between using two or just one for a simmer. Coghlan's makes 24 tablets for like $2.50. They also double as fire starters. I know you like multi purpose. :) The folding titanium stove has a small stuff sack that is so small it can fit in any pocket. Take just a few of the smaller tablets in a small zip lock and they can also fit anywhere. I also dislike the smell but after using alcohol stoves where you can't put them out or you can with some difficulty I always end up coming back to the solid fuel for ultralight weight.

[@RevHiker]

+Alexander Teel CDP I made a video on my alcohol stove and the snuffer I made for it. Super easy to put out.

[@manofthecloth777]

Oh cool thanks. I love your videos by the way and super cool the way you support your church. God bless man!

[@RevHiker]

+Alexander Teel CDP thanks! God bless

[@Markam248]

i have both an esbit and a alcohol stove. yes the esbit smells. but it can be blown out and reused. just seal it in a plastic bag. they also work great as fire starter for wet conditions. just another use. good video. thanks for all the effort.

[@RevHiker]

Thanks. Im working on a lightweight cover for the alcohol stove to be able to put it out and put the fuel back into the container. I think the esbit has its uses, I just prefer the alcohol. Thanks for watching!

[@rickracine9758]

Stumble on your channel 6 years later but ya i agree big time MSR and alcohol stove are the best infact it be great to bring both on a adventure i think

[@Muchau70]

Thank you for this thorough overview of the different stove options out there. Being kinda new to stoves other than canisters - it helped me out.

[@wanderingcalamity360]

You can also get HEET at most gas stations. But, downside to those soda can stoves is that you can indeed squish them. Accidents do happen. Especially in life light. Don't leave your stove out to cool in the dark and forget about it. I prefer designs with a lid, personally. But you can also make a little priming tray for them that can also be used to snuff them out. They are definitely light and cheap, though. Great comparison video.

[@langer1972]

Put the tent stakes through the holes to hold the cup. Not on top of the ring. Just my 2cents.

[@ChristopherOkhravi]

Went digging through the comments to find this :) My reaction too :) :) But then again, it might be that not enough air would flow through? +RevHiker thanks for the very useful video :)

[@jonathantan2469]

If the ground is right, you can drive 3 metal tent pegs into the soil to make a crude holder for a larger pot with the alcohol drink-can stove.

[@charlesmichaels6648]

@C. Brown Thank you. We wondered.

[@donnyo65]

You can make the esbit boil faster by breaking the block into four pieces - they also light easier like that. The stove in a can would be better as an emergency fire lighting kit as you could fit matches in there and a few other bits - as a stove it sucks!

[@RomanCatholic001]

The esbit stove is good for military use. With different fuel tabs you dont get the smell or residue.

[@jotdown695]

awesome review. great presentation and comparison. Saves hunting around youtube for separate videos.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Any comparison needs to include weight of the whole system, stove, container, fuel container, tools, and enough fuel to boil 10 quarts of water. Of course in extreme cold and/or altitude, some fuels do far better than others.

[@WillEDC]

From my own experience I have found gas to be the most balanced heating solution. I tested by weight and speed to boil and by experience a lot of things can fail. It’s almost fool proof. Alcohol stove I would only use with my trangria if I had one outing and one meal. All contained in a compact form. But the weight was so close to the gas that it wasn’t a competition. Only the space is the advantage , not even the weight. The key is to have multiple gas containers with different levels of fuel. A simple day trip I would pack one that is nearly empty. Even the alcohol in an alcohol stove is contaminated when burned and blown out. It has more water from what I heard. That’s why people carry 2 containers for alcohol fuel. One is fresh new and one is left over which is only used to prime the alcohol stove. I also have a cat can which is even lighter than an soda can stove. It’s hard to be precise with the fuel so it wastes and then again, pouring the fuel back will contaminate the fresh fuel. It’s also not as fool proof in strong winds. Esbit tabs are actually heavy for the run time. They are messy and if it’s raining they are not so good. Even I found it not to be good enough as a backup wood fire cheat. And of course wood fire takes a long time. Precise processing of wood and you are at the mercy whatever is available in the area. Messy as well. This is my opinion from my experience experimenting on different types.

[@timothynitz8118]

The Esbit stove comes into its own for lightweight winter, high altitude backpacking when the MSR Pocket Rocket and alcohol stove struggle. I clean the bottom of the pot with a handful of snow and most of it comes right off (it all comes off easily once home). I wouldn't recommend using inside the tent and for myself I have gone to an invertible isobutane stove, but Esbit is a solid choice for winter, high altitude backpacking.

[@texmexia49]

I bought a generic rocket stove with a piezo starter for about $4 on EBay. It weighs about 3 1/2 ounces and works great.

[@RevHiker]

+texmexia49 I have heard that the chineese ones work pretty well.

[@annsipp]

Hey buddy. I enjoyed the demo of stoves. I get the feeling you camp alone. We camp as a family so a larger flame base is need for us. I like the method used to compare the cookers. I learned and chilled watched you. I have a sort of challenge; can you cook for a family of four? What is the best family camp cooking gear. Let me know when you release the recording. Thanks Buddy, Ann

[@brianroberts6776]

I buy the refill pucks n cut up for fire starting for small grill they work great for that but never tried to boil with the can

[@denisoleary5302]

Over this side of the pond in Europs, we have the Fire Dragon. Very similar to the Esbit. Issued to British Army is uses a simular tablet fuel, but is much cleaner and does not smell. I can buy the stove online for less than $5. I believe Fre Dagon Tablets are unobtainable in the US .

[@thriftysurvivor6117]

As far as the Esbit fuel tabs, make sure you don't discard them or the clam shells they came in near your camp. Bears love fish. at least grizzlies do.

[@graemecollin]

What about using the Esbit, without the fuel bricks, as a frame/pan holder for the alcohol stove? What about using the Stove-in-a-Can lid as a hotplate, rather than using tent-pegs? How much heat does the SiaC kick out? Could it be useful as a tiny campfire?

[@christimartin8512]

The tiny Kojin alcohol stove or an Altoids or skin cream-type tin type stove would work with that stove. I have tested several.

[@MarsSolo]

I use the Esbit Titanium Stove which weighs 0.4 oz. / 11.5g Wayyyyyy Lighter than the Esbit you use in your test and most Light Weight backpackers will use

[@tshaza]

Finally can make a decision after seeing all four tested together. Thanks for the vid, so informative :)

[@RevHiker]

Glad it helped!

[@craZivn]

Out of curiosity, what was your decision Shaza?

[@tjfm59]

got in to alchol stoves about 5 yrs ago. living in a cold climate as in minn. i threw mine away. spent to much time priming & warming the heet. have had esbit type stoves in my kit for over 40 yrs, use them for camping & emergency use. butane style have a whisper lite also. part of my kit is a us army canteen stove that uses the fuel tablets or wood.

[@steveolto9805]

when I served in the German Army (Bundeswehr) back in the late 80's, the Esbit was the standard issue stove/cooker. It is compact and can be helpful as long as one has enough fuel tabs but I was never a big friend of it.

[@RevHiker]

Steve Olto There is no doubt it works, but I wasnt a fan either. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@gutbag]

Love this video. I've used the MSR Pocket Rocket but I'm totally sold on making my own alcohol stove.

[@RevHiker]

thanks! I love them both at different times

[@StephenStHill-si7en]

Thanks Revhiker, bad news sells fast, so here goes: ARMY FAIL - HEX STOVES ARE NOT STEALTHY! In school I joined the Australian Army Cadets. We were issued with Esbit stoves and hexamine tablets. They were great for finding enemy positions in the bush at night. I am also sure that most benzine compounds are carcinogenic. For their purpose though, they were great. You could drop your pack off a cliff or hide it under water and it would still work. In fact if I found the fuel and stove in the bush after 35 years I have no doubt it would still work. As for smoke mess, wood will do exactly the same. Wax/sawdust/cotton wool fuel bricks are easily made at home and are also waterproof and safe to carry. You could even replace the hexamine but it would be even slower. I have seen an alcohol stove design made out of a tall steel can that doubles a charcol burner which would burn cleaner. My wife an I used to use an alcohol burner. Much cleaner, but more dangerous. I managed to burn down part of our tent. Fortunately it was not critical at the time, and no one was hurt, not even divorced. If you have the money and space, something like your MSR is gold in cold/wet/emergency conditions, even if it is just used as an emergency stove.

[@BarryHope-bj5um]

There was a demonstration on here on making Sterno, it worked

[@05Rudey]

I appreciate the test, I love the different stoves on test. I'm quite new to ultra light hiking and after a few trips I look no further than the simple converted Tuna can stove, it's just so light and that it fits perfectly inside my pot as well as wind shield (I use a 10 inch Zebra pot). But no solution is perfect, I still have to carry the fuel and the can probably won't last long, but I pretty much make a new one per outing. As for he vid, a big thumbs up, because for me, choosing the right stove is a big issue especially for people just starting out.

[@RevHiker]

Thanks! Everyone has to find what works for them...thats part of the reason I made this. Everyone has different views and needs. Thanks for watching!

[@TheStraycat74]

combine your pocket rocket stove with the Esbit. I got an esbit style stove in a MRE meal bucket, so there is that.

[@coltondagostino762]

I really like the pocket rocket stoves. I got one off of amazon for under $8 and its worked fine for me so far.

[@RevHiker]

there are a bunch of stoves based on the MSR that work well and for less money. Glad you like it. Thanks for watching!

[@fishrrelaxing9361]

You could've placed the lid on top of that can stove.. After repeated heating and cooling I'm not sure how much it would warp in terms of being able to reseal the can itself.. But it would've snapped right on top of the air ring.. But again another reason wood burners are top cause you can easily place any of these fuel sources in one all the same.. Personally I love the Kelly kettles.. Boil water and cook food at the same time.. Can even be used in conjunction with a pocket type stove..

[@toastiesburned9929]

Kelly kettles are awesome, but their strength is also their weakness. It's really good at boiling water, and it doesn't do anything else. A bit heavy for my taste, great for emergency or car camping

[@yossshooter1198]

I really like the vid man and personally i think the alcohol stove was the winner here

[@8Throtl1]

Thanks for your review. First I confess, ultralight is not my major concern. I do own a PocketRocket, but I prefer the JetBoil. With most of my meals and coffee, I boil 2 cups of water at a time. 90 seconds for two cups of water to boil! Wind break is built in to the JetBoil. I like the JetBoil so much that when my JetBoil was stolen on the Appalachian Trail, I ordered another one and waited for it’s arrival.

[@jamesbrownmiller808]

In my opinion the Esbit tablets would be best used to start fires in damp or wet conditions!

[@TurtleBushcraft]

you forgot the sterno can lol. What I wounder is on a 7 day backpack trip witch would be light the msr or alcohol with all the fuel you have to bring. I like the alcohol my self but have always wondered what the difference would be on a longer trip. great video thanks for sharing atb John

[@RevHiker]

I wanted to do the sterno can...couldn't get one in time

[@grossteilfahrer]

I have a Trangia alcohol stove w/ frypan, big and small pot and coffeepot, a cheap knockoff of the same and a cheap-o gas burner for cartridges. the trangia is by far the best in wind &weather but very heavy and plagued by sooting the pots.

[@Grateful_Grannie]

I think it would work great on a picnic table for coffee or soup… good car emergency kit. I would ditch the skewers & put a little BBQ screen over top… closer to fire where could boil faster. Probably make own fuel cakes with cedar chip sawdust & melted paraffin. Great video!

[@jarikinnunen1718]

11:45 I made lightest alcohol stove. By aluminum foil and toilet paper. I used bottle bottom to made foil to cup form and I folted toilet paper to wick.

[@redbustourguide]

Thanks for your videos I find them very helpful and informative.

[@stevewesley3841]

Esbit also do double alcohol burners that fit in the solid fuel burner and they are amazing

[@slygley]

Ever heard of tetkoba alcohol stove? Amazing designs and inspiration. Raises alcohol stoves to the next level.

[@RevHiker]

Sam Gleysteen I'll take a look into them, thanks for the idea.