Thanks for comparing the amount of soot left on the bottom of the pans. I wanted to know if there was a difference between the two. Yours is the only comparison video I could find that compared this aspect. Great video!
Thanks for a very nice fair and unbiased comparison. However it does bug me a bit that anyone would try to heat water or cook anything witout a lid on the pot. 😆
You're welcome. 😆 Yes! I so get that. I usually use a lid then try to open it at times just long enough to get some video of the status. You're right... Things do heat so much more quickly with a lid and that's super important when heating with a limited fuel source like this.
I carry exped tablets in my small cook kit, which includes a firebox nano, stanley cookset nested in a cooking cup, and a trangia alcohol stove like you used, and a MSR pocket rocket with a small gas canister i just got this last season all stored in a maxpedition bottle holder with a pouch on the side for the firebox. By far the quickest and easiest thing to use is by far the msr pocket rocket and gas canister, next up is the alcohol stove in the firebox, but takes way longer. Fuel tablets are a 4th string backup to collected wood. We primarily use this setup for espresso in the mornings in our Bialetti Moka Pot. Quick easy cappuccinos, a great way to start the day when camping.
What an awesome and versatile kit you have put together in your Maxpedition bottle holder pack! Sounds so nice. Thank you for all the insights and applications you're sharing. Helpful for all who may read through the comments!
Thanks,very interesting. I’d say that solid fuel tabs are great for bug out bag or something and alcohol is better for camping/backpacking. I’ve used Esbit backpacking and the oily residue ended up getting on everything - horrible,they’re also a pain to light especially in a cold wind and two tablets will be needed each time in those conditions,windshield is a must.
I’ve used esbit tabs quite a bit and typically achieve a rolling boil in my MSR Titan kettle, probably about 28 ounces of water,with one tab..However, I always keep the lid on which definitely helps. I use an Emberlit FireAnt stove and although I primarily use wood, the esbit tabs are great for cooking under my tarp if its raining buckets. I have a trangia as well, but gave up carrying alcohol a long time ago in favor of the esbit tabs.since they are really only a backup to wood fuel for me. Biggest problem is they take too long to light. I’ve heard of of people carrying an eye-dropper of alcohol and they claim that a drop or two on the tab will light it up quickly...gonna have to try that! Thanks for the video.
This test nearly duplicates results from the 1960s era US Army solid fuel tablets. They're probably useful for heating up freeze dried meals, such as Mountain House. Long distance hikers might be well served by such a cooking system, especially if they're prone to arrive in camp after sunset. As a day-hiker, I might still carry one of these as a backup fire starter. I've never been injured on the trail but if it ever happens, I'll certainly want a campfire while I wait for rescue.
That's a good question since the tablets are so smelly. The water doesn’t pick up the odor with the lid off (or on). If I may interject; because I want you to wonderful camping experiences... It can be dangerous to cook inside a tent. Here's a quick read that covers the pros and cons of cooking inside a tent: offgridcamping.com.au/cook-inside-my-tent/#What-are-the-downsides-of-cooking-in-a-tent
Just to follow up...I just tried the alcohol drops trick and it did not catch a spark from a ferro rod, but, it did light up much easier with a lighter. Also, I just achieved a robust rolling boil with 16 oz water, 30 degrees outside, in about 11 minutes, and only used 1/2 to 2/3 of one esbit tab. Lid on the pot, and the esbit sitting in a little homemade tray inside my emberlit TI fireant. The little tray really increases efficiency...google Brian Green Esbit Tray
Thanks so much for this! Keeping a lid on the pan does make a big difference in heating water faster and to reach that rolling boil! Will be checking into the tray.
Never use fuel tablets. I want to like them but they are expensive, inefficient and hard to find everywhere. If you could make them yourself maybe they would be a convenient option. The only reason to use tablets is the long shelf life compared to alcohol.
Too bad the tablets did not perform as good as the firebox stove. At the end of the day the tablets are just an added back up and not something anyone of us would rely on upon.
I really enjoyed watching this and seeing the comparison. Throwing in the alcohol at the end was an awesome addition.
Thank you so much. I'm glad that you liked it.
Thanks for comparing the amount of soot left on the bottom of the pans. I wanted to know if there was a difference between the two. Yours is the only comparison video I could find that compared this aspect. Great video!
Aww. You're welcome. Yay for being unique. Thank you for stopping by and the kind words.
Thanks for a very nice fair and unbiased comparison. However it does bug me a bit that anyone would try to heat water or cook anything witout a lid on the pot. 😆
You're welcome. 😆 Yes! I so get that. I usually use a lid then try to open it at times just long enough to get some video of the status. You're right... Things do heat so much more quickly with a lid and that's super important when heating with a limited fuel source like this.
I carry exped tablets in my small cook kit, which includes a firebox nano, stanley cookset nested in a cooking cup, and a trangia alcohol stove like you used, and a MSR pocket rocket with a small gas canister i just got this last season all stored in a maxpedition bottle holder with a pouch on the side for the firebox. By far the quickest and easiest thing to use is by far the msr pocket rocket and gas canister, next up is the alcohol stove in the firebox, but takes way longer. Fuel tablets are a 4th string backup to collected wood. We primarily use this setup for espresso in the mornings in our Bialetti Moka Pot. Quick easy cappuccinos, a great way to start the day when camping.
What an awesome and versatile kit you have put together in your Maxpedition bottle holder pack! Sounds so nice. Thank you for all the insights and applications you're sharing. Helpful for all who may read through the comments!
Thanks,very interesting.
I’d say that solid fuel tabs are great for bug out bag or something and alcohol is better for camping/backpacking.
I’ve used Esbit backpacking and the oily residue ended up getting on everything - horrible,they’re also a pain to light especially in a cold wind and two tablets will be needed each time in those conditions,windshield is a must.
Thank you for watching and the insights.
Glad to see you have firebox stove never used tablets for my fuel I think I'll try it
Love my little Firebox Nano. I look forward to hearing what you think about the fuel tablets.
I’ve used esbit tabs quite a bit and typically achieve a rolling boil in my MSR Titan kettle, probably about 28 ounces of water,with one tab..However, I always keep the lid on which definitely helps. I use an Emberlit FireAnt stove and although I primarily use wood, the esbit tabs are great for cooking under my tarp if its raining buckets. I have a trangia as well, but gave up carrying alcohol a long time ago in favor of the esbit tabs.since they are really only a backup to wood fuel for me. Biggest problem is they take too long to light. I’ve heard of of people carrying an eye-dropper of alcohol and they claim that a drop or two on the tab will light it up quickly...gonna have to try that! Thanks for the video.
@chetclock thanks so much for all the insight! The drops of alcohol to start the solid fuel tablets sound interesting. Thanks for watching.
This test nearly duplicates results from the 1960s era US Army solid fuel tablets. They're probably useful for heating up freeze dried meals, such as Mountain House. Long distance hikers might be well served by such a cooking system, especially if they're prone to arrive in camp after sunset. As a day-hiker, I might still carry one of these as a backup fire starter. I've never been injured on the trail but if it ever happens, I'll certainly want a campfire while I wait for rescue.
Nice review. I too was disappointed in their performance. Neat little stove though.
Thank you. Appreciate your thoughts. The little Firebox Nano stove is a pleasure to use.
amatuer and weird question here, will the water smell if you didn't put the lid on (in case you cook it inside the tent)?
That's a good question since the tablets are so smelly. The water doesn’t pick up the odor with the lid off (or on).
If I may interject; because I want you to wonderful camping experiences... It can be dangerous to cook inside a tent. Here's a quick read that covers the pros and cons of cooking inside a tent: offgridcamping.com.au/cook-inside-my-tent/#What-are-the-downsides-of-cooking-in-a-tent
@@wobblyotteroutdoors thx that's a niche information that could totally help me and there's still a lot information there that I could learn from.
Would using a tea kettle cause the water to boil faster ?
Yes, using a tea kettle or any pan with a lid will help the water come to a boil more quickly.
Just to follow up...I just tried the alcohol drops trick and it did not catch a spark from a ferro rod, but, it did light up much easier with a lighter.
Also, I just achieved a robust rolling boil with 16 oz water, 30 degrees outside, in about 11 minutes, and only used 1/2 to 2/3 of one esbit tab. Lid on the pot, and the esbit sitting in a little homemade tray inside my emberlit TI fireant. The little tray really increases efficiency...google Brian Green Esbit Tray
Thanks so much for this! Keeping a lid on the pan does make a big difference in heating water faster and to reach that rolling boil! Will be checking into the tray.
Use Small cotton balls with Vaseline,put one on the tab and light that.
Great idea!
nice review. thanks
Thank you.
Never use fuel tablets. I want to like them but they are expensive, inefficient and hard to find everywhere.
If you could make them yourself maybe they would be a convenient option.
The only reason to use tablets is the long shelf life compared to alcohol.
Well said. I couldn't agree more. I also wanted to like them. And they are kind of smelly too.
Too bad the tablets did not perform as good as the firebox stove.
At the end of the day the tablets are just an added back up and not something anyone of us would rely on upon.
So true.