The firedragon fuel tabs can 'melt' when they are used and run out the bottom of your Esbit stove, best to use the BCB stove designed for the new alcohol tabs.
The earlier Yugo mess kits are all painted in Yugo Green and are all made of Aluminium, heavy but glorious. Nice “Admin “ Keyring. The internal pockets in the Polski haversack are useful.
I bought a few sets back about 10 years ago and they're certainly heavy! Looking forward to putting it to use again after a few years of inactivity - must get to the woods this week coming for some noodles and a brew!
I used to do this with the hexi tabs, so hopefully the same trick works with these too - I've yet to try these gel ones, so will see how much gunk does ooze out of them. Cheers.
Nice post, I do like the firedragon kit, I like the tiny flat-folding stove too that has lasted me quite a long time. Not seen the Yugo mess kit previously, had a quick peek on Ebay and they go for £35....I still use a single mess tin/metal mug combo (like removing the skin off my lips) tried many things over the years and always come back to this choice as my foundation items. I always like to try new things so will see If I can get hold of this mess kit for a bit of a cabby, just a bit pricey for me to buy just for it to sit next to all the other mess kits ive tried over the years...p.s. I don't miss hexy. Have a good one!
It's a great cookset, but I wouldn't pay £35 - looks like it's become a bit of a collector's item since I bought mine about 10 years back! I do get on well with the folding cup as had the same "burn off the lips" experience! Cheers.
Great honest useful content as usual Mr 104 .. I always use a sterident “denture” tablet for cleaning flasks and water bottles etc , cheap light and convenient (though thankfully I’ve still got my own teeth) , looking forward to the next instalment 🤝
👍👍👍 .. nice setup you have there 😊. I have and still use, my 'Esbit Folding Stove from my SADF National Service 1968. Here in Switzerland, they haven't gone 'Nanny', so the Esbit Hexi Tablets are still available, albeit only at specialist outdoor outlets and quite pricey to boot. Although I keep a pack of the Hexi's in both of my Esbit Burners (with a backup for each at home) for 'just in case', my go-to is either Alcohol Liquid or Gel Fuel ('Brennsprit or Sicherheitsbrennpaste') .. both cheaper and available at any grocery / food store. Suggestion .. get or fashion a holder for the fire dragon gel tablet from heavy duty aluminium or something similar, to prevent it running all over the place once lit. Thanks for sharing .. enjoy the coffee and take care ..
Thanks for the comment - feedback on the gel isn't good, so it looks like a good reason (excuse!) to buy a few cans of beer and make one or two beer can stoves! I used to alternate between Hexi and Methylated spirits back about 10 years when I was doing a fair bit of wild camping so, with Hexi gone, Meths could well be the way to go! B.t.w - my Dad did National Service back in the 1950s and came away with a skill of being able to iron clothes to perfection! To this day, he still says his time in National Service was a highly beneficial one. Regards.
Interesting about the hexi tabs being illegal now. Nice little brew kit that, fits the bag a treat. I’ve tried a few different cook sets but always go back to my old Mk1 Crusader set. Have to show us your radio bag when it’s up and running 👍
I guess it's one of those things the Govt. latch onto so it looks like they're doing something rather than get to the root cause of the problem. Cheers.
@@phh2400 - UK Govt. have added it to a list of banned substances - link to official info here www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-targeting-bomb-making-materials-come-into-force
There is a guy on eBay who makes very nice aluminium lids for UK and Dutch mess tins. They speed up your boil, and keep what's in the mess tin in the mess tin.
Apparently Hexamine is considered as an ingredient in explosives. Its still legal here in the Netherlands, typical UK. It is either an explosive or its not. The rest of the world thinks its not.
Just sticking plaster actions taken by UK Govt. to look like they're doing something useful. The hexi thing is the work of the previous administration, but the new one is no better and probably worse. Link to UK Govt. info - www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-targeting-bomb-making-materials-come-into-force
2:13 - test it first. I was hyped for FireDragon as well (the possibility to use as cleaning agent) and less odor from the burn, but find out 1) create mess on the coocking kit (solvable) 2) during summer, it tends to leave the unopened packaging, probably sublimation (critical, tablets will never dissapear) 3) energy output is much, much lower. Tested in winter and had problem warm water in usgi cup for tea with two tabs of fuel dragon (warmer than body, definitely not boiling) , while at the same time one tablet of solid fuel worked perfectly. Not worth the weight and money anymore for me, it is now just a overpriced fire starter at the garden...
as mentioned already get the bcb cooker or find a small tin to burn that gel in gary. nice bag that seems ideal. absolutely stupid banning hexi though. eco friendly wooden firelighters work well too as a replacement 👍 🏕
I've picked up a BCB cooker since the vid was made but not used the kit in anger yet - got it in the car as a backup in case I run out of gas! I'll give it a good go when I'm up in Mid Wales next. Cheers.
Link to UK Govt. site regarding Hexamine www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-targeting-bomb-making-materials-come-into-force
I love my yugoslavian mess kits the kfs set that comes with it is the best I've come across I.m.o, denture tablets are good for cleaning flasks out.
I've used the Crusader and East German kits but the Yugoslavian is by far my favourite. Like you say, the supplies K.F.S set is top drawer! Cheers.
The firedragon fuel tabs can 'melt' when they are used and run out the bottom of your Esbit stove, best to use the BCB stove designed for the new alcohol tabs.
Thanks for the heads-up - I'll be buying a new stove soon I guess. Cheers.
You could use the lid off your tin of vaseline to place the fire dragon in the esbit stove to stop it leaking out
@@grebo247365 - got some good suggestions in the comments, so will be trying the kit out this week coming. Cheers.
You will only need half a fuel tab for a cup of tea or coffee 👍
@@OutdoorPrepper2025 - great tip! Cheers.
The earlier Yugo mess kits are all painted in Yugo Green and are all made of Aluminium, heavy but glorious.
Nice “Admin “ Keyring.
The internal pockets in the Polski haversack are useful.
I bought a few sets back about 10 years ago and they're certainly heavy! Looking forward to putting it to use again after a few years of inactivity - must get to the woods this week coming for some noodles and a brew!
Line the esbit stove with a bit of tinfoil that retains the jelly and makes cleaning the burner easy.
I used to do this with the hexi tabs, so hopefully the same trick works with these too - I've yet to try these gel ones, so will see how much gunk does ooze out of them. Cheers.
Nice post, I do like the firedragon kit, I like the tiny flat-folding stove too that has lasted me quite a long time. Not seen the Yugo mess kit previously, had a quick peek on Ebay and they go for £35....I still use a single mess tin/metal mug combo (like removing the skin off my lips) tried many things over the years and always come back to this choice as my foundation items. I always like to try new things so will see If I can get hold of this mess kit for a bit of a cabby, just a bit pricey for me to buy just for it to sit next to all the other mess kits ive tried over the years...p.s. I don't miss hexy. Have a good one!
It's a great cookset, but I wouldn't pay £35 - looks like it's become a bit of a collector's item since I bought mine about 10 years back! I do get on well with the folding cup as had the same "burn off the lips" experience! Cheers.
Great honest useful content as usual Mr 104 .. I always use a sterident “denture” tablet for cleaning flasks and water bottles etc , cheap light and convenient (though thankfully I’ve still got my own teeth) , looking forward to the next instalment 🤝
I'll try to get out to the local woods this week with the kit. Looks good as a backup in case I run out of gas when carcamping.
👍👍👍 .. nice setup you have there 😊.
I have and still use, my 'Esbit Folding Stove from my SADF National Service 1968.
Here in Switzerland, they haven't gone 'Nanny', so the Esbit Hexi Tablets are still available, albeit only at specialist outdoor outlets and quite pricey to boot.
Although I keep a pack of the Hexi's in both of my Esbit Burners (with a backup for each at home) for 'just in case', my go-to is either Alcohol Liquid or Gel Fuel ('Brennsprit or Sicherheitsbrennpaste') .. both cheaper and available at any grocery / food store.
Suggestion .. get or fashion a holder for the fire dragon gel tablet from heavy duty aluminium or something similar, to prevent it running all over the place once lit.
Thanks for sharing .. enjoy the coffee and take care ..
Thanks for the comment - feedback on the gel isn't good, so it looks like a good reason (excuse!) to buy a few cans of beer and make one or two beer can stoves! I used to alternate between Hexi and Methylated spirits back about 10 years when I was doing a fair bit of wild camping so, with Hexi gone, Meths could well be the way to go!
B.t.w - my Dad did National Service back in the 1950s and came away with a skill of being able to iron clothes to perfection! To this day, he still says his time in National Service was a highly beneficial one. Regards.
You can the cup from a big tealight to put the gelblocks in. Or else they melt and can cause a fire.
Greetings from the Netherlands.
A few comments saying they make a right mess - I'll try them, but looks like an alcohol stove will be the better option for my situation. Regards
@@104s_Unplugged or you use a stove from firedragon. Are almost the same as an esbit stove, but special made for gelblocks.
@@jaggiecz - will take a look now. Thanks.
Less than £5, so ordered one - let's at least give the tabs a fair shot with the bespoke stove. Cheers.
Interesting about the hexi tabs being illegal now. Nice little brew kit that, fits the bag a treat. I’ve tried a few different cook sets but always go back to my old Mk1 Crusader set. Have to show us your radio bag when it’s up and running 👍
I guess it's one of those things the Govt. latch onto so it looks like they're doing something rather than get to the root cause of the problem. Cheers.
@@104s_Unplugged why it is being illegal?
@@phh2400 - UK Govt. have added it to a list of banned substances - link to official info here www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-targeting-bomb-making-materials-come-into-force
There is a guy on eBay who makes very nice aluminium lids for UK and Dutch mess tins. They speed up your boil, and keep what's in the mess tin in the mess tin.
That would be a great addition - I tried a search for "mess tin lids" but nothing showed, but will try again. Cheers.
Apparently Hexamine is considered as an ingredient in explosives. Its still legal here in the Netherlands, typical UK. It is either an explosive or its not. The rest of the world thinks its not.
Just sticking plaster actions taken by UK Govt. to look like they're doing something useful. The hexi thing is the work of the previous administration, but the new one is no better and probably worse. Link to UK Govt. info - www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-targeting-bomb-making-materials-come-into-force
Get your hands on trioxane fuel tabs, way better than anything I've found on civi street, except wood
Thanks - I'll try to get hold of some to try!
So you brn the plastic that holds the fire gel?
1st time for me too - not tried them yet. Soon and will video!
2:13 - test it first. I was hyped for FireDragon as well (the possibility to use as cleaning agent) and less odor from the burn, but find out 1) create mess on the coocking kit (solvable) 2) during summer, it tends to leave the unopened packaging, probably sublimation (critical, tablets will never dissapear) 3) energy output is much, much lower. Tested in winter and had problem warm water in usgi cup for tea with two tabs of fuel dragon (warmer than body, definitely not boiling) , while at the same time one tablet of solid fuel worked perfectly. Not worth the weight and money anymore for me, it is now just a overpriced fire starter at the garden...
Glad I didn't buy a bulk pack and looks like I'll be going back to a meths stove! Cheers.
what works for cleaning a canteen is denture cleaner tablets.
Yeah - I used to clean out my work flask with those. Cheers
as mentioned already get the bcb cooker or find a small tin to burn that gel in gary. nice bag that seems ideal. absolutely stupid banning hexi though. eco friendly wooden firelighters work well too as a replacement 👍 🏕
I've picked up a BCB cooker since the vid was made but not used the kit in anger yet - got it in the car as a backup in case I run out of gas! I'll give it a good go when I'm up in Mid Wales next. Cheers.