ultralight hiking: fuel tabs vs gas, alcohol, wood
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- Esbit is here: amzn.to/3APQaJt
Gas canister here: amzn.to/3ViJpIb
Do the math with me and find out: fuel tabs are the easiest AND lightest cook option for quick and light hiking trips.
In this video you see a comparison of the weight and useability of fuel tabs (esbit or coghlans), alcohol stove, wood burners and gas stove. The lightest gas stove in the world is also in this video. As well as the best wood burning backpacking stove.
The video takes the weight of several stove options: the weight of the stove, the weight of the fuel, empty canister and extra stuff that you would need into account and compares what that amounts to for a seven day trip. Also the video compares some other character traits of these fuel choices. Can you take a gas canister or alcohol on a plane? No! Fuel tabs: yes! (well, never got busted in any case). When you go for wood: you need a more serious knife. Gas works very well and you can just turn it off when you're done cooking, whereas you have to let a tab burn out. Alcohol smells better than tabs and is lots cheaper. Wood is the cheapest option and will last longest (source while on the trip). Lots of things to take into consideration here!
The part in Norway was shot in Kongsberg, a little city in the Telemark region. I hiked from Hokksund to Lunde, 140 km in seven days, but I recommend the hike from Kongsberg to Nordagutu, over Skrim and Narefjell. Very pretty landscape, will take about four days.
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Here in the U.S., we have a brand of fuel tablets named Coghlans. They cost quite a bit less than Esbit, and work as well, although they do leave more ash behind after burning. Very nice video, great analysis! I use a similar setup for the same reasons. Fuel tablets really don't require a stove at all; in an emergency, you can just put one on a rock, and use three more rocks to support your pot. The tablets can also help start a fire in wet or windy conditions. Also, I like running my pack "liquid-free" to eliminate the chance of a leak or spill. I carry a bar of soap instead of liquid, and I use butter instead of cooking oil. The only liquid in my pack is water, which is less likely to cause problems if it does happen to leak or spill.
Thank you for "doing the math". I was going in circles between choosing "the right kit" for my trip - alcohol/wood/tabs. I was never a proponent of the gas torch/solo/canister stoves - for exactly the same reason that it's impossible to ration. NOw back to my DIY tab cook stove kit!
Yay a convert!
Solid fuel tablets are convenient & always work once you learn to get the fuel tab close to the bottom of the pot & have a windscreen. Thank you for sharing 👍
Hey man, nice video!
I am quite new to outdoor cooking, so far i prefer to cook on wood with esbit tabs as a quick and easy back up. One thing to consider though is that i assume they are quite toxic. I found this for example:
"Bij verhitting valt hexamine uiteen in ammoniak en formaldehyde, bij hogere temperaturen bestaan decompositieproducten voornamelijk uit waterstofcyanide, stikstofgas en in de aanwezigheid van zuurstof worden er stikstofoxiden, koolstofdioxide en koolstofmonoxide gevormd."
Outdoor it wouldn't be much of a hazard but i really wouldn't use it inside a tent where you will inhale the fumes.
I even read somewhere you should ways cook with the lid on to not let it contaminate your food..
Thanks for taking the time to make this, dutch humour all the way!
Hey Lodewijk! Nederland!!!
So yeah, the stuff is repulsive. But also very functional. What I do is I use it in front of the tarp so the fumes drift away from my sleeping area and not in it. Also I always cook with the lid on, this preserves heat.
Have a great time in our great (but not so outdoorsy) country
very nice video, straight to the point, no rambling, objective facts and well made in general. You have a new sub buddy!
+Antonio Barba Thanks man!
I like your wind shield. Looks good. 👍
I would challenge people use an even smaller cup when doing this.
I really enjoy how efficient this is. I use one 220ml Snowpeak titanium cup with folded handle. Store all the coffee, mini bic, Ezbit cubes, small cleaning towel, as well as your your personal stove inside. Lid? I made one from the walls of a soda can. Cut one slightly bigger than the cup diameter. Wrap around the edge of my snowpeak cup for a snug fit.
+Uses less fuel.
+Quicker boil.
+Perfect if you just need morning coffee.
+Compact.
+Efficient.
-Only enough for one person's light meals.
A tip if you want larger meals:
Mix steaming water (3/4) into your cold soaking cup or dehydrated meals that contains room temperature water (1/4). Your 4/4 water will be sufficiently warm for most consumables.
Hi Wille! Sounds smart. Do you use an aluminium bag of sorts to let the meals rehydrate in? That would not fit in the cup right?
Kind regards, Papa hiker
I use a firebox nano titanium wood burning stove with a trangia alcohol stove. This gives me two fuel options it’s light weight and super reliable.
I really like to use solid fuel tablets. However, lighting the solid fuel tablets by holding a lighter down to the tablet can burn your fingers. The tablets don't usually light right away, and the flame can be difficult to see so you are not sure if it is lit or not. I solved this problem by using some homemade tinder made by infusing small cotton makeup pads with melted wax. They are very small and flat so I can carry as many as needed. You could use almost any fabric, as well. Then, I tear off a small piece of the tinder and place it next to the tablet, and light it. It always lights right away and then starts the tablets burning. It saves lighter fuel as well.
to avoid alcohol spilling i recommend a fiberglass filling so alcohol stay absorbed inside the stove
Hi! That's a good tip. But... my preferred solid fuel cubes are even less prone to spilling. I like alcohol (also as a fuel 😁) but as a fuel I don't bring it with kids or dog around, for fear of starting a wood fire. Kind regards, Papa hiker
I built a alcohol stove and creat a flame panel but the flame was so strong that reach 15 cm length. I think you have to do some practice, maybe build a flame regolator
I love your esbit stove. Ingenuity
Thanks Joanne, it is extremely simple but works great.
Absolutely love the idea of this. I do not want to disturb the peace and quiet with the noise of a gas burner so this looks great. Fuel tabs are massively expensive in Perth (Australia) so I’m gong to make a fuel stove as methylated spirits are cheap and easy to buy anywhere. The simple light design of your setup looks fantastic - I’m going to try to imitate it. Thanks heaps .
hi Fayley, hope it worked out!
kind regards Papa hiker
Thanks for the comparison of different options. When we hike we take gas and someone always has an Esbit stove. You can make a wood fire in an Esbit stove. Take care.
Thank you Quinn
Planning a four night night five day solo muskoka backpacking trip....I think I ll be bringing a little esbit pocket stove and tablets...supplemented with twigs...seems the easiest....
Amazing comparison. 👍🏾
Would love a closer look at your DIY burner and stove stand.
I like the esbit tabs, but you should note that they are *not* allowed on planes in the USA as the ingredient is Hexamine, a banned substance. I make homemade fuel tabs that are essentially modified candles when I need to go through TSA, but they are not as light and they burn really sooty.
Hi Matt,I guess I just had luck then, with my tabs on a plane! The rules here in Europe are a bit open to interpretation. They are combustible, but not liquid, so it isn't super clear if they're allowed. Thanks! Papa hiker
I like experimenting with wood stove designs. Do you have a video showing your wood burner design?
Very good video, but you did not talk about the second most important factor after weight: COST! Esbit tablets are way more expensive than alcohol or wood. Thanks and keep up the good work.
+Black Sheep hey, thanks for the comment. Yes, you're right of course, the stuff is crazy expensive. But for me it evens out, I always cook on wood on trips when time and weight does not matter much 😀. Kind regards, papa hiker
It seems so simple. I might be a convert from the fuel canister. I have a problem with recycling of the canisters. Most people just through them in the trash.
Hey John, yes, that is definitely a thing: all that metal. Kind regards papa hiker
The smell is disgusting, though...
Can you carry the Esbit tabs on a plane?
great vid i remember using esbit tabs years ago but was put off by the smell they give off while burning
+Andrew Offer Hi Andrew, oh yes the smell... i forgot to cover that in the video. Actually it is not that bad. My brother took military tabs on a trip we did a couple of years back andd they were plain horrible. But the Esbit brand tabs, they don't really smell. I use them inside a shelter, if there is sufficient ventilation. Kind regards ph
Papa hiker good to know. I was put off fuel tabs years ago after using the army ones. do the debit ones produce much soot?
Esbits are good, if just they weren't so expensive now. All other fuels seems to be much cheaper.
Hey Vlad, Yes, that is sadly true...
Coghlans is a lot cheaper
Nice video, thanks. I am also a fan of Esbit blocks, they are great for reheating food quickly but you would need to carry a lot more blocks for boiling water in order to purify it. You should calculate the weight of the bottled water that you would need to carry into your equation.
+Bushcraft Not Minecraft Hi! Yes, that is true: my calculation is based on drinkable water. Boiling is not the only option, many people use aquamira etcetera. But where i hike and camp ( heaven) all water is drinkable except in some lemming years and when there are dead reindeer rotting in the stream... kind regards ph
That's actually not accurate for purification. Unless you are pulling your water from volcanic vents you need not worry about getting water to boil, just hot enough to kill the bacteria. You can look into the temperatures recommended for food safety and cooking, but it is much less than boiling.
Top comparison!
+Giovanni Baldi thank you very much!
Alcohol is readily available at gas stations, hardware stores, or department stores. It's cheap, especially if you use 91 percent rubbing alcohol, although it smokes a little more. I use a pop can penny stove which I think is a little more efficient at spreading out the burn time. You don't need to carry it in an airport, which is the best situation of all.
Hi! Yes, a good alternative to esbit. Thanks, Papa hiker
Remaining gas fuel. Float the can in water the waterline indicates the level of the fuel., or just shake a take a guess.
Thanks for the tip, I can use that. Kind regards, Papa hiker
Or even easier just simply weigh it and deduct from starting weight.
[edit] Ah you mean while out on trail?
Thnxs 4 sharing
Thanks
Use a disposable polyethylene 5ml pipette to measure alcohol. Light and precise.
Hi! That sounds like a good idea! I’m sold on tabs, but alcohol is great too. Kind regards Papa hiker
seems it aught be highlighted about trip length being a factor. one nighter, you get the lowest carry weight with solid fuel cubes.
anything over a week and theres nothing in it.
I wish this was pointed out in vids more often.
Hi Vespasian,
Doing the math here: what are you comparing the fuel tabs to? They cost 8 grams a day more in fuel than gas does, but how long would the trip be to break even on the canister weight? I am afraid that, since you carry the empty canisters with you, that is never. Wood: yes, in the right environment you can go forever with wood. But to break even on the weight of an axe your trip would have to be longer than three weeks.
Happy camping! Papa hiker
@@papahiker9014 forget the numbers but seemed to be five or so days better off with fuel tabs.
after that gas
and an axe and some patience as long as you can be bothered lol.
I haven't ever bothered to work it out but others have. seemed a week or just under was the break even point.
@@vespasian266 Hi Vespasian, maybe these others were using an extremely heavy fuel tab stove? In my example in this video, if you go for a 2 week trip you would leave the house with the same weight for fuel tabs and for gas, but you are lugging the empty canister for the entire trip. Longer trip would be even worse because you would need a bigger (or 2) canister. Anyway, YMMV, but the numbers don't lie. Have a great time and thanks for coming back on this! Papa hiker
I see no need for a knife, saw, or hatchet to gather and process wood for a twig burning stove. Fuel should always be available in a forested setting.
Fully agree. I also see no absolute need for the stove itself.
HEY Wolf NZ. Yep that is true. Often people forget that the ultralight stove option is... no stove.
But this video is to compare weight for fuel options, and if you're hiking ultralight you will also come through tundra of mountain plateaus. I've tried it lots, but well above treeline organic fuel is just a drag and thief of time... Have a nice one! Papa hiker
I disagree on needing a knife or any other tool to harvest/process wood for a fire - especially not one that fits in a small firebox. Pretty much any wood you need can be processed by hand or using what's around you - there's bound to be smaller deadwood - ranging from twigs up to something the thickness of a thumb - you could snap by hand and would do well in a fire box. Thicker bits of wood can be smashed against rocks or jammed in a tree fork (or a cleft in a rock) and broken with leverage.
Tinder can be often be sourced from the environment - my friends and I cooked on wood fires for years and relied on nothing more than a lighter and whatever we could find at the camp site. We never carried tinder with us and I've not bothered carrying an axe or hatchet for more than 30 years as they proved to be unnecessary.
Cooking with a wood fire is the lightest option as all you *really need* is some means of igniting the wood. Everything else, including the wood, gets sourced from the environment. It's not the most *reliable* or *easiest* or the *fastest* - and it's not always permitted - but it certainly requires carrying the least amount of stuff.
Hey Wolf, thanks, you really took the time (3 months ago now, sorry for the late replies) to check out my video's. I agree with what you say about what you need for a wood fire, but it does mean that you guys are SKILLfull, which is not true for everyone. I do understand that most people who cook on fire during their campingtrip take quite a big knife, or a hatchet and a saw. I do that when canoe camping with my wife and kids (which is so much fun, partly because you can take so much stuff (like wine)). Also, maybe one situation in which you would actually not be able to make a fire without a knife: if it rains most of the wood will be wet on the outside, but not the inside. I will then take sticks and peel them and split them lengthwise to get a dry start. Just splitting hairs here.
Kind regards Papa hiker
@@papahiker9014 Great point about the wet wood.
The one time when the wood was too wet at all to light, I *cheated* and got it started with a signal flare :P
Now I carry cotton balls that have been rubbed in Vaseline as a waterproof tinder and have ranger bands on my belt just in case I'm having difficulty getting the wood to light (and for any other reason I might need a stout rubber band, for that matter) - and, because most of the places have fire bans these days, I carry a Trangia spirit stove and a supply of fuel because that's probably all I'll be allowed...
Really enjoying your videos.
@@wolf1066 Hey Wolf NZ, Laughing out loud over the signal flare, that is just awesome :-) thanks for watching and have a great time, papa hiker
@@papahiker9014 Glad I gave you a chuckle.
Loving your videos.
solid fuel is toxic inside your tent
Hey Neeman,
That is right.
Kind regards, papa hiker
I, too, vote for fuel tabs. I have several Esbit stoves, I love how compact and functional they are. The only problem is fuel seems to be harder to find every day and not very cheap either. At least in my country...
Hi Florin, yep, sure is expensive and I am unhappy that the 4gram size seems to disappear...
Bummer for us! Kind regards, Papa hiker
If you're so obsessive about weight that you make your own stoves just to save a few grams, have you considered going stoveless?
Hey chesshooligan,
Yes. If I would go somewhere really warm I would seriously consider that. Also I have discovered that I like cold brew coffee if it is hot. However, where and when I do trekkings it is cold, and then I love hot coffee, hot breakfast and hot dinners. After all, the goal is not to save weight but to have a good time. Kind regards! Papa hiker
What did you make your cup out of?
Hi! Toffe vergelijking. Is dat een standaard waxinelichtje dat je gebruikt?
Hey Maxime,
Ja hoor! Gewoon kaarsje eruit en omgekeerd gebruiken. Simpel! Groeten, Papa hiker
I take my alcohol fuel on flights in 100ml hand sanitizer bottles. 😁
Is one 4g tab enough to boil (not just heat up) 200 ml of water?
+wazzup105 Hi wazzup! No it's not. I heat water for coffee to about 75 gr c, which is hot enough. I use 2 and a half in the morning and 3 and a half in the evening. The evening meal requires more heat, so that's 2 tabs for 320 ml of water.
What is the name of the pot you use?
Hey coolftp, it is a very cheap aluminium pot by a brand called Bo Camp. I don’t like the handles so I bought a toaks titanium pot with smaller handles. Kind regards Papa hiker
Esbit's Material Safety Data Sheet states combustion can create formaldehyde, ammonia, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen cyanide
Hey Mark, that sounds pretty technical, want to elaborate for less informed viewers what that would mean for them in practice? Thanks a lot in advance! Kind regards Papa hiker
The fumes are very dangerous to breathe. Esbit tablets should only be used outside and preferably downwind. The tablets are safe to use providing they are burned outside and the heated container has a lid.
I just would not cook with them inside a tent or closed space. Hydrogen cyanide can kill. When handling them wash your hands;
Great Mark, thanks for the tips! I normally abide by those rules too, sounds like good advice.
Kind regards papa hiker
I guess when I have to fly and no option to buy gas on the other side, I take esbits as the most lightweight and autonomous option. I did so in solo hike is Israel mountains (check my channel). Otherwise I go for high performance gas stove. Thanks for sharing
+Mihail Tomson Hello Mihail, that sounds logical. I almost always fly... not very green i know...
@@papahiker9014 I used to go to Norway by boat, & took solid fuel "hexamine " tablets, for all the reasons you state (plus I reckoned the fumes were a mosquito repellent !).
However the boat service stopped after a few years & I had to fly. I assumed it was illegal to take flammable material, like hexy tabs, so used a pop can alcohol system, buying "Rodsprit" alcohol in Norway.
Was this unnecessary ? Can you fly with undeclared solid fuel ? What is the law about this?
@@neilwork5033 Hi Neil, I read the requirements once (long time ago) and concluded that the wording was not super clear, so IF I got caught with them I would have a pleadable case. I have taken fuel tabs on planes roughly ten times now, no problems so far.
Kind regards, Papa hiker
@@papahiker9014 Interesting, thanks for that. Maybe not a problem. After all, hexy tablets are not volatile or actually that easy to light. Not the same as taking methalated spirit onto a plane.
It is, and that is why the armies use them
Yes, our army has them too! But theirs smell much worse than the esbit ones...
😄
Hello new subscriber!! Just found the channel. Thanks for sharing the videos, really great content. Btw I have a new channel on backyard homesteading if you have a moment please come check it out. Thanks
Hey Portugee Prepper, cool, thank you. Checked out your channel and funny thing, we also incubate chickeh eggs...
Awesome how often do you incubated chick. What type of chickens do you raise
+Portugee Prepper Only once a year. We now have 10 amrock, 8 sussex and 3 new hampshires on the way 😊, in a fully automatic incubator. All small races. We are kinda thread drifting here...