If there is one item of kit that causes the biggest stir amongst outdoors people it is without doubt, the stove.
Why? Well, more than likely because its the one single item that can be attributed to your "freedom". It's like pulling your cooker out your kitchen and bagging it. It's your means of hot food/drink, of boiling, frying, roasting, baking, steaming, purification, warmth, light and in essence, survival. It acts like a fire in terms of security (albeit perceived), and most definitely serves as a morale booster.
Now If your like me, when it comes to stoves you'll have tried a fair few in your time. Stoves are the one item that almost every outdoors person uses regardless of what they consider themselves to be (i.e, Backpacker, Hiker, Camper, Bushcrafter, Survivalist etc, etc). They are also cause for much argument and debate amongst said peoples (myself included). Much of these arguments (speaking from an old timers perspective and years of stranger trail chat) appears to stem from the specific topography of the person(s) particular activity. That is to say, the opinions you will hear or read as to a stoves pros and cons, its great - it's crap, Its wildly expensive but worth it, buy it now or waste of money etc, etc, fundamentally rests upon that particular persons interest or activity.
Now there are a million and one types of stove out there, all promising the earth an more (and many costing it too), and frankly, when using under wide and varied circumstance and condition, not very many of them are practical nor deliver.
Let's face it, I could write a book (or six) on stoves alone if we are to argue the pros and cons of every last type. So, instead I need to be realistic here and therefore I will endeavour to explain why I bought the Esbit (and other types of stove), and offer my opinions on them and why I chose them against other types. This way, "you" can decide if this particular stove is right for "you" and whatever it is "you" plan to do with it.
Ok, Esbits!
There are many types of Esbit stoves on the market ranging from the new "Esbit Extremely Light Cook Set" which is a blatant rip off (not that they would be the first to try here by a long shot) of what I personally consider to be the absolute ultimate stove ever made - the Swedish Trangia, right through to their emergency stove.
The one I got is the Esbit Mini Pocket Stove. (Fig:1 and 2)
Fig: 1
Fig: 2
When buying this particular model of stove, you need to be careful. There are two types and both are marketed by various suppliers as an `Esbit Pocket Stove`, however, one is slightly larger than the other. (The one I chose was the smaller of the two, the other being more in keeping with the original WWII Esbit stove which is akin to the British Army issue Hexi block stove though not as big).
Esbit are a German company who have been making stoves for decades so this is a time proven piece of kit. What I liked about this Esbit that it is virtually the exact size as my survival tin only thinner. I have used solid fuel stoves before (namely the good old British hexi) and I absolutely hated it. Hexamine blocks are noxious! They stink to high heaven and they will shroud your cooking pots in a film of black soot that your going to have to clean off every time you use it.
Esbit tablets on the other hand are practically odourless and non toxic and can be used in an enclosed space. Esbit tabs (14gm type) will give 1400 degrees F of heat for quarter of an hour and obviously can be used on any stove that functions off solid fuel. (Fig:3). The fuel will store indefinitely inside its strong wrapping and it is non self combustible.
Fig: 3
(Note cubes are scored so you have 4 in 1
should you not require a full 15 minute burn).
There is also an option to purchase 4gm Esbit tabs, handy for survival kits, fire lighting or many a thing.
Like I stated before, I purchased this stove purely as part of my survival kit. I don't actually plan on using it on a regular basis as for that I have my BCB Crusader or my Trangia 27.
The reason i selected this over the Esbit emergency stove is that its more robust and it fits in the three pocket pouch I have perfectly along with my Survival tin and emergency shelter.
I'm not keen also, on the notion of a stove that you bend into shape then use. This means bending it back again when not in use and bending it back again when you wish to use it again. Eventually something's gonna go 'snap'. Do you really need that to happen on a piece of 'emergency' kit? I think not.
The Esbit kind of has its own wind break too. It opens in two positions - full and semi. Semi opening it will provide greater wind resistance and a stronger burn. (Fig: 4).
Fig: 4
Although that may look slightly precarious above, particularly with a litre of water or your hard earned dinner on the top of it, the stove is stiff(ish) to break open and sort of clicks into position so there's no need to worry about the pot supports caving in on you and your noodles nipping out for a walk across the dirt.
SIZE:
You can see in the photos (Figs: 5 - 7) just how compact this stove really is.
It is an excellent survival stove as you can simply stuff it in a shirt or any pocket. (Try doing that with the emergency version and not have it slice your bits off).
Fig: 5
Fig: 6
Fig: 7
The Esbit by the way, is not just a bit of tin that's easily dented or damaged. It is very robust and so long as the rivets don't rust there is no reason why this stove can't last a lifetime if properly maintained (maintained he says - ha!) as those are probably the only thing on it to do so. A spot of vasaline or grease over them when not in use and they should be fine. And if necessary you can even as I have on occasion, spray the whole stove with heat resistant engine paint to prevent rust. (Actually, comes to think of it, the spray paint will cost you more than the stove so just buy yourself a new stove if you don't already have the paint). See...the Kittchen Sink even thinks about your pennies for you. ; )
COST:
Depends where you purchase it from, but this stove costs buttons by comparison.
I got mine from Cadet Direct for £4.99 complete with fuel.
(I believe they are even cheaper in America).
The exact url page is here
If your in the market for a stove and budget is tight then this is just the ticket.
Don't forget, if you run out of fuel tabs (any kind of fuel tabs that is) this stove can also burn small twigs etc.
You could even build a small fire around it whilst still utilising it as a stable pot stand and it wont wreck it. It will still clean off, fold up and stow away in a plastic bag for next time.
The Esbit Pocket Stove is an extremely small, strong, compact, versatile and useful piece of time tested kit. So regardless of whatever stove you choose and use (and especially if your a gas head.......ugh nasty!!), then the Esbit Pocket Stove is a cheerfully cheap, light, compact and essential back-up. If your looking for something really compact for your Bug Out Bag in order to get rid of your butane bombs (remember, if they leak your completely buggered and then combine that thought along with sods law in the middle of an ongoing catastrophic scenario - i.e. panic, ruptured gas mains, electrical cable sparks....FIRE!! Oh yeah 'your' gonna bug out big style Mr!), then Esbit is your man. And if your an Ultra-Lite, a Survivalist or Bushcrafter then Esbit's a dream.
Hey!...... for £5 you really cant go wrong at all.
The Esbit Pocket Stove is therefore my preferred choice of survival stove.
©Kittchen Sink 2010 All Rights Reserved
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