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Reviews > Cook Gear > Stoves > Esbit > Owner Review by Amanda TikkanenOwner Review: Esbit Pocket Stove
On the top of the stove the brand name and two pictures of how to use the stove are stamped into the metal. Inside the stove is stamped “Made in W. Germany.” The Esbit stove comes with its own fuel—6 half-ounce (14 g) tablets that burn up to 15 minutes each. The tabs can be broken to use smaller amounts of fuel at a time, but there is no need to do so since the tabs can be blown out for reuse. The fuel tabs are made of hexamine and smell slightly, though when they burn there is no odor. The stove can burn other types of solid fuel tabs, like military surplus trioxane. Trioxane isn’t usually recommended except in emergencies because, unlike hexamine, it gives off toxic fumes. Other manufacturers, such as Creekside and Coghlan’s, make hexamine tabs that will burn in Esbit stoves (Coghlan’s fuel tabs are also about half the size of an Esbit tab, perfect for a cup of coffee or bowl of ramen noodles). Since these tablets are non-combustible, they can be taken on planes and shipped through the post office or other parcel carriers, unlike canisters or liquid fuels. This is a big selling point for many long distance hikes where finding fuel at resupply points may be difficult. When planning a hike I plan to use about 1.5 fuel tabs per day. The fuel tabs are lit and placed on the cross bar of the H and the pot placed on top of the stove. The flame on the Esbit cannot be adjusted, limiting its range to heating up water for simple meals. There is no windscreen, but I never needed one. If the stove were to be used in windy conditions, a piece of folded-up aluminum foil would protect the stove. The fuel tab is placed in the center of four metal slots, which allow airflow around the fuel. While burning, the area under the stove can become extremely hot, scorching whatever it is sitting on, such as a picnic table or dry forest duff. To reduce the risk of fire, place the stove on something stable that won’t easily catch fire—a dry rock, mineral soil, sand, etc. I have used this stove on two overnight trips, making two hot meals each trip, and one 5-day, 72-mile (116 km) trip on Michigan’s High Country Pathway. On the HCP I used this stove to make 8 different meals. Meals were usually hot cereal, hot drinks, or some sort of soup or noodles that only required adding hot water or boiling, so I had no need for simmering. Elevations ranged from 950’ (290 m)–1800’ (550 m). Temperatures ranged from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (10-32 C). It was spring and summer in the Midwest, but little rain and no snow was encountered. I like this stove for its ease of use. I don’t have to prime it, like a white gas or multi fuel stove would need; the stove is the pot stand, unlike the Trangia’s separate pot stand; and I don’t have to worry about bulky empty containers, like the canister stove. The only waste produced by the stove is a small amount of plastic packaging the tablets are stored in. The tablets can be stored inside the folded-up stove along with a lighter or matches, so there isn’t need to fish around in a pack to find the fuel or worry that the fuel is going to leak inside my pack. It’s very handy when I want to get going early, but still want a hot breakfast or when I want to hike until dusk. Though the stove appears flimsy, it is not. It has held up to my cookpot full of water (about 30 oz/g total weight), multiple openings and closings, and being bounced around in my pack. The stove is very stable when it is placed on a level surface. Like all stoves, if it is not on a stable surface, the pot could tip and spill the contents of the pot. I would not recommend this stove for use with heavy cookware such as cast iron. The two problems I’ve encountered with this stove are cleanliness and affordability. When the tablets are burned they give off a residue that coats the bottom of my pot. I have to carry my pot with the bottom wrapped in a bandana to keep this residue from rubbing off on other pack contents. It cleans off easily once off the trail but while on the trail it is annoying. The residue is also on the stove itself, but does not come off the stove as easily. The other problem is the cost of the fuel. The stove is inexpensive at $10, less than a third the price of most stoves. The fuel tabs, on the other hand, are more expensive than a comparable amount of fuel for a different stove. Esbit tabs are $6 for 12 tabs, and Creekside slightly less at $3 for 8 tabs. This is more expensive than denatured alcohol for my Trangia stove, and about the same price as the isopropane for my Pocket Rocket. Also, fuel is not readily available at anything other than a camp supply store, unlike liquid fuels. Despite these two problems, I will continue to use this stove while hiking solo or on any trip where fast, simple meals are more important than gourmet dining. Pros:
The Esbit Pocket Stove is an ideal stove for solo packers who favor quick, simple meals. Read more reviews of Esbit gear Read more gear reviews by Amanda Tikkanen Reviews > Cook Gear > Stoves > Esbit > Owner Review by Amanda Tikkanen | ||||
