Hello all. I have a few different ways to start a fire but none to sustain them. Normally it's not needed but at times it's either a nice convenience or a situational necessity. I figure an Esbit (coghlan, etc) would do well for this. Even half a tab burns long enough to get some damp sticks going or even heat some water by itself if needed.

I've used an Esbit tab once, but no other brand. Coghlan appears cheaper but reports so there is a bit of residue. If needed, residue doesn't bother me but if everything else is near equal I'll pick no or less residue.

So ... Esbit, Coghlan, other brand?

Used them all. I take esbit.

GBTG: "Used them all. I take esbit. "

Do you use a full one and cook over it or a half and use as a starter?

Order placed. I got the small 4 gram ones. I don't intend to cook over them but to carry as help to start a fire if needed. I will most likely also try to boil some water over them on my next outing just to experiment and play. After that I figure I'll carry a few with me and use as necessary.

Esbit 4 gram - 60 Pack

I have used ZIP brand fire starter from Walmart. Good stuff and I was very happy with it as I used it on damp early Spring pine. They come in a pack of 12.

ZIP

If you're just looking for fire starting material, I like fatwood. I keep a small bundle in my camping bucket. A bag will last a long time.
Fatwood at Menards

mirth: "If you're just looking for fire starting material, I like fatwood. I keep a small bundle in my camping bucket. A bag will last a long time.
Fatwood at Menards"

Thanks. I've also been looking for this.

I like Esbit because of it's packaging and how well it works as both a fire starter or heating water for coffee/ meal.

GBTG: "I like Esbit because of it's packaging and how well it works as both a fire starter or heating water for coffee/ meal."

When doing my reading and youtubing it looked like it could last a long time and take a bit of abuse in a backpack.

I've always used the weber grill starters. They burn hot and for a long time so it is perfect for getting the wood lit. They are nothing special but I use them on my grill at home so it is easy for me to bring some up. I did hear the new packaging, or maybe recipe, for them isn't as good as the old one and these do go bad when exposed to the air, so I guess I'll find out on the new pack I just got. BTW, it takes a month or two for them to go bad, on trips is fine.

The point is that any grill starter would do the job for you. No need to get hung up on any certain brand. They do not light from a spark though, they need a flame to get them started.

A1t2o: "I've always used the weber grill starters. They burn hot and for a long time so it is perfect for getting the wood lit. They are nothing special but I use them on my grill at home so it is easy for me to bring some up. I did hear the new packaging, or maybe recipe, for them isn't as good as the old one and these do go bad when exposed to the air, so I guess I'll find out on the new pack I just got. BTW, it takes a month or two for them to go bad, on trips is fine.

The point is that any grill starter would do the job for you. No need to get hung up on any certain brand. They do not light from a spark though, they need a flame to get them started."

Are those the lighter cubes? I think those are wax, not that it matters at all.

I wasn't hung up on a brand, those were just the ones I knew about and were well used.

The cubes that are small, like the Esbit, Weber, etc. are good for me as I would also take a few backpacking. I'd hope to never use them and would probably only do so to try them out and rotate them, though any of those types last a long time.

I save my Esbit (hexamine) for the stove and use military surplus trioxane for fire starting. The trioxane is in heavy aluminum foil that keeps it for years.

PortageKeeper: "I save my Esbit (hexamine) for the stove and use military surplus trioxane for fire starting. The trioxane is in heavy aluminum foil that keeps it for years."

Why one over the other? Price or effectiveness? I've already purchased the Esbit (great price, right size) but I'm all about getting an alternative for the purpose of testing (playing).

Military Trioxane (In the Metal wrapper) Are bomb proof. Will start in damn near any condition and enough to warm up 1/2 liter of water to almost a boil. I carry them as an Emergency Fire Starter.

Down side they are about $1 each. (havent found cheaper - Anyone has let me know)

Esbit is a great alternative, used them a lot while stationed overseas.

Surplus Australian/British Hexamine tabs are great too!

I bought a bunch of the military surplus trioxane tabs years ago and I've had two negative observations about it. 1) if that foil package gets punctured that solid fuel slowly disappears and degrades (gets crumbly) inside the package. 2) you have to use it in a well ventilated space because I found the fumes to be very noxious. I was using it in a lightweight stove for heating water, not as a fire starter. But I'm sure it would well for that.

Zen Stoves has a fairly thorough description and comparison of stoves and associated parts/equipment, including a break down of fuels. Scroll down to Solid Fuels for a good comparison.

Zen Stoves has been around for years so the prices listed are out of date.

butthead

I use hexamine for backpacking all the time as my primary cooking fuel when traveling light. Just use the coughlans brand. I've used Esbit as well, but didn't think it was worth the extra cost. I also like the smaller size of the coughlans tablets. The extra residue is barely noticeable and washes off with a little water and some elbow grease (easier than cleaning off soot from the fire really).

If you're primarily looking to use them for a fire starter I would look at other items as hexamine tablets really don't light very easily and wouldn't really be that convenient. They can also blow out. If I want to start fires easily I'll bring along some vaseline soaked cotton balls.

The Esbit blocks I got with the little foldy metal stove made my camping storage room stink if I close the door, so they I am done with them.

As a backup plan for damp wood, I have brought a couple of those Zip brand fire starters, sold individually at my grocery store. (Cub foods) The price just gets lost in the rest of the camping food bill. Normally I have just left them packed in my food barrel with the stove lighter. Haven't noticed a smell.

Off topic: My ditch kit has petroleum jelly cotton balls sealed up in fused end drinking straw pieces to keep the size down. Testing with them, they have always lit and burn long enough to light a fire .

WonderMonkey: "

PortageKeeper: "I save my Esbit (hexamine) for the stove and use military surplus trioxane for fire starting. The trioxane is in heavy aluminum foil that keeps it for years."

Why one over the other? Price or effectiveness? I've already purchased the Esbit (great price, right size) but I'm all about getting an alternative for the purpose of testing (playing)."

I see that the price has gone up on them now but I'd bet you could find them cheaper than Esbit if you look around a while (military surplus). They used to be cheaper per ounce which was one reason. They are packaged much better so I just keep a couple bricks in the pack at all times for wet weather. The Esbits perform better for cooking and it seemed like a waste to start fires with them.

The Esbit's have arrived so I'll use them. I'll store them in a ziplock inside the small box to keep the odor down. I got the 4 g size so they are small.

I also carry cotton balls in vaseline and they perform well. I'll play with the Esbits and over use them and then see how I like them. I may use the Military Surplus Trioxane next.

None of this is a necessity, I generally have things covered, but I do like to try new things out and see how they go. I could have stopped with the cotton balls but I wanted to expand.