Customer Reviews

Esbit Pocket Stove

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently did a camping trip in Northern Arizona on the Mogollon Rim where the temperature was between 23 - 45 degrees with snow and ice on the ground. I tested the Esbit Pocket Stove to see how effective, efficient and easy it is to use. I was very surprised and impressed with this stove as it exceeded my expectations.

First of all, the stove is lightweight at only 3.25 oz and is compact measuring only 3" x 4" x 3/4". When the stove is closed you can easily store 4 solid fuel tables inside the stove. The solid fuel tables are very easy and quick to light using a cheap Bic lighter. The fuel does have a "fishy" smell when burning. Each full solid fuel tablet burned for 15 minutes and it took about 7 minutes to boil a cup of water without using a lid in 32 degree temperature. The fuel tables can be cut in half or quarters if necessary. In windy conditions it is beneficial to have a windscreen to increase the effectiveness of the stove. It was very nice to have a hot cup of tea in the middle of nowhere when I was cold. Obviously this stove is not designed for heavy duty cooking so if you are looking to cook a big meal this should not be your first choice of a stove. If you are looking to boil water for tea, hot chocolate, etc. or to heat a can of chili then this stove will work great.

Overall, I was very impressed with this stove as it is:

1. Compact
2. Relatively durable
3. Inexpensive
4. Easy to use
5. Effective

I highly recommend this stove as a component to your camping gear as a back up to a fuel camping stove. It is also a great stove for an E.D.C. kit, B.O.B., or to place in your vehicle along with some tea or hot chocolate in case of an emergency where you might be delayed due to weather or poor road conditions.

This little pocket stove is a real good buy. It is tiny and lightweigt, and lets me boil enough water to make a light meal or some hot chocolate to warm me up very fast. When folded it fits two fuel cubes, some tissue paper and a small fire steel inside, which is all you need to get it going. (with some patience.)

I'm not too excited about Esbit's little fuel tablets. Although they burn long and hot, they are a pain to light with a fire steel, to the point where I always keep some dry tissue paper with me to light the cube with. They also soot and smell, although this may be because I use the stove in the snow. II've been told that Ultimate Survival Technologies WetFire Tinder Tube of 8 Cubes work better.

Bottom line - The stove is awesome. The fuel is alright if you have a reliable method of lighting it, like a storm lighter or fire steel, tinder and patience.

Last night, the power went out during an ice storm. I got out my pocket-sized, inexpensive esbit stove and heated up some soup and later tea for my wife and me. With a few candles and a fire going, we ended up having a delightful evening. The stove is so simple, compact, cheap and easy-to-use. It's great for emergencies or for camping.

This little stove is great I just got back from a February hiking trip on the AT. Temperatures ranged from 10 to 50 and this stove rocked. This stove boiled water quick and cooled quick. being able to reuse the tablets is also a plus. You do need 2 things to operate this stove with ease:
Cheap Cigarette lighter
Foil windscreen
With those Items along with the stove and fuel you won't even know that your gone.

I took this on a camping trip, and it works well for what it is - a small, sturdy, weigh-nothing fire source. This stove is great for heating/cooking whatever you can put in a large mug (think hot beverages, soups, sides), so obviously don't expect to use it for meals that need a pot/skillet.

Four stars for all the above. Not five because the energy cubes last about 15-20 min, which can add up pricewise.

The stove I believe will work very well but the fuel it comes with isn't very good at all. It only burns about ten minutes and did NOT boil 1 pint (2 cups, or 16oz) of water I'm sure if i used two in a row on the same pot of water it would work but that's not very cost effective.