sterno cans - AR15.COM

Posted: 8/6/2007 3:47:18 PM EDT

i keep one of these in my GHB and take another with me whenever i go backpacking. I figure that along with a lighter, it's a fast, easy way to get a fire and some heat going. Does anybody else do this? Does the fuel ever expire or degrade? I know that it's some sort of ethanol-based gel. Should they be rotated periodically, or can they be stored for years?

Posted: 8/6/2007 3:52:59 PM EDT

[#1]

Pretty sure they'll last a long time as long as the cap is on tight. Yup , I keep a couple in my truck box with the fold up stove that goes with them.

Posted: 8/6/2007 4:00:26 PM EDT

[#2]

sounds good.

i wonder if hand sanitizer might make a good firestarter in a pinch, since that's an ethanol based gel also. i should try that out

Posted: 8/6/2007 4:02:39 PM EDT

[#3]

I've had one sitting in my closet for near a decade. Still works fine.

Posted: 8/6/2007 5:01:45 PM EDT

[#4]

I've had old sterno cans that the contents appear to have dehydrated... I guess the alcohol evaporated out of the gel from a bad seal. They did feel noticably lighter before opening.

I'd hate to have to depend exclusively on sterno type fuels. But as a compnent in a GHB I can see where they would be more convenient and campact than some of the alternatives.

Just be sure to check them regularly to make sure they are still good. (you do that with everything in your GHB anyhow, right?)

YMMV

Posted: 8/6/2007 5:22:00 PM EDT

[#5]

Same here. There's a can in my truck box and one or two in my camping gear.

Posted: 8/7/2007 4:08:00 PM EDT

[#6]

Got some, you can get good price on them at GFC stores.

Posted: 8/7/2007 5:14:34 PM EDT

[#7]

it's what I used to heat my chili for lunch last deer season
only bad thing is the invisible flame

Posted: 8/8/2007 7:51:17 PM EDT

[#8]

I have a couple cans in my BOB and few more in the closet. They seem to last a long time.

Posted: 8/9/2007 2:40:11 AM EDT

[#9]

I've used a couple of Sternos that were over 10 years old. Lite up like a charm. As long as the seal is good there should be no problem. Someone here awhile back suggested using wax to seal between the lid and the container itself. I though of using silicone but have not tried it yet.

Posted: 8/9/2007 2:56:31 PM EDT

[#10]

what's gfc stores?

Posted: 8/9/2007 3:56:45 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
what's gfc stores?

Gorden food center ?

Posted: 8/9/2007 6:09:48 PM EDT

[#12]

Another good place to pick them up cheaper is at party supply stores. Sold by the case for heating chafing dishes.

Posted: 8/12/2007 4:13:08 AM EDT

[#13]

I have some that are over 4 years on my shelf with no problems and I keep them in the garage where it is cool, Costco, Sams Club, BJ's carry them by the case and are a very cost effective purchase.

Posted: 8/12/2007 5:49:49 AM EDT

[#14]

I will pick up a few cans if I see it on sale, have actually never used it though.

Posted: 8/14/2007 3:43:45 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
what's gfc stores?

GFS

Sorry forgot the link, hate when people do that.

Posted: 8/14/2007 4:10:36 PM EDT

[#16]

For a stored unit, I carry an esbit stove and a few cubes of fuel with strike anywhere matches, a piece of sandpaper (just in case), some tin foil, and a small dessicant pack. I pack everything inside the stove itself and vacuum seal the whole pack up. I have several of these packs set up as they are easy to use, light, and cheap.

ETA: I have seen too many sterno cans that were all dried up inside.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - sterno cans

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