Posted: 4/10/2008 3:49:14 PM EDT
| Well, I was in my local surplus store today, and I picked one up, as well as some triox bars to mess around with. I was amazed at the amount of heat one of these things put out. I can see how it would be great for boiling water/heating up food. I think i might pick up a couple more, and a bunch of triox bars. Seems like a useful thing to have around. |
HEET in the YELLOW bottle....stay away from the red bottle, it'll burn but leaves a residue on your stuff methyl alcohol or denatured alcohol works best |
Uh...the red bottle IS isopropyl alcohol, that is why it is called ISOHEET. The yellow is methyl alcohol, and works great. Like you said, denatured alcohol is great too. |
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Here's a great article that discusses trioxane in detail. www.patentstorm.us/patents/4732575-description.html If your application for a heat source has critical weight factors, like in a BOB, an important point is that trioxane has a relatively poor BTU to weight coefficient, about 7000 BTU per pound. Hexamine has a much greater number of BTU's per pound. Methanol has about 9500 BTU/lb Kerosene has almost 20,000 BTU/lb. Of course the liquid fuels have the inefficiency of requiring a storage container in the BOB and the stoves weigh more as the BTU density of the fuel increases. _______________________________________________________________________________ www.patentstorm.us/patents/5303691-description.html HEXAMINE VS. TRIOXANE FUEL Hexamethalene-tetramine In 1986, the U.S. Army stopped using Hexamine fuel since they believed that Hexamine combustion could emit unsafe levels of Hydrogen Cyanide gas (HCN) in small 2-man tents. Since it is possible that improper combustion of any fuel may cause exhaust problems, it is also possible a better burner could prevent harmful exhaust problems. But, it is doubtful the U.S. Army will admit Mega-errors, mistakes, or test new stoves. Missile testing is more important. The U.S. Army used Hexamine for over 30 years with the Canteen Cup Stoves, after first suspecting HCN exhaust problems, and consumed about six tablets (30 grams) per application, (6 times as much as a Sierra Stove) which may have multiplied any real or suspected HCN gas problems. Trying to warm hands in sub-zero weather with Hexamine in tents, may have been a problem in Korea. The U.S. Army may have been uncertain of their suspicions, since their Surgeon General found no reason to warn the average consumer of the suspected dangers, and all stockpiled fuel was sold to any buyer. Hexamine was found too dangerous to be used by the Army, but was not too dangerous to be sold to Boy Scouts, etc. Hexamine is still used by the British, Australian, and Swiss Armies and is popular in Europe with back packers. LOOOOK ---Hexamine, an anti-biotic, has medical applications, which means small amounts may be tolerated, if swallowed. Conversely, Trioxane should be washed off hands before meals which is difficult in military or outdoor cooking situations. LOOOOK----Hexamine has a much higher BTU rating and is less expensive than Trioxane. After Operation Desert Storm in 1990, the U.S. Army decided to discontinue Trioxane usage, since open Trioxane is hazardous at desert temperatures due to a 113° F. flash point (another Mega-error). But, Hexamine ignites above 400° F., which is safer in automobile trunks or desert zones. Both Hexamine and Trioxane fumes contain Formaldehyde Gas, but the amount may be related to the melting process or the burner temperature. More Formaldahyde Gas may be produced by Trioxane singe it melts at a lower temperature, 150° F., and more may escape combustion. Since, Formaldehyde Gas is flammable, the stronger the odor, the more has escaped combustion. |
| A review of Esbit stoves that I posted on my blog last year. |