Sterno

[olderthandirt]

Does anyone ever use sterno to cook with? I used a couple times but thats been close to 45 years ago and I don't remember the results. I was in wally world and see they still make the stuff or at least the fuel so any opinions on it as a cooking source. It would only be used occasionally

[braindead0]

I only ever tried it once a long long time ago just to see if it worked. It doesn't burn hot enough to do any real cooking as far as I remember. Fine for warming things up I suppose. If you want to boil water I think a proper stove would be a better option.

[Motocentaur]

I used Sterno during my rookie motocamping season about 12 years ago. It would heat up a can of stew to a luke warm temp. if I didn't mind waiting a loooong time.

If you want an alternative to a white gas or butane/propane cartridge stove, there are many instructions for simple, homemade alcohol stoves on line. Google "super cat stove." It involves poking two rows of holes in a 3 oz. catfood tin and fueling it with denatured alcohol. I'm going to try to make one this weekend. If it works (or even if it doesn't), I'll post a report.

[Mr. Guy]

I've made several alcohol stoves in my "ultralight" backpacking efforts and the all have worked better than Sterno. You might try this site for more info.

http://wings.interfree.it/

Or maybe try this one.

http://www.hikinghq.net/


Guy

[Motocentaur]

I made a Super Cat stove yesterday, and it worked great! You take a 3oz. moist catfood can (or similar) and poke/drill two rows of holes around it. Pour in an oz. of denatured alcohol, light it, wait a few seconds for it to heat up, and set the pot on top.

My only problem was that I made the lower row of holes too low, which reduced the fuel capacity. The result was that I brought half a quart of water to the edge of boiling in about four minutes, but then it ran out of fuel before a real rolling boil could begin. I'll try to correct this with my next one.

[ImRubicon]

Sterno makes a good back to warm up a can of something .
I picked up one of the stoves that I can use either sterno or build a fire in if more heat is needed. I normally do the eat at someplace around the campgrounds and just bring back snacks.I also keep a can of something just in case it rains all day