Esbit Stove Tested
1) Stove fully open with large Esbit cube inside next to a quarter
2) Stove in lower position 3) Stove closed 4) Esbit solid
fuel cubes in and out of the blister pack
The Esbit 2-Position Pocket Stove is a lightweight (3.25 ounce) and compact (3"x4"x3/4") solid fuel stove made of galvanized, hardened steel. The stove retails for about $10 and comes with 6 (0.5 ounce) solid fuel cubes (15mm x 25mm x 33 mm). The Esbit solid fuel cubes come in water resistant, perforated blister packs and retail for about $6 for twelve 0.5 ounce tablets ($0.50 each). The stove has two height settings. The highest setting has a distance of about 46 mm from the bottom of the pan to the base of the solid fuel cube. The distance to the top of the cube to the bottom of the pan is about 31 mm making an average distance of about 39 mm. The lowest setting reduces the distance just a few millimeters. Because this stove uses solid fuel there is no simmering option. The stove is either on or off, similar to other lightweight alcohol stoves.
| Test # |
Boiling Test Volume |
Boiling Time (s) |
Burn Time (s) |
Water heated for 100 gram Fuel Test Volume (ml) |
Water Boiled w/ 100 grams of Fuel Test Results* |
Initial Temp (C) |
Final Temp (C) |
Fuel Mass (g) |
Distance to Flame Source mm |
| 1 | 473 ml (2 cups) |
352 | 816 | 21 | 100 | 13.625 | 31-46 | ||
| 2 | 789 | 1183 | 6.56 liters | 21 | 80 | 13.481 | 31-46 | ||
| 3 | 814 | 1000 |
6.36 liters |
21 | 89 | 13.556 | 31-46 | ||
| 4 | 750 ml | 540 | 739 | 21 | 100 | 13.429 | 31-36 |
*Calculations based on an initial water temperature of 70 F (21 C). Testing conducted indoors at a temperature of 70 F (elevation 1650 feet) using safe laboratory practices.
The Esbit stove was tested to verify earlier claims and provide additional performance information. All tests were conducted on the high or full upright setting. The boiling time of two cups (1 pint) of water was 5 minutes and 52 seconds with an average burn time of 13 minutes and 10 seconds, which is consistent with the manufacturer's claims and published results. The estimated number of liters the stove can boil with 100 grams (7 tablets) of fuel is about 6.5 liters. This is comparable to the efficiency of some canister and white gas stoves. The maximum temperature observed when heating 1 liter of water with 1 large (0.5 ounce) Esbit tablet was 89 degrees Celsius. It is estimated that one large Esbit tablet can bring to a boil about 0.8-0.9 liters of water. A volume of 0.75 liters of water was brought to a boil in 9 minutes. These results are consistent with the manufacturers claims. A short list below shows some of the pros and cons with the Esbit stove.
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Performance of Homemade Stoves
Performance of Commercial Stoves
Always follow the Manufacturers guidelines
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