Hexamine fuel tablet

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Several Esbit tablets

A hexamine fuel tablet is a form of solid fuel in tablet form. The tablets burn smokelessly, have a high energy density, do not liquify while burning and leave no ashes. Invented in Murrhardt, Germany in 1932, the main component is hexamine.

A number of alternative names are in use, including heat tablet and Esbit. Esbit (which stands for Erich Schumms Brennstoff in Tablettenform or Erich Schumm's Fuel in Tablets) is a genericized trademark as it is used to refer to similar products made by other companies.

1 Uses
2 Advantages and disadvantages
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Uses

The tablets are used for cooking by campers, the military and relief organizations. The tablets are often used with disposable metal stoves that are included with Combat ration packs. Backpackers concerned with ultra light gear, tend to buy or make their own much lighter stove. An Esbit stove can be made by cutting off the bottom of an aluminum pop can, and turning it upside down to support the fuel tab; a pot can be supported above this with a circle of mesh chicken wire or tent pegs. Although not ideal, fuel tab can be placed on a rock or on the dirt, with a pot supported above by rocks.

Another common use is to provide a safe heat source for model steam engines, such as those manufactured by Mamod.

[edit] Advantages and disadvantages

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Fuel tablets are:

Ultra light weight compared to other stove options.
Compact; entire stove system and fuel can be stored inside cooking pot; use plastic bags inside and out due to burned residue.
Simple.

However, they have several disadvantages:

Boils water, but not ideal for any cooking requiring simmering.
Not particularly powerful stove fuel, and sensitive to wind; far more efficient with a surrounding foil windscreen.
Expensive fuel and less widely available, compared to alternatives such as alcohol or petrol stove fuels.
Hexamine tablets give off noxious fumes, requiring foods being cooked to be contained in a receptacle such as a pot or pan. Burned tabs will leave a sticky dark residue on the bottom of pots, although this can be easily removed by rubbing the pot on grass.