Sterno is a jelled-alcohol fuel that's one of the handier fuel sources for emergency/disater cooking. Alcohol burns at a considerably lower temperature than either kerosene or white gas (which last really shouldn't be used indoors), burns very cleanly with almost no odor, and in jelled form is very difficult to spill.

Sterno is commonly available in seven ounce cans, which have a burn time of two hours... assuming that, with a little foresight, most of the day's meals could be cooked in about an hour, a week's worth of cooking will require four cans. When bought in case lots of 48 - 7oz. cans, the price per lot is around $18.00, or approximatley 38 cents per can. Sometimes better prices can be had by purchasing hrough a catering-supply house, but you may have to buy a few cases. Forty-eight cans will last for 2 1/2 months when used solely for cooking. Heating a small room with Sterno is possible, but remember that you are dealing with an open flame, and act accordingly. Ventilate the room in any case.

There are two styles of stoves available for Sterno... one is a square folding stove that folds flat, the other is a round cylinder that fits a 7 oz. can snugly. The folding stove isn't as likely to tip, and can also hold larger pots. Be sure to remove the label from the can before lighting, as it can get hot enough to catch fire itself. Placing the can and stove on a cork pad is also recommended. Keep the stove out of drafts to ensure maximun heat transfer, and when it's time ti extinguish the flame, don't try to blow it out... instead, place the upside-down lid on the flames and let cool completely before resealing.

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 18, 1999

Answers

This may sound like a stupid question but here goes anyway...can you boil water using this sterno heat. I mean if it burns at a lower temp I was just wondering if this could be used as an only source of cooking or if you would still need something else. So far I have not even began to prepare for ways to cook all the food I have stored. I do have a fire place but I think you need some sort of insert for that. Anyway thank you for the post.

-- shellie (shellie01@hotmail.com), March 18, 1999.

Very useful sparks, thanks. I had been wondering about that topic just today, wondering in particular where to find sterno since I've never actually seen it, only heard of it. Sporting goods stores maybe? I'll search under 'catering supplies' on the web. Thanks again.

PJ in TX

-- PJ Gaenir (fire@firedocs.com), March 18, 1999.

Sterno will boil water, ........ ........ ........... ............ ................ ................. eventually......... Check out the pans under the dishes at trhe next smorgasbord you go to. But I wouldn't want to wait the MANY minutes for the water to boil before I got my oatmeal in teh AM.

If you go to a restaurant supply house, there are some candle-like cans that use propylene glycol as their combustible which work MUCH better.

chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (reinzoo@en.com), March 19, 1999.

See also

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000OWe

on "chafing dish fuel."

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), March 19, 1999.

There is a range of beautifully-engineered European stoves from a company called "TRANGIA". The stoves burn alcohol (methylated spirits) and come in various sizes from 1-man mess kit to big ones for a family. The pieces lock together and are windproof, etc. This isn't Sterno, but the fuel is very easy to get and much cleaner and safer than petrol (Shellite/white gasoline), or kerosine (paraffin). They are well worth checking out. I would expect any good camping store to have them. I have two of them, plus more conventional cookers. They are a pleasure to use.

-- David Harvey (vk2dmh@hotmail.com), March 19, 1999.

Thanks for the link, OldGit, looks like I posted a redundant thread :(

-- sparks (wireless@home.com), March 19, 1999.

PJ -- We got our sterno at our local Price Costco (Price Club). You might try your local warehouse place.

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), March 19, 1999.

I have researched this sterno, I like it better than say propane but Sterno gives off a toxic alcohol fuel and it can spill. It's FLAMMABLE.IT's flashpoint is 53F. Not easy to relight. has limited shelflife. You do not want to store large quantity especially if it has a leak or not airtight. My friend who has first hand knowledge of sterno also told me it's not biodegradable. There are two alternative fuels far better and saver, been comparing them. Yesterday, all my data was in. The best one (also in can like sterno), gives 4 hours per can comes up to be around 50 cents per hour. It does not give off a toxic fume. I just ordered 2 cases at I think $47 a case yesterday. Here's the number I ordered it 650-634-0308. I have no interest in this product. What caught my attention is this post on sterno and I don't want anyone to get sick or worst get hurt by it. If you like sterno, that's okay. This is America. Just be careful.

-- Mike (michlow@yahoo.com), March 19, 1999.

Mike I actually posted a message a week or two ago (under medicine)and I mentioned the same fuel you are talking about. I agree with you. Be careful with sterno. It's indeed flammable. I don't like that alcohol smell. Not good for elderly or kids especially. As to this safe fuel It has a blue cap ojn top and is 100% biodegradable. It has a wick in the middle. I tried to cook an egg with it last month, only took me 5 minutes or so. It gives off I think 1000 BTU's. Don't quote me on this. You can ask the manufacturer. They have an email hth@earthlink.net. They open till 9pm. Here's their address H.T.H. P.O. Box 282283 San Francisco, CA. 94128-2283.It comes in 24 per case. I don't know if they'll sell anything less. The flashpoint is 225F. and have an unlimited shelf life. Easy to extinguish. Just drop the lid on the can. I also just ordered a new sturdy dual metal stove from them. THey say it can withstand 200 lbs. I have not seen it, but for $9.95 only, it sure beats this collapsible metal stove I bought from this mail order in Utah. It is weak and does not fit well. I won't want to put boiling water on top of it.

Since I teach Y2K, I have to try out different stuff. So I tried the economic? fuel or something like it. They are similar, but it is a lot more expensive. Also, they come with a single metal stove. It is so hard to make it stand. The flimpsy legs collapsed on me several times when I put a pot or pan on it. Another friend also have a similar experience. Try the stuff you bought before Y2K. Hope this helps somebody.

-- Ray (kcorner67@hotmail.com), March 19, 1999.

I've used sterno cans, and found them useful, but Chuck is right. You can boil water with them, but, without other aids, it takes forever, and you can easily use up the whole can for just that job alone.

Instead, I've assembled a couple dozen "buddy burners," using corregated cardboard strips, and canning wax, bought from the grocery store. I put a small strip of cardboard or string in the center as a "starter wick," then put a 39 oz. coffee can over it. The coffee can has holes in the sides as close to the top as possible, to allow air to escape. I set the burner on stones, or whatever I can find, and do the same with the coffee can, so air can come in from the bottom to form a draft. Another approach is to dig a shallow depression in the ground for the burner, then set the coffee can over it, either raised up a little from the ground, or with a small channel poked in the ground from the hole to the surface. The whole thing gets HOT, believe me. Boils water easily.

Another aid is a cardboard box lined with tinfoil, to act as a windbreak. The foil reflects heat from the stove, thus helping to keep it hot, and protecting the cardboard to boot. I first did this with an old one-burner Coleman stove I had years ago, and the difference is tremendous.

Lots of other little hints and tips like these have come out over the years. I first heard the burner/coffee can idea described as a "hobo stove," popular during the depression. Others I learned about from the scouts, both boy and girl.

LP

-- LP (soldog@hotmail.com), March 19, 1999.

old thread

-- x (x@y.com), March 19, 1999.

Where can I get Sterno by the case. Buying a case retail the cost is the 2 can pkg price times the nbr of pkgs in the case. About $2.00 per can at Walmart, etc.

-- John (fm_trainmaster@my-dejanews.com), March 24, 1999.

Sterno or Handy Fuel or Canned Heat is handled by Colgate Palmolive, Institutional Products Division in Tenafly NJ 07670.

A case (72 7 oz. cans.) was found in a basement I was helping to clean. I volunteered to help. No telling what you can find in these 20 to 30 year collections. :-)

It says 7 oz. is good for 2 hours. (Probably 3.) Although I don't know how old the carton is, the cost was $28.00 at the time, making it just 19 cents (or less) per hour of heat.

Product number on the box is 35110-03108.

Me.

-- Floyd Baker (fbaker@wzrd.com), March 25, 1999.