Gel Fuel
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Basics
- Essentially Chafing Fuel but without the can
- So either in bulk, or in a small plastic bottle (akin to Lighter Fluid or tube (akin to toothpaste))
- Main advantage is reduced spill risk and POTENTIALLY less risk of Boiling Fluid in more improvised/simple Spirit Burner setups
- Downsides are cost, residue after burning (depending on what gelling agent/dyes and other additives are, and more difficult dispensing (Gel/Paste vs a Gas/Liquid etc)
- Also can be used as a firestarter/“liquid tinder”, as a safer alternative to Liquid Lighter Fluid (or Gasoline/Diesel Blends, using just the former is notoriously hazardous due to the vapor cloud)
Brands
Fire Dragon
- Probably similar to what they sell in the capsules designed to replace Hexamine Fuel Tablets , although potentially more “liquidy”?
- Clear with little resedue
- An Amazon Listing for “Fire Dragon Gel Fuel” ( ‘’’~22 USD as of this edit’’’ )
- Although with it being a UK based company, may be some tariff shenanigans there, either way too pricey to make sense here in the USA really
- 250ml bottle
Rutland
- Blue, uncertain on residue upon burning
- An Amazon Listing for “Rutland One Match Gel Fire Starter” ( ‘’’~21 USD as of this edit’’’ )
- 946ml (32floz) Bottle
Sterno
- Green, decent amount of residue leftover when used on it’s own
- User: Eric here, it basically looks identical to the stuff in the bioethanol sterno cans
- An Amazon Listing for “ Sterno Fire Starter, Ethanol - Firestarter Instant Flame Gel” ( ‘’’~22 USD for a 3 Pack of Bottles as of this edit’’’ )
- Sold in 454g (1lb) Bottles
- Odd that weight is used rather than volume
Devices that Use It
Trangia
- Trangia Offers a Gel Burner that is compatible with their Windshield system
- It’s basically just a round Metal “tin” with a snap on lid and an embossed logo in the bottom
- It does nest/stack well though, so especially given it can even run on Gel Hand Sanitizer etc, it’s a neat capability to have
- Their Page on the Product
- An Amazon Listing for “ Trangia - Aluminum Gel Burner | Use with Gel and Solid Fuel”
- As they state it also can work with Hexamine Fuel Tablets / other Smokeless Fuel Tablets such as the BCB Fire Dragon Solid Fuel Tablets etc