How to Choose a Backpacking Stove
Esbit Pocket Stove
$15.95
Ideal for your home or auto emergency kit, this pocket-size Esbit stove folds down to a small, compact size.
- 2-position design permits a low flame for controlled cooking or a direct flame for a quicker boil time
- Powered by Esbit® solid fuel tablets (6 included); each tablet burns for approximately 12 minutes,
- Non-toxic fuel is environmentally safe, has no ash residue and is nearly odorless
- Its small size and stable fuel source make this stove a great addition to your emergency preparedness kit
- Additional fuel tablets sold separately
Imported.
Before starting a fire outdoors, review Leave No Trace principles and safe extinguishing practices. Always check the land manager's current regulations for information on where to build a fire, appropriate wood to use and potential burn bans.
View all Esbit Backpacking Stoves| Best Use | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Tablet |
| Fuel | Esbit Fuel Tablets |
| Burn Time (Max Flame) | (per cube) 12 minutes |
| Average Boil Time (1L) | 16 min. |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Dimensions | 4 x 3 x 0.75 inches |
| Weight | 3.25 ounces |
Buying Advice
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Easy to use little stove
Nani Allen13 years ago
This stove was put to the test within minutes of leaving the store.
THE LAB:
The kitchen's granite countertop and a cork trivet.
THE TOOLS:
Nesbit Pocket Stove, 1 solid fuel tablet, REI 0.7 liter aluminum pot with lid, 2 long match sticks, 16 oz of water at room temperature (approx 70 F).
THE RESULTS:
6 minutes to boil 16 oz of water.
CONCLUSIONS:
There is a faint fishy smell at first but it fades away as soon as the tablet is lit. I tasted the water after it cooled off and there was no discernible aftertaste. After the stove cools off, I'll store it in a ziploc bag to avoid the rest of the backpack catching the faint smell.
If the weather isn't freezing, I'll take the Nesbit and leave all other fuel systems at home.
Nani Allen
Charlotte, NC
48 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
Good deal.
SunDevil9815 years ago
Thsi is a nice lightweight backpacking or survival stove. It's extremely compact, and appears to be very durable. My biggest complaint is that it did not do what the package claimed. The box claims the unit will bring 1 pint (2 cups) of water to a rolling boil in under 8 minutes. I tried this out on my back poarch today. after 11 minutes the fuel tab was almost gone and was losing heat. I had the water in a tin backpacking cup, and the most it did was a series of light bubbles at the bottom of the cup. I never saw a rolling boil.I think if I had used two tabs of fuel I might have gotten the rolling boil, but that kind of defeats the purpose to me as a backpacking or survival stove. If your water is already clean then this would be perfect to cook with, but without two or fuel tabs you're out of luck for purifying. I would still recommend this product due to its sturdy, lightweight design, and a cost of only $10!!! Plus, the fuel tabs can be used in a survival situation to start a fire. Had it brought the 2 cups of water to a rolling boil I would have rated it 5 out of 5 stars, but as it is I only give it 3.
SunDevil98
Winder, GA
46 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Nani Allen
Charlotte, NC
Easy to use little stove
13 years ago
This stove was put to the test within minutes of leaving the store. THE LAB: The kitchen's granite countertop and a cork trivet. THE TOOLS: Nesbit Pocket Stove, 1 solid fuel tablet, REI 0.7 liter aluminum pot with lid, 2 long match sticks, 16 oz of water at room temperature (approx 70 F). THE RESULTS: 6 minutes to boil 16 oz of water. CONCLUSIONS: There is a faint fishy smell at first but it fades away as soon as the tablet is lit. I tasted the water after it cooled off and there was no discernible aftertaste. After the stove cools off, I'll store it in a ziploc bag to avoid the rest of the backpack catching the faint smell. If the weather isn't freezing, I'll take the Nesbit and leave all other fuel systems at home.
Yes , I recommend this product
RichardandJoslyn
Atlanta, Ga
Perfect Product
14 years ago
My husband and I bought this stove a few weeks ago to go with our GSI soloist cookset, and LOVE it! It fits just as well into our pot as any other compact stove and we can keep all our fuel in there in just a plastic bag. No more worrying about fuel leaking into my pot and I never have to worry about the extra weight or if I have space in my pack for extra fuel. We recently took this out on a day hike for a wet weather test of some of our newer gear and it did very well. It took two cubes to get a full liter of water to boiling in moderate rain and brisk winds, but just like any stove, it does better in good conditions. One cube got it hot enough for two cups of hot chocolate, so I'm guessing the one cube would have got a half liter boiling. Even with two of us I really can't see needing a whole liter of boiling water realistically at any point. It really works best with a windscreen and in the picture you'll see I've made a homemade windscreen out of tin foil that works just as well as the kind you buy and if it blows away I'm not broken up about it. Using it in the "A" frame position works best with our stove for stability. The only issue at all is that for us it did take a lighter like you'd use on a grill to get it going and it took about 30 seconds to light, but of all the issues that a stove can have that is one I'm definitely willing to live with. Especially since it is a fraction of the cost of the next cheapest stove I found and is able to work anywhere in the world without any issues due to altitude or temperature issues.
Yes , I recommend this product
SunDevil98
Winder, GA
Good deal.
15 years ago
Thsi is a nice lightweight backpacking or survival stove. It's extremely compact, and appears to be very durable. My biggest complaint is that it did not do what the package claimed. The box claims the unit will bring 1 pint (2 cups) of water to a rolling boil in under 8 minutes. I tried this out on my back poarch today. after 11 minutes the fuel tab was almost gone and was losing heat. I had the water in a tin backpacking cup, and the most it did was a series of light bubbles at the bottom of the cup. I never saw a rolling boil.I think if I had used two tabs of fuel I might have gotten the rolling boil, but that kind of defeats the purpose to me as a backpacking or survival stove. If your water is already clean then this would be perfect to cook with, but without two or fuel tabs you're out of luck for purifying. I would still recommend this product due to its sturdy, lightweight design, and a cost of only $10!!! Plus, the fuel tabs can be used in a survival situation to start a fire. Had it brought the 2 cups of water to a rolling boil I would have rated it 5 out of 5 stars, but as it is I only give it 3.
Yes , I recommend this product
occupy bill
pdx
great ultrlight stove
12 years ago
this is my current favorite backpacking stove. I must say that i would rather have the Vargo folding wood stove , but for the money, I'm happy with this. I also burn wood in it, saves fuel cost and weight and cooks food faster. I burn more wood than pellets. In windy conditions this stove needs a screen, Usually I just get it out of the wind or put a rock next to it. I've used it on snow and in the rain. Its very dependable in freezing temps. For a portable windscreen, just cut a piece out of an aluminum can the same size as the stove, you won't notice the weight and you'll always have a screen in open country.I got rid of my gas stoves and switched to this and i very pleased.
Yes , I recommend this product
Atlantisisdrowning
Michigan
Fantastic!
17 years ago
Simple, light, effective, and best of all, it boils water. No, not for the 40 lb back pack gourmet camper. It's meant to boil water and it does it very, very well. Coupled with a Ti pot this is all you need for backpacking. One to two tablets will boil 20oz. of water, enough for your standard dehydrated meal. One tablet will do oatmeal and coffee. I add twigs and grass to supplement the fuel tab and so I can conserve the fuel tablets to one per meal. Otherwise plan on two. You'll probably need 1 1/2 but plan on two. I use some aluminum foil as a wind screen to optimize the heat and control the draft. Better than an alcohol stove since your fuel is dry and can't leak.
Yes , I recommend this product
Tim L
Scottsdale AZ
Simple & Effective
3 years ago
Wanted to try this as alternative to fuel canisters especially on long trips. Took out on 2 recent over night trips for test drive. Yes very easy to use and as simple as it gets. Packs down small and light. Great when pack space and or weight a consideration. Performed well but not great. Using entire fuel cube, both times burned for about 10 minutes but never brought water to full boil (2 cups in Soto titanium). However hot enough for freeze or dehydrated meals and coffee. Low cost and easy to use will have me keep it in my gear. Probably would not rely on for longer 5+ night trek with really cold temps. Fuel tabs are great fire starters if have damp fuel.
Age:55–64
No, I do not recommend this product
Gridley
Everett, WA
Excellent Lightweight Stove
17 years ago
I use this stove regularly to boil water for freeze-dried meals and the like; for that use you won't find a cheaper, lighter, or easier to use stove. I've seen some reviews that complain of an unpleasent odor from the fuel cubes; all I can say is that I haven't noticed anything like that, and I cook inside a tent most of the time. Trying to cook anything more complicated pushes the edge of the esbit's capability; with no good way to adjust temperature you really need to pay attention to your meal. For ultralight fans, as a backup to your regular stove, or as part of an emergency pack this is a great piece of gear.
Yes , I recommend this product
mr.mick
Colorado Springs, CO
good old military stove...
15 years ago
I remember this stove from my time in the German Navy. It is standard military gear in Germany. OK, you can't roast a turkey on it (I should give it a try though). Living now in Colorado, guess what, that is my stove. It is cheap, lightweight and if you can light a match you qualify to use this stove. I use it with the GSI Soloist, throw two packs of Ramen Noodles in the pot, heat it with one fuel unit and wait 5 minutes after that unit is burned up. Mahlzeit! You have to have time using this stove and get creative protecting it from wind!!! Even a slight breeze will effect this stove!!!
Yes , I recommend this product
azhiker2000
Arizona
Like it!
13 years ago
Used on a couple of four-day backpacking trips this month. Temps were below freezing overnight, so in the morning, the stove boiled water from a temp that began at just above freezing. I needed about half a cube to boil 14 oz. Lighting the cube in such cold temps wasn't too difficult-I put a glob of hand sanitizer on a corner, put a lit match on top, voila. My 16 oz Snowpeak cup didn't look secure on top, so I created a solution.(see pic) I cut a couple of 3" lengths of ½" wide aluminum strapping material, and folded them lengthwise. The strapping comes in a roll and has holes along the center. I just place them on the stove's top edges, and I have a level surface. I remove and stow them in the stove when done. When opening the tablet package, I found that if I run a fingernail along the outer edges of the top, I can pull away a large rectangle of aluminum. When this is placed on the stove underneath the tablet, it keeps the black gunky stuff off the stove. I keep the tablets and stove in a zip-lock bag so the slight smell won't transfer to other items in the backpack. The stove zip-lock stays with the food bag, when hanging from a high branch at night. I suspect some night animals might find the fishy smell yummy. All in all, a small reliable lightweight stove to heat water.
Yes , I recommend this product
Ride4Beer
Portland, OR
have owned a few of these due to heavy u
12 years ago
I was a wildland firefighter for 15 years and relied heavily on these little beauties for durability, ease of use and light weight. MREs have a heating element but can't make a good cup of coffee, this even makes espresso from the little travel espresso maker. I would add small twigs to the fuel tablet to increase the heat and economize the tablets. I find it useful while bike touring. Used MSR whisperlite stoves on backpacking and bike touring but really don't like dealing with the fuel, mess etc. Not much for gourmet cooking but does the trick.
Yes , I recommend this product
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