Page 1 of 1

please identify this "Esbit style" stove

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:34 am
by TurtleNomad
Recently, I picked up a surplus five pack of "Stove Folding Galvanized Esbit Style Pocket" (for only $9.97 from CheaperThanDirt).

What do you folks think these stoves and fuel tabs are?

All five:
Image

close up of one, open (note rust on top of bottom right upright thingie):
Image

top layer of fuel tabs, lifted
Image

close up of label on fuel tabs:
Image

beside a soda can (for scale):
Image

beside a SPAM Single:
Image

beside an authentic Esbit stove:
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Note that the two "top" opening halves slide out, before opening. If you look closely at the second last picture, you can see the channels (as opposed to hinged hole of the Esbit).

I keep the authentic Esbit in a gallon freezer bag (in my main car emergency kit), and left it out overnight inside after taking the photos. The next morning, the Esbit fuel tabs smelled distinctly fishy. I have not noticed any particular smell from the unknown (circular) fuel tabs.


My guess is that these are East German surplus, and perhaps somewhat old (mainly based on the paper labels). All have a bit of rust.

I have not yet tried any, but did briefly inspect the contents of each and confirmed that all have 12 fuel tabs (some are in somewhat cloudier plastic).

It appears (to me) that these fuel tabs are a much better deal than the claimed pack of Trioxane.
What do you think? :)

Re: please identify this "Esbit style" stove

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:57 am
by German_EPA
the pics are great!
your guess is right. this stove looks like a newer remake of the DDR esbit-stove version. the original DDR stove and tablets have VEB written on it.

Re: please identify this "Esbit style" stove

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 12:06 pm
by housil
TurtleNomad wrote: My guess is that these are East German surplus, and perhaps somewhat old (mainly based on the paper labels). All have a bit of rust.
It´s as German_EPa has said. This is an (former) East German made stove.
Each NVA ration "Komplekte" had fuel tablets:
K-Portion20.jpg
Also check out this page

The manufacturing place "Westeregeln " is in former East Germany also.

Great pic´s by the way :D