Combustible dry tablets: reviews and tips for use

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Often there are situations when there is a need for a quick production of fire. Or vice versa, there are no materials and means to maintain it. Most often, such situations occur in people who are fond of hiking and traveling and leading a very active lifestyle. Or in cases of unexpected extreme situations, when fire is one of the main means of survival.

Also, the need for a quick fire may arise in domestic conditions, if there are no dry wood materials for ignition at hand. In such situations, you may need a substance that is characterized by certain properties. It should be combustible, dry, easy to ignite, keep the fire for a long time and easily extinguish.

"Dry alcohol". What is this?

There is a substance capable of maintaining combustion in a small amount for quite a long time. It's called dry alcohol. Force and timeburning even a small amount of such a substance may be enough to cook food. In fact, this substance has nothing to do with alcohols. In common with alcohols - only a good ability to burn. In general, "dry alcohol" refers to any substance that can burn with a colorless flame without smoke and soot and does not leave traces of ash during combustion. During combustion, dry fuel turns into water and carbon dioxide. The first one immediately evaporates, under the action of outgoing heat, and carbon dioxide dissipates in the surrounding air.

Dry fuel. Composition

The chemical base of dry alcohol is represented by urotropine. This dry fuel was first obtained by Butlerov in 1860, as a result of studying the interaction of formaldehyde with an ammonia solution. As a result of his experiments, colorless crystals were obtained, which were given the name urotropin. This substance itself and its compounds with calcium chloride turned out to be good anti-inflammatory and diuretic drugs, which can still be found in pharmacies. The second excellent property of this compound was the ability to burn without the formation of ash. Dry fuel in tablets, sold in the store, consists of urotropine with a small amount of paraffin. This type of "dry alcohol" is very convenient to use. Urotropin is a very flammable substance in itself. Dry, it ignites very quickly from an ordinary match. And it goes out easily, it is worth covering it with something. Even when damp, urotropin is able to ignite, but at the same timecrackles and scatters sparks. While "dry alcohol" is fairly easy to find at any hardware store, small amounts can be made at home.

Formalin+ammonia

To do this, pour 100 ml of formalin (40% solution) into a metal container immersed 2/3 in cold water. Then gradually add 1 liter of ammonia (12% solution) there, stirring constantly. These manipulations should be carried out in the open air, since inhalation of the vapors of these substances is harmful to he alth. The resulting solution must be closed with a lid and left for a day. Then the mixture should be heated and evaporated until urotropine crystals begin to precipitate. After that, the mixture must be cooled, and the urotropin must be filtered and dried. Then, mixed with 1-3% paraffin, grind and form dense briquettes. Store ready-made dry alcohol in a place protected from moisture.

Acetaldehyde + sulfuric acid

There is another type of "dry alcohol" - metaldehyde. This do-it-yourself dry fuel can be obtained at home, with some chemical components available. It is obtained by mixing chilled acetaldehyde with a few drops of sulfuric acid. As a result of mixing the two liquids, solid metaldehyde is formed. It is insoluble in water and alcohol and burns well without producing smoke and ash.

Ethanol+calcium acetate

Solvate calcium acetate also refers to "dry alcohols". It can be obtained if to 170 ml of ethyl alcoholquickly add 10 ml of concentrated calcium acetate. As a result, the solution will harden very quickly and will resemble white soap. From the resulting mass, cubes or plates can be cut. When burning calcium acetate solvate, a small amount of ash and acetone is formed, which is also highly susceptible to combustion.

About burners

Dry fuel tablets are most often used for heating and cooking in the field. But this still requires a special burner.

Burners come in many types and brands, but they are all compact and easy to use.

If traveling by car, it will be more convenient to use a modern gas burner. But this fact does not mean that the dry fuel burner is outdated and a relic of the past. Under certain conditions, its use is the most convenient and the only possible one. This is evidenced by the reviews of tourists. For use in such devices, dry fuel, without traces of moisture, will be most effective.

Features of burners

There are no fundamental differences among heating pads of various brands. However, an experienced user can easily distinguish the most productive model. The difference is only in the height of the container and protection from the wind. The most productive will be a burner equipped with a metal cylinder with holes in it. Thus, wind protection will be provided and traction will be created, which will avoid heat loss from the combustion of dryalcohol.”

Burner completeness

This type of burner is widely used not only for tourism purposes. They are part of the soldier's equipment, the pilot's survival kit and those in distress. The complete set of the burner includes a taganok, a metal container, solid fuel and matches. This set weighs only 300-350 grams, so it is not burdensome to have it in your backpack.

When using dry fuel, the good thing is that you can use some of the metal items that are at hand, such as a tin can, a metal mug, an aluminum or tin plate, as a taganka. It will be convenient to place a heated container on them.

Practical Tips

Some sets of burners from different manufacturers have one drawback in common - this is the lack of a cover. It is indispensable for boiling water using dry fuel. In a closed container, water boils much faster, which saves "dry alcohol", which can be the only source of a full-fledged fire. Also, the cover will keep the water warm for a longer time.

If it becomes necessary to boil more than half a liter of water, it is best to use 2 fuel tablets at the same time. In this case, water will boil 2 times faster than if you add fuel alternately.

If you need to use dry fuel, you should check its suitability in advance. For thisyou need to burn one sample from the package. If the fuel is dry, then after complete combustion a small shred of ash should remain. In this case, "dry alcohol" is considered suitable for further use. If, after complete combustion, a large amount of ash remains, resembling a sponge in structure, then such fuel must be thrown away. Using it to cook or heat food is dangerous because the products of combustion may contain toxic substances.

Only experienced hikers can understand that there is nothing more pleasant after a long and tiring journey than to wash your face with clean water and relax with a mug of freshly brewed tea.