Sterno Cans: Are They Good for Emergency Cooking?

Note:  Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when using chafing fuel.

We carried Sterno cans in our emergency packs for years, with the express purpose of being able to warm up a meal quickly.  Being able to put a meal in front of Aaron within a few minutes has always been a priority.  Dinner is always at 5:30.  (Well, that was the goal.  I didn’t always succeed, but I was usually very close.)  .  It’s what was best for Aaron to keep his blood glucose levels in check.  Our kids had it rough when they ventured out into the real world.  They believed that only barbarians ate after 6PM.

Over the years, we used the Sterno cans a few times with a fondue pot for dipping bread cubes into cheese, frying chicken or beef cubes in oil, and dipping fruits in chocolate.  But the fondue pot didn’t get used enough to warrant the space it occupied.  We knew we could improvise such a set-up if we wanted to in the future, so the fondue pot got donated to the thrift store.

Of course, we hung onto the Sterno cans.  And we used them once in a while out camping or for a child’s wedding reception to keep the food warm.  More often, however, when we checked the cans, we’d find they’d dried out.  Sterno cans can’t necessarily be relied upon in a crisis, but I see them advocated occasionally for that purpose.

So what should we know about Sterno cans and other chafing fuels?  Should they be included in our preps?

Chafing fuels are most commonly used by catering businesses to keep food warm and at a safe serving temperature while burning clean and odorless.

The different chafing fuel formulations are combinations of ethanol, methanol, and additives that control the burn rate and provide a steady, consistent flame.  Each formulation possesses unique characteristics and benefits.

Wick Chafing Fuel

Also known as liquid fuel, this mixture of ethanol and diethylene glycol burns clean and consistently.  It comes in metal cans with a wick that is easily lighted and burns for a long time, from two to six hours.  It’s safer than gel; spilled glycol does not combust without a wick.

Gel Chafing Fuel

Gel fuel, like what is found in Sterno cans, is easy to ignite and provides a steady flame.  It is smokeless and odorless and works better than wick fuel for low-profile chafers.  It comes in two types:  ethanol (pink) or methanol (blue).  I was going to suggest that one could take advantage of the colors when planning gender reveal parties in the future, but ultrasounds and early DNA tests may not be available at that point.  The cans have 45-minute, or 2-, 4-, or 6-hour burn times.

Safe Pad Chafing Fuel

This combines the best of both worlds.  The pad at the tops sustains the flame when lit, while the gel fuel underneath permits a wider and hotter flame than wick fuel and is more resistant to wind for outdoor events.  The safe pad prevents the flammable gel from spilling out if it gets knocked over.  So it’s safer than Sterno cans and provides a hotter flame.  Sounds like a win-win.

Fuel materials

Ethanol (Plant-based!  Gotta be excited about that! Oh, did that sound sarcastic?  My bad.)  burns cleanly with little smoke or odor.  And it burns hotter.  Methanol and propylene glycol are best reserved for outdoor use due to smoke and odor.

How to Safely Extinguish Chafing Fuel

Naturally, in a difficult situation, we’ll want to conserve the fuel, and that means extinguishing the flame as soon as we’re done heating. 

1.       Do not blow on the flame or use water.  Water may cause the fuel to splatter and spread the fire.

2.      Use the lid or snuffer that came with the can or chafing dish kit.

3.      Use a metal spoon or spatula. 

After extinguishing the flame, let the can cool down before handling it.

In summary, chafing fuel is designed for catering large events.  Due to the cost and propensity for alcohol to evaporate, for preparedness purposes chafing fuel is best reserved for emergency use when needing to heat up a small amount of food or water.  The safe pad is safer to use and burns hotter. 

Note, again:  Keep a fire extinguisher nearby when using chafing fuel.

References:

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/502/chafing-fuels-guide.html#last