LOL - I really wasn't sure if you'd get that or not. I figured if you were interested and didn't get it I could go out and get mine and take pictures. This is something we did back when I was a kid in Camp Fire. Then, I did it with my kids also. But, besides that, we have always been able to use those in emergencies and get by fine. I actually have about 3 of the cans ready and maybe a dozen of the tuna cans ready. I need to make some more soon.
I also like that little sterno stove because it's so cheap. It also folds up flat so is easy to keep stored when not in use. VERY compact. We've had emergencies where I was able to use as many "burners" as I needed to make breakfast and other meals. I have a percolator that's for camping, made to use over a camp fire. It takes a long time for a whole coffee pot of water to heat and I think I had to use 2 cans of sterno to keep it going one time but it does work!!!
Also, on those cans, you *can* just cook on the top surface of the can if you're frying bacon and eggs. There's enough of a lip there that it'll hold the grease of a couple of slices of bacon. Fry the bacon then use the grease for the egg and you don't need a pan. Cooks faster that way. Just enough for 1 person though, which is also why I have multiple cans.
I found this in some stuff I had saved years ago for a recipe that fits the survivalist in me -
Make Your Own Gelled Alcohol Fuel - Canned Heat
Extreme do it yourselfers can make their own gelled fuel at home with by mixing alcohol and calcium acetate (C4H6CaO4).
The following instructions and measurements are from the Montville High School Science Departmental.
1. Add 25g of crushed chalk or egg shells (calcium carbonate-CaCO3) to 100ml of vinegar (water and acetic acid - CH3CO2H) and stir for about 5 minutes. This should produce carbon dioxide (CO2), calcium acetate (C4H6CaO4) and water (H2O) plus leave you with some left over chalk (CaCO3). If you are guessing on how much chalk to add, just make sure that there is a little extra after 5 minutes of stirring.
2. Remove the excess chalk by filtering your mix through some filter paper (coffee filter or napkin can be used). Set a funnel in a jar, place your filter in it and pour your suspension through it.
3. Mark the level of your solution in its container and allow your solution to evaporate off about half that volume to remove the excess water.
Place your solution in an oven set on low heat or place it out in the sun to dry. If you went to far - just add the missing water.
Note - if you like, you can dry out your solution completely and store the remaining dried calcium acetate for future use.
4. If your solution isn't already in the container you want your gel in, then pour it in there now.
5. Add 30ml of alcohol (ethanol, methanol, or isopropanol) to your solution and watch the gel form. Do not stir.
6. Once the reaction in complete, pour off any extra fuel. Seal the can and store till needed.
#2628 14-wick 9,000 BTU Single Burner Stove $39.95
I use the 22-wick model for canning on the porch - keeps the kitchen much cooler when doing peas, corn, green beans, limas, etc. batch after batch.
Oh, and the kerosene stores very well for years and years with no deterioration. :)