Containing the smell of Esbit type fuel?

OPSAK, made by Loksak does the job nicely. They come in three sizes: I use the smallest 9 x 10 for my Esbit tablets when hiking. For storing them here at home (by the box) I use the larger 12 x 20

REI carries them or see http://www.loksak.com/products/opsak

Thanks Bob, never seen any mention of what works, just comments about the smell. I'll check it out. Something to put the stove into is nice.
Duane

I do the same as Bob, a small OPSAK works great.

I checked them out on REI this AM. Couple comments about the ziploc type closure not lasting but a few uses. You guys have better results?

Duane

Not much experience with the small OPs but I would hazard a guess that unlike a large sack dealing with the weight of a lot of food, a small one dealing with small weights and forces would do fine. It is the same closure, but dealing with much less stress.

It's an inexpensive gamble.

Be careful with the stove. Any sharp edges or corners will cut the OP Sak. It is tougher than a freezer bag but less so than an ALOKSAK. For that reason, I carry my esbit stove in the Caldera Caddy along with the cone and other kitchen items.

I've never had a problem with the seals on OPSaks. I also use them as trash bags, but I have had them cut by the corners of commercial freeze-dried meal packs.

I would use the bags just for the Esbit tabs and put the stove elsewhere. I need to rig up a Altoils tin or get the Gram Cracker stove. It's been so long since I used the Esbit stove, can't recall if it smells also, I could wrap it in something before placing in the Loksak. I'm thinking the stove will be nothing compared to the tabs. I'll have to look at them, they are 10 years old I'm sure, they just sit in my gear closet.
Duane

I have a small aluminum can with a screw top that does the trick. Doubled zip locks get by.

I bought some of these from Freund Container years ago. Handy for storing many things.

http://www.freundcontainer.com/seamless-screw-cap-aluminum-cans/p/v6219T11/

OPsaks solved this problem for me, definitely!

I use two of them: One containing the fuel/stove setup that goes hiking with me; and the other containing extra Esbit cubes and stove parts that are staying behind. (All my stove parts have started to smell like the Esbits, so they all have to go into the OPsaks with the Esbit cubes).

You probably do this already, but: Cut the individual Esbits out of their plastic housing before you take them on your trip. I stack mine neatly inside a small Ziplock bag (which then goes into the OPsak) to prevent them from flaking all over. The plastic housing on a trip is a real pain; it has sharp corners that can cut your OPsak, it smells up your trash baggies, and it is unnecessary bulk and weight.

– Elizabeth

I have been using Esbit long enough I don't care about the smell any more. Or it just doesn't bother me. I noticed at first but didn't think bad of it.

I do wonder if it atracts or repels animals though. Just to be safe I usually ziplock bag it and stick it in with the food bag.

The mess though I usually control by coating the cook pot with Dr Bronners soap before eack use. Mess wipes/rinses off.

Double bag in regular ziplocks.

Thanks Mike, I'll have to try that, I have some Dr. Bronner's anyway. I left the Esbit packaged up to help with the smell, I'll take it out next trip, makes sense not only about the sharp edges, but dealing with the empty packaging and the need to double bag.
Duane

Did a test of the opsak recently, twice. Placed some half used esbit tabs into a opsak, placed that opsak into a regular zip-lock bag. Came back a day later, the smell of esbit was all over the inside of the regular zip-lock bag. The fumes of the esbit are clearly going through the opsak.

These were brand new opsaks, and no sharp edges on the esbit (no packaging at all).

Give it a shot, an easy test.

Steve

I wasted my money only once on OP saks. Never again.

You can try Nylofume bags.

Those are the gas-proof plastic bags used for bagging food before termite extermination happens.

–B.G.–

Were they the aloksak or the opsak? I have found the opsak to be effective. That Esbit does reek though. I can't stand it myself.

Wait. So with these Opsak's, you have to worry about sharp edges on Esbit tabs? Sounds like a waste of money to me.

Ken, they were opsaks.

Steve