Advantages and Disadvantages
Hexamine is prepared by the reaction of formaldehyde and ammonia. In an acid environment hexamine is converted to formaldehyde, which is toxic.
Fuel tablets are simple, ultra-lightweight compared to other stove options, and compact; the entire stove system and fuel can be stored inside a small 850ml cooking pot. As with trioxane, hexamine has an almost infinite shelf life if stored properly. However, the heat given off cannot be easily adjusted, so water can be boiled, but cooking requiring simmering is more difficult. Tablets are not a particularly powerful stove fuel, and are sensitive to wind and dampness. They are expensive and are not as widely available compared to alternatives such as alcohol or petrol.
Esbit's Material Safety Data Sheet states combustion can create formaldehyde, ammonia, nitrogen oxide, hydrogen cyanide and ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal disturbances, and kidney damage. When burned, the chemical oxidation of the fuel yields noxious fumes, requiring foods being cooked to be contained in a receptacle such as a pot or pan, and burned tablets will leave a sticky dark residue on the bottom of pots. If they are stored or used under damp conditions then they can break up while burning and shed burning fragments.
Read more about this topic: Hexamine Fuel Tablet
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