Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

I burn spirits (ethanol) rather than meths.
If you use a wadding burner (Mamod style) rather than a liquid liquid burner I think it's safer than tablets for several reasons:

1. Esbit causes me and others a sore throat. I just don't think it's healthy.
2. If you tip Esbit over, it falls out. Tip a Mamod spirit burner upside down, flame stays in.
3. Just fuel the burner over the kitchen sink away from the engine. Excess alcohol can go down drain.
4. Alcohol can be diluted for different heat levels.
5. Alcohol wadding burners are easier to put out in my opinion.
6. Pure Alcohol burns with near zero fumes (essentially #1 but worth restating)

I do enjoy burning Esbit outdoors in my little Jensen 76 as that's what got me hooked on toy steam, but I agree it can't be good for you. After a night of running in the kitchen, I woke up to a tank of dead fish.

I also had burning eyes/headaches from denatured alcohol, went away when I switched to Everclear