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Author Topic: Fuel Blocks?  (Read 1341 times)

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Fuel Blocks?
« on: July 09, 2023, 02:05:48 pm »
Hi All,

I got my old model steam engine going to show the grandson. He's really taken with it but I'm concerned about the danger of using cotton wool soaked in meths to heat the boiler. When I was a kid, my dad used to get these fuel blocks which used to burn when lit with a match. They were about 2 inches long and half an inch wide, but I've no idea what they were made of. Can anyone tell me if they are still available?

Many thanks

Aub
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Re: Fuel Blocks?
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2023, 04:54:10 pm »
Many people use Esbit tablets, but I don't think they're as big as you described. I think Wilesco has their own brand as well. You could get a bix propane burner that is good for a variety of boilers.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Fuel Blocks?
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2023, 01:52:14 am »
Mini Steam sells them, but it is a pretty expensive, and somewhat smelly fuel...

https://www.ministeam.com/category/Live-Steam-Fuel-Belts-Oil

Perhaps someone in here, has a better solution for you in their parts drawer...

Which engine is it, that you are running with your grandson?
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Cheers
Jan
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Re: Fuel Blocks?
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2023, 07:49:33 am »
I use ‘Camping Stove’ tablets with great success, I reduce the size of each one using a chisel to cut them in half; try your local Outdoor Camping shop for them also known as Hexamine tablets; Google Hexamine tablets to check them out.
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Re: Fuel Blocks?
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2023, 09:37:33 am »
Thanks for the replies. I had figured out since that I might use camping burner tablets, so I'll be visiting the camping store.I attach a picture of the engine. My dad bought it for me about 1963.

Cheers

Aub
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Re: Fuel Blocks?
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2023, 05:11:03 pm »
Make a tray out of thin metal or line yours with aluminum foil and use hand sanitizer  ;) You will be surprised how well it works!
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Nick
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