Hexamine or gas?

[fiannoglach]

The hexi burner is a toy that should only the boy scouts should use. Most western armies (apart from the brits) use a small gas cylinder. I would suggest anyone to get it instead and save yourself a considerable amount of time.

I disagree. Your decision on what system to use should be based on what your Logs people are likely to resup you with. There is nothing wrong with using hexamine, it's not as fast, but it's cheap and reliable...............OSOK

[andy]

I disagree. Your decision on what system to use should be based on what your Logs people are likely to resup you with. There is nothing wrong with using hexamine, it's not as fast, but it's cheap and reliable...............OSOK

There is EVERYTHING wrong with them. They are a toy and an embarassment for a modern military force. Gas units are used in all European armies because they are quicker,cleaner more reliable and cheap too. The americans wouldnt bother with them either.

The hexi was invented a long time ago before gas and its time to drop the hexi. The cost of a gas cynlinder is nothing when you consider how long one cylinder lasts.

[FMolloy]

I'd hardly think the method used to heat your food could be considered an embarrasment.

The only problem I ever had with hexi tabs was getting them to light, which can be sorted once you get the knack.

[Goldie fish]

Was the Hexi cooker not superseded by the Nato Burner after the UK experiences (when used in a confined environment) in 1982?

Is it not time to catch up?

[apod]

Actually andy the yanks fall over themselves trying to get hexi stoves off the brits whenever they work together,as the american forces dont issue anything that you can use to boil water.They use the self heating mre heaters to cook their food(if you can call it that!)and the water from that is contaminated after use ,so you cant use it to brew up.I agree with the sentiment about resup.You wont get a resup of gas off the cq on the ground.
However having said that i was looking at a gas stove myself yesterday as i need something that boils water faster than hexi.

[X-RayOne]

if people are looking for cookers there's an excellent cooker on the market now called "jetboil". its a gas cooker and cup all in one. the cooker takes the standard propane/butane gas cylinders in any outdoor or surplus shop.

will boil water faster than pretty much anything else. and is not affected by wind because of the the way its constructed (wind won't blow out flames). the cup will boil about 1 litre of water in about 1 minute. it is also large enough to take 1 of the boil in the bag meals in the ration packs. also comes with a lid for the cup/pot.

the whole thing when packed is about the size of a 1ltr Nalgene bottle so really takes up very little space in your webbing.

i've used it on exercises, ops, hillwalking and winter mountaineering in scotland and its the best cooker i've used yet. only drawback is bring a mess tin on exercises if getting fed from field kitchens etc. can't fit a dinner in a cup!

info on the jetboil website.

all that said, on a general note for military use you still can't go wrong with hexi cookers. small, simple, no parts to break, quick enough to cook on and always loads of spare fuel tabs to be found.

[hedgehog]

small, simple, no parts to break, quick enough to cook on and always loads of spare fuel tabs to be found.

probably the greatest criteria needed

Do we have to bring out the story of the Americans developling a special anti gravity pen for space and the pesky ruskies just using a pencil

there is absolutly nothing wrong with a hexi

I used it years ago on the MOurne Mountain marathon and all these civy lads were digging out special gas etc- I was fed and happy before they were even ready


KISS Andy

[Duffman]

hexi burners have a few major drawbacks in my books...I have been informed (open to correction here) that the tablets are toxic, so stowing them away from food is a must. Also when using hexi burners in a confined space the fumes given off are considerable...As a few lads recently experienced on a night shoot when a few new bloods started burning away in a tent with out the flaps open for ventilation!! The fumes where noxious to say the least.

But on the other hand the simple and rugged construction leaves fewer opportunities for things to break. And it is relatively idiot proof (even i can use it)! So it will do if you don’t want to shell out for a gas stove!

[Bam Bam]

and are willing to wait 10 mins for a cuppa

[andy]

Americans falling over themselves for a hexi ??? I dont think so. They probably eat their food cold rather than play around with a hexi or have company assets which heat the food for them.

I cant belive anyone actually rates the hexi. A spare gas cylinder will last you absolutley ages. Whens the last time you got hexi tablet from the DF either in the PDF or RDF ??

As I say, Hexi's take absolutely ages to boil. Gas is far quicker. So why use hexi's ?? The brits only keep using it because of pride. The netherlands, Germany and others ditched the hexi a long time ago. Any german or dutch soldier would laugh at you with your hexi btw.

Hexi's might be ok as a back up but international trends have dumped the hexi.

[FMolloy]

Any german or dutch soldier would laugh at you with your hexi btw

Do you have an acedote about this or are you just assuming they would?

[BANDIT]

Hedgehog, You dont know the tracker and the boys are in charge. They supervise themselves. Hell they are 14 , A generation or two ago until firearms regs, were tightened up many 14 year olds had their own 303s and were expected to handle them with responsibility.
No I have no experience of Mowags, but I have of panhards, Elands, bush wars and most trouble spots . In the past as a soldier but in recent years as a civilian in Africa. What I base some of my reservations about equipment on is the fact that I have witnessed the more western , sophisticated armies weighed down with gear and with massive supply lines. But little "Bayonets", Compare this with the RPF who basically marched into Rwanda from Uganda, wearing gum boots( Wellies), mainly carrying AKS, but with little in the way of supporting arms, Mortars. Zugus etc, but they were fast , mobile and tough and put an end to the genocide.
Look at Somalia . The logistics involved in UNISOM nad the competition for contracts amongst the locasl was one of the main causes for the escalation of the conflict nad bankrolled many of the warlords who are still there today.
So whats wrong with the Israeli helmets.. surely they must know a thing or two re battle and helmets.

[andy]

well , you can continue to use whatever device you wish to heat your food. Im just recommending Gas.

[Jungle]

I use gas, but we still issue hexmine to our Troops; as mentionned earlier, it's a good backup, and rarely fails. I always carry half a dozen tablets in my ruck, just in case... :wink:
We also use the self heating mre heaters; they are excellent in a patrol base, especially during the summer when you don't need hot drinks.

[The Sultan]

hexi burners have a few major drawbacks in my books...I have been informed (open to correction here) that the tablets are toxic, so stowing them away from food is a must. Also when using hexi burners in a confined space the fumes given off are considerable...As a few lads recently experienced on a night shoot when a few new bloods started burning away in a tent with out the flaps open for ventilation!! The fumes where noxious to say the least.

Burning anything in a confined area is gonna lead to trouble, not just gas, but flames and tent/sleeping gear = trouble.