Comparison: Best Solid Fuel For Stove (Updated | Nov 24th)
When it comes to keeping your home warm and cozy, choosing the right solid fuel for your stove can make all the difference. With so many options—wood, coal, smokeless briquettes, and more—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down the top contenders, comparing heat output, burn time, cost, and environmental impact, so you can make an informed choice that suits your stove and lifestyle. Let’s find the best fuel to keep your fires burning bright.
- Best for compact emergency fuel: Coghlan’s Solid Fuel Firestarting Tablets – 9 Minute Burn Time- Portable
- Best for 12‑minute power: Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets for Backpacking
- Best for extended fuel pack: Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets for Backpacking
- Best for pocket‑size power: Godora 46 PCS Solid Fuel Tablets
- Best for odorless indoor/outdoor: LANXUANR Solid Fuel Tablets Fire Starter for Fireplace
- Best for versatile no‑smell: LANXUANR Solid Fuel Tablets Fire Starter for Fireplace
- Best for wet‑weather reliable: BCB Adventure Fire Dragon Solid Fuel (6 x 27gm Tablets)
- Best for mini high‑heat: Esbit 4g Solid Fuel Tablets for Backpacking & Camping Stoves & Grills
- Best for bulk survival fuel: Coghlan’s Solid Fuel Tablets 144 Pack
- Best for long‑lasting gel: Solo Stove Pure Gel Fuel Can
Product Comparison: Best Solid Fuel For Stove
Coghlan’s Solid Fuel Firestarting Tablets – 9 Minute Burn Time- Portable, Lightweight Firestarter for Camping, Backpacking, Emergency Preparedness, and Outdoor Cooking (24 Tablets)
- Safe, clean burning fuel for use with Coghlan’s Emergency Stove
- Easy to ignite; smokeless, odorless and non-toxic
- Affordable, essential gear for camping, backpacking, backcountry treks, and more
- For use with Coughlan’s emergency stove
Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets for Backpacking, Camping, and Emergency Prep, 12 Pieces,White
- Virtually smokeless and residue-free solid fuel tablets used to cook and heat food and beverages, boil water, or start campfires
- Contains 12 tablets; each 14-gram tablet burns approximately 12 minutes and up to 1300°F;
- Ideal for boiling water and cooking; one tablet boils 500 ml of water in about 8 minutes
- Works at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures; ignites with match or lighter
- Tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging; can be stored for 10+ years
Esbit 1300-Degree Smokeless Solid 14g Fuel Tablets for Backpacking, Camping, and Emergency Prep, 36 Pieces
- Virtually smokeless and residue-free solid fuel tablets used to cook and heat food and beverages, boil water, or start campfires
- Contains 36 tablets; each 14-gram tablet burns approximately 12 minutes and up to 1300°F;
- Ideal for boiling water and cooking; one tablet boils 500 ml of water in about 8 minutes
- Works at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures; ignites with match or lighter
- Tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging; can be stored for 10+ years
Godora 46 PCS Solid Fuel Tablets, Powerful 1300-Degree Fuel, Easy to Light, Waterproof for Backpacking, Camping, and Emergency Use – Eco-Friendly
- POWERFUL ENERGY! Our solid fuel tablets reach temperatures up to 1300°F and boil 500ml of cold water in 8 minutes. Each 15-gram fuel tablet burns approximately 15 minutes. The perfect choice for boiling water and cooking.
- QUICK LIGHTING! You can easily ignite solid fuel to bring cold water to a boil to stay warm. Whether you’re hiking or camping, or experiencing cold weather or rain. Solid fuel is your first choice for outdoor activities.
- SMALL & PORTABLE! Really fit in your pocket! Each of our solid fuel tablets is only the size of a pocket compass. The 100% waterproof and compact design is perfect for camping and portable stoves.
- Smokeless and residue-free solid fuel tablets for cooking and heating food and beverages – also for starting campfires and grills. Solid fuel tablets can be stored for over 10 years without evaporation.
- Place your order with confidence! This package contains 36 x 15 gram tablets, each one rigorously tested to ensure the highest quality. With these solid fuel tablets, you can count on their consistent performance whether you’re cooking outdoors or preparing for an emergency.
LANXUANR Solid Fuel Tablets Fire Starter for Fireplace, for Indoor and Outdoor use, for Campfires, BBQ, Fire Starters for Grill and Wood Stove – Firelighters
- 15 grams per tablets, temperatures up to 1300°F, burn time approximately 16 minutes. Can boil 500 ml of water in 8 minutes. Perfect for boiling water and cooking
- NO ODOR, NO SMELL, NO CHEMICALS,The fire starter is safe and efficient, contains no harmful substances or unpleasant odors, and can be used safely indoors and outdoors
- Easy to ignite; Smoke-free, residue-free solid fuel tablets for cooking and heating food and drinks – also for lighting campfires and barbecues. Solid fuel tablets are individually packaged in waterproof packaging; can be stored for more than 10 years
- Works at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures; ignites with match or lighter。Whether you are hiking or camping, or experiencing cold weather or rain. Solid fuel is your first choice for outdoor activities
- Order with confidence! Each solid fuel tablet undergoes rigorous testing to ensure higher quality. If you are not completely satisfied, please contact us
LANXUANR Solid Fuel Tablets Fire Starter for Fireplace, for Indoor and Outdoor use, for Campfires, BBQ, Fire Starters for Grill and Wood Stove – Firelighters
- 15 grams per tablets, temperatures up to 1300°F, burn time approximately 16 minutes. Can boil 500 ml of water in 8 minutes. Perfect for boiling water and cooking
- NO ODOR, NO SMELL, NO CHEMICALS,The fire starter is safe and efficient, contains no harmful substances or unpleasant odors, and can be used safely indoors and outdoors
- Easy to ignite; Smoke-free, residue-free solid fuel tablets for cooking and heating food and drinks – also for lighting campfires and barbecues. Solid fuel tablets are individually packaged in waterproof packaging; can be stored for more than 10 years
- Works at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures; ignites with match or lighter。Whether you are hiking or camping, or experiencing cold weather or rain. Solid fuel is your first choice for outdoor activities
- Order with confidence! Each solid fuel tablet undergoes rigorous testing to ensure higher quality. If you are not completely satisfied, please contact us
BCB Adventure Fire Dragon Solid Fuel (6 x 27gm Tablets)
- Each block will burn for about 8 minutes; Two blocks for about 12 minutes
- Suitable for all weather conditions; Will light & burn even when wet; Air transportable
- Can be used with a variety of cookers; Made from sustainable, natural biofuel; Patented
Esbit 4g Solid Fuel Tablets for Backpacking & Camping Stoves & Grills, 1300-Degree Smokeless Emergency Fire Starter Squares, 60 Pack
- Outdoor and Emergency Firestarters: Virtually smokeless and residue-free lighter cubes can be used as campfire starters or paired with a camp stove for cooking
- High-Intensity Burn: Package includes 60 emergency and camping fire starter tablets; Each 4-gram fire cube burns for approximately 5 minutes and up to 1300°F
- Versatile Camping Fuel: Camp fuel tablets are ideal for cooking and heating up meals and beverages, or for starting a charcoal BBQ or campfire; 3 4-gram tablets will brew 1 cup of coffee
- Dependable Performance: Fire lighter tablets work at high altitudes and sub-zero temperatures; Ignite with a match or lighter
- Shelf-Stable Packaging: Tablets are individually packed in waterproof packaging and can be stored for 10+ years
Coghlan’s Solid Fuel Tablets 144 Pack
- Contains 144 solid fuel tablets
- Each Hexamine solid fuel tablet is 7/8 in. diameter x 1/2 in. thick and weighs 0.2 oz.
- These tablets are made of Hexamine, a safe clean burning fuel which is easy to ignite and smokeless.
- One tablet will burn 9 minutes.
- Burning multiple tablets will increase the heat and decrease cooking time and/or counter the effects of wind.
Solo Stove Pure Gel Fuel Can, Made in The USA, for Indoor/Outdoor Use, Perfect for Making Smores, Tabletop Fire Pit, Clean-Burning and Smoke-Free (12.3 oz. – Pack of 6)
- Safe, Long-Lasting Fuel for Fire Bowls – Each gel fuel can produces a 7 inch vibrant yellow flame for up to 3 hours along with a delightful crackling sound
- Chafing Fuel Cans For Food Warmer And Fondue Burners – Solo Stove Clean Heat Fuel Cans burn without fumes or odor and is non-toxic, making them the ideal burners for keeping food warm in indoor or outdoor settings
- Convenient Canned Heat- Each canister is 3.5 inches wide by 4 inches high and made with a disposable 100% recyclable metal canister
- Perfect For Food Burners For Parties – The burn time of the chafing dish fuel cans varies depending on the type of fireplace, firepot, or fire pit used along with elevation, airflow, and other conditions
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What should I consider when choosing solid fuel tablets for my stove?
Look at the burn time per tablet, the maximum temperature it can reach, and the tablet weight because these affect cooking speed. Also check if the tablets are waterproof and shelf‑stable for long‑term storage. Compatibility with your stove model and any special features like odor‑free or non‑toxic composition are important as well.
How do the 14‑gram Esbit tablets compare to the 15‑gram Godora tablets?
Both burn around 12‑15 minutes and reach up to 1300 °F, but the Godora tablets are slightly larger at 15 g and claim a 15‑minute burn, offering a bit more heat per piece. Esbit offers packs of 12, 36, or 60 tablets, giving flexibility in quantity, while Godora typically sells 36‑tablet packs. Performance is similar; the choice often comes down to price per gram and brand preference.
Are the smaller 4‑gram tablets worth buying for emergency kits?
The 4‑gram tablets burn for about 5 minutes and are ideal for quick fire‑starting or short‑duration heating, making them lightweight for emergency backpacks. Because you need more tablets to boil water, they are less efficient for cooking than the larger 14‑15 g tablets. They shine in situations where space and weight are critical and you only need a brief flame.
Which brand offers the best value for long‑term storage?
Coghlan’s 144‑tablet pack provides a high count of small hexamine tablets at a low per‑tablet cost, suitable for stockpiling. Esbit’s 36‑tablet packs also have a long shelf life and are individually waterproofed, offering good value for regular camping trips. For the longest burn time per tablet, the 15‑gram LANXUANR tablets give about 16 minutes, reducing the number of tablets you need to store.
Can I use solid fuel tablets indoors safely?
Yes, tablets that are odor‑free, smoke‑free, and contain no harmful chemicals—such as the LANXUANR and some Coghlan’s models—are safe for indoor use in well‑ventilated areas. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance and never use tablets in enclosed spaces without proper airflow. Keep them away from flammable surfaces and never leave the flame unattended.
How does tablet size affect cooking performance?
Larger tablets (14‑15 g) provide a longer, hotter flame, which can boil 500 ml of water in about 8 minutes, reducing overall cooking time. Smaller tablets (4‑g) burn faster but may require multiple pieces to achieve the same heat, extending the time needed for boiling or heating. Choosing the right size depends on how much fuel you want to carry and the cooking tasks you plan to perform.
What are the key differences between solid fuel tablets and gel fuel cans?
Solid fuel tablets are compact, lightweight, and ideal for stove‑based cooking, offering high temperatures and long shelf life. Gel fuel cans, like the Solo Stove Pure, produce a steady flame for up to 3 hours and are better suited for fire bowls, fondue sets, or food‑warming applications. Tablets are generally more versatile for boiling water, while gel cans excel at providing a clean, odorless flame for ambient heat.