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Chafing fuel is a portable source heating source containing combustible chemicals, of which the main fuel(s) can vary, for the purpose of warm or heating food. Chafing food commonly utilizes clean burning fuels such as methanol, ethanol, or diethylene glycol, to facilitate both indoor and outdoor use. These fuels are also used for emergency heating, camping, and fondue.

[edit] Types of fuel

There are several types and brands of chafing fuels with manufacturers varying both the main fuel burned and additives introduced into the fuel. Of the main chemicals burned in chafing fuels methanol, ethanol, and DEG (diethylene glycol) are the most common.

The first two fuels are similar with regards to consistency, both having a gel form (viscosities can vary with band), operating procedures, and product design. Ethanol is a hotter burning fuel giving 1300KJ/mol of heat compared to methanol’s 726KJ/mol of heat. The common gel methanol or ethanol chafing fuel is contained in a steel can with a resalable plug lid in sizes based on burn times. Two, four, and six hour burn times are the most common sizes of methanol and ethanol chafing fuels available. The colour of the fuel being used can also vary among manufacturers.

Diethylene glycol chafing fuel differs because the “fuel” itself is inflammable. The container housing the fuel is equipped with a wick to allow the chemical to be combusted. It is considered safer than methanol or ethanol gel fuels due to the fact that spilled DEG fuel will not combust. The fuel is in a liquid form and thus the canister in which it is contained usually differs by having a more leak resistant screw cap rather than a plug. DEG has a higher heat of combustion then ethanol or methanol gel at 2155 KJ/mol ^[1]

[edit] As a camping fuel

There are many advantages and disadvantages to using chaffing fuels for camping purposes. The lightweight size and the burn time per gram of fuel weight received from this method is very high. Chafing fuels are also clean burning, quiet, safer, and readily available then most other portable heat sources. However the main disadvantage of chafing fuels is their lower heat output when compared to popular alternatives such as white gas and kerosene. This results in longer cooking times.

[edit] References