I could write an entire essay on why I love esbit...oh wait I have. And I could give the technical pros and cons, and the technical jargon of esbit vs alcy but the bottom line comes down to this. I love it, I like the smell because it relaxes me and lets me know I am out in the woods, it also says to me ,dinner/breakfast, tea/coffee is about to be served...see look I am allready starting to go at it again. I just love esbit, end of discussion.