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When the power goes out and you need to cook food or boil water, InstaFire canned heat is a handy fuel to have on the shelf. This compact cooking fuel is popular with preppers, and it is the fuel the VESTA indoor heater and stove runs on. In this InstaFire canned heat review, we’ll cover what the maker says it does, how to use it, and how to plan your supply.
Quick pick: InstaFire Canned Heat Review
Heat and cooking: VESTA Indoor Heater & Stove
No electricity needed and doubles as a stove. Use it with ventilation.
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Food: 4-Week Emergency Food Supply
Feeds one person for four weeks or a family of four for one week.
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What Is InstaFire Canned Heat?
InstaFire 6-Hour Canned Heat+ is a canned cooking fuel made from high-purity diethylene glycol, the same type of fuel InstaFire says restaurants and caterers use every day. It burns from a wick, and the cans are resealable so leftover fuel can be reused. Each can burns up to 6 hours (varies by altitude and conditions), enough to cook several meals.
Key Features and Benefits
What makes InstaFire stand out from other emergency cooking fuels? Here is what the maker lists:
- Made for indoor use: InstaFire markets it as safe to burn indoors and nontoxic (use adequate ventilation, as the VESTA maker advises)
- Long burn time: up to 6 hours per can
- Long shelf life: the maker says it lasts for many years when stored above its freezing point
- Resealable: leftover fuel can be re-used
- No flare-ups: the maker says it won’t light up without a wick
- Compact storage: each can holds 8.46 ounces (215 ml)
How to Use InstaFire Canned Heat
Using InstaFire is straightforward (always follow the instructions on the can):
- Remove the lid from the can
- Light the wick with a match or lighter
- Place your pot or pan on a compatible stand or stove above the flame
- When finished, snuff out the flame and reseal the can
Because the cans are resealable, leftover fuel can be used again later, which makes it economical for extended emergencies.
Cooking Performance
InstaFire says the flame maintains steady heat for up to six hours, so you can cook several meals or run a VESTA heater through the night. Canned heat is best suited to simmering soups, reheating food, and boiling water for just-add-water meals.
For best results, pair InstaFire with the Vesta heater system or a portable camp stove frame. The VESTA uses InstaFire 6-Hour Canned Heat+, can hold up to three cans at once, and comes with 3 cans included.
Indoor Safety Considerations
One of the biggest selling points of InstaFire is that the maker markets it for indoor use. Even so, any open flame burns oxygen and needs care, and the VESTA maker specifies use with adequate ventilation. Crack a window if possible, and keep battery-operated or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area, as the CDC recommends.
Never leave burning fuel unattended, keep away from flammable materials, and always have a way to extinguish the flame quickly. The CDC also says never to burn charcoal or use a portable gas camp stove indoors, and never to run a generator inside your home or garage.
Storage and Shelf Life
InstaFire says the fuel lasts for many years when stored above its freezing point. It may freeze at 16°F (-8°C). Store the cans in a cool, dry location indoors.
How Many Cans Do You Need?
Work it out from burn time. Each can gives up to 6 hours, and real-world burn time varies, so build in a cushion. Simple math:
- Cooking only: if you cook about 1 hour a day, one can covers up to about 6 days; double your count for safety
- Heating with a VESTA: running one can for 6 hours a night uses about one can per night, and more if you run several cans at once
- Longer outages: multiply your daily hours by the number of days you are planning for, then divide by 6
Remember, you’ll also want emergency food supplies to cook. Check out our guide on best emergency food supplies to pair with your cooking fuel.
InstaFire vs Other Emergency Fuels
Compared to propane and white gas stoves, canned heat puts out less cooking power, but it is the type of fuel the maker approves for indoor use, and it needs no pressurized tanks. The CDC says never to use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
Final Verdict
Based on its specs, InstaFire canned heat is a sensible emergency cooking fuel to keep on hand. Its indoor use rating, long shelf life, and 6-hour burn time make it a good fit for most emergency kits. Combined with a good emergency food supply, you’ll be ready to eat well even when the grid goes down.
Sources: InstaFire Canned Heat+ product page; CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics; VESTA product page at My Patriot Supply.