[farmer kate]

Our local dent/bump/expired/peeled-labels store (I love that place) has 3-packs of sterno cans for 1.69, the size that you'd use under a chafing dish. Is this a good price?

kate

 

[BillHoo]

I dunno. What is sterno going for in your neck of the woods?

For someone who buys them from the Sterno factory store for 30 cents a can, that's not a good price.

For someone who has them flown into their camp in Alaska for $10 a three pack, it's a steal!

If the Sterno is not fresh, it might not be a good deal. Give them a shake. If it feels like a lump of sterno is sliding back and forth in there, it means that some of it has evaporated. You might not be paying for a FULL can of Sterno.

I pay $1.70 for a plastic pint bottle of springwater. Is that a good price?

Post your address and maybe someone local can tell you what the stores near to you are selling them for.

 

[unregistered29228]

I didn't pay that much attention to the price when I was buying Sterno. I wanted some in my camping gear, to use with the ancient sterno stove (sets on top and holds a small pot) I've had for 25 years. I don't stock a whole lot of sterno because I've got so many other more efficient ways to cook (fire, propane, kerosene). But I thought it would be useful in a bug-out situation or even under a chafing dish.

I think the freshness test BillHoo mentioned would be my deciding factor. If it's all dried up in the can it won't be much use.