New cookers and fuel for British troops
BCB International will supply the British armed forces with new operational ration cookers and
fuel under a four-year contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The fuel to be supplied by BCB International is called ‘FireDragon’, an innovative solid fuel made
from ethanol. It marks the MoD’s move away from Hexamine, the fuel provided to troops for more
than forty years for cooking in the field.
A new folding cooker will also be supplied under the contract. Together, the cooker and fuel pack
weighs less than 300g, and the FireDragon fuel will boil 500ml of water in under 8 minutes.
The MoD were looking for a solution that amongst other things was lightweight, could boil 500ml of
water in under 11 minutes, was easy to light and extinguish, burned cleanly and is easily transportable.
‘The ‘FireDragon’ fuel will enable soldiers to cook their ready to eat meals with a safer and cleaner fuel.
FireDragon fuel is non-toxic, non-drip and made from 100% natural ingredients, including sustainably
sourced ethanol.
FireDragon burns cleanly and leaves very little residue; allowing soldiers to spend less time on cleaning
their cooking equipment and more time on their vital operational roles.
Wherever British Troops operate, whether in driving rain, the freezing arctic or searing heat, the fuel will
enable soldiers to heat their rations whenever required.’
