If Madigan Bans Sterno, How Will We Heat Our Fondue?

[frankvdv]

Calling it "over the counter napalm," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has started a campaign to have all gel fuels banned. 37 people nationwide have been burned by gel fuel, and 4 of them were in Illinois, leading Madigan to demand their recall. We're sure that caterers everywhere cried at the news - gel fuels are most commonly used for keeping chafing dishes hot during service. [ more › ]

[OakParkSpartan]

37 people this year? 

Out of 300 hundred million?

Maybe she should look at her father's dealings if she has spare time on her hands.

[truman40]

I'd like to compare that with how many people burn themselves on a BBQ grill.
or
How many of those burned using a sterno did not follow directions. The guy they had on the news last night had almost 1/2 of his face burned, really scary. Although I did not get the details as to how exactly it happened.

[tgoddess]

I'd like to compare that with how many people burn themselves on a BBQ grill.
or
How many of those burned using a sterno did not follow directions. The guy they had on the news last night had almost 1/2 of his face burned, really scary. Although I did not get the details as to how exactly it happened.

My guess:  Drunken face-plant.

[dukesdad]

My guess:  Drunken face-plant.

Actually not. Story in the paper said he was an innocent bystander. Someone was tryingto add Sterno to a can they thought was empty and it wasn't. It exploded.

[OakParkSpartan]

It isn't sterno, but rather some gel fuel for backyard light pots or some such things. 

[tgoddess]

My guess:  Drunken face-plant.

Actually not. Story in the paper said he was an innocent bystander. Someone was tryingto add Sterno to a can they thought was empty and it wasn't. It exploded.

Sounds like the dude should be suing his stupid, incompetent friend...not blaming the Sterno company.

[buzz]

It isn't sterno, but rather some gel fuel for backyard light pots or some such things. 

If this is the footage I saw, the product was some big citronella tub/thingy, not sterno.

[~LL~]

I'd like to compare that with how many people burn themselves on a BBQ grill.
or
How many of those burned using a sterno did not follow directions. The guy they had on the news last night had almost 1/2 of his face burned, really scary. Although I did not get the details as to how exactly it happened.

My guess:  Drunken face-plant.

ROFLMAO - seriously!  Excellent guess!

[watcher]

I've never seen Sterno(tm) in gallon jugs or 55 gallon drums for retail consumers.
The decorative gel burners were the hot patio "must-have" of this summer and many people who aren't smart enough to understand
basic chemistry have had incidents using the product.
The product burns and spreads. Great stuff when properly used. Nasty stuff in hands of the unthinking.

[buzz]

What about charcoal starter ?
  My neighbor stands 2 ft. from his Smoky Joe and squirts a stream into the lit grill because the coals "aren't heating fast enough".  Oy.
Use a chimney.

[rbain]

Yes but I think consumer expectation of safety is different when its something you place on the table while you eat. Now if Kingsford suggested you fill a jar with lighterfluid and light it as an accent candle they might have some trouble...