Sterno ("canned heat") is a fuel made from
denatured and jellied alcohol. It is designed to be burned directly from its can. Its primary uses are in the food service industry for
buffet heating and in the home for
fondue and as a
chafing fuel for heating
chafing dishes. Other uses are for
camp stoves and as an emergency heat source (deer-blind). It is also a popular fuel for use with toy and model steam and other
external combustion engines. Sterno cans were sometimes taken on trips and used to heat pressing/curling irons & hot combs, for hairstyling, when travelers were staying at hotels, etc. and not located near salons which offered certain services that required these styling tools.