I always melt mine and premix before they go into the carton.I ruined one pan that way so now i use a pop can with the top cutoff. One of my buddies went to a thrift store and bought a pot for .50 and he uses it strictly for this purpose. I know this is not a "firestarter" but sure helps in the rain, and that seems to be the only time I get stranded! Or in a blizzard of course!
Nathan