The canned chili that I get is not dry, but yeah, I don't think babies would deal with it very well /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Re stoves, I've never felt the need for one when travelling, and when camping so far have always arranged (in advance) to use someone else's. If I got one for camping I'd want a real lightweight backpacking one. A propane stove would be useless for me except to use at home if the gas went out, i.e. emergency only, and I'm trying to avoid buying expensive stuff that I hope to never use. I think Sterno isn't so great even at home (low power output, low temperature), but it's better than nothing and it's cheap. Or as mentioned (maybe in another thread), I might get some of those solid fuel pellets. An alcohol stove (e.g. Trangia) is another idea, and there are ways to make those yourself from old tuna cans. Maybe I'll try the tuna can approach, which should at least be entertaining and educational.