I was just thinking that a box of cubes retails for $4, or a street price of about $3.70 give or take. The box has 24 cubes and Weber recommends using two per chimney light.
I've tried to only use one. It usually works, but yeah, it's a crap ton slower to light, and could actually run out before catching the charcoal.
So I'm guessing the Sterno cans cost less over the life of their uses.
My question is about the flame and heat. Does the alcohol burn hotter than the petrol-based paraffin cube? The flame isn't as long, is it?