A prudent beekeeper always has a lit smoker for those just in case moments. A small amount of smoke for the guard bee force I have found really helps to calm the whole hive.
A fuel source that really lasts is wood pellets for the wood pellet burning heaters. The one to use is the hardwood ones (they smell like a good meat smoker). I use a steel wool pad that you can find in a hardware store on the top of the pellets which keep the pellets from falling out the spout and helps filter the smoke. I use a propane torch to light the smoker. It takes longer to light but once lit it will go for hours and still be going strong. With a stopper in the spout to put it out, I have used one filling for several trips to my bee yards. The smoke is also cool and will not flame the bees.
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