Sterno is a brand of jellied, denatured alcohol sold in and meant to be burned directly in its can. Popular both in commercial food service and home entertainment, its primary uses are as a fuel for heating chafing dishes in buffets and serving fondue. Other uses are for portable stoves and as an emergency heat source. It is also used with toy and model steam and other external combustion engines.
The flame is typically lit with a match or lighter and extinguished by placing the lid over the can to starve it of air, though any noncombustible cover will do.