I have one, I used it a few times. Once for a 3 days backpacking trip, it was difficult starting it in the morning as temperature was only a bit above 0 degC. Then for another 3 day hike where I used it to boil water for two persons it took so long that other people were done eating where we started.
I also had the fuel bottle leak in my pack (and the friend I was hiking with forgot his gas canister), fun times.
Now I'm mainly using a small gas canister (100g) and a small titanium burner (20g I think?) and I find the (small) added weight worth it.
Alcohol stoves are great if you have time and it's not too cold, plus it's easy to take only the fuel you need. With gas canisters you have to take the whole thing, and after a while you may end up with several partially empty canisters and have to weight them to take the one with the amount of remaining fuel the closest to what you'll need for your trip. I have 3 or 4 of those at the moment.
> Then for another 3 day hike where I used it to boil water for two persons it took so long that other people were done eating where we started.
There's quite a spread between the heating output of alcohol stoves. # Of holes, alu vs. Ti vs. brass, filler materials (if any). Some have simmer rings, some don't. Outside temps matter too.
The trick is to use it a # of times before you go out camping / backpacking. So that you're familiar with its behavior.
Disclaimer: cooking daily on a deluxe model (Origo 3000). Safest method to cook on a boat.
Propane/butane burners are easier to regulate, but these gasses have the nasty habit of sticking to the floor. So a leak could cause a deadly explosion (which happens semi-regularly).
That Origo: I could flip the whole thing over while burning & it wouldn't start a fire. Can't remove the burner from the stove while it's on due to a safety catch.
Also have a Trangia stashed somewhere (just the burner not pots/holder). Also used many times.
Both Swedish design & highly recommended. Cheap/ubiquitous fuel is a big plus too. Sadly the Origo isn't made anymore afaik.
Most of the stoves used for backpacking have the same basic design. I have two: an Esbit and a Toaks, the latter is lighter (it's titanium) but both have the same design as a small Trangia or the one in the article.
It takes 7-10mn to boil the water I need for food + a coffee, while using my gas burner it takes 2-3mn.
One issue I forgot to mention is that it's almost impossible to get the remaining fuel in the burner back into the container.
I like to hike fairly light but I still make room for a flash boiler as a luxury despite weight. This thing takes the pain away from cooking. I’m always impressed by how quick and efficient it is.
I own a Chinese manufactured petrol stove which works ok. It’s a pain to light however. Never used an alcohol stove myself but I have hiked with a friend using one and that seemed painfully slow. Can stoves seem like a novelty to me. A nicer burner is not particularly expensive nor is it that heavy.
Alcohol stoves can be very fast. I've done a bunch of hikes using one of those double-walled cat can stoves, and it works great. Really pumps out the heat. Very reliable, and almost as fast as my canister stove.
I have a Toaks burner, I agree it's quite fast (after the alcohol is heated enough and starts to vaporize, which can take some time when temp < 10-15 degC) but it's nowhere as fast as my gas burner.
But it's a compromise, they all have their pros and cons.
Depending on the weather and how much you're cooking, an 8-day trip may be long enough that the low energy density of alcohol fuel outweighs the size advantages of the stove.
