what kind of stove are you using? i personally have never spilt burning fuel and i have use a lot of diffrent models and type of stoves (MSR XGK, Coleman 503, Booster +1, Svea 123R, optimus Explorer, optimus nova, Primus Multifuel, MSR pocketrocket, trangia, folding woodburner, loads of home made alcohol stove's, etc.)

It's ussually a matter of using the stove properly, not letting the top become to heavy, etc.