Speaking of alcohol, would the liquid fuel stoves (XGK, omnifuel) be able to burn it?

Yes... and no. I've heard of people doing it, and maybe in an emergency I'd try it, but things like seals and such designed for petro-fuels tend not to do well in alcohol. Also, aluminum bottles, such as the type used for fuel tanks for the XGK and Omnifuel, generally don't do well with alcohol.

HJ

If any of the varieties of alcohol are available as a fuel source, I would (and do) carry a backup alcohol stove. There is a vast literature on alcohol stoves; many are light, cheap, easily improvised from aluminum food cans, and effective.

The heaviest and most expensive backpacking type is the legendary Trangia,, weighing all of 3 oz. and costing about 12 bucks - hardly a deal breaker. I believe HJ is going to discuss the might T in a future SOTW.

I've heard it described this way: In the world of alcohol stoves, there's the Trangia, and then there's everything else.

The Trangia is a good one: solid, reliable, and well designed, and I will at some point cover either the Trangia 25 or Trangia 27 (or both). The Trangia even simmers. I think your price might be a little dated though. About the cheapest I can get a Trangia for is maybe $17.00 USD (total).

HJ