Hikin Jim,
Have you looked at the Kifaru stoves? Haven't used one myself, but I've heard good things about them. They are made to go with their shelters.
http://www.kifaru.net/stoves.html I've seen those, but only on the internet. The look gorgeous.
Unfortunately, living in a high population, high fire danger zone like Southern California, wood fires are discouraged to say the least. Generally they're illegal unless you're in a developed campground. A
developed campground? Sheesh. Where's the fun in that? I'm kidding a little bit, actually I like camping with my family, but my main interest is in back country stuff -- where I can't use wood stoves. I've deliberately stayed away from some well known ones like the Bush Buddy and the Caldera Tri-Ti as well as some really promising new stuff like the Backcountry Boiler or the BioLite since I can't really use them where I live.
Gas, gasoline, kerosene, hexamine, trioxane, and alcohol are the fuels I know.
HJ