well a alcohol burn alcohol, many kinds of them. I use "brand spiritis" which is a alcohol mixure thats avaible everywhere in the Netherlands for low prices, like 90 euro cents for a liter. I personnally like alcohol stove's, they are very simple, there are no moving parts, so not much can fail. You can also make a alcohol stove yourself out of a cola can very easily. Disadvantage is there lack of power, but i haven't find that annoying. I never boil much water, just enough to cook my meal. But if you use it to boil large amount of water, than go for a more powerfull stove. The use of a good windscreen with a alcohol stove is vital or else you can wait a long time...