Sportsman Guide has used Swedish Military burners priced at 6 for $12.97. This is not the full mess set, just the burner.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=272821

I have some of the surplus messkit stove sets. The main thing is that the plastic container for the alcohol does not take well to overheating/freezing (in truck toolbox). Went camping this last week and decided to make sure that I had enough fuel. Both bottles were empty, so I filled up before leaving. Next day, got ready to make coffee and found that the flask was leaking badly from a stress crack. Didn't lose too much fuel but I decided to get a staineless flask for next time.

A few months ago, I made a "penny stove" ; works fine. My only problem is I have no windscreen yet, and the stand for the pot is minimalist and not very sturdy.

Last month, I bought a mini-Trangia set ; I tried it this week-end, under perfect conditions (in my kitchen : no rain ; no wind !) : looks like you have to let it burn some time, before putting the pot over the burner ; if not, the flame goes out ! <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

even though they are very light and small, thats my main concern with those can type stoves, accidentally knocking it over. and i tend to be little clumsy sometimes. plus with the trangia setup it has a great windscreen. congratulations on successfully making a penny stove. those look really neat.

Sorry for the late reply, I just joined this forum. I am a big fan of alcohol stoves and I have made several. The pepsi can stove works well, as does the cat can stove. You can find instructions for these stoves and others by googling Wings: the homemade stove archive. If you wish to purchase, a mini-Trangia is a good bet if you can find one. The advantage of a mini-trangia over a homemade stove is having a compact kit that all fits in a nice little package. Alcohol stoves use cheap fuel which you can find in any hardware store. They light in cold weather, rainy weather and windy weather. Spilling in safe for the environment. No moving parts (KISS). In a pinch, you can make one with a bit of aluminum foil and the heel of your boot. I also recommend that you learn how to make and operate a hobo stove. Always good to be flexible. Use your alcohol stove for camping, hiking and emergency kit. Cooking with one is different from a gas stove. Control is by distance from the flame and how much alcohol you start with. Anything simple like boiling, simmering or frying you can do with an alcohol stove.
Downsides: alcohol has less heat capacity than other fuels such as esbit tablets, so it is more bulky.

Jerome Howard