A long time ago I switched to alcohol stoves from primarily using MSR white gas type and propane canister models. I still own a Svea white gas stove which I absolutely love, but alway wind up useing the alcohol stoves due to the ease of use, availabity and cost of fuel. Not to mention you can make one on the spot with soda cans, cat food cans, etc. The only thing simpler would be a homemade "rocket" stick can or hobo stove. FWIW, if your only need is to reheat food and heat water for tea/coffee, for pure urban traveling I'd stick with sterno.