I am also looking at making an alcohol stove to boil water for my cup-of-soup on hunting trips. But strictly for "Survival" I have yet to see one that beats a can of Sterno. The stoves I've seen will all burn for 8 minutes (give or take) on an ounce of fuel. The larger 7 oz. can of Sterno will burn for over 3 hours (the specs say 2 but I've timed them far longer.) To get that burn time with a stove you would have to pack 22.5 ounces of fuel and you would have to be constantly refueling the stove. The Sterno does take MUCH longer to boil water--I've timed it at 18 minutes--but its lower output is actually a plus when you are using it as a heater under your poncho/space blanket/garbage bag. It's simple and uncomplicated, and you can even make your own gelled fuel if you are so inclined. I plan on carrying both this fall.

Regards, Vince