Cook stove for International travel

[obinja]

OK world travelers. What cook stoves are you using? I'm headed to Latin America for the winter and  want to
1. Lighten my load
2. Use a stove that has more availability of fuel.
I'm considering the alcohol stove, small, light and denatured alcohol is everywhere.
Thoughts, ideas, comments, warnings gladly accepted.
I await your wisdom.

[John Nelson]

I like alcohol stoves for exactly the reasons you mention. But I guess it depends on what you plan to cook. Alcohol stoves are great for simple meals, maybe less so for elaborate meals.

[RonK]

I'm considering the alcohol stove, small, light and denatured alcohol is everywhere.

It may be everywhere in the US, but everywhere in the world? Maybe not.

The only fuel I'd be confident of finding almost everywhere is gasoline, and even that is no certainty.

That is the reason why some manufacturers offer international multi-fuel stoves.

[paddleboy17]

There is a current thread on this topic over on crazyguyonabike. 

You should have no problem getting alcohol fuel in Central America.  Alcohol does not do well in low temp ranges, but that will not be an issue where you are going.  And I will vigorously dispute any one who says that you cannot make elaborate meals on an alcohol stove.  There are fewer BTUs in alcohol, so you are either going to resupply more often or carry more fuel than if you were using gasoline.  Alcohol stoves area tiny by comparison, so I think you come out ahead with an alcohol stove.

I am a big fan of carrying two alcohol stoves.  I use a Trangia style stove for primary cooking and a 2nd stove for heating water.  I have been using a Brasslite stove as my 2nd but I am thinking of going back to a Vargo.  With a 3 ounce chamber, the Trangia is perfect for making dinner as you get a robust flame for 20 minutes.  The 2nd stove should have a 1 ounce chamber and be able to give  you a liter of boiling water in 6 to 9 minutes.  I used to make alcohol stoves but stopped once I got the Trangia (yes, the Trangia is that good).  If all you want to do is boil water a liter at a time, then there are better choices than the Trangia, and look at my 2nd stove suggestions.