A simple to make copper coil alcohol stove. being made of glass it may be a little fragile for backpacking, but a reservoir made using a metal can with a screw top could be a doable workaround
I wonder if pre heating the coil by lighting a wiped a smear of petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on the coil would work??? That may perhaps help keeping the fuel vapours warm enough for combustion?
The stove I was working with had a preheat cup. . It was just hard to start in cold weather . I had the box and had only used it a couple times. Since I had 20+ stoves it went to Ebay they are quite collectable so I did alright with it
Has anyone tried to light one of these with the thimble filled with gas? An alcohol soaked cotton ball? If one has to use a torch to get it going every time, that cuts into the usefulness of this neat little device. jim