Originally Posted by
wildergeek
This is true, however, alcohol is available just about everywhere. I think it's a trade-off between output and fuel availability. Unlike mountaineering where you have to maximize every ounce for BTUs, with bicycle touring, you have more options. You can find fuel at grocery stores, drug stores, hardware stores, gas stations auto parts stores along the way.
I have all three; alcohol, white gas, and isobutane stoves. I used my butane stove on a recent overnight trip but that was simply for space savings. If I was going for a week-long trip, I'd reach for the alcohol stove.
BTW, I have an MSR Dragonfly. If anyone is interested, it's for sale.
The issue is that with alcohol you
have to replenish more often since you use almost twice as much fuel to do the same job. If that isn't an issue for you, feel free to use whatever fuel you want. There are other safety considerations that I have addressed here that should be considered when choosing a stove. Looking at flammabilities and the safety of chemicals is something of an occupational hazard for me
