Nick

I have used a home made stove like the Photon stove for 3 years now, with one small change if you punch the holes in the top as shown for the photon stove then place the top on the opposite way to the way that is shown in the directions(upside down). Then you don't have to worry about a filler hole, just pour the alcohol onto the top and it will run down into the stove through the holes that are now in the depressed groove. I work in a lab and have spent many a winter night using the lab gear to try to figure out how to maximize the performance of these little babies, the conclusion...every one is different(sorry to let you down), More, smaller holes is better than larger holes. A wind screen makes a huge difference too. This is the only stove I use for short backpacking trips where I want to keep things real light. On longer trips the thermal efficiency of white gas over alcohol makes it better to take my MSR dragonfly because I can take less fuel per day.
The homemade stoves work great and you can't beat the price!!!

Have fun, be safe!

Ken

: While looking around on the internet I found this site which may apeal to the
: Kayak Building Bulletin Board readers.

: I plan on trying some of these designs as a smaller and less expensive
: project after I have finished my Merganser.

: Hope you enjoy it,

: Nicholas Sheahan
: Mildura Australia