We use and like the alcohol stove. But yes, the flame is nearly invisible (isopropyl is almost completely invisible) so you definitely have to confirm that its out before adding fuel.
The cooking temperature is low so it takes a LONG time to boil water. Best for heating precooked foods IMHO.
Denatured alcohol or methyl hydrate is available at both Walmart and Home Depot for about $4/liter. Should be easy to find anywhere.
I'm guessing they use it to cook meth because the flame temperature is ideal for hydrolysing formyl amide without boiling off the H2O too quickly.
