Yes the aluminum will melt and after melting a half dozen or so I finally got the thing to co-operate. Proper amount of fuel, proper diameter of cone and stove. And height of pot from stove. It still warps slightly but what a hassle. Although it held up well on my last trip, I will source stainless and build a new one. I sized mine for a heine pot but am considering a new coated 3 cup cook pot with a lid. I bought a trangia stove that I want to use next trip and it will definatly make molten metal of the aluminum. It seems to put out much more heat than my pop can stove.