ETSU,

I have very little experience with alcohol stoves, but used a Trangia for about ten days once. I used it with a homemade pot stand and windscreen, with the pot about 2 inches above the burner.

It took a little less than half an ounce of alcohol to bring about 2 cups of cold water to a rolling boil in about four or four and a half minutes. As noted above, you must be wasting much of your heat. Hope that gives you something to shoot for.

Best, jcp