So how do you know how much fuel is enough?

a few of the stoves I have made don't stay lit or need alot of preheat fuel, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, I have worked a few machine shop jobs so I know how to use tools and follow plans I just can't seem to get some of them to work well.

could some one tell me which designs work good? and which will not send a lot of flame up the sides of the pot to melt my gsi lid