I have a Primus Micron Ti canister stove. It's 5 years old and has since been discontinued. It works well for simmering as well as boiling water, and I've fried fish on it. If I were going to replace it, I'd probably look at Snow Peak.

I also have an alcohol stove. However, nearly every time I pack for a trip I invariably grab the canister stove. It's a lot more convenient!

Generally there are 6 weeks to 2 1/2 months of dry spell here in the Pacific NW during which fires are often banned--of course coinciding with the best of backpacking season. Fires are also often banned above a certain altitude or at many more popular spots where dead wood is a rare commodity. The only time I build fires (where legal) is when there's a grandkid or two along.