If you plan ahead with simple boil meals, esbit is my fuel of choice. On shorter-distance thru-hikes (100-500 miles) where I'm resupplying by mail drop, or on short-distance hikes where I'm carrying all my food at the start, it's my favorite fuel.

On trips where I want to do some real cooking or on long trips where I resupply off the local economy, I prefer a cannister stove since I can get more heat and more reliable fuel time.