Actually my hardware man took care of the problem. Asked if I had a fondue kit, for he didn't have nor had he seen one of those alcohol burners in years. Obviously we're quite sophisticated here on the prairie. Said the jell used in those is basically denatured alcohol and burned at a low temperature. worked like a charm -- without the explosions. Also, by placing the "lid" over the can you have an even, horizontal flame that evens out the fuzzy sucking. Actually, it was pretty funny. I haven't heard a "whoosh" like that since The Kid decided he wanted to shoot off one of those rockets in 4-H. That was outside, though. Doing it in your kitchen means you're a real man! JGW