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I made a couple of those and it does work but mostly just to boil water. Boiling water could mean your survival though if you are thirsty and the water needs to be purified.
Another choice is to use a small paint can filled with cotton balls and alcohol. Almost like a giant candle. You can get new paint cans at the home improvement stores so they are clean and have a lid. Use the lid to seal in the alcohol for your trip.
I love how you mention cotton balls and alcohol in a paint can Zimm. Because that sounds like a trip to the emergency room waiting. Really the number of things that could possibly go wrong seem to reach out into the distance.
I would use an alcohol burning survival stove as a last resort. I would probaly use this in more of an urban survival situation than just on a camping trip as well. They are a great fun project to take on and make though.