Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

A couple of possible alternatives would be to either add more water to your alcohol, get a small Bix burner and fire it with gas, or perhaps just a metal jar lid of the proper diameter with some Sterno.

As for the original burner, Alcohol has a way of finding every little imperfection in seams, joints and any other possible leak point. As the burner heats up the alcohol expands and volatilizes actively "looking" for a way out, and once it finds same, it will gladly ignite from the nearby wick flame.