Always Almost vs Almost Always

Question

Is there any difference between:

1. I always almost burn myself when I cook.
2. I almost always burn myself when I cook.

Answer 1

Yes there is a difference:

1. You nearly burn yourself every time you cook

2. You burn yourself nearly every time you cook

So the first means you nearly burn yourself all the time, but it does not actually happen. The second implies you do burn yourself, and nearly all the time.

Answer 2

DialFrost's answer is correct. I'm adding why.

As with most adverbs in English, "almost" modifies whatever comes after it.

1. I always [almost burn] myself when I cook.
2. I [almost always] burn myself when I cook.