Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple and lightweight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel via a single nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, but they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids able to burn multiple types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for example, burns white and isobutane canister fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova inset multi fuel stove-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it an ideal stove for base camps for groups, kayaking, and the Arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel that have a problem with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping over the bottle. The intake hoses are then removed from the fuel and causes them to absorb air which stifles flames and depressurizes the the bottle.

This is an ingenious solution to an old problem and it's effective. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is a great stove for backpacking that is suitable for use in the UK. It is especially useful for expeditions, where a variety of fuels are required. Its cost is affordable when compared with canister stoves that have similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a favorite choice for backpackers ever since. It isn't as popular UK backpackers seem to give the stove a lot of attention, possibly having fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the latest lightweight product from China or Korea is, but that doesn't mean that the Hydra does not have its advantages.

It is a lightweight and compact stove that can burn all liquid fuels like white gas, propane butane, and white gas through a single nozzle. It's a typical stove design, with the burner bell that is bolted to a body that anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is located on top of the fuel line, and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits over. The burner itself is a low velocity flame type which makes it a little less affected by wind.

One of the best features is that it can also be used with a container of propane or venuescanada.com isobutane making it a multi-functional small cooker. It's easy to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is a bit slower than other stoves that use white gas.

One thing to be aware of with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain types of lighter fluids, which if mistaken for what is intended could cause an accident that would land Kovea in a lot of hot legal water. Any gas canister that is 7/16ths UNEF-threaded of a trusted brand will work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a ideal choice for those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene, [Redirect Only] and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. This stove comes with a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it requires maintenance to ensure it is operating properly. It is a risk because it explodes when priming. This is a common problem with all liquid fuel stoves that utilize a secondary spindle throttle at the stove's end to vaporize fuel instead of a generator coil.

It is also important to remember that each fuel type needs a different jet. If you are cooking using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor inconvenience but it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be used with liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner mechanism was revamped to improve the distribution of heat. It's ideal for novices or backpackers with a budget.

It takes a bit of time to install, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is extremely powerful when cranked to the max and can easily boil one liter of water in two minutes or less. The only downside is that it's not as efficient for simmering as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It's similar to the whistler, but is smaller and has more performance. However it's not as inexpensive as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that gives you the same configuration for a fraction of the cost. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same fundamental design is used for both, however the Universal version can also be operated with fuel from canisters as well.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that does its job. It's solid, compact and self-contained with the tank on the bottom and the burner up top. This makes it simple to use and a good option for backpackers, beginners who are looking to cut down on weight and for those of us who want to keep a backup or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") but it can be used with non-leaded gas as well. A gallon of gasoline will last as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel using this option.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you'll need to pressurize and prepare them to create a beautiful blue flame. If you do it wrong your fuel may be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner, or even splash out. Practice outside before taking it on your next trip to get the hang of it.

The stove will sacrifice some performance or flame odor effectiveness when using non-coleman fuels but that's a trade off for the additional versatility it offers. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline and not something that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel can cause the unit's performance to decline and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's an extremely compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs, and gels with one nozzle. It's a lightweight and minimalist design that costs less than the majority of multifuel stoves. It also comes with low cost of ownership with fuel being cheaper per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves feature a separate nozzle for each fuel type. This makes them a little difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves, and could increase their weight overall. Multifuel stoves of the latest kind use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. These stoves are referred to as hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

A multifuel stove kit can be purchased to convert your Trangia burners into multi fuel cookers. These are often available at camping stores that specialize in camping and can be purchased internationally. They're a great choice for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel, and when fitted with the right equipment can even cook.