Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple stoves that are lightweight can burn wood, hexamine, white fuel, and gas canisters through one nozzle. They are popular in colder weather, but they can be noisy and lack the ability to control the simmer.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids that can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane canisters for fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner as well as an aluminium pump that self-purges and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on uneven ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group base camps kayaking, the Arctic camp.

Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem of unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that works by simply flipping the container over. This removes intake hoses from the fuel and causes them to absorb air which extinguishes flames and depressurizes the bottle.

This seems like an ingenious solution to an age-old problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, which includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.

This is an excellent all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK especially for trips where a variety of fuels is necessary. Its cost is reasonable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. Moreover, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as popular with UK backpackers any more possibly because they've been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the most recent lightweight options from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean that it's less useful.

It is a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas, propane butane and white gas using one nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design with the burner bell that is bolted to the body, which is then anchored by three support legs that fold out. A pump is located on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits above that. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means it is less affected by wind.

It is a nice feature that it can be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile little cooker. It's simple to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all fuel types with a decent amount of heat, but is a little slower than other stoves that use white gas.

One important thing to remember concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by a native speaker of the language. The instructions warn you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken they could result in an accident, and possibly put Kovea in legal trouble. However, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister made by a reputable brand should work just fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those who are looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook with a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and is also able to adjust the flame size which is a great feature. This stove has an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank quickly.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves it will require maintenance in order to ensure it is operating properly. Particularly it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be a bit dangerous. This is a problem that is common to all stoves with liquid fuel that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

It is also important to note that each fuel type requires the use of a different jet. This means that if you're cooking on kerosene the jet hole has to be smaller than when cooking with gas. It's a minor issue, but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable contemporary multi fuel stoves 5kw-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It is able to run on canister fuel or liquid gas, and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner has been revamped for improved heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers with a limited budget or for beginners.

The whistler Lite requires a bit of time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it's a reliable stove that will never disappoint you. The flame is strong when turned to its maximum and can boil the water to a liter within two minutes or less. The only drawback is it's not as efficient for simmering as other stoves.

MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more capable burner. It's similar to the whistler, but it's smaller and has more performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that provides a similar setup at half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. The same design is used for both, however the Universal version can also be run with canister fuel as well.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that does its job. It's solid compact and self-contained, with the tank at the bottom and the burner up the top. This makes it simple to use and a good option for those who are new to backpacking, who want to save on weight, and for those of us who want to keep one or two spares in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but can be used with unleaded gas too. This will save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last as long as the regular Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prime them before you create a beautiful blue flame going. If you do it wrong the fuel may get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or even sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your trip to learn how to do it.

The stove will suffer some of its performance and efficiency if you choose to use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a trade-off for its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline and not something augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuel can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and may even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko cast iron multi fuel stoves 5kw fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is a light multifuel stove that's designed for harsh conditions like Africa. It is a compact, robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels, and alcohol through one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle for each kind of fuel. This makes them fiddly to change over in cold weather or using gloves and can add to their weight. Multifuel stoves of the newer model use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. The newer models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are a variety of names for them like isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.

A multifuel stove kit can be purchased to convert your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. They are typically available at camping stores that specialize in camping and Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves are also available for purchase internationally. They're a great option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel. If equipped with the right accessories can even cook.