Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic stoves that are lightweight can burn hexamine, wood white fuel, as well as gas canisters through one nozzle. They're popular in colder weather, but they're loud and don't have simmer control.

Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a multi fuel burning stove-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It comes with a quick-priming stove, an aluminium pump that self-purges and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a stable stove that is rock-solid. This makes it a great stove for group base camps, kayaking, and Arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that have a problem with fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping over the bottle. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel, and forces them to take in air, which puts out flames and depressurizes bottles.

This seems like a fairly clever solution to a long-standing problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle with an o-ring seal. This includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts, lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is an excellent all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK, particularly for expeditions in which a variety of fuels is essential. The price is affordable when compared with other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and a joy to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a favourite choice for many backpackers since. It isn't as popular UK backpackers seem to give it much attention nowadays maybe because they've gotten caught up with better known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight stove from China or Korea is but that doesn't mean that the Hydra doesn't still have its merits.

It's a relatively compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels including white gas and propane butane through only one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body that is anchored by three fold-out support legs. The pump is just above the fuel line, and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated above. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This makes it less susceptible to wind.

It is a nice feature that it can be utilized with a canister of propane or isobutane which makes it a versatile small cooker. It is simple to simmer using isobutane and propane, and it burns all fuels at a decent rate. However, when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were clearly not written by native English speakers. The instructions warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you don't follow the instructions correctly they could result in an accident and put Kovea into legal trouble. But, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a reputable manufacturer will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those who are looking for a multifuel stove that is able to 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 fuel type and can also be used to alter the size of the flame which is a wonderful feature. This stove comes with a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank quickly.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it operating correctly. It is a risk because it flares up when priming. This issue is common to all liquid fuel stoves, which use a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.

It is also important to remember that each fuel type requires an individual jet. If you cook with kerosene then the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This isn't a major issue however it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair on the field. It can be used with either liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for each. The new model is 10percent lighter than its predecessor and the burner has been revamped to ensure better heat distribution. It's ideal for novices or budget-minded backpackers.

The whistler Lite requires a bit of time to set up, prime and boil water, but it is an efficient stove that will not fail you. The flame is extremely powerful and can cook a liter of water within two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as good for simmering as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It has a similar design to the whistler, but it's more compact and offers superior performance. It's not as affordable as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering similar features for less than half the cost. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. Both versions share the same basic design, however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a basic, Best 5kW Multi Fuel Stove no-frills Coleman stove that does the job. It's compact, self-contained and solid, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it simple to use and a good choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to save weight and those who have 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 non-leaded gas too. A gallon of gasoline can last as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel using this option.

Liquid fuel stoves have a learning curve, as you'll have to pressurize and prepare them to create a beautiful blue flame going. If you don't do it right your fuel may spill out, splash beyond the burner or splash out. To master this do some practice outside before embarking on your trip.

This stove sacrifices some performance or flame odor efficiency with non-coleman fuels however this is a trade-off in exchange for the extra flexibility it offers. Just be sure you're buying gasoline that isn't leaded and not augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel could cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko multi fuel stoves Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments like Africa. It's an efficient and compact all in one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using only one nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter compared to gas canisters.

Some multifuel stoves also have different nozzles for each type of fuel. This makes them difficult to switch between fuels in bad weather or with gloves and can add to their weight overall. Multifuel stoves of the latest kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it much easier. The latest models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are various names for them such as isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. These are often sold at specialist camping stores and are available internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel, and with the right accessories, they can even simmer.