Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel via a single nozzle. These stoves are popular during cold weather, but they are noisy and lack simmer control.

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 fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It comes with a quick-priming stove, an aluminium pump that self-purges and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and arctic camping.

Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which suffer from a problem where unburned fuel is left 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. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to draw air into the stove, which smothers the flame and decreases the pressure of the bottle.

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

This is a fantastic backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is particularly ideal for trips, where a variety of fuels are required. The price is very affordable when compared with other 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 introduced in 2010 and has been a favourite choice for many backpackers ever since. The Hydra isn't as popular among UK backpackers any more possibly because they've caught up to better-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. However, that doesn't make it any less effective.

It's a small and light stove, that can burn all liquid fuels including white gas as well as propane butane with a single nozzle. It's a typical stove with the burner mounted to a body, which is secured by three support legs that fold out. The pump is located just above 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 that allows it to be less impacted by wind.

It's a Versatile MultiFuel Stove: Portable Cast Iron Eco-Friendly little cooker since it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane canisters. It is easy to simmer with isobutane and propane and it burns all types of fuels at a good rate. However when using white gas the stove can be a little slower.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were clearly not written by native English speakers. The instructions warn you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If you don't follow the instructions correctly they could result in an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. But that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister made by a reputable manufacturer is likely to work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option to those looking for a multifuel stove that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be powered by gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and also allows to alter the size of the flame which is a wonderful feature. The 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 does require maintenance to ensure that it functions properly. It could be dangerous as it flares up when you are priming. This issue is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This is a minor nuisance but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, smallest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can be used with either liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for each. The new model is lighter by 10% over its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers with a limited budget or beginners.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare to prime and boil water, but it is an efficient stove that will not fail you. The flame is strong when turned to the max and will easily boil a liter of water in less than two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as good to simmer as other stoves.

MSR created the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It is similar in design as the whistler, however it is more compact and provides better performance. However it's not as inexpensive as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that provides a similar configuration for a fraction of the cost. You can also purchase a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. Both versions share the same basic design but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that does the job. It's solid compact and self-contained, with the tank at the bottom and the burner on at the top. This makes it simple to use and an excellent option for backpackers, beginners who want to reduce weight, and for those who prefer to have a backup or two in the van.

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

It takes a bit of practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do so. If you're not careful the fuel may get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your trip to learn how to do it.

The stove may lose some of its performance and efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas and not something that's enhanced with alcohol or methanol. These kinds of fuels can cause the unit's performance to degrade and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko multi-fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is a light multifuel stove that's designed for harsh conditions like Africa. It is a compact, reliable system that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs, and alcohol through one nozzle. It's an ultralight, minimalist design that costs less than most other multifuel stoves, and also has low costs of ownership, with fuel being cheaper per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves use an individual nozzle for each kind of fuel. It can be difficult to switch between fuels in cold weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can also add to the overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have discovered ways to use the same nozzle to ignite various fuels, which makes it more convenient. The newer versions 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 car petrol/gasoline.

Another option is to buy a multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. These are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel and, with the right accessories, they can also simmer.