Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves use wood, hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel with only one nozzle. They're popular in colder weather but they're loud and don't have a simmer control.

Some multi stove-fuel stoves can burn different types 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 stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a great stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and arctic camping.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel that are plagued by unburned fuel remaining in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by simply flipping over the bottle. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel, and forces them to absorb air, which puts out flames and depressurizes bottles.

This is a clever solution to a long-standing problem, and it works. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is a great stove for backpacking that can be used in the UK. It is particularly useful for expeditions, where various fuels are required. Its cost is affordable when compared with canister stoves of similar capability. Furthermore the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a favorite among backpackers. The Hydra is not as popular among UK backpackers anymore Perhaps because they've gained popularity with brands that are more well-known or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. But this doesn't mean it's any less useful.

It's a compact and light stove, that can burn all liquid fuels including white gas and propane butane, using only one nozzle. It's a typical stove design with a burner bell bolted to a body that anchors three support legs that fold out. A pump is located on the top of the fuel line, the generator loop goes around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated above that. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means it is less affected by the wind.

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

One important thing to remember with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you don't follow the instructions correctly, it can cause an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a trusted brand will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cooker that can cook with a variety fuels. It can run on gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel 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. The stove also has an fuel line that is flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it running properly. In particular it has a tendency to flare during priming, which could be risky. This is a problem that occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove end to vaporize fuel, instead of the generator coil.

It is also important to remember that every fuel type requires the use of a different jet. If you are cooking with kerosene then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. This is a minor issue however it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable 3kw multi fuel stove-fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It can be used with liquid gas or canister fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve the distribution of heat. This is a great choice for backpackers with a limited budget or for beginners.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare, prime and boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't disappoint you. The flame is powerful and can boil a Liter of water in two minutes. The only drawback is that it does not simmer like other stoves.

This is the reason MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to become a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It's a similar design to the whistler, but is more compact and offers more performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing similar features for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. The same design is used for both, but the Universal version can be run with canister fuel in addition.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that can do the job. It's strong compact and self-contained, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it easy to use and a good choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to save weight and those of us who keep a few 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 as well. A gallon of gasoline will last as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.

Liquid fuel stoves have a steep learning curve since you'll need to pressurize and prepare them to get a nice blue flame. If you do it wrong, fuel can pool, spray outside the burner, or even sputter. To master this do some practice outside before your excursion.

The stove will suffer some of its performance and efficiency if you choose to use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas, and not one that's enriched with alcohol or methanol. This is because these kinds of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel that's been designed for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact and reliable all-in-one stove that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs and also gels through one nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle per fuel type. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can increase the overall weight. Multifuel stoves of the newer type have a single nozzle that can burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. These stoves are called hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They are also referred to by other names such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

A multifuel stove kit is available to convert your Trangia burners into multi fuel cookers. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available 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.