Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic, lightweight stoves can use hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters through a single nozzle. These stoves are popular during colder 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 can be used with white and isobutane fuel canisters.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova amazon multi fuel stoves-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a sturdy stove that can be used on uneven ground. This makes it a great stove for base camps for groups kayaking, 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 the nozzle. This can be solved by simply 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 innovative solution to an old problem and it definitely is effective. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring. This includes MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for trips where a wide choice of fuels is required. The price is affordable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. Fewer UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten caught up with better known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight offering out of China or Korea is but this doesn't mean that the Hydra does not have its advantages.

It's a compact and light stove that burns all liquid fuels including white gas as well as propane butane, using a single nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design with an ignition bell that is bolted onto the body, which is then anchored by three fold out support legs. A pump is located on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated above that. The burner itself is a low velocity flame type that allows it to be less affected by winds.

A nice feature is that it can also be utilized with a canister of propane or isobutane making it a versatile small cooker. It is easy to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is slower than other stoves when you 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 a native speaker of the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluids, which if mistaken for what is intended could lead to an accident that could land Kovea in lots of legal hot water. That said 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 excellent choice 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, gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also alter the size of the flame. The stove also has a fuel line that lies flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it does require maintenance in order to ensure it is operating properly. It is a risk because it flares up when priming. This is a problem that occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that use a second spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

It is also important to note that every fuel type requires an individual jet. This means that if cooking using kerosene, the jet hole needs to be smaller than when using gas. This is a minor nuisance however it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and most affordable 5kw multi fuel stoves defra approved-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be run on canister fuel or liquid gas, and comes with attachments for both. The new model is 10% lighter than its predecessor, and the burner's system has been improved for improved heat distribution. This is a great choice for backpackers on a budget or for beginners.

It takes some time to set up, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful when it is turned to its maximum and will easily boil a liter of water within two minutes or less. The only issue is that it doesn't cook as well as other stoves.

This is why MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to be a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It's designed in the same way as the whistler, however it is smaller and provides superior performance. However it's not as inexpensive as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing a similar setup for half the price. You can also purchase a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. Both versions share the same basic design but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves, this is a simple unpretentious unit that will get the job done. It's small, self-contained and solid with the tank on the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it simple to use and an excellent option for backpackers, beginners who want to reduce weight and for those of us who prefer to have an extra or two in the van.

The stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) This stove can be used with unleaded gasoline too. This can save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve as you'll need to properly pressurize and prime them before you get a nice blue flame going. If you get it wrong the fuel could pool, spray beyond the burner, or splash out. Try it out in the open before taking it on your next trip to learn how to do it.

The stove will suffer some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Make sure to purchase unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These kinds of fuels can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko inset multi fuel stove fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove specifically designed for harsh conditions like Africa. It's a compact and solid stove that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol using one nozzle. It's a lightweight, minimalist design that costs less than other multifuel stoves and also offers low cost of ownership with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves have an individual nozzle for each kind of fuel. This makes them difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves, and could increase their weight overall. The newest models of multifuel stoves have found ways to use the same nozzle to ignite various fuels, which makes it more convenient. The newer versions of these stoves are known as 'hybrid', or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are many names for them, including isobutane canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.

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