Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic, lightweight stoves can burn wood, hexamine, white fuel, and gas canisters using a single nozzle. They're popular in colder temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have a simmer limit.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids, that can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, can burn both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety liquid fuels. It comes with a quick-priming stove and an aluminum pump that self-purges and precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and wide spread legs make it a sturdy, rock-solid stove. This makes it a perfect stove for base camps for groups as well as kayaking and the Arctic camp.

Unlike many other stoves with liquid fuel that have a problem in which unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that works by simply flipping the bottle over. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and causes them to take in air, which stifles flames and depressurizes the bottle.

This is a clever solution to an old problem and it's a good one. The Nova can also be used with a range of standard fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is an excellent all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for trips where a wide choice of fuels is necessary. The price is reasonable compared to other canister stoves with similar capabilities. Moreover, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as popular with UK backpackers any more Perhaps because they've caught up to better-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. But that doesn't make it any less useful.

It's a compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane, using a single nozzle. It's a typical stove with the burner mounted to a body that is anchored by three support legs that fold out. A pump sits on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above that. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means it is less affected by the wind.

It's a versatile little cooker because it can be used with propane canisters or isobutane canisters. 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 is a little slower.

One thing to be aware of when using the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions caution you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake this could cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea in legal trouble. But, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister 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 can cook using a variety of fuels. It can operate on gasoline, petrol/gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to alter the size of the flame. This stove comes with an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and is connected to the tank in a snap.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance in order to ensure that it functions properly. It could be dangerous as it explodes when you are priming. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves that use liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle at the stove's end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. This means that if you're cooking on kerosene the jet hole needs to be smaller than when cooking with gas. This isn't a major issue but it's still worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Lite

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 canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for each. The new model is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's perfect for beginners or backpackers who are budget-conscious.

It takes a bit of time to install, prime and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. The flame is very powerful when it is turned all the way up and can boil the water to a liter in less than two minutes. The only downside is that it doesn't cook as well as other stoves.

This is why MSR has created the Dragonfly stove to be a more capable simmering burner. It is similar in design as the whistler, however it is more compact and offers better performance. It's not as affordable as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative that offers the same setup at half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. Both versions share the same design and style, however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

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

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

It takes a bit of practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do so. If you do it wrong the fuel could be sprayed onto the burner, or even sputter. To master this try it out in the open before your excursion.

This stove does give up some performance or flame odor efficiency when using non-coleman fuels, but it's a trade-off for the extra flexibility it offers. Make sure to purchase unleaded gasoline and not something 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 stove from South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove designed for harsh conditions like Africa. It is a compact, robust stove that burns gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol with a single nozzle. It's a lightweight minimalist design that is priced less than the majority of multifuel stoves, and also has low ownership cost and fuel is less expensive per liter than gas canisters.

Some multifuel stoves also have an individual nozzle for each type of fuel. This makes them a little difficult to change in bad weather or with gloves, and adds to their weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. The latest models of these stoves are known as 'hybrid', or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are many names for them like isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.

A multifuel stove kit can be bought to transform your Trangia burners into double sided multifuel stove cookers. They are sold in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel and, with the right accessories, they can also simmer.