Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and lightweight stoves burn wood, hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel via one nozzle. They're popular in colder weather, but they're loud and don't have a simmer control.

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

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a multi burner stove-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It comes with a quick-priming stove as well as an aluminium pump that self-purges and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it an ideal stove for base camps for groups kayaking, Arctic camp.

Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem in which 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 flipping the bottle over. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to draw air into the stove, that extinguishes the flame. It also depressurizes the bottle.

This is an ingenious solution to an old problem and it's effective. The Nova can be used with a range of standard fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It comes with an oven bag that has pockets for spares, tools, lubricant, and the fuel pump.

This is an excellent all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK especially for long-distance trips where a variety of fuels is necessary. The price is very affordable when compared with other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and fun to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. It isn't as popular UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten caught up with better known brands or whatever the latest lightweight product from China or Korea is, but this doesn't mean that the Hydra doesn't still have its merits.

It is a Small Multi Fuel Stoves For Sale (Envtox.Snu.Ac.Kr) and light stove that burns all liquid fuels including white gas, propane butane and white gas with a single nozzle. It's a typical stove with a burner attached to a body which anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is situated above the fuel line, the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner itself is a low velocity flame type that helps it to be less affected by winds.

It is a very versatile little cooker since it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane. It is easy to simmer with isobutane and propane, and it burns all fuels at a decent rate. However, when using white gas the stove can be a little slower.

One thing to keep in mind concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn against using certain types of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake this could cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea in legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister from a reputable brand will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be an ideal choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cookware that cooks with a variety fuels. It can be used with gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and also allows to adjust the flame size, which is a nice feature. The stove also has a fuel line that lies flat on the ground and can be easily connected to the tank.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running correctly. It is a risk because it flares up when priming. This is a common issue with all liquid fuel stoves which use a second spindle throttle on the stove's end to vaporize fuel, instead of an engine coil.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor inconvenience however it's something to be aware of.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can run on either canister fuel or liquid gas, and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner system was redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's perfect for beginners or backpackers with a budget.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up and prime, then boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't disappoint you. The flame is powerful and can easily boil one Liter of water in just two minutes. The only downside is that it doesn't cook like other stoves.

MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It's a similar design to the whistler but is more compact and provides better performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing a similar setup for less than half the price. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. Both versions share the same design and style, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a basic low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that does its job. It's sturdy, compact and self-contained with the tank on the bottom and the burner up at the top. This makes it easy to use and is a great choice for beginners, backpackers looking to save weight and for those of us who keep a few spares in the van.

The stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas), this stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline, as well. This option will save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last as long as the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prepare them to create a beautiful blue flame going. If you're not careful, fuel can pool, spray outside the burner, or even sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your next trip to master it.

The stove will lose some performance and odor of the flame effectiveness if you use non-Coleman gasoline, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Be sure to buy unleaded gas, and not one that is augmented with alcohol or Methanol. These types of fuel 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 specifically designed for harsh conditions like Africa. It's an extremely compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and gels with one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves use different nozzles for each kind of fuel. It isn't easy to switch between fuels during bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can also add weight to the overall load. Multifuel stoves of the latest type utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. They can be called hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also known by other names such as white gas, isobutane kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

A multifuel stove kit can be bought to convert your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. They are usually sold at specialist camping stores and can be purchased internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel, and with the right accessories they can even simmer.