Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple stoves that are lightweight can use hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with only one nozzle. They're popular during cold weather but they're loud 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 can be used with both white and isobutane fuel canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges 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 an ideal stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and Arctic camping.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that have a problem with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping the bottle. multi fuel stoves for sale near me are removed from the fuel and forces them to absorb air, which extinguishes flames and depressurizes the bottle.
This seems like an ingenious solution to an age-old problem and it definitely does the trick. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It comes with an oven bag that has pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.
This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions where a wide choice of fuels is essential. Its price is also very affordable when compared to canister stoves that have 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. A few UK backpackers seem to give it much attention nowadays perhaps because they've caught up with better known brands or whatever the latest lightweight offering out of China or Korea is, but this doesn't mean that the Hydra does not have its merits.
It is a lightweight and compact stove that can burn all liquid fuels, including white gas, propane butane and white gas with a single nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design with an ignition bell that is bolted onto an aluminum body that is anchored by three support legs that fold out. The pump is situated on top of the fuel line, the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated over. The burner itself is a low-speed flame type which makes it a little less impacted by wind.
One of the best features is that it can also be used with a container of propane or isobutane, making it a versatile little cooker. It's easy to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is a bit slower than other stoves when you use white gas.
One thing to keep in mind 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 warn against the use of certain types of lighter fluids that if used in a manner that is not what was intended, could result in an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. That said, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable brand is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a ideal choice to those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook with a variety of fuels. It can run on gas, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type, and you can also alter the size of the flame. This stove comes with an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank in a snap.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running correctly. In particular it is prone to flare when priming which can be dangerous. This is a problem that is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel that use a second spindle on the stove's side instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.
It is also important to remember that each fuel type requires the use of a different jet. This means that if you cook on kerosene, the jet hole has to be smaller than when cooking on gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair on the field. It can run on either canister liquid gas or fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner system was revamped to improve heat distribution. It's great for beginners or backpackers who are budget-conscious.
It takes some time to set up, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is strong and can cook a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only issue is that it doesn't cook as well as other stoves.
This is why MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to become a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design like the whistler, but it is smaller and offers more performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative that offers similar features for less than half the cost. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same design is used for both, however the Universal version can be operated with fuel from canisters in addition.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves this is a simple model that is rough and ready that just gets the job done. It's sturdy compact and self-contained, with the tank at the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it simple to use and an excellent option for backpackers, beginners who are looking to cut down on weight, and for those who prefer to have a backup or two in the van.
It is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas), this stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline as well. This can save you money since a gallon of gasoline can last longer than the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes a bit of practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can start. If you're not careful the fuel may get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or sputter. To get the hang of this do some practice outside before embarking on your excursion.
The stove will suffer some performance and odor of the flame effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuel 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 to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's a compact and solid stove that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol with a single nozzle. It's a lightweight minimalist design that is priced less than most other multifuel stoves, and also has low cost of ownership with fuel being cheaper per liter than gas canisters.
Some multifuel stoves also have different nozzles for each type of fuel. This makes them difficult to switch between fuels in the rain or without gloves, and adds to their weight. The latest models of multifuel stoves have found ways to use the same nozzle to ignite different fuels, making it more convenient. These stoves can be called hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names, such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove kit which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are usually sold at specialist camping stores and are available internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, apart from diesel, and with the right accessories, they can also simmer.