Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic and lightweight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel via one nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids capable of burning multiple types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane canisters for fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner and an aluminum pump that self-purges, and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a stable stove that is rock-solid. This makes it a great stove for group base camps kayaking, arctic camp.
In contrast to other liquid fuel stoves 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 operates by simply flipping the bottle over. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, forcing it to draw air into the stove, which extinguishes the flame and reduces the pressure in 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 regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring. This includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag that has separate pockets for spare parts, tools and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.
This is an excellent stove for backpacking that is suitable for use in the UK. It is especially ideal for trips, where many fuel types are required. The cost is quite reasonable compared to other canister stoves with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and fun to use.
multi fuel stove 5kw multi fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers since. Fewer UK backpackers seem to give the stove a lot of attention, possibly having fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the most recent lightweight stove from China or Korea is, but it doesn't mean the Hydra isn't still a great stove with its merits.
It is a compact and lightweight stove that can burn all liquid fuels like propane butane, white gas and white gas with a single nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design, with the burner bell that is bolted to the body, which is then 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 the inlet. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means it is less affected by wind.
One of the best features is that it can be utilized with a canister of propane or isobutane making it a versatile small cooker. It is easy to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is slower than other stoves when using white gas.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were not written by native English speakers. The instructions caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake, it can cause an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. However, 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 to those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook with a variety of fuels. It can be used with gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for every fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. 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 to keep it working correctly. It is a risk because it explodes when you are priming. This issue occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle at the stove's end instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.
It is also important to know that each fuel type needs a different jet. If you cook with kerosene then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also easy to fix on the field. It can run on either canister liquid gas or fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is 10percent lighter than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned to ensure better heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a tight budget or for beginners.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up and prime, then boil water, but it's an efficient stove that will not fail you. The flame is powerful and can easily boil one Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is it's not as efficient for simmering as some other stoves.
This is why MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to become a more capable simmering burner. It is similar in design like the whistler, but it is more compact and offers more performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering the same setup at 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
Like many Coleman stoves, this is a basic unpretentious unit that gets the job done. It's sturdy compact and self-contained, with the tank at the bottom and the burner up at the top. This makes it simple to use and a good choice for beginners, backpackers who want to reduce weight, and for those of us who want to keep a backup or two in the van.
The stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) The stove can be used with unleaded gasoline as well. A gallon of gasoline can last for as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.
It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can start. If you do it wrong the fuel may get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or even sputter. Practice outside before taking it on your trip to get the hang of it.
This stove sacrifices some performance or flame odor efficiency when using non-coleman fuels, but it's a trade-off for the extra versatility it offers. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). That's because these types of fuels can cause the unit to be sputtering, leaky, and possibly even explode!
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments like Africa. It's an extremely compact and reliable all in one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using only one nozzle. It's a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. The fuel is also less expensive per liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves have different nozzles for each type of fuel. This makes them fiddly to change over in the rain or without gloves, and adds to their weight overall. Multifuel stoves of the latest kind have a single nozzle that can burn multiple fuels, making it simpler. They can be described as hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names such as white gas, isobutane kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
A multifuel stove kit is available to transform your Trangia burners into multi fuel cookers. They are usually available at camping stores that specialize in camping and can be purchased internationally. They're a great choice for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel and if used with the correct accessories can even simmer.