Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves use wood as well as hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters via one nozzle. These stoves are popular during colder weather, but they are noisy and lack simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids that can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner and an aluminum pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a solid and solid stove. This makes it an ideal stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that have a problem with unburned fuel remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be solved by simply flipping over the bottle. This removes intake hoses from the fuel, and forces them to take in air, which extinguishes flames and depressurizes bottles.
This is an ingenious solution to an old problem and it's a good one. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal. This includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully-featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.
This is a fantastic stove for backpacking that can be used in the UK. It is especially useful for expeditions, where many fuel types are required. The price is affordable compared to other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. Moreover the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. The Hydra is not as popular with UK backpackers anymore possibly because they've gained popularity with brands that are more well-known or the latest lightweight offering from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean it's any less effective.
It's a relatively compact and light stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane through one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with a burner bell bolted to a body that anchors three fold out support legs. The pump is located just above the fuel line, and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits over. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This makes it less affected by the wind.
It's a versatile little cooker because it can be used with either isobutane canisters or propane canisters. 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 runs a bit slower.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were clearly 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 into legal trouble. But that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister made by a reputable brand is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cookware that can cook with a variety fuels. It can operate on gas, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and is also able to alter the size of the flame which is a wonderful feature. The stove comes with an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and is connected to the tank in a snap.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it running correctly. Particularly, it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be risky. This issue occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that utilize 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 every type of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. This isn't a major issue but it's still worth mentioning.
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 be used with liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for each. The new model is 10% lighter than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned for improved heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a budget or for beginners.
It takes some time to prepare, set up and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. The flame is powerful and can boil a Liter of water in two minutes. The only drawback is it's not as efficient for simmering as some other stoves.
MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It's a similar design to the whistler, but is more compact and provides 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 less than half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. 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 top. This makes it simple to use and a great option for backpackers, beginners who want to save on weight and for those who prefer to have a backup or two in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") but can be used with unleaded gas as well. This will save you money since a gallon of gasoline can last as long as the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
Liquid fuel stoves have a steep learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prime them before you create a beautiful blue flame going. If you don't do it correctly, fuel can be sprayed onto the burner, or sputter. Try it out in the open before taking it on your next trip to learn how to do it.
The stove will suffer some of its performance and effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one enhanced with methanol or (alcohol). This is because these kinds of fuel will cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and possibly even explode!
content multi-fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is a lightweight multifuel stove specifically built for harsh environments such as Africa. It's an efficient and compact all-in-one stove that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and gels with a single nozzle. It's an ultralight minimalist design that is priced less than most other multifuel stoves. It also comes with low cost of ownership with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.
Some multifuel stoves also have a separate nozzle for each kind of fuel. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also add to the overall weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current model have a single nozzle that can burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. The latest models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid', or 'compressed multifuel stoves'. there are various names for them like isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove kit that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. These are often available at camping stores that specialize in camping and are also available for purchase internationally. They're a great option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel. If equipped with the right accessories can even simmer.