Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel through only one nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and 34630194.xyz 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 fuel canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low centre of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a sturdy stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a great stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and camping in the Arctic.
The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves which have issues with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping over the bottle. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to suck air which smothers the flame and decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This seems like an clever solution to a long-standing problem, and it certainly works. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, www.34630194.Xyz which includes MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for tools, spares, lubricant, and the fuel pump.
This is an excellent all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK especially for long-distance trips where a wide choice of fuels is required. Its price is also very affordable when compared to canister stoves of similar capability. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a favourite choice for many backpackers ever since. A few UK backpackers pay it much attention nowadays, possibly having been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the latest lightweight offering out of China or Korea is but this doesn’t mean that the Hydra isn’t still a great stove with its merits.
It’s a small and light stove, burning all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane through a single nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with an ignition bell that is bolted onto the body, which is then anchored by three fold out support legs. The pump is located on top of the fuel line, and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits over. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This makes it less affected by wind.
It is a very versatile little cooker since it can be used with propane canisters or isobutane. It’s simple to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all fuel types with a decent amount of heat, but is slower than some other stoves when using white gas.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were not written by native speakers of the language. The instructions warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you don’t follow the instructions correctly they could result in an accident, and possibly put Kovea in legal trouble. However that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a reputable manufacturer is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great option for those looking for a multifuel cooker that cooks with a variety of 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 is also able to alter the size of the flame which is a great feature. This stove has an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to ensure it is operating efficiently. It could be dangerous as it explodes when you are priming. This issue is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel that use a second spindle on the stove’s side instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.
It is also important to note that each fuel type requires an individual jet. This means that if cooking on kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. This is a minor nuisance but it’s still worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to fix on the field. It can be used with canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% over its predecessor, and the burner system was revamped to improve heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers with a limited budget or for beginners.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it’s an efficient stove that will not let you down. The flame is powerful when cranked all the way up and will easily boil a liter of water within two minutes or less. The only issue is that it doesn’t simmer like other stoves.
MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It’s similar to the whistler, but it’s more compact and provides more performance. It’s not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing similar features for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. Both versions share the same basic design, however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves this is a simple, rough and ready unit that will get the job done. It’s compact, self-contained and solid, with the tank at the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it simple to use and is a great choice for beginners, backpackers looking to save weight and those of us who have spares 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 will save you money as gasoline tanks can last as long as the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you’ll need to pressurize and prime them before you get a nice blue flame. If you don’t do it correctly the fuel could get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or even sputter. To master this do some practice outside before your trip.
The stove may lose some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you choose to use non-Coleman gasoline, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Be sure to buy unleaded gasoline and not something that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuels can cause the unit to be sputtering, leaky, and may 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 stove that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs, and gels with only one nozzle. It’s a light minimalist design that is priced less than most other multifuel stoves, and also has low cost of ownership with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle for each fuel type. It can be difficult to switch between fuels in cold weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can add to the overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have discovered a way to use the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much more convenient. The latest versions 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 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 available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans. They’re capable of burning all liquid fuels with the exception of diesel, and when fitted with the right equipment can even simmer.