It's Enough! 15 Things About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves We're Overheard

Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic stoves that are lightweight can burn wood, hexamine, white fuel, and gas canisters with a single nozzle. They are popular in 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 can be used with white and isobutane fuel canisters.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a stable, rock-solid stove. This makes it a perfect stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and arctic camping.

The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves that are plagued by fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be solved by simply flipping over the bottle. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, causing it to suck air which smothers the flame and reduces the pressure in the bottle.

This seems like a fairly innovative solution to an old problem and it certainly works. The Nova can also be used with a range of regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.

This is a great backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK. It is particularly useful for expeditions, where many fuel types are required. Its price is also very affordable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. Additionally, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a favorite choice for many backpackers ever since. Fewer UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days, possibly having caught up with better known brands or whatever the latest lightweight stove from China or Korea is but this doesn't mean that the Hydra does not have its merits.

It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas, and white gas through only one nozzle. It's a standard stove that has the burner mounted to a body that is anchored by three support legs that fold out. The pump is located just above the fuel line, the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated over. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means it is less affected by wind.

A nice feature is that it can be used with a container of propane or isobutane, which makes it a versatile small cooker. It's simple to simmer on 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.

One thing to be aware of with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you don't follow the instructions correctly they could result in an accident and land Kovea into legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister of a trusted brand will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are looking for a multifuel stove with back boiler cookware that can cook with a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and can also be used to adjust the flame size which is a wonderful feature. This stove has an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance in order to ensure it is operating properly. It could be dangerous as it flares up when you are priming. This is a problem that occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove's end to vaporize fuel, instead of an engine coil.

It is also important to know that every fuel type requires a different jet. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This is a minor nuisance however it's important to mention.

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 be used with canister or liquid fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's ideal for novices or backpackers who are budget-conscious.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up to prime and boil water, but it's a reliable stove that won't fail you. The flame is extremely powerful and can easily boil one Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is that it's not as good to simmer as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more capable burner. It's a similar design to the whistler but is more compact and provides more performance. However it's not as affordable as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative that offers a similar setup for less than half the cost. You can also purchase a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. Both versions use the same basic design, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves, this one is a simple unpretentious unit that gets 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 a good option for backpackers, beginners looking to reduce 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 unleaded gasoline as well. This can save you money since gasoline tanks can last longer than the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves have a learning curve as you'll need to properly pressurize and prepare them to create a beautiful blue flame. If you do it wrong, your fuel may pool, spray beyond the burner, or even explode. Do some practice outside before going on your next trip to learn how to do it.

The stove will suffer some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a trade-off for its versatility. Be sure to buy unleaded gasoline, and not one augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel could cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi-Fuel Room Heating stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is a lightweight multifuel stove specifically made for harsh environments like Africa. It's an efficient and compact all in one system that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs, and gels with one nozzle. It's a light minimalist design that is priced less than other multifuel stoves and also offers low ownership cost with fuel being cheaper per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves use a separate nozzle for each kind of fuel. It isn't easy to switch between fuels in cold weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also increase the overall weight. The latest models of multifuel stoves have found a way to use the same nozzle for different fuels, making it easier. These stoves can be called hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They are also known by other names such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.

A multifuel stove kit is available to transform your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. They are usually available at camping stores that specialize in camping and are also available for purchase internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels except diesel, and with the right accessories they can even simmer.