9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple and lightweight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel with only one nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, but they are noisy and lack simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids, capable of burning multiple kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane canisters for fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi fuel stove ebay-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner as well as an aluminium pump that self-purges and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spread legs make it a solid stove that is rock-solid. This makes it an ideal stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and arctic camping.
Contrary to many other stoves with liquid fuel that suffer from a problem where unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that works by flipping the bottle over. This removes the intake hose from the fuel, causing it to suck air which extinguishes the flame and decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This is an clever solution to a long-standing problem and it definitely does the trick. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for spare parts, tools and lubricant, Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves as well as the fuel pump.
This is an excellent stove for backpacking that is suitable for use in the UK. It is especially useful for expeditions, where many fuel types are required. The price is reasonable when compared to canister stoves of similar capability. Moreover the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as popular with UK backpackers any more, perhaps because they have been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the latest lightweight offering from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean it's any less useful.
It's a compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels including white gas as well as propane butane, using one nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design, with the burner bell that is bolted to an aluminum body that is anchored by three fold out support legs. The pump is just above the fuel line, while the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This makes it less susceptible to wind.
One of the best features is that it can also be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a multi-functional little cooker. It is easy to simmer with isobutane as well as propane and it burns all fuels at a decent rate. However, when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.
One thing to keep in mind with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake they could result in an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer 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 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 every fuel type and allows you to alter the size of the flame. This stove has an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank quickly.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it operating properly. It is a risk because it explodes when you are priming. This issue is common to all liquid fuel stoves that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.
It is also important to remember that each fuel type requires an individual jet. This means that if you're cooking using kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when using gas. It's not a major issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It can be used with either canister or liquid fuel and includes attachments for both. The new design is 10% lighter than its predecessor and the burner has been revamped to improve heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a budget or those who are just beginning.
It takes some time to set up, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. The flame is extremely powerful and can cook a liter of water within two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as good for simmering as other stoves.
MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It has a similar design to the whistler but is more compact and offers superior performance. However it's not as affordable as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that provides a similar set-up for half the price. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. The same basic design is used for both, however the Universal version can also be run with canister fuel in addition.
Coleman Sportster II
This is a basic, no-frills Coleman stove that does its job. It's compact, self-contained, and solid, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it easy to use and is a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to reduce weight and those who keep a few 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. A gallon of gasoline will last for as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you'll save money on fuel by using this option.
Liquid fuel stoves have a learning curve, as you'll have to properly pressurize and prime them before you can create a beautiful blue flame. If you don't do it right, your fuel may be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner, or even explode. To get the hang of this do some practice outside before you go on your trip.
The stove may lose some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas and not something that's enriched with alcohol or Methanol. These kinds of fuels can cause the unit's performance to degrade and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove defra approved Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments like Africa. It's a compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using only one nozzle. It's an ultralight minimalist design that is priced less than the majority of multifuel stoves, and also has low cost of ownership with fuel being cheaper per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle for each fuel type. It can be difficult to switch between fuels during bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can increase the overall weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current type utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it simpler. These stoves can be described as hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They are also referred to by other names such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.
Another option is to buy a multifuel stove kit which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are usually sold at specialist camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel, and with the right accessories they can even simmer.
