Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic stoves that are lightweight can burn wood, hexamine white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with a single nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, however they are noisy and lack simmer control.

Some inset multi fuel stove-fuel stoves can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a contemporary multi fuel stoves-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low centre of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it an ideal stove for group base camps, kayaking, and the Arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves which have issues with unburned fuel remaining in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping the bottle. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, and forces it to draw in air, which smothers the flame and depressurizes the bottle.

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

This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for trips in which a variety of fuels is essential. Its price is also very affordable when compared to canister stoves that have similar capabilities. Moreover, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first introduced in 2010 and has been a popular choice for backpackers since. 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 useful.

It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas, propane butane, and white gas through one nozzle. It's a typical stove design with a burner bell bolted to an aluminum body that is anchored by three fold out support legs. The pump is on top of the fuel line, the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner itself is a low velocity flame type which allows it to be less impacted by wind.

It's a versatile little cooker because it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane. It is easy to simmer with isobutane as well as propane and 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, but they were clearly not written by native speakers of the language. The instructions warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken, it can cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea into legal trouble. However, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer is likely to work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice for those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook with a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to alter the size of the flame. The stove comes with an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and is connected to the tank easily.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance to keep it working correctly. Particularly it has a tendency to flare when priming which could be dangerous. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves that use liquid fuel that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor inconvenience, but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and most affordable multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can run on either canister liquid gas or fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner has been revamped to improve heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers on a tight budget or for beginners.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare to prime and boil water, but it's an efficient stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is strong when turned to the max and can boil a liter of water in two minutes or less. The only drawback is that it doesn't simmer as well as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It's designed in the same way like the whistler, but it is smaller and offers more performance. However it's not as affordable as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering a similar setup for half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. Both versions use the same basic design but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that can do the job. It's small, self-contained and solid, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it simple to use and a great option for backpackers, beginners who are looking to cut down on weight, and for those of us who prefer to have a backup or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but it can be used with non-leaded gas as well. A gallon of gasoline can last for as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, so you'll save money on fuel by using this option.

It requires some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a stove that burns liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you do it wrong the fuel could be sprayed onto the burner, or sputter. To get the hang of this, practice outside before your trip.

The stove will suffer some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Make sure to purchase unleaded gasoline, and not one augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These kinds of fuels can cause the unit's performance to degrade and 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 solid fuel, alcohol, tabs and also gels through a single nozzle. It's an ultralight, minimalist design that costs less than the majority of 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 an individual nozzle for each type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can add to the overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have found an option to make use of the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much easier. These stoves can be described as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names, such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.

Another option is to buy a multifuel stove that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are sold in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and cheap Multi Fuel stoves are also available internationally. They are a good option for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels with the exception of diesel, and when equipped with the right accessories can even cook.