9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves use wood as well as hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters with a single nozzle. They're popular during cold temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have simmer control.
Some multi burner stove-fuel stoves are hybrids that can burn different kinds 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, an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it an ideal stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and arctic camping.
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 resolved by flipping over the bottle. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, forcing it to suck air that extinguishes the flame. It also decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This is a clever solution to an old problem, and it works. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal. This includes MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for spares, tools as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for trips where a wide choice of fuels is essential. The price is affordable when compared with other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. Moreover the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a favorite among backpackers. Fewer UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days, possibly having caught up with better known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight product from China or Korea is, but that doesn't mean that the Hydra does not have its merits.
It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas, propane butane and white gas using one nozzle. It's a typical stove with a burner attached to a body that is anchored by three fold-out support legs. The pump is just above the fuel line, and the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated above. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means that it is not affected by the wind.
It is a nice feature that it can be used with a canister of isobutane or propane, which makes it a versatile small cooker. It is easy to simmer using isobutane and propane, and it burns all types of fuels at a good rate. However, when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.
One thing to keep in mind concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken, it can cause an accident and put Kovea in legal trouble. Any gas canister that is 7/16ths UNEF-threaded of a reputable brand will be fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice for those looking for a multifuel stove that can cook 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 fuel type and is also able to alter the size of the flame which is a great feature. The stove also has a fuel line that lies flat on the ground and can be easily connected to the tank.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to ensure it is operating efficiently. In particular, it has a tendency to flare when priming which can be a bit dangerous. This issue occurs with all liquid fuel stoves, which use a secondary spindle on the stove's side instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.
Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. If you cook using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. This is a minor issue but it's still worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and most affordable 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 lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned for improved heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers with a limited budget or beginners.
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 powerful when it is turned to the max and can easily boil the water to a liter in two minutes or less. The only issue is that it does not simmer as well as other stoves.
This is why MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to be an efficient simmering burner. It has a similar design like the whistler, but it is more compact and offers superior performance. However it's not as inexpensive as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that gives you the same setup at half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. Both versions use the same basic design, however, the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves, this is a no frills unpretentious unit that gets the job done. It's compact, self-contained, and solid, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it easy to use and a good choice for those who are new to backpacking, who want to cut weight, and for those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
It is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas), this stove can be used with unleaded gasoline, as well. A gallon of gasoline can last for as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.
It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove that burns liquid fuel. You'll have to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do so. If you're not careful the fuel may be sprayed onto the burner, Cheap Multi fuel Stoves or even sputter. To master this do some practice outside before your excursion.
The stove will sacrifice some performance or flame odor effectiveness with non-coleman fuels however this is a trade-off in exchange for the added flexibility it provides. Be sure to buy unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel could cause the unit's performance to decline and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and gels with a single nozzle. It's an ultralight and minimalist design that costs less than most other multifuel stoves, and also has low ownership cost with fuel being cheaper per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle per fuel type. This makes them a little difficult to change in bad weather or with gloves, and could increase their weight overall. Multifuel stoves of the latest kind 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 a variety of names for them like isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.
Another option is to purchase an multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. They are typically sold at specialist camping stores and are available internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel. If fitted with the right equipment can even cook.
