9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
cheap multi fuel stoves (read this)
Summary: These basic, lightweight stoves can use hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with only one nozzle. These stoves are popular in cold weather, but they can be noisy and lack simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids, that can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for example, burns white and isobutane fuel in its 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 and an aluminum pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a solid, rock-solid stove. This makes it a great stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and camping in the Arctic.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that are plagued by fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be resolved by flipping over the bottle. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, causing it to draw air into the stove, that extinguishes the flame. It also depressurizes the bottle.
This seems like a fairly clever solution to a long-standing problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring. This includes MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is a great all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK especially for long-distance trips where a variety of fuels is essential. Its price is also very affordable when compared with canister stoves that have similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also 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. The Hydra isn't as well-known among UK backpackers any more possibly because they've caught up to better-known brands or the latest lightweight offering from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean that it's less effective.
It's a compact and light stove, that can burn all liquid fuels including white gas and propane butane, using only one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body which anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is just above the fuel line, while the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated above. The burner itself is a low-speed flame that allows it to be less impacted by wind.
It's a remarkably versatile little cooker since it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane. It's simple to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all fuel types at a decent level but is a little slower than some other stoves when using white gas.
One thing to keep in mind with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain types of lighter fluids that, if misinterpreted as what was intended, could cause an accident that could result in Kovea in a lot of hot legal water. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister of a trusted brand will be fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice to those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety fuels. It can run on gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves can also be used to alter the size of the flame which is a great feature. The stove comes with an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and is connected to the tank in a snap.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Particularly it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be dangerous. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel which use a second spindle throttle at the stove's side to evaporate fuel instead of the generator coil.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. This means that if you cook on kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It can run on either canister fuel or liquid gas and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers on a tight budget or those who are just beginning.
It takes a bit of time to prepare, set up, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. The flame is strong and can cook a liter of water within two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as effective for simmering as some other stoves.
MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more capable burner. It's similar to the whistler, but it's more compact and offers superior performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that gives you the same setup at half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same fundamental design is used for both, but the Universal version can be used with canister fuel as well.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves, this is a no frills model that is rough and ready that will get the job done. It's compact, self-contained and solid with the tank on the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it simple to use and a good choice for beginners, backpackers looking to save weight and 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 non-leaded gasoline too. This will save you money since a gallon of gasoline can last as long as the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes a bit of practice to get a good blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll have to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can do so. If you get it wrong, your fuel may be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner or sputter. To master this do some practice outside before embarking on your trip.
The stove will lose some of its performance and effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Be sure to buy gasoline that isn't leaded and not augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel could cause the unit's performance to degrade and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove 5kw Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel that's been 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 using only one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter compared to gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle per fuel type. It isn't easy to switch between fuels during bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can also add weight to the overall load. Multifuel stoves that are of the current model utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it easier. These stoves are referred to as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also known by other names such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are typically sold at specialist camping stores and are also available for Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves purchase internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels aside from diesel, and with the right accessories they can even simmer.
