9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves use wood, hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters via only one nozzle. These stoves are popular during cold weather, however 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 instance, takes both white and isobutane fuel in its canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner, self-purging aluminum pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a perfect stove for base camps for groups as well as kayaking and Arctic camp.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel which have issues with unburned fuel remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be resolved by flipping the bottle. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and forces them to absorb air which puts out flames and depressurizes bottles.
This seems like an ingenious solution to an age-old problem and it definitely works. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, which includes MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.
This is a great all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions where a wide choice of fuels is necessary. The price is very affordable when compared with other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. Additionally the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea multi fuel stove ebay Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. Fewer UK backpackers seem to give the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the latest lightweight product from China or Korea is, but it doesn't mean the Hydra does not have its advantages.
It's a compact and light stove, that can burn all liquid fuels including white gas and propane butane with only one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body that is anchored by three support legs that fold out. A pump sits on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader is up above the inlet. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means it is less affected by the wind.
It is a nice feature that it can be used with a canister of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile small cooker. It is easy to simmer with isobutane as well as propane and it burns all types of fuels at a good rate. However, when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were not written by native users of the language. The instructions warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake they could result in an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas container of a reputable brand will 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 using a variety of fuels. It can be powered by gas, petrol/gasoline or fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also adjust the flame size. The stove comes with a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank in a snap.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to ensure it is operating correctly. In particular it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be risky. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves that use liquid fuel that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove's side instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. This means that if you cook using kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking on gas. This is a minor issue but it's still worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable best 5kw multi fuel stove-fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It can be used with canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is 10% lighter than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers with a limited budget or beginners.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it is an efficient stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful and can boil a Liter of water in two minutes. The only drawback is it's not as efficient for simmering as other stoves.
MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It has a similar design to the whistler, but is more compact and offers superior performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that offers the same configuration for a fraction of the cost. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. The same fundamental design is used for both, however the Universal version can be used with canister fuel as well.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves, this one is a no frills unpretentious unit 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 easy to use and is a great option for backpackers, beginners looking to save weight and for those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
Designed to burn Coleman's own proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) This stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline too. This can save you money since a gallon of gasoline can last as long as the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes a bit of practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll have to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can start. If you don't do it right the fuel could pool, spray beyond the burner or sputter. Try it out in the open before taking it on your next trip to learn how to do it.
This stove does give up some performance or flame odor efficiency when using non-coleman fuels, but that's a trade off for the added flexibility it offers. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas, and not one that's enriched with alcohol or methanol. This is because these kinds of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, Multi fuel stoves sputter and may even explode!
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel engineered for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact, solid stove that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol with a single nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter than gas canisters.
Some multifuel stoves also have an individual nozzle for each kind of fuel. This makes them a little difficult to switch between fuels in the rain or without gloves, and could increase their overall weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current type use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. The latest models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or "compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are various names for them such as isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.
Another option is to buy a multifuel stove that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They're a great choice for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel, and when equipped with the right accessories can even simmer.
