9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple, lightweight stoves can burn hexamine, wood white fuel, as well as gas canisters through a single nozzle. They're popular in colder weather but they're loud and don't have a simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova cast iron multi fuel stoves 5kw-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a sturdy stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a perfect stove for base camps for groups as well as kayaking and the Arctic camp.
In contrast to other liquid fuel stoves which have a problem of unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by flipping the bottle over. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, forcing it to draw air into the stove, that extinguishes the flame. It also depressurizes the bottle.
This is an innovative solution to an old problem and it certainly does the trick. The Nova can be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that are sealed with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully-featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for spare parts, tools, lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is a great backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK. It is especially ideal for trips, where various fuels are required. The price is affordable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. Furthermore the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a favourite choice for many backpackers since. The Hydra is not as popular with UK backpackers any more, perhaps because they have been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. But this doesn't mean it's any less effective.
It is a small and Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves light stove that burns all liquid fuels like propane butane, white gas, and white gas through one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with the burner mounted to a body that is anchored by three fold-out support legs. A pump is located on the top of the fuel hose, the generator loop goes around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above the inlet. The burner itself is a low-speed flame type which allows it to be less affected by winds.
It is a nice feature that it can also be used with a canister of propane or isobutane making it a versatile little cooker. It is easy to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a decent level but is a little slower than other stoves when using white gas.
One thing to be aware of with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions warn you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken they could result in an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas container from a reputable brand will be fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent option for those seeking a multifuel cooker that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be powered by gas, petrol/gasoline or fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. The stove also has a fuel line that lies flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.
While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance in order to ensure it is operating properly. It is a risk because it flares up when priming. This is a common issue with all liquid fuel stoves that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove's side to vaporize fuel, instead of a generator coil.
Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. This means that if you're cooking on kerosene the jet hole has to be smaller than when using gas. This is a minor nuisance but it's worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be used with either canister or liquid fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner system was redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers on a tight budget or beginners.
It takes a bit of time to install, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is extremely powerful when cranked to the max and will easily boil the water to a liter within two minutes or less. The only downside is that it's not as effective to simmer as other stoves.
This is the reason MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove, which is a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design as the whistler, however it is smaller and offers more performance. 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. Whisperlite International and Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Universal can be utilized with isobutane. Both versions have the same basic design, however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
This is a simple, no-frills Coleman stove that does its 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 operate and a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to save weight and those of us who have spares in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but it can be used with non-leaded gas too. A gallon of gasoline can last as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you'll save money on fuel using this alternative.
It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll have to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can do this. If you do it wrong, fuel can be sprayed onto the burner, or even sputter. To get the hang of this try it out in the open before your excursion.
The stove may lose some of its performance and effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuel can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and possibly even explode!
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's a compact, robust stove that burns gels, solid fuel tabs, and alcohol through a single nozzle. It's an ultralight minimalist design that is priced less than other multifuel stoves, and also has low ownership cost and fuel is less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle per fuel type. This makes them a little difficult to switch between fuels in the rain or without gloves and can add to their weight overall. The newer types of multifuel stoves have found an option to use the same nozzle to ignite multiple fuels which is much easier. These stoves are called hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They are also known by other names such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
A multifuel stove kit can be bought to convert your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are often sold at specialist camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels except diesel, and with the right accessories, they can also simmer.
