9 . What Your Parents Teach You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
cheap Multi fuel stoves (market.yuntue.com)
Summary: These simple and lightweight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel via a single nozzle. They're popular in colder temperatures, but they're noisy 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 containers.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on uneven ground. This makes it an ideal stove for group base camps kayaking, Arctic camp.
In contrast to other liquid fuel stoves which suffer from a problem where unburned fuel is left in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that works by simply flipping the bottle over. This removes intake hoses from the fuel, and forces them to absorb air, which extinguishes flames and depressurizes bottle.
This is a pretty ingenious solution to an old problem and it's a good one. The Nova can be used with a range of regular fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.
This is an excellent stove for backpacking that can be used in the UK. It is particularly suitable for trips where various fuels are required. Its cost is affordable when compared with 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 first came on the market in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers ever since. A few UK backpackers seem to give the stove a lot of attention perhaps because they've caught up with better known brands or whatever the latest lightweight product from China or Korea is, but it doesn't mean the Hydra doesn't still have its merits.
It's a small and light stove, burning all liquid fuels including white gas as well as propane butane with one nozzle. It's a typical stove with a burner attached to a body, which is secured by three support legs that fold out. The pump is on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet and the flame spreader is up above that. The burner itself is a low-speed flame which allows it to be less affected by wind.
It is a nice feature that it can also be utilized with a canister of propane or isobutane, making it a multi-functional small cooker. It is easy to simmer with isobutane and propane and burns all fuels at a reasonable rate. However when using white gas, the stove runs a bit slower.
One thing to be aware of with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluids, which if mistaken for what was intended, could result in an accident that would land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a trusted brand is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cooker that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be powered by gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type, and you can also alter the size of the flame. This stove has a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank in a snap.
While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance to keep it working correctly. In particular, it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be a bit dangerous. This is a problem that occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that utilize a secondary spindle throttle at the stove end to vaporize fuel, instead of an engine coil.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. This means that if cooking on kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. This is a minor nuisance however it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable multi fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair on the field. It can be used with either canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% over its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is a great choice for backpackers on a tight budget or beginners.
It takes some time to prepare, set up and boil water, 10Kw Multi Fuel Stove but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is powerful and can easily boil one Liter of water in two minutes. The only drawback is that it doesn't simmer like other stoves.
MSR created the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It's designed in the same way as the whistler, but it is more compact and has better performance. It's not as affordable as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that offers the same configuration for a fraction of the cost. You can also get a Whisperlite International or 5Kw Multi Fuel Stoves Defra Approved Universal for isobutane canisters as well. Both versions use the same basic design but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
This is a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that does the job. It's strong and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank at the bottom and the burner up the top. This makes it easy to use and a good choice for beginners, backpackers who want to cut weight, and those who have spares in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") but can be used with unleaded gas as well. This option can save you money since a gallon of gasoline can last longer than the regular Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a stove that burns liquid fuel. You'll have to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can do this. If you don't do it correctly, fuel can pool, spray outside the burner, or even sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your next trip to learn how to do it.
The stove will sacrifice some performance or flame odor efficiency when using non-coleman fuels but that's a trade off for the additional versatility it offers. Be sure to buy unleaded gas, and not one that's enriched with alcohol or Methanol. This is because these kinds of fuel will cause the unit to be sputtering, leaky, and 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, robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels, and alcohol through one nozzle. It's a light and minimalist design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also comes with low ownership cost and fuel is less expensive per liter than gas canisters.
Other double sided multifuel stove stoves have an individual nozzle for each type of fuel. This makes them a little difficult to change in the rain or without gloves and can add to their weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current model use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it simpler. The newer versions of these stoves are known as 'hybrid' or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are various names for them like isobutane canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.
A multifuel stove kit can be bought to transform your Trangia burners into multi fuel cookers. They are sold in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They're a great option for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel. If fitted with the right equipment can even simmer.
