13 Things About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves You May Never Have Known
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters through a single nozzle. These stoves are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and lack simmer control.
Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn various types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for example, burns white and isobutane canisters of fuel.
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 broad legs make it a solid, rock-solid stove. This makes it an ideal stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.
Contrary to many other stoves that use liquid fuel, 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 operates by flipping the bottle over. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to suck air that extinguishes the flame. It also reduces the pressure in the bottle.
This seems like a fairly clever solution to a long-standing problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, which includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that has separate pockets for spare parts, tools and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.
This is an excellent backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is particularly ideal for trips, where a variety of fuels are required. Its price is also very affordable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. Furthermore, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as popular among UK backpackers anymore, perhaps because they have been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the most recent lightweight options from China or Korea. But that doesn't make it any less useful.
It is a compact and lightweight stove that can burn all liquid fuels like white gas, propane butane and white gas using only one nozzle. It's a typical stove design with an ignition bell that is bolted onto the body, which is then anchored by three fold out support legs. A pump is located on top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above that. The burner itself is a low velocity flame that helps it to be less impacted by wind.
A nice feature is that it can be used with a canister of propane or isobutane making it a multi-functional small cooker. It is easy to simmer with isobutane as well as propane and burns all types of fuels at a good rate. However when using white gas, the stove is a little slower.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were clearly not written by native speakers of the language. The instructions caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken they could result in an accident and put Kovea into legal trouble. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a trusted brand is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a ideal choice for those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook using a variety fuels. It can run on gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and is also able to adjust the flame size which is a wonderful feature. The stove comes with a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank quickly.
While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it does require maintenance to keep it working correctly. Particularly it is prone to flare during priming, which can be a bit dangerous. This issue is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel, which use 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. If you cook using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This is a minor issue however it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and most affordable multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It is able to be used with liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a tight budget or for beginners.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up to prime and boil water, but it is an efficient stove that will not fail you. The flame is powerful and can easily boil one Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is it's not as efficient for simmering as some other stoves.
MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It is similar in design as the whistler, but it is more compact and offers better performance. It's not as inexpensive 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. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same design is used in both, but the Universal version can be operated with fuel from canisters as well.
Coleman Sportster II
It's a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that can do the job. It's strong, compact and self-contained with the tank at the bottom and burner up top. This makes it easy to use and a good choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to save weight and those of us who have 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, as well. A gallon of gasoline will last as long as a typical Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel with this option.
It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you're not careful the fuel may pool, spray outside the burner, or even sputter. Try it out in the open before taking it on your next trip to learn how to do it.
The stove will lose some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Make sure to purchase gasoline that isn't leaded and not augmented 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 (formerly known as the Jiko) is a lightweight multifuel stove specifically made for harsh environments like Africa. It's a compact, solid stove that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol using one nozzle. It's a lightweight, minimalist design that costs less than the majority of multifuel stoves and also offers low ownership cost and fuel is less expensive per liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle for each type of fuel. This makes them fiddly to change over in cold weather or using gloves, and adds to their weight overall. Multifuel stoves of the latest model utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. The newer versions of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or 'compressed multifuel stoves'. there are a variety of names for them, including isobutane canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.
A multifuel stove kit is available to transform your Trangia burners into multi fuel cookers. click this link are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels except diesel and with the appropriate accessories they can even simmer.