9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves use wood and hexamine tablets as well as white fuel and gas canisters with only one nozzle. These stoves are popular during cold weather, but they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.

Some multi fuel wood burning stoves-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 is a multi fuel stoves uk-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner and an aluminum pump that self-purges and precise simmer control. Its low centre of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a great stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.

The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves which have issues with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping over the bottle. This removes the intake hose from the fuel, forcing it to draw air into the stove, which extinguishes the flame and decreases the pressure of the bottle.

This seems like a fairly clever solution to a long-standing problem and it certainly works. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, which includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.

This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for long-distance trips in which a variety of fuels is required. The price is very affordable when compared with other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel burning stove fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers since. The Hydra isn't as well-known with UK backpackers anymore possibly because they've been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. But that doesn't make it any less effective.

It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels, including propane butane, white gas and white gas with one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body, which is secured by three fold-out support legs. A pump sits on the top of the fuel line and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated above that. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means that it is not affected by wind.

A nice feature is that it can be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile small cooker. It is easy to simmer using isobutane and propane and burns all types of fuels at a good rate. However when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.

One thing to be aware of when using the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by a native speaker of the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain types of lighter fluid that if used in a manner that is not what is actually intended can cause an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister from a reputable brand will work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also allows to adjust the flame size which is a great feature. This stove has a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank in a snap.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running efficiently. It could be dangerous as it flares up when you are priming. This issue is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.

Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and most affordable multi fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It can be run on canister liquid gas or fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned for improved heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers on a tight budget or beginners.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up to prime and boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't disappoint you. The flame is powerful and can boil a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only downside is that it doesn't cook like other stoves.

This is why MSR has developed the Dragonfly stove, which is a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design as the whistler, but it is smaller and offers better performance. It's not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering similar features for less than half the cost. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. 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 the job. 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 great option for those who are new to backpacking, who want to reduce weight, and for those of us who like to keep an extra or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") but it can be used with unleaded gas as well. This will save you money as gasoline tanks can last longer than the regular Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

It takes a bit of practice to get a good blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do so. If you get it wrong your fuel may spill out, splash beyond the burner, or even sputter. To master this do some practice outside before you go on your trip.

This stove does give up some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels, but that's a trade off for the added flexibility it provides. Make sure you purchase gas that is not leaded and not that's enriched with alcohol or Methanol. This is because these types of fuel will cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and possibly even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko 5kw multi fuel stove Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments like Africa. It is a compact, robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol using one nozzle. It's an ultralight and minimalist design that costs less than other cast iron multifuel stove stoves, and also has low ownership cost with fuel being 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 change in bad weather or with gloves, and could increase their weight overall. The latest models of multifuel stoves have discovered an option to use the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much more convenient. The newer models of these stoves are known as 'hybrid', or 'compressed multifuel stoves'. there are a variety of names for them such as isobutane canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.

A multifuel stove kit can be bought to convert your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and can be bought internationally. These are great for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel and, with the right accessories, they can even simmer.