9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple stoves that are lightweight can burn hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters using one nozzle. They are popular in colder weather, but they are noisy and lack simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves burn various types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for 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 wide spread legs make it a solid, rock-solid stove. This makes it a perfect stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and arctic camping.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel which have issues with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves nozzle. This can be solved by simply flipping over the bottle. This removes the intake hose from the fuel, and forces it to draw air into the stove, which smothers the flame and depressurizes the bottle.

This is an ingenious solution to an age-old problem, and it certainly works. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag with separate pockets for spare parts, tools, lubricant and the fuel pump.

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

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first introduced in 2010 and has been a favorite choice for many backpackers ever since. Fewer UK backpackers pay the stove a lot of attention, possibly having been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight product from China or Korea is, but this doesn't mean that the Hydra doesn't still have its merits.

It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels like propane butane, white gas, and white gas through one nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design with an ignition bell that is bolted onto the body, which is then anchored by three support legs that fold out. A pump is located on top of the fuel hose and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above the inlet. The burner itself is a low velocity flame which allows it to be less affected by wind.

One of the best features is that it can also be used with a container of propane or isobutane, which makes it a versatile little cooker. It is easy to simmer with isobutane and propane, and it burns all fuels at a reasonable rate. However when using white gas, the stove can be a little slower.

One thing to be aware of concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by someone who speaks 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 in legal trouble. But, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer is likely to work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are seeking a multifuel cooker that can cook with a variety fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline 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 an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and is connected to the tank quickly.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it requires maintenance in order to keep it working correctly. It can be dangerous because it gets flaming when priming. This is a problem that is common to 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.

It is also important to remember that each fuel type requires a different jet. If you cook using kerosene, 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 tiniest, lightest and most affordable cast iron multi fuel stoves 5kw-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair on the field. It is able to run on canister liquid gas or 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 the distribution of heat. It's great for beginners or backpackers who are budget-conscious.

The whistler Lite requires a bit of time to set up and prime, then boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't let you down. The flame is strong and can boil a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is that it's not as effective for simmering as other stoves.

MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more capable burner. It is similar in design as the whistler, however it is smaller and has superior performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that gives you the same set-up for half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. Both versions use the same design and style, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that does the job. It's compact, self-contained and solid, with the tank at the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it easy to use and a good option for backpackers, beginners looking to save weight and for those of us who have spares in the van.

The stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas), this stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline too. A gallon of gasoline can last as long as a typical Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, so you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.

It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove that burns liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can start. If you get it wrong, your fuel may pool, spray beyond the burner, or splash out. Try it out in the open before taking it on your trip to learn how to do it.

The stove may lose some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman gasoline, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Be sure to buy unleaded gas and not something that's enriched with alcohol or methanol. These types of fuel can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel that's been designed to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's an extremely compact and reliable all-in-one stove that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs, and gels with a single nozzle. It's a lightweight minimalist design that is priced less than the majority of multifuel stoves and also offers low cost of ownership and fuel is less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves use different nozzles for each type of fuel. This makes them difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves, and could increase their overall weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current model utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it much easier. The newer versions of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid', or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are many names for them like isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.

A multifuel stove kit is available to transform your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They're a great option for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels with the exception of diesel, and when equipped with the right accessories can even cook.