10 Quick Tips About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves burn wood and hexamine tablets as well as gas canisters, and white fuel through a single nozzle. They're popular during cold weather but they're loud and don't have simmer control.

Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel canisters.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner as well as an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a great stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking, and camping in the Arctic.

Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which suffer from a problem where unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by flipping the bottle over. This removes intake hoses from the fuel and forces them to take in air, which puts out flames and depressurizes bottles.

This is a clever solution to an old problem and it's effective. The Nova can be used with a range of standard fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring. This includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts, lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is an excellent all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK, particularly for expeditions in which a variety of fuels is essential. The price is very affordable compared to other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. Moreover the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. Fewer UK backpackers seem to give it much attention nowadays, possibly having fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the most recent lightweight offering out of China or Korea is, but it doesn't mean the Hydra does not have its merits.

It is a lightweight and 349338 compact stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas and 349338.xyz white gas using only one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with an ignition bell that is bolted onto an aluminum body that is anchored by three support legs that fold out. The pump is on top of the fuel hose and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above that. The burner itself is a low-speed flame, which makes it a little less affected by winds.

It is a very versatile little cooker since it can be used with propane canisters or isobutane. It's easy to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a reasonable level, however it is a bit slower than some other stoves when you use white gas.

One thing to keep in mind when using the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken this could cause an accident and land Kovea into legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas container of a trusted brand will be fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cooker that cooks 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 nice feature. This stove has an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank easily.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Particularly it is prone to flare during priming, which can be a bit risky. This issue is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel that use a second spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. If you cook using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This isn't a major issue but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to fix on the field. It can be used with canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new model is 10% lighter than its predecessor, and the burner's system has been improved to ensure better heat distribution. It's ideal for 349338.xyz novices or budget-minded backpackers.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't let you down. The flame is strong and can easily boil one Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is that it does not simmer as well as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It has a similar design as the whistler, however it is smaller and offers more performance. However it's not as inexpensive as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative that offers a similar setup for less than half the cost. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. The same design is used in both, however the Universal version can be operated with fuel from canisters as well.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple, no-frills Coleman stove that does the job. It's solid compact and self-contained, with the tank on the bottom and the burner up at the top. This makes it easy to use and a good option for 349338.xyz backpackers, beginners who are looking to cut down on weight, and for those who want to keep an extra or two in the van.

The stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) The stove can be used with unleaded gasoline, as well. This option will save you money as a gallon of gasoline can last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

It requires some 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 this. If you're not careful, fuel can get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your trip to get the hang of it.

The stove will lose some performance and odor of the flame effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuel can 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 like Africa. It is a compact, reliable system that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol using one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter compared to gas canisters.

Some multifuel stoves also have different nozzles for each type of fuel. This makes them fiddly to change over in the rain or without gloves, and could increase their overall weight. Multifuel stoves of the latest model use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. These stoves are described as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also referred to under other names like white gas, isobutane kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

Another option is to purchase an multifuel stove kit which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They're a great option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel. If used with the correct accessories can even simmer.