10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Cheap multi fuel stoves (one-time offer)

Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves use wood, hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel through only one nozzle. They're popular in cold weather but they're loud and don't have simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids that can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane fuel in its canisters.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a 10kw multi fuel stove-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It has 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 hard ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking and arctic camping.

In contrast to other stoves with liquid fuel that have a problem in which 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 simply flipping the bottle over. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, causing it to draw air into the stove, that extinguishes the flame. It also decreases the pressure of the bottle.

This seems like a fairly innovative solution to an old problem and it certainly does the trick. The Nova can also be used with a range of standard fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It comes with an oven bag that has pockets for spares, tools, lubricant, and the fuel pump.

This is a great all-round stove for multi fuel stoves backpacking use in the UK especially for trips where a variety of fuels is necessary. 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 marketed in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers ever since. A few UK backpackers seem to give it much attention nowadays perhaps because they've been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight stove 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 and propane butane, using only one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with a burner bell bolted to a body that anchors three fold out support legs. The pump is above the fuel line, and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits above. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This makes it less affected by wind.

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

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were clearly not written by native users of the language. The instructions caution you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken this could cause an accident and put Kovea into legal trouble. Any gas canister that is 7/16ths UNEF-threaded of a reputable brand will be fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those looking for a multifuel stove that can cook using a variety fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and can also be used to adjust the flame size, which is a nice feature. The stove also has an fuel line that is flat on the ground and can be easily connected to the tank.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running correctly. In particular it is prone to flare when priming which could be dangerous. This issue occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle on the stove's side instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.

Another issue is 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. This isn't a major issue but it's still worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It is able to be used with canister fuel or liquid gas and comes with attachments for Multi fuel stoves each. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner mechanism has been redesigned to improve the distribution of heat. This is an excellent choice for backpackers with a limited budget or for beginners.

It takes some time to set up, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. The flame is extremely strong when turned to its maximum and can boil the water to a liter in less than two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as good for simmering as some other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It has a similar design to the whistler, but is more compact and offers more performance. It's not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that gives you the same configuration for a fraction of the cost. You can also purchase a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. The same fundamental design is used in both, however the Universal version can be used with canister fuel in addition.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that does the job. It's solid and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it easy to use and a great option for backpackers, beginners who want to reduce weight and for those of us who want to keep a backup or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") however it can be used with non-leaded gas too. This will save you money as one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

It requires 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 do so. If you get it wrong, your fuel may pool, spray beyond the burner, or even splash out. To master this try it out in the open before your trip.

The stove will lose some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a trade-off for its versatility. Just be sure you're buying gasoline that isn't leaded and not enhanced with methanol or (alcohol). These kinds of fuels can cause the unit's performance to decline and even explode.

ATG Jiko

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

Other multifuel stoves have different nozzles for every type of fuel. This makes them a little difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves and can add to their weight overall. The newest models of multifuel stoves have discovered ways to make use of the same nozzle for different fuels, making it simpler. They can be described as hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names, such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.

Another option is to buy an multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. These are often available at camping stores that specialize in camping and can be purchased internationally. These are great for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels aside from diesel and, with the right accessories, they can also simmer.