Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple stoves are lightweight and can burn wood, hexamine, white fuel, and gas canisters through a single nozzle. These stoves are popular during cold weather, but they are noisy and lack the ability to control the simmer.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids that can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner as well as an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a solid, rock-solid stove. This makes it a great stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking, and arctic camping.

In contrast to other liquid fuel stoves which have a problem in which unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by simply flipping the container over. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, and forces it to draw in air, which smothers the flame and reduces the pressure in the bottle.

This is a clever solution to a long-standing problem and it's a good one. The Nova can be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is a fantastic stove for backpacking that is suitable for use in the UK. It is particularly suitable for trips where various fuels are required. The price is reasonable compared to other canister stoves with similar capabilities. Additionally the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a favorite choice for backpackers ever since. It isn't as popular UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the latest lightweight offering out of China or Korea is but it doesn't mean the Hydra isn't still a great stove with its merits.

It is a small and light stove that can burn all liquid fuels like propane butane, white gas and white gas with one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with a burner bell bolted to the body, which is then anchored by three fold out support legs. The pump is on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader is up above that. The burner itself is a low velocity flame type, which makes it a little less impacted by winds.

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

One important thing to remember when using the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluid, which if mistaken for what is intended could lead to an accident that could land Kovea in lots of legal hot water. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a trusted brand is likely to work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice to those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety fuels. It can be powered by gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type, and you can also alter the size of the flame. The stove also has an fuel line that is flat on the ground and can be easily connected to the tank.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it requires maintenance to ensure it is operating properly. Particularly it is prone to flare during priming, which can be risky. This issue occurs with 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 the use of a different jet. This means that if you're cooking using kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when using gas. This is a minor issue but it's still worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can run on either canister fuel or liquid gas, 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. It's great for beginners or budget-minded backpackers.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare to prime and boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't let you down. The flame is very powerful when cranked to its maximum and will easily boil one liter of water within two minutes or less. The only drawback is that it's not as efficient for simmering as some 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 more compact and offers superior performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that gives you the same setup at half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same design is used for both, however the Universal version can also be used with canister fuel in addition.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a basic and basic Coleman stove that can do the job. It's solid and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank at the bottom and the burner up top. This makes it easy to use and an excellent choice for beginners, backpackers who are looking to cut down on weight, and for those of us who want to keep a backup or two in the van.

Designed to burn Coleman's own proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) The stove can be used with unleaded gasoline too. This option can save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last as long as the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve as you'll need to properly pressurize and prime them before you create a beautiful blue flame. If you don't do it right, your fuel may be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner or sputter. To master this do some practice outside before embarking on 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. Be sure to buy unleaded gas, and not one that is augmented with alcohol or methanol. This is because these types of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel engineered to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's a compact and reliable system that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol using one nozzle. It's an ultralight minimalist design that is priced less than most other multifuel stoves and also offers low cost of ownership and fuel is less expensive per liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle per fuel type. It isn't easy to switch between fuels in cold weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can also increase the overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have found an option to use the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much simpler. The latest models of these stoves are known as 'hybrid' or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are various names for them like isobutane canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.

A multifuel stove kit can be bought to convert your Trangia burners into tiger multi fuel stove fuel cookers. These are often sold at specialist camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. They're a great option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel. If equipped with the right accessories can even cook.