Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves use wood, hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel with only one nozzle. These stoves are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and lack the ability to control the simmer.
Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, can burn both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminum pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a stable and solid stove. This makes it a great stove for base camps for groups, kayaking, and Arctic camp.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel that have a problem with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be solved by flipping over the bottle. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and causes them to absorb air, which extinguishes flames and depressurizes bottles.
This is a clever solution to a long-standing problem and it's effective. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is an excellent all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK especially for trips in which a variety of fuels is necessary. The price is very reasonable compared to other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. Furthermore, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.
Kovea Hydra
The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a favourite choice for many backpackers since. The Hydra is not as popular among UK backpackers any more Perhaps because they've gained popularity with brands that are more well-known or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. But this doesn't mean it's any less effective.
It is a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels including white gas, propane butane, and white gas through a single 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. A pump sits on the top of the fuel hose 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 it is less affected by the wind.
One of the best features is that it can be utilized with a canister of propane or isobutane which makes it a versatile little cooker. It's simple to simmer on isobutane or propane and burns all fuel types at a reasonable level, however it is a little slower than other stoves that use white gas.
One important thing to remember when using the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluids that if used in a manner that is not what is actually intended can cause an accident that could result in Kovea in lots of legal hot water. But that 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 ideal choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cookware that cooks with a variety of fuels. It can be used with gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and also allows to alter the size of the flame, which is a nice feature. The stove also has a fuel line that lies 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. In particular, it has a tendency to flare when priming which could be dangerous. This is a problem that is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle on the stove's side instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. If you cook using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. It's a minor inconvenience however it's something to be aware of.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can be run on canister fuel or liquid gas and includes attachments for both. The new model is 10percent lighter than its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to ensure better heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers with a limited budget or beginners.
It takes some time to prepare, set up and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is very powerful when cranked to its maximum and will easily boil the water to a liter in less than two minutes. The only downside is that it doesn't simmer as well as other stoves.
MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It's designed in the same way as the whistler, but it is more compact and provides superior performance. It's not as affordable as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering similar features for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. Both versions use the same basic design, however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
This is a basic and basic Coleman stove that does its job. It's sturdy and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank at 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 are looking to cut down on weight, and for those who prefer to have one or two spares in the van.
Designed to burn Coleman's own proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas) This stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline as well. A gallon of gasoline will last for as long as a typical Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel using this option.
It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll have 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 explode. To master this try it out in the open before you go on your excursion.
This stove sacrifices some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels but this is a trade-off in exchange for the additional versatility it offers. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (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 engineered to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's an extremely compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and gels with a single nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle for each fuel type. This makes them a little fiddly to change over in the rain or without gloves, and adds to their weight overall. click through the following article of multifuel stoves have discovered a way to use the same nozzle to ignite multiple fuels which is much more convenient. The latest versions of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or "compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are various names for them, including isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
Another option is to buy a multifuel stove that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. These are often available from specialised camping stores and can be purchased internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels with the exception of diesel and if fitted with the right equipment can even simmer.