Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves burn wood and hexamine tablets as well as gas canisters, and white fuel with only one nozzle. They’re popular during cold temperatures, but they’re noisy and don’t have simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane canister fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It comes with a quick-priming stove, an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on uneven ground. This makes it a great stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.
In contrast to other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem in which 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 causes them to absorb air which extinguishes flames and depressurizes bottle.
This is a clever solution for an age-old issue and it’s effective. The Nova can also be used with a range of regular fuel bottles that are sealed with an o-ring. This includes MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for spares, tools as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is an excellent all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for long-distance trips where a variety of fuels is required. The price is reasonable when compared to canister stoves that have 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 favorite among backpackers. It isn’t as popular UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days, possibly having caught up with better known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight product from China or Korea is, but this doesn’t mean that the Hydra isn’t still a great stove with its merits.
It’s a compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane with one nozzle. It’s a pretty standard stove design with the burner bell that is bolted to a body that anchors three fold out support legs. The pump is located on top of the fuel line, while the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated over. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means that it is not affected by wind.
One of the best features is that it can be utilized with a canister of isobutane or propane, making it a multi-functional little cooker. 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.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were clearly not written by native English speakers. The instructions warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken this could cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea into legal trouble. Any gas canister that is 7/16ths UNEF-threaded from a reputable brand will be fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option to those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook with a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for every fuel type and allows you to alter the size of the flame. This stove also comes with an fuel line that is flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.
While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance in order to ensure that it functions properly. It can be dangerous because it flares up when you are priming. This is a problem that is common to all stoves with liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle on the stove’s side instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. This means that if you’re cooking using kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. It’s not a major issue but it’s important to mention.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable cast iron multi fuel stoves uk (Fireplacesandstove site)-fuel stoves. It is also simple to fix on the field. It can be used with canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner system was revamped to improve heat distribution. This is a great choice for backpackers with a limited budget or for beginners.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare, prime and boil water, but it’s an efficient stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is strong and can boil a liter of water within two minutes. The only issue is that it does not simmer like other stoves.
This is the reason MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to become a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design to the whistler but is more compact and offers better performance. However, it’s not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering a similar setup for less than half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. Both versions have the same design and style, however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves, this is a basic model that is rough and ready that just gets the job done. It’s strong and compact, and it’s self-contained with the tank on the bottom and burner up top. This makes it simple to operate and a great choice for beginners, backpackers who want to cut weight, and those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
The stove is designed to burn Coleman’s exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) The stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline, as well. A gallon of gasoline can last as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you’ll save money on fuel using this option.
It takes some practice to get a good blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You’ll have to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you do it wrong the fuel may get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or even sputter. To get the hang of this do some practice outside before your trip.
This stove sacrifices some performance or odor reduction with non-coleman fuels however that’s a trade off for the additional versatility it offers. Be sure to buy unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). That’s because these types of fuel will cause the unit to degrade, leak, sputter and even explode!
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko 5kw multi fuel stove fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove that’s made for harsh environments like Africa. It’s an Efficient and Eco-Friendly: Modern 5KW Multifuel Stove and compact all in one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using a single nozzle. It’s a light, minimalist design that costs less than the majority of multifuel stoves. It also comes with low cost of ownership and fuel is less expensive per liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves use a separate nozzle for every type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can add to the overall weight. The newest models of multifuel stoves have found an option to make use of the same nozzle for various fuels, which makes it easier. These stoves 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.
A multifuel stove kit is available to transform your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are often available at camping stores that specialize in camping and can be purchased internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels aside from diesel, and with the right accessories, they can even simmer.
