Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic stoves that are lightweight can burn hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with a single nozzle. They're popular during cold weather, but they're loud and don't have a simmer limit.
Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane fuel containers.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a solid stove that is rock-solid. This makes it a perfect stove for group base camps as well as kayaking and Arctic camp.
Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which suffer from a problem where unburned fuel is left in the fuel line and nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by flipping the bottle over. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and forces them to take in air, which extinguishes flames and depressurizes the bottle.
This is an innovative solution to an old problem, and it certainly does the trick. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal. This includes MSR bottles. It comes with an oven bag that has pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.
This is an excellent all round backpacking stove for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions where a wide choice of fuels is essential. The cost is quite affordable compared to other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and fun to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. A few UK backpackers pay it much attention nowadays maybe because they've gotten fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the latest lightweight stove from China or Korea is but it doesn't mean the Hydra doesn't still have its merits.
It is a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels including white gas, propane butane and white gas using one nozzle. It's a standard stove that has a burner attached to a body which anchors three fold-out support legs. The pump is situated on top of the fuel line, while the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means that it is not susceptible to wind.
A nice feature is that it can be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile small cooker. It is simple to simmer with isobutane and propane and it burns all fuels at a decent rate. However, when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.
One thing to keep in mind 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 caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake this could cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea in legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas container of a reputable brand will work fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are seeking a multifuel cooker that cooks using a variety of fuels. It can operate on 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. This 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 needs maintenance to keep it operating efficiently. Particularly it is prone to flare during priming, which can be risky. This is a common issue with all stoves with liquid fuel that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove's end to evaporate fuel instead of the generator coil.
It is also important to remember that every fuel type requires the use of a different jet. This means that if cooking on kerosene, the jet hole needs to be smaller than when cooking with gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be used with liquid gas or canister fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner's system has been improved to ensure better heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a budget or beginners.
It takes some time to set up, prime and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is strong and can boil a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as effective for simmering as other stoves.
MSR created the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It has a similar design as the whistler, however it is more compact and has better 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 setup at half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same basic design is used in both but the Universal version can also be run with canister fuel in addition.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves this is a no frills model that is rough and ready that will get the job done. It's compact, self-contained and solid, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it easy to use and is a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, who want to cut weight, and for those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
It is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas) This stove can be used with unleaded gasoline too. This option will save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last as long as the regular Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll have to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If fireplacesandstove.com don't do it correctly, fuel can be sprayed onto the burner, or even sputter. Try it out in the open before taking it on your next trip to master it.
This stove does give up some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels but it's a trade-off for the additional flexibility it provides. Make sure to purchase gas that is not leaded and not that's enriched with alcohol or Methanol. These kinds of fuels can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove specifically made for harsh environments such as Africa. It is a compact, reliable system that can burn solid fuel tabs, gels, and alcohol through only one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves have an individual nozzle for each type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also increase the overall weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it simpler. They can be described as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also known by other names such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
A multifuel stove kit can be bought to convert your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. These are great for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel, and with the right accessories they can even simmer.