Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple stoves that are lightweight can burn hexamine, wood, white fuel, and gas canisters using only one nozzle. They're popular in colder weather but they're loud and don't have a simmer limit.

Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn various types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova 5kw multi fuel stoves defra approved-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminum pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a sturdy, rock-solid stove. This makes it a great stove for group base camps kayaking, arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that have a problem with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be fixed by simply flipping over the bottle. This removes intake hoses from the fuel and causes them to absorb air which extinguishes flames and depressurizes the bottle.

This is a clever solution to an old problem and it's a good one. The Nova can be used with a variety of standard fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts, lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is a great stove for backpacking that is suitable for use in the UK. It is particularly suitable for trips where a variety of fuels are required. The price is reasonable when compared to canister stoves of similar capability. Moreover, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra cast iron multi fuel stoves uk fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a favourite choice for backpackers ever since. It isn't as popular UK backpackers seem to give the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten caught up with better known brands or whatever the latest lightweight offering out of China or Korea is, but that doesn't mean that the Hydra doesn't still have its advantages.

It's a compact and light stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane, using 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. A pump is located on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader is up above the inlet. 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 small cooker. It is easy 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.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were clearly not written by native English speakers. The instructions caution against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluids that, if misinterpreted as what is actually intended can result in an accident that could result in Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. That said that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister made by a reputable manufacturer should work just fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great option for those looking for a multifuel cooker that can cook with a variety fuels. It can be used with gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for every fuel type and allows you to alter the size of the flame. The stove comes with a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank in a snap.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running correctly. Particularly it is prone to flare when priming which can be risky. This is a problem that is common to all stoves with liquid fuel that use a second spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. This is a minor issue however it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

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 is able to run on canister fuel or liquid gas, and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner has been revamped for improved heat distribution. This is a great choice for backpackers with a limited budget or for beginners.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up to prime and boil water, but it's a reliable stove that will never fail you. The flame is powerful when it is turned to the max and can boil a liter of water in less than two minutes. The only drawback is that it doesn't simmer as well as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more capable burner. It is similar in design as the whistler, but it is more compact and provides superior performance. It's not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that offers the same setup at half the price. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. Both versions use the same basic design, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a simple, no-frills Coleman stove that does its job. It's solid, compact and self-contained with the tank at the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it simple to operate and a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to reduce weight and for those of us who have spares in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha, also known as "white gas") however it can be used with unleaded gas as well. This can save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

It takes some practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can do this. If you do it wrong, fuel can be sprayed onto the burner, or sputter. Try it out in the open before taking it on your next trip to get the hang of it.

The stove may lose some performance and flame odor effectiveness if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Make sure you purchase gas that is not leaded and not that's enhanced with alcohol or methanol. This is because these types of fuels can cause the unit to be sputtering, leaky, and possibly even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is a lightweight multifuel stove built for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact and solid stove that can burn solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol using a single nozzle. It's an ultralight and minimalist design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also comes with low ownership cost and fuel is less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves feature a separate nozzle for each fuel type. This makes them difficult to change in bad weather or with gloves, and adds to their weight overall. The newer types of multifuel stoves have discovered a way to use the same nozzle for various fuels, which makes it more convenient. The latest models of these stoves are known as 'hybrid' or "compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are a variety of names for them, including isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.

A multifuel stove kit can be bought to convert your Trangia burners into cast iron multi fuel stoves uk fuel cookers. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels with the exception of diesel. If used with the correct accessories can even cook.