Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves use wood, hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters via only one nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and do not have the ability to control the simmer.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids capable of burning multiple kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane fuel canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spread legs make it a stable stove that is rock-solid. This makes it a great stove for base camps for groups kayaking, arctic camp.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel that have a problem with fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be resolved by simply flipping over the bottle. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, forcing it to draw in air, that extinguishes the flame. It also depressurizes the bottle.
This is a pretty ingenious solution for an age-old issue, and it works. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for trips where a wide choice of fuels is essential. The cost is quite affordable compared to other canister stoves with similar capabilities. Moreover, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a popular choice for backpackers since. The Hydra isn't as popular with UK backpackers any more possibly because they've caught up to better-known brands or the most recent lightweight options from China or Korea. However, that doesn't make it any less useful.
It's a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane through one nozzle. It's a typical stove design with an ignition bell that is bolted onto a body that anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is on the top of the fuel line, the generator loop goes around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated above that. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means that it is not affected by wind.
It is a very versatile cooker as it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane canisters. It's simple to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a reasonable level, however it is a bit slower than other stoves that use white gas.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were clearly not written by native speakers of the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain types of lighter fluid that, if misinterpreted as what is intended could lead to an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. But that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a trusted brand is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice to those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook using a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for every fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. This 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 will require maintenance in order to ensure it is operating properly. It could be dangerous as it explodes when priming. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel which use a second spindle throttle on the stove's side to vaporize fuel instead of the generator coil.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. This means that if you cook on kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking on 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 smallest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can be used with liquid gas or canister fuel and includes attachments for both. The new design is 10percent lighter than its predecessor and the burner's system has been improved for improved heat distribution. It's perfect for beginners or budget-minded backpackers.
The whistler Lite requires a bit of time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it's a reliable stove that will never fail you. The flame is very powerful when cranked to its maximum and will easily boil a liter of water in less than two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as effective for simmering as some other stoves.
This is the reason MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove, which is a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design as the whistler, but it is smaller and has more performance. It's not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing similar features for half the price. You can also purchase a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. resources use the same design and style, however, the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that does its job. It's solid compact and self-contained, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on at the top. This makes it easy to operate and a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to reduce weight and for those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha, also known as "white gas") but it can be used with unleaded gas too. A gallon of gasoline will last as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.
It requires some practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do so. If you don't do it correctly, fuel can be sprayed onto the burner, or even sputter. To master this do some practice outside before you go on your excursion.
This stove does give up some performance or flame odor effectiveness with non-coleman fuels however this is a trade-off in exchange for the additional flexibility it provides. Make sure to purchase gas that is not leaded and not that's enhanced with alcohol or methanol. These kinds of fuels can cause the unit's performance to degrade and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi-fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove built for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact, solid stove that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs, and alcohol through one nozzle. It's an ultralight and minimalist design that costs less than other multifuel stoves, and also has low costs of ownership, with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle per fuel type. It can be difficult to switch between fuels during bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also increase the overall weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current model use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. These stoves are described as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also known under other names like isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
Another option is to buy an multifuel stove kit which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. They are sold in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, aside from diesel and with the appropriate accessories they can even simmer.