Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and lightweight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel with one nozzle. These stoves are popular in colder weather, but they can be noisy and lack simmer control.

Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn various types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spread legs make it a stable stove that is rock-solid. This makes it an ideal stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking and camping in the Arctic.

In contrast to other stoves with liquid fuel that suffer from a problem where unburned fuel is left in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by simply flipping the bottle over. This disconnects the intake hose from the fuel, and forces it to draw air into the stove, which extinguishes the flame and depressurizes the bottle.

This seems like an clever solution to a long-standing problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal. This includes MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for spares, tools along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is a great all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions in which a variety of fuels is necessary. The price is affordable compared to other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra 2 kw multi fuel stove fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers ever since. Fewer UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the latest lightweight stove from China or Korea is but that doesn't mean that the Hydra doesn't still have its advantages.

It is a small and light stove that can burn all liquid fuels like white gas, propane butane and white gas with only one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with an ignition bell that is bolted onto a body that anchors three fold out support legs. The pump is situated on top of the fuel line, the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This makes it less affected by wind.

It is a nice feature that it can be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a multi-functional small cooker. It's easy to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all fuel types at a reasonable level, however it is a bit slower than some other stoves that use white gas.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English, but they were 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. But, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer will work fine.

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 gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and can also be used to alter the size of the flame which is a wonderful feature. The stove comes with an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it requires maintenance to ensure that it functions properly. It can be dangerous because it flares up when you are priming. This is a common problem with all stoves with liquid fuel which use a second spindle throttle on the stove's side to vaporize fuel instead of an engine coil.

It is also important to note that every fuel type requires a different jet. This means that if cooking on kerosene, the jet hole has to be smaller than when using 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 lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be used with either liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve the distribution of heat. It's perfect for beginners or backpackers who are budget-conscious.

It takes some time to prepare, set up, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. The flame is extremely strong when turned to the max and will easily boil one liter of water in less than two minutes. The only issue is that it doesn't cook as well as other stoves.

This is the reason MSR has created the Dragonfly stove to be a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It's similar to the whistler but is more compact and provides superior performance. However it's not as inexpensive as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that provides a similar set-up for half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. Both versions have the same basic design, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves this is a no frills unpretentious unit that will get the job done. It's compact, self-contained and solid with the tank on the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it easy to use and a good option for those who are new to backpacking, who are looking to cut down on weight and for those of us who like to keep a backup or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha which is also referred to as "white gas") but can be used with unleaded gas as well. This will save you money since gasoline tanks can last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves have a steep learning curve since you'll need to pressurize and prime them before you can get a nice blue flame. If you get it wrong the fuel could be sprayed, pool, or cheap multi fuel stoves splash over the burner, or splash out. Try it out in the open before taking it on your trip to get the hang of it.

This stove sacrifices some performance or flame odor efficiency when using non-coleman fuels, but that's a trade off for the additional flexibility it provides. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas and not something 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 made in South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is a lightweight multifuel stove that's built for harsh environments like Africa. It is a compact, solid stove that can burn solid fuel tabs, gels, and alcohol through one nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle for each type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also add to the overall weight. Multifuel stoves of the latest model use a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it simpler. These stoves can be referred to as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also referred to by other names, such as white gas, isobutane kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

Another option is to purchase an multifuel stove kit which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They are a good option for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel and if equipped with the right accessories can even simmer.