Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves use wood as well as hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters via a single nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane canisters for fuel.

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 spreading legs make it a sturdy stove that can be used on uneven ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group base camps kayaking, the Arctic camp.

Unlike many other stoves with liquid fuel that have a problem of unburned fuel is left in the fuel line and nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that works by simply flipping the container over. This removes intake hoses from the fuel and forces them to take in air, which stifles flames and depressurizes the bottle.

This is an clever solution to a long-standing problem and it definitely is effective. The Nova can also be used with a range of standard fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for spares, tools along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions where a variety of fuels is necessary. Its price is also very affordable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. Additionally, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea multi stove Fuel Stove has been a favorite among backpackers. The Hydra is not as popular with UK backpackers anymore, perhaps because they have gained popularity with brands that are more well-known or the latest lightweight offering from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean that it's less useful.

It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels including white gas, propane butane, and white gas through one nozzle. It's a standard stove that has the burner mounted to a body, which is secured by three support legs that fold out. The pump is on the top of the fuel line and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader is up above the inlet. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This makes it less affected by the wind.

One of the best features is that it can also be used with a canister of propane or isobutane which makes it a versatile little cooker. It is simple to simmer with isobutane as well as propane and burns all fuels at a reasonable rate. However when using white gas the stove can be a little slower.

One thing to be aware of with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clbit of time to set up, prime and boil water, but it's a reliable stove that won't let you down. The flame is strong and can cook a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is that it doesn't simmer like other stoves.

This is why MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove, which is a more capable simmering burner. It's a similar design to the whistler but is smaller and has better performance. However it's not as affordable as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that provides a similar configuration for a fraction of the cost. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. The same design is used in both but the Universal version can also be run with canister fuel as well.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that can do the job. It's compact, self-contained, and solid with the tank at the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it simple to use and a good option for backpackers, beginners who want to cut weight, and those who keep a few spares in the van.

Designed to burn Coleman's own exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas) The stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline, as well. This will save you money as 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 that burns liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can do this. If you get it wrong the fuel could be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner, or even explode. Practice outside before taking it on your next trip to master it.

This stove sacrifices some performance or flame odor efficiency when using non-coleman fuels, but that's a trade off for the extra versatility it offers. Make sure to purchase unleaded gasoline and not something augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). 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 is an ultralight multifuel that's been designed for harsh environments like Africa. It's an efficient and compact all-in-one stove that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs and also gels through only one nozzle. It's a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter when compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves have a separate nozzle for each type of fuel. This makes them difficult to switch between fuels in bad weather or with gloves and can add to their weight overall. The newer types of multifuel stoves have found an option to use the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much more convenient. They can be described as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names, such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.