Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves use wood as well as hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters via one nozzle. They're popular during cold weather but they're loud and don't have a simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves can burn different kinds 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 various liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a sturdy stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and arctic camping.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel which have issues with unburned fuel remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping the bottle. The intake hoses are then removed from the fuel and forces them to absorb air which stifles flames and depressurizes the bottles.

This is a pretty ingenious solution to a long-standing problem and it's a good one. The Nova can be used with a range of standard fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.

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

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea multi fuel Furnaces Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. A few UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days perhaps because they've fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the most recent lightweight offering out of China or Korea is but it doesn't mean the Hydra does not have its advantages.

It is a lightweight and compact stove that can burn all liquid fuels including white gas, propane butane and white gas using one nozzle. It's a typical stove design with a burner bell bolted to the body, which is then anchored by three support legs that fold out. The pump is situated just above the fuel line, and the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated above. The burner itself is a low velocity flame, which helps it to be less impacted by wind.

It is a nice feature that it can also be used with a canister of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile little cooker. It is easy 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 however they were not written by native speakers of the language. The instructions warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you don't follow the instructions correctly this could cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea into legal trouble. But that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister made by a reputable brand will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, 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 nice feature. This stove also comes with an fuel line that is flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it does require maintenance to ensure that it functions properly. It is a risk because it explodes when priming. This is a problem that is common to all liquid fuel stoves that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. If you cook using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This is a minor nuisance however it's important to mention.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to fix on the field. It can run on either canister liquid gas or fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner system was revamped to improve the distribution of heat. It's perfect for beginners or backpackers with a budget.

The whistler Lite requires a bit of time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it is an efficient stove that will not fail you. The flame is strong and can boil a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is it's not as good for simmering as other stoves.

This is the reason MSR has created the Dragonfly stove, which is an efficient simmering burner. It has a similar design like the whistler, but it is smaller and offers better performance. It's not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that offers the same setup at half the price. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. Both versions share the same basic design however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves, this is a basic model that is rough and ready that just gets the job done. 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 use and a great option for those who are new to backpacking, who want to reduce weight and for those of us who prefer to have an extra or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but can be used with non-leaded gas too. This will save you money as gasoline tanks can last as long as the regular Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves have a learning curve as you'll need to pressurize and prime them before you can get a nice blue flame. If you don't do it correctly, fuel can be sprayed onto the burner, or sputter. Practice outside before taking it on your next trip to learn how to do it.

The stove may lose some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you use non-Coleman gasoline, but this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko multi fuel stoves uk Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments like Africa. It's a compact, robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels, and alcohol through one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. The fuel is also less expensive per liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle for each type of fuel. It isn't easy to switch between fuels in cold weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can add weight to the overall load. Multifuel stoves of the latest type utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it much easier. They can be called hybrids or compressed fuel multifuel 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. They are usually available from specialised camping stores and multi fuel furnaces are also available for purchase internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, aside from diesel and with the appropriate accessories, they can also simmer.