14 Businesses Doing A Great Job At Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic stoves are lightweight and can use hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with one nozzle. They're popular in cold temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have a simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids, able to burn multiple kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, a self-purging aluminium pump, 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 backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.
Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem in which unburned fuel remains 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. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to suck air that extinguishes the flame. It also depressurizes the bottle.
This is an innovative solution to an old problem, and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully-featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.
This is an excellent all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions in which a variety of fuels is essential. Its price is also very reasonable when compared to canister stoves of similar capability. The Optimus Nova is also 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 ever since. The Hydra isn't as popular among UK backpackers anymore, perhaps because they have been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. But this doesn't mean it's any less useful.
It's a small and light stove, that can burn all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane with a single 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 located on top of the fuel line, and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits above. The burner itself is a low-speed flame that allows it to be less affected by wind.
A nice feature is that it can also be utilized 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 it burns all fuels at a decent rate. However when using white gas, the stove is a little slower.
One important thing to remember when using the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by a native speaker of the language. The instructions warn against using certain types of lighter fluid. If you don't follow the instructions correctly, it can cause an accident and put Kovea into legal trouble. However that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a trusted brand will work fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be an ideal choice for those who are looking for a multifuel cooker that cooks with a variety fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and is also able to alter the size of the flame which is a wonderful feature. This stove has an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it operating correctly. It could be dangerous as it gets flaming when priming. This issue occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove's side instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. This means that if you cook using kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. This is a minor nuisance but it's still worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in the field. It can be run on canister liquid gas or fuel and includes attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% over its predecessor and the burner mechanism was revamped to improve heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a budget or those who are just beginning.
The whistler Lite requires a bit of time to set up, prime and boil water, but it's a reliable stove that will never fail you. check is extremely powerful and can cook a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only drawback is that it doesn't simmer as well as other stoves.
This is why MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove to become an efficient simmering burner. It's a similar design to the whistler, but is more compact and provides more performance. However it's not as affordable as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that provides a similar set-up for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. Both versions use the same basic design however, the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
Like many Coleman stoves, this is a no frills unpretentious unit that gets the job done. It's strong and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank at the bottom and burner up the top. This makes it simple to use and an excellent choice for beginners, backpackers who are looking to cut down on weight and for those who want to keep a backup or two in the van.
Designed to burn Coleman's own exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) The stove can be used with unleaded gasoline as well. This can save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes some practice to get a good blue flame on a stove that burns liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can do so. If you don't do it right the fuel could spill out, splash beyond the burner or splash out. To get the hang of this, practice outside before you go on your trip.
This stove sacrifices some performance or flame odor effectiveness with non-coleman fuels however that's a trade off for the extra flexibility it offers. Be sure to buy gas that is not leaded and not that is augmented with alcohol or methanol. This is because these kinds of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and may even explode!
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel engineered for harsh environments like Africa. It's an efficient and compact all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and gels with a single nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves use different nozzles for each type of fuel. This makes them a little difficult to change in the rain or without gloves, and could increase their weight overall. Multifuel stoves of the newer model utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. The latest models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or "compressed multifuel stoves'. there are a variety of names for them, including isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.
A multifuel stove kit can be bought to transform your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are available internationally. They're a great option for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel. If used with the correct accessories can even cook.