Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel via a single nozzle. They're popular during cold temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have a simmer limit.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids, able to burn multiple kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel containers.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a inset multi fuel stove-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a sturdy, rock-solid stove. This makes it a great stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking, and camping in the Arctic.

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 simply flipping over the bottle. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, and forces it to suck air that extinguishes the flame. It also decreases the pressure of the bottle.

This is a clever solution to a long-standing problem and it's a good one. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a full-featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts and cheap multi Fuel Stoves lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.

This is a fantastic backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is especially suitable for trips where various fuels are required. Its cost is affordable when compared to canister stoves that have similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra inset multi fuel stove fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a popular choice for backpackers since. It isn't as popular UK backpackers seem to give it much attention nowadays maybe because they've gotten fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the most recent lightweight stove from China or Korea is, but this doesn't mean that the Hydra doesn't still have its merits.

It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas and white gas using a single nozzle. It's a standard stove that has the burner mounted to a body that is anchored by 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 the inlet. 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 isobutane canisters or propane canisters. It's simple to simmer on isobutane or propane and burns all fuel types with a decent amount of heat, but is a little slower than some other stoves when using white gas.

One thing to be aware of with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions warn you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken this could cause an accident and land Kovea into legal trouble. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a reputable brand will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great option for those seeking a multifuel cooker that can cook using a variety of fuels. It can operate on gas, petrol/gasoline or Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. This stove has an fuel pipe that sits flat on the floor and is connected to the tank in a snap.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to ensure it is operating correctly. In particular it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be a bit risky. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove's side to vaporize fuel, instead of the generator coil.

It is also important to note that every fuel type requires a different jet. If you cook using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. This isn't a major issue however 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 fix on the field. It can be used with either canister or liquid fuel and includes attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve the distribution of heat. It's perfect for beginners or budget-minded backpackers.

It takes some time to prepare, set up and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is extremely powerful and can boil a Liter of water in two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as good to simmer as other stoves.

This is the reason MSR has designed the Dragonfly stove, which is a more capable simmering burner. It's similar to the whistler, but it's smaller and has more performance. It's not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that provides a similar set-up for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. Both versions have the same design and style, however, the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves, this is a basic, rough and ready unit that just gets the job done. It's small, self-contained and solid with the tank on the bottom and the burner on top. This makes it easy to use and an excellent option for those who are new to backpacking, who are looking to cut down on weight, and for those who prefer to have an extra or two in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha, also known as "white gas") however it can be used with unleaded gas as well. A gallon of gasoline can last for as long as a typical Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel with this option.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve, as you'll have to pressurize and prepare them to get a nice blue flame. If you're not careful the fuel could pool, spray outside the burner, or even sputter. Try it out in the open before taking it on your trip to learn how to do it.

The stove will lose some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you choose to use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas and not something that's enhanced with alcohol or Methanol. These types of fuel could cause the unit's performance to degrade and even explode.

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel engineered for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact, reliable system that can burn solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol with a single nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. The fuel is also less expensive per liter when compared to gas canisters.

Some multifuel stoves also have different nozzles for each type of fuel. It isn't easy to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can add weight to the overall load. Multifuel stoves of the latest kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it much easier. The latest versions of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or "compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and 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 purchased to convert your Trangia burners into multi fuel wood stove fuel cookers. These are often available at camping stores that specialize in camping and are available internationally. They're a great choice for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel and if fitted with the right equipment can even simmer.