The Sage Advice On Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves From The Age Of Five
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple stoves that are lightweight can use hexamine, wood, white fuel, and gas canisters using a single nozzle. They're popular in cold weather but they're loud and don't have simmer control.
Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for example, burns white and isobutane canisters of fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges and precise control of the simmer. Its low centre of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group base camps as well as kayaking and Arctic camp.
In contrast to other stoves that use liquid fuel, which suffer from a problem where unburned fuel remains 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. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to draw air into the stove, that extinguishes the flame. It also decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This is an ingenious solution to an age-old problem and it definitely works. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It comes with an oven bag that has pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.
This is a great stove for backpacking that is suitable for use in the UK. It is particularly suitable for trips where a variety of fuels are required. The cost is quite affordable compared to other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. Additionally, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as popular among UK backpackers possibly because they've caught up to better-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, burning all liquid fuels including white gas as well as propane butane with one nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design, with a burner bell bolted to the body, which is then anchored by three support legs that fold out. A pump is located on top of the fuel hose, the generator loop goes around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits above the inlet. The burner itself is a low velocity flame, which makes it a little less impacted by wind.
It is a nice feature that it can be used with a canister of propane or isobutane, which makes it a versatile little cooker. It's easy to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all fuel types at a decent level but is a bit slower than other stoves when you use white gas.
One important thing to remember with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken they could result in an accident and put Kovea into legal trouble. However that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas container from a reputable brand should work just fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option to those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook using a variety fuels. It can be powered by gasoline, petrol/gasoline, Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and is also able to adjust the flame size, which is a nice feature. This stove also comes with a fuel line that sits flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Particularly, it has a tendency to flare during priming, which can be a bit dangerous. This is a problem that is common to all liquid fuel stoves that use a second spindle on the stove end instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.
Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. This means that if cooking using kerosene, the jet hole needs to be smaller than when cooking on gas. It's a minor inconvenience but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to fix on the field. It is able to run on canister fuel or liquid gas, and comes with attachments for both. The new model is 10% lighter than its predecessor and the burner's system has been improved to ensure better heat distribution. It's perfect for beginners or backpackers with a budget.
It takes a bit of 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 powerful when it is turned to its maximum and can easily boil a liter of water in less than two minutes. The only drawback is that it does not simmer as well as other stoves.
MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more capable burner. It's a similar design to the whistler, but it's more compact and provides superior performance. 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. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. Both versions use the same basic design, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that can do the job. It's compact, self-contained, and solid with the tank at the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it simple to use and is a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, who want to cut weight, and those who have spares in the van.
The stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas), this stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline, as well. This option can save you money since gasoline tanks can last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll have to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can start. If you do it wrong, your fuel may be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner, or even sputter. To master this try it out in the open before your excursion.
The stove will lose some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels. However, this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Make sure to purchase gas that is not leaded and not that's enhanced with alcohol or Methanol. This is because these kinds of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and possibly even explode!
5kw multi fuel stove multi-fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is a lightweight multifuel stove designed for harsh conditions like Africa. It's an efficient and compact all-in-one stove that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using one nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter than gas canisters.
Some multifuel stoves also have an individual nozzle for each type of fuel. This makes them fiddly to change over in the rain or without gloves and can add to their overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have discovered ways to use the same nozzle to ignite various fuels, which makes it easier. The latest models of these stoves are known 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 petrol/gasoline.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are usually available from specialised camping stores and can be purchased internationally. They're a great option for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel and if used with the correct accessories can even cook.