Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple stoves are lightweight and can use hexamine, wood white fuel, as well as gas canisters with a single nozzle. They are popular in colder weather, but they can be noisy and lack simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids able to burn multiple types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane canisters for fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi fuel stoves with back boiler-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, a self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a solid stove that is rock-solid. This makes it a great stove for base camps for groups as well as kayaking and the Arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that are plagued by fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be solved by flipping over the bottle. This removes intake hoses from the fuel, and forces them to absorb air, which stifles flames and depressurizes the the bottle.

This is a clever solution for an age-old issue and it's effective. The Nova can be used with a variety of standard fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is an excellent all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK especially for long-distance trips in which a variety of fuels is required. The price is reasonable compared to other stoves in the canister category with similar capabilities. Furthermore the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea 8kw multi fuel stove Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. It isn't as popular UK backpackers pay the stove a lot of attention, possibly having fallen behind with more popular brands or whatever the latest lightweight offering out of China or Korea is but it doesn't mean the Hydra does not have its merits.

It is a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels like white gas, propane butane, and white gas through one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with a burner attached to a body, which is secured by three fold-out support legs. The pump is located just above the fuel line, the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits just above. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This makes it less susceptible to wind.

A nice feature is that it can also be utilized with a canister of isobutane or propane, making it a cast iron multi fuel stove-functional little cooker. It's easy to simmer on isobutane or propane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is a little slower than some other stoves that use white gas.

One thing to keep in mind concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluid that, if misinterpreted as what was intended, could lead to an accident that could result in Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister of a reputable brand will be fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a ideal choice to those looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook with a variety of fuels. It can be used with gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also allows to alter the size of the flame, which is a nice feature. The stove comes with an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.

The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it needs maintenance to keep it running efficiently. It could be dangerous as it flares up when priming. This is a common issue with all liquid fuel stoves that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove's side to vaporize fuel instead of an engine coil.

It is also important to know that every fuel type requires an individual jet. If you cook using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor inconvenience however it's something to be aware of.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair on the field. It can be used with either canister fuel or liquid gas and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner mechanism was redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's great for beginners or budget-minded backpackers.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare to prime and boil water, but it's a reliable stove that will never disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful when cranked all the way up and will easily boil the water to a liter in less than two minutes. The only downside is that it doesn't simmer as well as other stoves.

MSR created the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It's similar to the whistler, but is more compact and offers superior performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that offers the same setup at half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane containers as well. Both versions have the same basic design but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a basic, no-frills Coleman stove that does the job. It's solid compact and self-contained, with the tank at the bottom and the burner up the top. This makes it simple to use and an excellent option for backpackers, beginners who are looking to cut down on weight and for those of us who prefer to have an extra or two in the van.

Designed to burn Coleman's own exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas) This stove can be used with unleaded gasoline as well. A gallon of gasoline can last as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you'll save money on fuel with this alternative.

It takes some practice to get a good blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll have to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you're not careful the fuel could get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or sputter. Practice outside before taking it on your next trip to get the hang of it.

The stove will suffer some performance and flame odor efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Make sure you purchase unleaded gas and not something that's enriched with alcohol or Methanol. This is because these types of fuel will cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and may even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove ebay-fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is a light multifuel stove made for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact and reliable all-in-one stove that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using only one nozzle. It's a minimalist, ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. Fuel is also cheaper per liter compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle for each fuel type. This makes them difficult to change in bad weather or with gloves, and adds to their weight. The newest models of multifuel stoves have found an option to use the same nozzle for different fuels, making it easier. The newer models of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or "compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are a variety of names for them such as isobutane canister fuel, white gas, kerosene and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.

A multifuel stove kit is available to convert your Trangia burners into multifuel cookers. These are often available at camping stores that specialize in camping and are available internationally. They're a great option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel and if used with the correct accessories can even cook.