Cheap Multi Fuel StovesSummary: These basic, lightweight stoves can burn hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with one nozzle. These stoves are popular in colder weather, but they can be noisy and lack simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves can burn different types 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 comes with a quick-priming stove as well as an aluminium pump that self-purges and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and large spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a perfect stove for group base camps, kayaking, and Arctic camp.
Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem of 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. This removes the intake hose from the fuel, causing it to suck air that extinguishes the flame. It also decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This seems like a fairly clever solution to a long-standing problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can also be used with a range of regular fuel bottles that are sealed with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that has separate pockets for spare parts, tools as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is a great stove for backpacking that can be used in the UK. It is especially ideal for trips, where a variety of fuels are required. The price is affordable when compared with other stoves in the canister category with 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 favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as popular with UK backpackers possibly because they've been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the latest lightweight offering from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean that it's less effective.
It is a lightweight and compact stove that can burn all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas and white gas with a single nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design, with the burner bell that is bolted to a body that anchors three fold out support legs. The pump is located above the fuel line, while the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits just above. The burner itself is a low-speed flame that helps it to be less impacted by winds.
A nice feature is that it can also be used with a container of propane or isobutane,
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves making it a versatile small cooker. It's simple to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all fuel types with a decent amount of heat, but is slower than other stoves when using white gas.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English, but they were not written by native speakers of the language. The instructions warn against using certain types of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken, it can cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea into legal trouble. But that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer should work just fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent option for those looking for a multifuel cooker that cooks using a variety of fuels. It can be used with gas, petrol/gasoline or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type and also alter the size of the flame. This stove comes with a fuel pipe that is 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 efficiently. Particularly it is prone to flare when 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 at the stove end to evaporate fuel instead of the generator coil.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. This means that if cooking on kerosene the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. This is a minor issue but it's still worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and most affordable
cast iron multi fuel stove-fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair on the field. It is able to run on canister fuel or liquid gas, and includes attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's perfect for beginners or budget-minded backpackers.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up and prime, then boil water, but it's a reliable stove that won't fail you. The flame is strong and can cook a liter of water within two minutes. The only drawback is it's not as good for simmering as other stoves.
This is why MSR has created the Dragonfly stove to be a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design to the whistler, but it's more compact and offers superior performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative that offers the same setup at less than half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. Both versions share the same basic design however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
This is a simple and basic Coleman stove that can do the job. It's small, self-contained and solid with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it easy to use and a good 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.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but it can be used with unleaded gas as well. A gallon of gasoline will last for as long as a typical Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel by using this alternative.
Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve as you'll need to properly pressurize and prime them before you can create a beautiful blue flame going. 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 get the hang of it.
The stove will sacrifice some performance or flame odor effectiveness when using non-coleman fuels, but this is a trade-off in exchange for the extra versatility it offers. Make sure to purchase gas that is not leaded and not that is augmented with alcohol or Methanol. This is because these types of fuel 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 designed for harsh environments like Africa. It's a compact, reliable system that can burn solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol using a single nozzle. It is a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter when compared to gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle for each fuel type. This makes them difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves, and adds to their weight. Multifuel stoves that are of the current type utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. They can be called hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker.