20 Questions You Need To Ask About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Before You Decide To Purchase It
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Summary: These simple, lightweight stoves can use hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters using a single nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, but they can be noisy and do not have simmer control. Some multi-fuel stoves burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane canisters for fuel. Optimus Nova The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner and an aluminum pump that self-purges and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and broad legs make it a stable stove that is rock-solid. This makes it a great stove for group base camps, kayaking, and arctic camp. The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves that are plagued by fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by simply flipping over the bottle. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel, and forces them to absorb air, which stifles flames and depressurizes the the bottle. This is a pretty ingenious solution to a long-standing problem and it's effective. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring. This includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully featured stove bag that includes separate pockets for tools, spare parts, lubricant and the fuel pump. This is a great all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK especially for long-distance trips in which a variety of fuels is required. The price 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 Since 2010 since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. Fewer UK backpackers seem to give the stove much attention these days maybe because they've gotten been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight product from China or Korea is but this doesn't mean that the Hydra isn't still a great stove with its merits. It is a lightweight and compact stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas and white gas with only one nozzle. It's a standard stove that has a burner attached to a body which anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is located above the fuel line, while the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner itself is a low-speed flame type which allows it to be less impacted by winds. A nice feature is that it can also be used with a canister of propane or isobutane making it a versatile little cooker. It's simple to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a decent level but is a bit slower than some other stoves when you use 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 the use of certain kinds of lighter fluids, which if mistaken for what was intended, could result in an accident that could result in Kovea in a lot of hot legal water. But, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister made by a reputable manufacturer should work just fine. Primus OmniLite Ti The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those looking for a multifuel stove that can cook with a variety of fuels. It can be powered by gasoline, petrol/gasoline, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and can also be used to adjust the flame size which is a great feature. This stove also comes with a fuel line that lies flat on the ground and can be easily connected to the tank. While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance to ensure it is operating properly. Particularly it has a tendency to flare when priming which can be a bit dangerous. This is a problem that is common to all stoves that use liquid fuel that use a second spindle at the stove's end instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel. It is also important to know that each fuel type needs a different jet. This means that if cooking on kerosene the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking on gas. This is a minor nuisance however it's important to mention. MSR Whisper Lite The MSR Whisper Lite stove 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 liquid gas or canister fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% compared to its predecessor and the burner mechanism has been redesigned to improve heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers on a budget or beginners. The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare to prime and boil water, but it is a reliable stove that won't fail you. The flame is extremely powerful and can easily boil one liter of water within two minutes. The only drawback is that it doesn't simmer like other stoves. MSR created the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It has a similar design as the whistler, but it is more compact and has superior performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing a similar setup for half the price. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. Both versions share the same basic design however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel. Coleman Sportster II Like many Coleman stoves, this one is a no frills unpretentious unit that will get the job done. It's compact, self-contained and solid with the tank at the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it easy to use and a good choice for those who are new to backpacking, looking to reduce weight and those of us who have spares in the van. The stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas) The stove can be used with non-leaded gasoline too. This option will save you money as one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder. Liquid fuel stoves have a steep learning curve, as you'll have to pressurize and prime them before you can create a beautiful blue flame. If you don't do it right, your fuel may pool, spray beyond the burner, or explode. Do some practice outside before going on your trip to learn how to do it. This stove does give up some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels but it's a trade-off for the added flexibility it offers. Make sure to purchase unleaded gasoline, and not one that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These kinds of fuels can cause the unit's performance to decline and 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 a compact and robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol with a single nozzle. It's a light minimalist design that is priced less than most other multifuel stoves. It also comes with low ownership cost with fuel being less expensive per liter than gas canisters. Some multifuel stoves also have a separate nozzle for each type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch between fuels in cold weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also add to the overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have come up with a way to use the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much more convenient. The latest models of these stoves are known as 'hybrid' or “compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and t here are many 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 multi fuel cookers. These are often available from specialised camping stores and are available internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, except diesel and with the appropriate accessories, they can even simmer.