Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple and lightweight stoves burn wood, hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel via one 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, for instance, can burn both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a best multi fuel stoves-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner, a self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a great stove for group base camps as well as kayaking and arctic camp.

In contrast to other stoves with liquid fuel that 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 works by simply flipping the bottle over. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and forces them to take in air, which puts out flames and depressurizes bottle.

This seems like a fairly ingenious solution to an age-old problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with a range of regular fuel bottles that are sealed using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for spares, tools along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is an excellent backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is especially useful for expeditions, where various fuels are required. Its cost is affordable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove first came on the market in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers ever since. A few UK backpackers seem to give the stove much attention these days perhaps because they've 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's a relatively compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels including white gas and propane butane with one nozzle. It's a pretty standard stove design, with the burner bell that is bolted to an aluminum body that is anchored by three fold out support legs. The pump is located on top of the fuel line, and the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means that it is not affected by the wind.

A nice feature is that it can also be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a multi-functional small cooker. It is simple to simmer with isobutane as well as propane, and it burns all fuels at a reasonable rate. However when using white gas the stove can be a little slower.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were clearly not written by native English speakers. The instructions warn you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you make a mistake, it can cause an accident, and possibly put Kovea into legal trouble. That said that, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer will work fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent choice for those who are looking for a double sided multifuel stove cookware that cooks with a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. This stove also has a fuel line that lies flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it does require maintenance to keep it working correctly. In particular it has a tendency to flare during priming, which could be dangerous. This issue occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel that use a second spindle on the stove's side instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. If you cook using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. This is a minor issue but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also very easy to repair in 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 was redesigned to improve heat distribution. It's perfect for beginners or backpackers who are budget-conscious.

It takes some time to install, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful when it is turned to the max and will easily boil the water to a liter in less than two minutes. The only drawback is that it's not as effective to simmer as other stoves.

This is why MSR has developed the Dragonfly stove, which is a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It's designed in the same way like the whistler, but it is more compact and provides more performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering a similar setup for less than half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same fundamental design is used for both, however the Universal version can be operated with fuel from canisters as well.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves, this one is a simple model that is rough and ready that gets the job done. It's small, 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 beginners, backpackers who want to save on weight and for those who like to keep a backup or two in the van.

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

It takes a bit of practice to achieve a perfect blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you get it wrong the fuel could spill out, splash beyond the burner, or even sputter. To master this try it out in the open before your excursion.

This stove does give up some performance or flame odor efficiency with non-coleman fuels however it's a trade-off for the additional flexibility it provides. Be sure to buy unleaded gasoline, and not one augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). That's because these types of fuel will cause the unit to degrade, leak, sputter and possibly even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko 8kw multi fuel stove Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed 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 through one nozzle. It's a minimalist, ultralight design that costs less than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter compared to gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves use a separate nozzle for each kind of fuel. This makes them difficult to change in cold weather or using gloves, and adds to their weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have discovered an option to use the same nozzle for various fuels, which makes it easier. These stoves are referred to as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.

Another option is to buy a multifuel stove kit that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. They are usually available from specialised camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels except diesel and with the appropriate accessories, they can even simmer.