Summary: These basic stoves are lightweight and can burn wood, hexamine, white fuel, and gas canisters with only one nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, but they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids that can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, a self-purging aluminium pump and 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 backpacking base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves with liquid fuel which have issues with unburned fuel remaining in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping over the bottle. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, causing it to draw air into the stove, cheap multi Fuel stoves that extinguishes the flame. It also decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This seems like a fairly innovative solution to an old problem and it definitely does the trick. The Nova can also be used with a variety 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 tools, spare parts and lubricant, as well as the fuel pump.
This is a great all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK especially for trips in which a variety of fuels is required. The price is very affordable compared to other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and fun to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010, the Kovea multi fuel stoves for sale Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. It isn’t as popular UK backpackers seem to give it much attention nowadays, possibly having been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight stove from China or Korea is, but it doesn’t mean the Hydra does not have its merits.
It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels, including propane butane, white gas and white gas with only one nozzle. It’s a typical stove, with a burner attached to a body, which is secured by three support legs that fold out. The pump is above the fuel line, the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader is situated just above. The burner itself is a low-speed flame that makes it a little less affected by winds.
One of the best features is that it can be used with a container of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile small cooker. It’s simple to simmer on propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a reasonable level, however it is slower than other stoves that use white gas.
One thing to be aware of concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by a native speaker of the language. The instructions warn you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If you don’t follow the instructions correctly they could result in an accident and put Kovea into legal trouble. But that any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer is likely to work perfectly.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great option for those seeking a multifuel cooker that cooks using a variety of fuels. It can run on gas, petrol/gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and can also be used to alter the size of the flame, which is a nice feature. This stove also has a fuel line that lies 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 operating correctly. Particularly, it has a tendency to flare when priming which can be a bit risky. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle at the stove’s end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for each kind of fuel. This means that if you cook on kerosene the jet hole has to be smaller than when using gas. It’s not a major issue, but it’s worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and cheap Multi fuel stoves cheapest cast iron multi fuel stoves uk fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can be used with either canister fuel or liquid gas and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner mechanism has been redesigned to improve the distribution of heat. This is an excellent choice for backpackers on a budget or those who are just beginning.
It takes a bit of time to install, prime and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is powerful and can boil a liter of water within two minutes. The only drawback is it’s not as efficient for simmering as other stoves.
This is the reason MSR has developed the Dragonfly stove, which is a more capable simmering burner. It has a similar design to the whistler but is more compact and provides better performance. It’s not as inexpensive as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing a similar setup for half the price. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. The same basic design is used in both, however the Universal version can also be used with canister fuel in addition.
Coleman Sportster II
It’s a simple, no-frills Coleman stove that does the job. It’s strong compact and self-contained, with the tank at the bottom and burner up top. This makes it easy to operate and a great choice for beginners, backpackers who want to cut weight, and for those of us who have spares in the van.
It is designed to burn Coleman’s exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also referred to as white gas) This stove can be used with unleaded gasoline too. A gallon of gasoline can last as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you’ll save money on fuel by using this option.
It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You’ll have to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can start. If you don’t do it correctly the fuel may be sprayed onto the burner, or even sputter. To master this, practice outside before your excursion.
This stove sacrifices some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels, but this is a trade-off in exchange for the added flexibility it offers. Make sure to purchase gas that is not leaded and not that’s enriched with alcohol or Methanol. These kinds of fuels can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove made for harsh environments such as Africa. It’s a compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using a single nozzle. It’s a minimalist, ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. The fuel is also less expensive per liter compared to gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves use a separate nozzle for each kind of fuel. This makes them a little fiddly to change over in cold weather or using gloves, and could increase their weight overall. The newer types of multifuel stoves have come up with ways to make use of the same nozzle for various fuels, which makes it easier. The newer versions of these stoves are known as ‘hybrid’ or ‘compressed multifuel stoves’. there are a variety of names for them such as isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car petrol/gasoline.
Another option is to buy a multifuel stove kit that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. These are available in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and can be bought internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels aside from diesel and with the appropriate accessories, they can even simmer.