Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves use wood, hexamine tablets, gas canisters, and white fuel via one nozzle. They're popular in cold temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have a simmer limit.
Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids capable of burning multiple types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane canisters for fuel.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety liquid fuels. multi fuel stoves with back boiler has a quick-priming burner and an aluminum pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low centre of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a sturdy stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a great stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking and Arctic camping.
Unlike many other liquid fuel stoves which suffer from a problem where unburned fuel is left in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that works by flipping the bottle over. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, and forces it to suck air which extinguishes the flame and decreases the pressure of the bottle.
This seems like an clever solution to a long-standing problem and it definitely does the trick. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, which includes MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for spares, tools as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is a great backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is especially suitable for trips where many fuel types are required. The price is reasonable when compared to canister stoves of similar capability. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and a joy to use.
Kovea Hydra
The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first introduced in 2010 and has been a popular choice for backpackers ever since. 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 most recent lightweight options from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean that it's less useful.
It's a compact and light stove that burns all liquid fuels including white gas and propane butane through one nozzle. It's a typical stove with an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body that is anchored by three fold-out support legs. A pump sits on top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits above the inlet. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means that it is not affected by the wind.
It's a versatile little cooker since it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane. It's simple to simmer on isobutane or propane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is a bit slower than some other stoves when using white gas.
One important thing to remember with the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English that was clearly not written by an indigenous speaker of the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain types of lighter fluid that, if misinterpreted as what is intended could cause an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. But, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer will work fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a excellent choice to those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook using a variety fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gas, or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and is also able to alter the size of the flame which is a great feature. The stove comes with an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank quickly.
The Primus Omnilite is an excellent stove, but it requires maintenance to keep it running efficiently. In particular it is prone to flare when priming which could be risky. This is a problem that occurs with all liquid fuel stoves that use a secondary spindle throttle on the stove's end to vaporize fuel instead of an engine coil.
Another issue is that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. This means that if you cook on kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking with gas. This is a minor nuisance but it's worth mentioning.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair in the field. It can be used with either canister fuel or liquid gas and includes attachments for both. The new model is 10% lighter than its predecessor, and the burner's system has been improved for improved heat distribution. This is a great option for backpackers with a limited budget or those who are just beginning.
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 strong when turned all the way up and can boil one liter of water in two minutes or less. The only drawback is that it does not simmer as well as other stoves.
This is why MSR has developed the Dragonfly stove to become a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It is similar in design like the whistler, but it is more compact and provides more performance. However, 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. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. Both versions share the same basic design however the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.
Coleman Sportster II
This is a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that can do the job. It's strong, compact and self-contained with the tank on the bottom and burner up top. This makes it easy to use and is a great option for backpackers, beginners looking to reduce weight and those of us who keep a few 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 as well. This option will save you money as a gallon of gasoline can last longer than the regular Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a liquid fuel stove. You'll need to pressurize the stove and prime them correctly before you can start. If you do it wrong the fuel may pool, spray outside the burner, or even sputter. To master this do some practice outside before your trip.
The stove will suffer some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you use non-Coleman gasoline, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Be sure to buy gas that is not leaded and not that is augmented with alcohol or methanol. These types of fuel can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi-fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the Jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove made for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact and robust stove that burns gels, solid fuel tabs and alcohol using only one nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. It also costs less per liter than gas canisters.
Some multifuel stoves also have different nozzles for each kind of fuel. It isn't easy to switch between fuels in cold weather, or when wearing gloves. This can add to the overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have come up with a way to use the same nozzle to ignite various fuels, which makes it easier. They can be described as 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 petrol.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are typically available from specialised camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. These are great for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels except diesel and with the appropriate accessories they can even simmer.