24 Hours To Improve Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These basic and light-weight stoves burn wood and hexamine tablets as well as white fuel and gas canisters through one nozzle. They're popular in colder temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have simmer control.
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 fuel canisters.
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 simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a stable and solid stove. This makes it a perfect stove for base camps for groups kayaking, arctic camp.
The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves that have a problem with fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping over the bottle. This removes intake hoses from the fuel, and forces them to take in air, which puts out flames and depressurizes bottle.
This seems like a fairly innovative solution to an old problem and it definitely works. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that are sealed with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for spares, tools along with lubricant and fuel pump.
This is an excellent all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for long-distance trips where a wide choice of fuels is necessary. The price is very reasonable compared to other canister stoves that have similar capabilities. Furthermore the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and a pleasure to use.
Kovea Hydra
The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first introduced in 2010 and has been a popular choice for many backpackers since. The Hydra is not as popular among UK backpackers anymore possibly because they've caught up to better-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. However, that doesn't make it any less useful.
It's a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane with only one nozzle. It's a typical stove, with an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body which anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is on the top of the fuel line and the generator loop runs around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above that. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This makes it less affected by wind.
A nice feature is that it can be used with a canister of isobutane or propane, making it a versatile little cooker. It's simple to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel with a decent amount of heat, but is 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 users of the language. The instructions caution against the use of certain kinds of lighter fluids that if used in a manner that is not what is intended could cause an accident that would land Kovea in a lot of legal hot water. Any gas canister that is 7/16ths UNEF-threaded of a trusted brand will be fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great option for those looking for a multifuel cookware that cooks with a variety fuels. It can be powered by gas, petrol/gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also allows to adjust the flame size which is a great feature. The stove also has a fuel line that sits 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 during priming, which can be a bit dangerous. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves that use liquid fuel that use a second spindle on the stove end instead of an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.
It is also important to remember that each fuel type requires a different jet. If you are cooking using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if you were using gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Lite
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also simple to repair on the field. It is able to run on canister liquid gas or fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned to ensure better heat distribution. This is an excellent choice for backpackers on a budget or for beginners.
It takes a bit of time to set up, prime and boil water, but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not let you down. cast iron multifuel stove is very powerful when cranked to its maximum and can boil the water to a liter within two minutes or less. The only issue is that it doesn't cook as well as other stoves.
This is the reason MSR has created the Dragonfly stove, which is a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It has a similar design like the whistler, but it is smaller and has better performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that provides a similar configuration for a fraction of the cost. Whisperlite International and Universal can be used with isobutane. The same design is used for both, but the Universal version can also be used with canister fuel as well.
Coleman Sportster II
It's a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that can do the job. It's sturdy and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank at the bottom and the burner up at the top. This makes it easy to operate and a great choice for those who are new to backpacking, who want to cut weight, and those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but it can be used with unleaded gas too. A gallon of gasoline will last for as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder so you'll save money on fuel using this alternative.
It takes some practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You'll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you do it wrong your fuel may be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner or explode. To get the hang of this do some practice outside before your trip.
The stove will lose some of its performance and efficiency if you choose to use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Just be sure you're buying gasoline that isn't leaded and not augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel could cause the unit's performance to degrade and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi-fuel stove made in South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is a light multifuel stove designed for harsh conditions such as Africa. It's a compact, solid stove that can burn solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol using a single nozzle. It's a minimalist and ultralight design that is priced lower than other multifuel stoves. The fuel is also less expensive per liter when compared to gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves use an individual nozzle for every type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch between fuels during bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can also add to the overall weight. The latest models of multifuel stoves have found an option to use the same nozzle for different fuels, making it more convenient. The newer versions of these stoves are referred to as 'hybrid' or 'compressed multifuel stoves'. there are a variety of names for them, including isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.
Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove that can convert your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. They are typically sold at specialist camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel, and when equipped with the right accessories can even cook.