24 Hours To Improving Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic and lightweight stoves burn wood, hexamine tablets, white fuel and gas canisters via only one nozzle. They're popular in colder temperatures, but they're noisy and don't have a simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids capable of burning multiple kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for example, burns white and isobutane canisters of fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety liquid fuels. It has a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges, and a precise simmer control. Its low center 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 base camps for groups kayaking, the Arctic camp.

Unlike many other stoves with liquid fuel that 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 simply flipping the container over. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel, and forces them to absorb air which extinguishes flames and depressurizes the bottle.

This is an ingenious solution to an old problem and it's a good one. The Nova can also be used with a variety of standard fuel bottles that seal using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares along with lubricant and fuel pump.

This is a great all round backpacking stove for use in the UK especially for trips where a variety of fuels is necessary. The price is reasonable compared to other canister stoves with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.

Kovea Hydra

Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has been a cult favorite among backpackers. It isn't as popular UK backpackers pay the stove much attention these days, possibly having been able to catch up with more well-known brands or whatever the most recent lightweight offering out of China or Korea is, but it doesn't mean the Hydra does not have its merits.

It's a relatively compact and light stove, burning all liquid fuels, including white gas and propane butane through only one nozzle. It has a fairly typical stove design, with a burner bell bolted to a body that anchors 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 is up above the inlet. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This makes it less susceptible to wind.

It's a versatile little cooker because it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane canisters. It is easy to simmer on isobutane or propane and burns all fuel types with a decent amount of heat, but is a bit slower than other stoves when you use white gas.

One thing to keep in mind concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by a native speaker of the language. The instructions caution you against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken they could result in an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas container of a trusted brand will be fine.

Primus OmniLite Ti

The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those who are looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook with a variety of 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 wonderful feature. This stove has an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and is connected to the tank quickly.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance to keep it working correctly. In particular it has a tendency to flare when priming which could be 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 an actual coil to vaporize the fuel.


Another issue is that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. It's a minor issue however it's something to be aware of.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and most affordable multi fuel stoves. It is also simple to fix on the field. It is able to run on canister liquid gas or fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is 10percent lighter than its predecessor, and the burner system has been redesigned for improved heat distribution. 12kw multi fuel stove for beginners or backpackers who are budget-conscious.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare, prime and boil water, but it's an efficient stove that will not fail you. The flame is very powerful when cranked to the max and can 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 to be a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It has a similar design as the whistler, however it is more compact and offers superior performance. It's not as affordable as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a fantastic alternative that gives you the same set-up for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same design is used for both, however the Universal version can be used with canister fuel as well.

Coleman Sportster II

This is a basic low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that does its job. It's sturdy and compact, and it's self-contained with the tank on the bottom and the burner up the top. This makes it simple to use and a good option for backpackers, beginners who want to save on weight, and for those who like to keep one or two 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 non-leaded gas too. This option will save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.

Liquid fuel stoves have a learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prime them before you can get a nice blue flame. If you don't do it right your fuel may pool, spray beyond the burner or sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your next trip to get the hang of it.

The stove will suffer some performance and odor of the flame efficiency if you use non-Coleman fuels, but this is a tradeoff for its versatility. Make sure you purchase unleaded gas and not something that's enhanced with alcohol or Methanol. These types of fuel can cause the unit's performance to decline 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 that's built for harsh environments like Africa. It's a compact and robust stove that burns solid fuel tabs, gels and alcohol using only one nozzle. It's a light, minimalist design that costs less than most other multifuel stoves, and also has low costs of ownership, with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.

Other multifuel stoves use a separate nozzle for each type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch between fuels in cold weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can also add weight to the overall load. Multifuel stoves that are of the current model have a single nozzle that can burn multiple fuels, which makes it much easier. These stoves are referred to as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also known by other names, such as white gas, isobutane kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

Another option is to buy a multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multifuel cooker. These are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans. They're capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel, and when equipped with the right accessories can even cook.