20 Important Questions To Ask About Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Before You Decide To Purchase It Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These basic stoves are lightweight and can burn hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters using one nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.


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

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminum pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a solid stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it an ideal stove for base camps for groups as well as kayaking and the Arctic camp.

The Optimus Nova is different from other liquid fuel stoves that have a problem with unburned fuel lingering in the fuel line or the nozzle. This can be fixed by flipping the bottle. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and forces them to absorb air which extinguishes flames and depressurizes bottle.

This seems like an clever solution to a long-standing problem, and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with any fuel bottle with an o-ring seal, including MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for spares, tools along with lubricant and fuel pump.

cheap multi fuel stoves is a great all-round stove for backpacking use in the UK especially for trips in which a variety of fuels is essential. The price is affordable when compared with other canister stoves with similar capabilities. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and a joy to use.

Kovea Hydra

The Kovea Hydra multi fuel stove was first marketed in 2010 and has been a favorite choice for many backpackers ever since. It isn't as popular UK backpackers seem to give the stove much attention these days, 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 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 a single nozzle. It's a typical stove design, with an ignition bell that is bolted onto a body that anchors three fold out support legs. The pump is located on top of the fuel line, the generator loop wraps around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This makes it less affected by the wind.

A nice feature is that it can also be utilized with a canister of propane or isobutane which makes it a versatile small cooker. It is simple to simmer using isobutane and propane, and it burns all types of fuels at a good rate. However when using white gas the stove runs a bit slower.

The instructions for the Hydra are written in English however they were clearly not written by native users of the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain types of lighter fluids, which if mistaken for what is actually intended can result in an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of hot legal water. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas container of a reputable brand will work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be a great option for those seeking a multifuel cooker that cooks with a variety of fuels. It can run on gas, petrol/gasoline or fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and also allows to adjust the flame size which is a wonderful feature. This stove also has a fuel line that sits flat on the ground and is easily connected to the tank.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it requires maintenance to ensure it is operating properly. It can be dangerous because it flares up when priming. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves that use liquid fuel that utilize a secondary spindle on the stove 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 cook using kerosene, the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. It's a minor issue, but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Lite

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the tiniest, lightest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be used with either canister or liquid fuel and includes attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor, and the burner has been revamped for improved heat distribution. This is a great choice for backpackers on a tight budget or beginners.

It takes some time to set up, prime, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camp stove that will not disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful and can boil a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as effective to simmer as other stoves.

MSR created the Dragonfly to be a better burner. It has a similar design like the whistler, but it is smaller and provides better performance. However it's not as affordable as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is a great alternative, offering the same setup at less than half the cost. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters too. Both versions have the same basic design however, the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

It's a simple low-cost, no-frills Coleman stove that does its job. It's compact, self-contained and solid, with the tank on the bottom and the burner on the top. This makes it simple to operate and a great option for backpackers, beginners looking to reduce weight and those who keep a few spares in the van.

This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha also known as "white gas") but it can be used with non-leaded gas as well. A gallon of gasoline will last for as long as a typical Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, so you'll save money on fuel by using this alternative.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve as you'll need to pressurize and prepare them to create a beautiful blue flame going. If you do it wrong, fuel can get into the tank, splash outside the burner, or even sputter. To master this, practice outside before your excursion.

The stove will sacrifice some performance or flame odor efficiency with non-coleman fuels however that's a trade off for the extra versatility it offers. Make sure to purchase gasoline that isn't leaded and not that is enriched with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and possibly even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments such as Africa. It's an efficient and compact all-in-one stove that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs and also gels through a single nozzle. It's an ultralight minimalist design that is priced 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 feature a separate nozzle per fuel type. It isn't easy to switch between fuels during bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can add to the overall weight. Multifuel stoves of the latest kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, making it much easier. The latest versions of these stoves are known as 'hybrid', or 'compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are many names for them like isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.

A multifuel stove kit can be bought to transform your Trangia burners into multi fuel cookers. They are typically available from specialised camping stores and are also available for purchase internationally. They are a good option for Trangia fans and they're capable of burning all liquid fuels except diesel, and when fitted with the right equipment can even cook.