3 Reasons You're Not Getting Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)

Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves Summary: These simple stoves are lightweight and can burn wood, hexamine white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with only one nozzle. These stoves are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and lack simmer control. Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane fuel in its canisters. Optimus Nova The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used for a variety of liquid fuels. It has a quick priming burner, self-purging aluminium pump, and a precise simmer control. fireplacesandstove of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on rocky ground. This makes it a perfect stove for backpacking groups, base camps, kayaking, and camping in the Arctic. Contrary to many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem in which unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and the nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by simply flipping the bottle over. The intake hoses are then removed from the fuel and causes them to absorb air which extinguishes flames and depressurizes bottle. This is a clever solution to an old problem and it's effective. The Nova can also be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that are sealed using an o-ring, such as MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for spares, tools as well as lubricant and the fuel pump. This is an excellent all-round backpacking stove that is suitable for use in the UK especially for trips where a variety of fuels is necessary. The price is affordable when compared to canister stoves that have 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 favorite among backpackers. The Hydra isn't as well-known among UK backpackers anymore, perhaps because they have caught up to better-known brands or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. However, this doesn't mean it's any less useful. It is a compact and lightweight stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas, and white gas through one nozzle. It's a standard stove that has the burner mounted to a body which 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 situated above the inlet. The burner itself is a low velocity flame type, which helps it to be less impacted by winds. It is a nice feature that it can be used with a canister of propane or isobutane, which makes it a versatile small cooker. It is easy to simmer with propane or isobutane and burns all types of fuel at a decent level but is a little slower than some other stoves when using white gas. One thing to keep in mind concerning the Hydra is that the instructions are written in English which was not written by someone who speaks the language. The instructions warn against the use of certain types of lighter fluids that if used in a manner that is not what was intended, could lead to an accident that could land Kovea in a lot of hot legal water. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister from a reputable brand will work fine. Primus OmniLite Ti The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those who are looking for an all-fuel stove that can cook with a variety of fuels. It can run on gas, petrol/gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It comes with separate controls for each fuel type and allows you to adjust the flame size. This stove also comes with 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 needs maintenance to keep it operating correctly. It could be dangerous as it flares up when you are priming. This is a problem that occurs with all liquid fuel stoves which use a second spindle throttle on the stove's end to evaporate fuel instead of the generator coil. Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. If you are cooking using kerosene, then the jet hole will be smaller than if using gas. This is a minor issue however it's important to mention. MSR Whisper Light The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, slimmest and cheapest multi fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It can be run on canister fuel or liquid gas, and comes with attachments for both. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner system was revamped to improve the distribution of heat. It's ideal for novices or backpackers who are budget-conscious. It takes some time to prepare, set up, and boil water but the whistler Lite is a reliable camping stove that will not let you down. The flame is powerful and can boil a Liter of water in two minutes. The only downside is that it's not as good for simmering as some other stoves. This is why MSR has developed the Dragonfly stove to become an efficient simmering burner. It is similar in design as the whistler, but it is smaller and offers better performance. It's not as cheap as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing the same setup at less than half the price. You can also get a Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. The same design is used in both but the Universal version can be run with canister fuel in addition. Coleman Sportster II Like many Coleman stoves this is a simple, rough and ready unit that will get the job done. It's sturdy, compact and self-contained with the tank on the bottom and burner up the top. This makes it easy to use and a good choice for beginners, backpackers who want to cut weight, and those of us who have spares in the van. This stove is designed to burn Coleman's proprietary fuel (naptha also known as “white gas”) however it can be used with non-leaded gas as well. This option will save you money since one gallon of gasoline could last longer than the conventional Coleman liquid fuel cylinder. Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prepare them to get a nice blue flame. If you don't do it right the fuel could be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner or sputter. To master this, practice outside before embarking on your excursion. This stove sacrifices some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels, but that's a trade off for the extra flexibility it offers. Make sure to purchase unleaded gas and not something that's enhanced with alcohol or methanol. That's 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 engineered to withstand harsh conditions like Africa. It's a compact and reliable system that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs, and alcohol through a single nozzle. It's a light, minimalist design that costs less than most other multifuel stoves and also offers low costs of ownership, with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters. Other multifuel stoves come with a distinct nozzle for each type of fuel. This makes them difficult to switch between fuels in cold weather or using gloves and can add to their overall weight. The newer types of multifuel stoves have come up with a way to make use of the same nozzle for various fuels, which makes it simpler. The newer versions of these stoves are known as 'hybrid' or “compressed fuel multifuel stoves' and there are various names for them such as isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car petrol/gasoline. Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. These are available at camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels except diesel and with the appropriate accessories, they can even simmer.