11 Methods To Totally Defeat Your Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves
Summary: These simple stoves are lightweight and can burn hexamine, wood, white fuel, and gas canisters using a single nozzle. They are popular in cold weather, but they are noisy and lack the ability to control the simmer.
Some multi-fuel stoves can burn different kinds of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with white and isobutane fuel containers.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It features a quick priming burner, a self-purging aluminium pump and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide spreading legs make it a stable stove that can be used on hard ground. This makes it a great stove for base camps for groups kayaking, Arctic camp.
The Optimus Nova is different from other stoves using liquid fuel that have a problem with fuel that is not burned remaining in the fuel line or nozzle. This can be solved by flipping over the bottle. The intake hose is then removed from the fuel, forcing it to draw air into the stove, which smothers the flame and decreases the pressure of the 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. This includes MSR bottles. It also comes with a fully-featured stove bag with separate pockets for tools, spare parts as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.
This is an excellent all round backpacking stove for use in the UK, particularly for expeditions in which a variety of fuels is necessary. Its cost is reasonable when compared to canister stoves of similar capability. Additionally, 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 favorite choice for many backpackers ever since. The Hydra isn't as well-known among UK backpackers anymore Perhaps because they've gained popularity with brands that are more well-known or the latest lightweight offering from China or Korea. But this doesn't mean that it's less effective.
It is a lightweight and compact stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas and white gas using only one nozzle. It's a typical stove design with the burner bell that is bolted to a body that anchors three fold out support legs. A pump sits on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop runs around the inlet and the flame spreader is situated above the inlet. The burner is a low-velocity flame type. This means that it is not affected by the wind.
It is a nice feature that it can be used with a canister of propane or isobutane, making it a multi-functional little cooker. It is simple to simmer with isobutane as well as propane and it burns all fuels at a reasonable rate. However, when using white gas the stove is a little slower.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were not written by native speakers of the language. best 5kw multi fuel stove warn against using certain kinds of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken this could cause an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. Any 7/16ths UNEF-threaded gas canister of a reputable brand will work fine.
Primus OmniLite Ti
The Primus Omnilite Ti is a great option for those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook using a variety of fuels. It can operate on gas, petrol/gasoline or Kerosene, diesel and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for every fuel type and also alter the size of the flame. The stove comes with a fuel pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.
While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it does require maintenance in order to keep it working correctly. In particular, it has a tendency to flare when priming which could be dangerous. This is a problem that occurs with all stoves with liquid fuel, which use a secondary spindle on the stove end instead of a coil to vaporize the fuel.
Another issue is the fact that it requires different jets for each type of fuel. This means that if you cook on kerosene the jet hole must be smaller than when using gas. It's a minor issue but it's important to mention.
MSR Whisper Light
The MSR Whisper Lite stove is one of the smallest, lightest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It is able to run on canister liquid gas or fuel and comes with attachments for both. The new design is lighter by 10% over its predecessor and the burner system has been redesigned 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 disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful when cranked to its maximum and can boil the water to a liter within two minutes or less. The only drawback is that it doesn't cook as well as other stoves.
This is why MSR has developed the Dragonfly stove, which is a pot that can be used as a simmering stove. It has a similar design as the whistler, but it is more compact and offers superior performance. 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. It is also possible to purchase Whisperlite International or Universal for isobutane canisters as well. The same basic design is used for both, but the Universal version can also be run with canister fuel as well.
Coleman Sportster II
It's a simple and basic Coleman stove that does its 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 a good option for backpackers, beginners looking to reduce weight and those who have spares in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman's exclusive fuel (naptha, also known as "white gas") however it can be used with unleaded gas too. A gallon of gasoline can last as long as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, which means you'll save money on fuel using this option.
Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prepare them to create a beautiful blue flame going. If you don't do it right the fuel could be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner, or even explode. Practice outside before taking it on your next trip to master it.
This stove does give up some performance or odor reduction with non-coleman fuels however that's a trade off for the additional versatility it offers. Make sure to purchase unleaded gasoline and not something augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). These types of fuel could cause the unit's performance to decline and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove from South Africa (formerly known as the jiko) is an ultralight multifuel stove specifically designed for harsh conditions such as Africa. It's a compact and reliable all-in-one system that burns alcohol, solid fuel tabs, and also gels using a single nozzle. It's a light minimalist design that is priced less than other multifuel stoves. It also comes with low costs of ownership, with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves use different nozzles for each type of fuel. It can be difficult to switch fuels in bad weather, or when wearing gloves. This can also add weight to the overall load. The newer types of multifuel stoves have discovered ways to make use of the same nozzle for multiple fuels which is much simpler. They can be described as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They are also known by other names, such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car petrol.
Another option is to purchase an multifuel stove kit that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. They are typically available at camping stores that specialize in camping and can be purchased internationally. They're a great option for Trangia enthusiasts and are capable of burning all liquid fuels, with the exception of diesel and if fitted with the right equipment can even cook.