Cheap Multi Fuel Stoves

Summary: These simple stoves that are lightweight can use hexamine, wood white fuel, white fuel, and gas canisters with one nozzle. They're popular in cold weather but they're loud and don't have a simmer control.

Some multi-fuel stoves are hybrids, that can burn different types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal, for instance, takes both white and isobutane canisters of fuel.

Optimus Nova

The Optimus Nova is a multi-fuel stove that can be used with various liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges and precise simmer control. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a solid and solid stove. This makes it a perfect stove for group base camps kayaking, the Arctic camp.

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

This is an innovative solution to an old problem and it certainly is effective. The Nova can be used with a variety of regular fuel bottles that seal with an o-ring, including MSR bottles. It comes with a stove bag that includes pockets for tools, spares as well as lubricant and the fuel pump.

This is a fantastic backpacking stove that can be used in the UK. It is particularly suitable for trips where a variety of fuels are required. The price is affordable when compared with canister stoves of similar capability. The Optimus Nova is also easy to maintain and fun 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 any more Perhaps because they've been able to catch up with more well-known brands or the most recent lightweight options 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 a single nozzle. It's a standard stove that has an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body which anchors three support legs that fold out. The pump is located above the fuel line, while the generator loop is wrapped around the inlet, and the flame spreader sits over. The burner itself is a low velocity flame that helps it to be less affected by winds.

12kw multi fuel stove is a very versatile little cooker since it can be used with either propane canisters or isobutane canisters. It is easy to simmer using isobutane and propane and 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 users of the language. The instructions warn you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If they are mistaken they could result in an accident and land Kovea in legal trouble. That said, any 7/16ths UNEF threaded gas canister from a reputable manufacturer is likely to work perfectly.

Primus OmniLite Ti

Primus Omnilite Ti can be an excellent option for those looking for a multifuel cooker that cooks with a variety of fuels. It can be used with petrol/gasoline, gasoline or diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel. It has separate controls for each type of fuel and can also be used to alter the size of the flame which is a great feature. This stove comes with an oil pipe that is flat on the floor and can be connected to the tank easily.

While the Primus Omnilite is a fantastic stove, it will require maintenance to ensure it is operating properly. It can be dangerous because it flares up when priming. This is a common problem with all liquid fuel stoves that use a secondary spindle throttle at the stove's end to evaporate fuel instead of a generator coil.

Another issue is that it requires different jets for every type of fuel. This means that if you're cooking on kerosene, the jet hole must be smaller than when cooking on gas. This is a minor nuisance but it's worth mentioning.

MSR Whisper Light

The MSR Whisper Lite is one of the lightest, smallest and most affordable multi-fuel stoves. It is also easy to repair in the field. It is able to be used with canister or liquid fuel and comes with attachments for each. The new model is lighter by 10% than its predecessor and the burner's system has been improved to ensure better heat distribution. It's great for beginners or backpackers with a budget.

The whistler Lite takes a little time to prepare and prime, then boil water, but it is an efficient stove that will not let you down. The flame is powerful when it is turned all the way up and can boil one liter of water in two minutes or less. The only drawback is that it's not as efficient to simmer as other stoves.

MSR developed the Dragonfly to be a more powerful burner. It's designed in the same way as the whistler, but it is more compact and provides better performance. However, it's not as cheap as the whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus stove and cookset is a great alternative that gives you the same setup at half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. Both versions have the same design and style, but the Universal version is also compatible with canister fuel.

Coleman Sportster II

Like many Coleman stoves this is a simple, rough and ready unit that just gets the job done. It's sturdy, compact and self-contained with the tank at the bottom and burner up top. This makes it easy to use and a great option for backpackers, beginners who want to reduce weight and for those who prefer to have a backup or two in the van.

Designed to burn Coleman's own exclusive fuel (naptha gas, also known as white gas) The stove can be used with unleaded gasoline, as well. A gallon of gasoline can last for as longer as a standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder, so you'll save money on fuel with this option.

Liquid fuel stoves come with a learning curve since you'll need to properly pressurize and prepare them to get a nice blue flame going. If you do it wrong the fuel could be sprayed, pool, or splash over the burner, or even explode. Practice outside before taking it on your trip to master it.

The stove will sacrifice some performance or odor reduction when using non-coleman fuels, but this is a trade-off in exchange for the additional flexibility it provides. Just be sure you're buying unleaded gasoline, and not one augmented with methanol or ethanol (alcohol). This is because these types of fuels can cause the unit to disintegrate, leak, sputter and even explode!

ATG Jiko

The ATG Jiko Multi Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel engineered for harsh environments such as Africa. It's a compact, reliable system that can burn gels, solid fuel tabs, and alcohol through one nozzle. It's a lightweight and minimalist design that costs less than the majority of 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. It isn't easy to switch fuels in bad weather conditions, or while wearing gloves. This can add weight to the overall load. The newest models of multifuel stoves have discovered an option to use the same nozzle to ignite different fuels, making it more convenient. These stoves are referred to as hybrids or multifuel compressed fuel stoves. They can also be referred to by other names, such as isobutane, white gas, kerosene and unleaded gasoline/car fuel.

Another option is to purchase a multifuel stove that converts your regular Trangia burner into a multi fuel cooker. They are sold in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and are also available internationally. They are perfect for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels aside from diesel and with the appropriate accessories they can even simmer.