Summary: These simple and light-weight stoves burn wood as well as hexamine tablets, gas canisters and white fuel via a single nozzle. These stoves are popular in cold weather, however they can be noisy and do not have simmer control.
Certain multi-fuel stoves can burn various types of liquid fuel. The MSR WhisperLite Universal can be used with both white and isobutane fuel canisters.
Optimus Nova
The Optimus Nova multi-fuel stove can be used to cook a variety of liquid fuels. It features a quick-priming burner, an aluminium pump that self-purges and a precise control of the simmer. Its low center of gravity and wide legs make it a stable and solid stove. This makes it an ideal stove for group backpacking base camps, kayaking, and Arctic camping.
Unlike many other stoves that use liquid fuel, which have a problem in which unburned fuel remains in the fuel line and nozzle of the stove, the Optimus Nova has a shut off mechanism that operates by simply flipping the bottle over. The intake hoses are removed from the fuel and forces them to absorb air, which puts out flames and depressurizes bottles.
This is a clever solution for an age-old issue, and it works. The Nova can be used with any standard fuel bottle that has an o-ring seal, which includes MSR bottles. It comes with stove bags that include pockets for tools, spares, lubricant, and the fuel pump.
This is a fantastic stove for backpacking that can be used in the UK. It is especially useful for expeditions, where many fuel types are required. The price is reasonable when compared to canister stoves with similar capabilities. Furthermore, the Optimus Nova is easy to maintain and enjoyable to use.
Kovea Hydra
Since 2010, the Kovea Multi Fuel Stove has become a popular choice among backpackers. The Hydra is not as popular with UK backpackers Perhaps because they’ve gained popularity with brands that are more well-known or the newest lightweight offerings from China or Korea. However, that doesn’t make it any less useful.
It is a small and light stove that burns all liquid fuels including propane butane, white gas, and white gas through only one nozzle. It’s a standard stove that has an inbuilt burner that is attached to a body that is anchored by three fold-out support legs. The pump is on the top of the fuel hose and the generator loop is positioned around the inlet and the flame spreader sits above the inlet. The burner is a slow-moving flame type. This means that it is not susceptible to wind.
One of the best features is that it can also be used with a container of propane or isobutane making it a multi-functional little cooker. It is easy to simmer on isobutane or propane and burns all fuel types at a decent level but is slower than other stoves that use white gas.
The instructions for the Hydra are written in English but they were clearly not written by native users of the language. The instructions caution you against using certain types of lighter fluid. If you don’t follow the instructions correctly they could result in an accident and put 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 excellent choice for those looking for a multifuel stove that is able to cook using a variety of fuels. It can be powered by gas, petrol/gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, and diesel fuel. It has separate controls for each fuel type and also allows to adjust the flame size, which is a nice 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 does require maintenance in order to ensure that it functions properly. It could be dangerous as it flares up when you are priming. This issue occurs with all liquid fuel stoves, which use a secondary spindle on the stove’s side instead of an evaporator to cool the fuel.
Another issue is 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 you were using gas. It’s not a major issue however it’s something to be aware of.
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 fuel or liquid gas and comes with attachments for each. The new model is 10percent lighter than its predecessor, and the burner has been revamped to ensure better heat distribution. This is a great choice for backpackers on a tight budget or beginners.
The whistler Lite takes a little time to set up and prime, then boil water, but it’s a reliable stove that won’t disappoint you. The flame is extremely powerful and can cook a Liter of water in just two minutes. The only issue is that it doesn’t cook as well as other stoves.
This is the reason MSR has created the Dragonfly stove to become an efficient simmering burner. It’s similar to the whistler, but it’s smaller and has better performance. It’s not as affordable as the Whistler Lite. The Soto Amicus cookset and stove is an excellent alternative, providing a similar setup for half the price. Whisperlite International and Universal can be utilized with isobutane. The same fundamental design is used in both, but the Universal version can also be used with canister fuel as well.
Coleman Sportster II
It’s a simple and basic Coleman stove that does the 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 use and is a great option for backpackers, beginners who want to cut weight, and for those of us who keep a few spares in the van.
This stove is designed to burn Coleman’s exclusive fuel (naptha, also known as “white gas”) but can be used with unleaded gas too. This option can save you money since gasoline tanks can last longer than the standard Coleman liquid fuel cylinder.
It requires some practice to create a solid blue flame on a stove with liquid fuel. You’ll need to pressurize them and prime them properly before you can do this. If you do it wrong your fuel may spill out, splash beyond the burner, or even sputter. Do some practice outside before going on your next trip to learn how to do it.
The stove will suffer some of its performance and efficiency if you use non-Coleman gasoline, but this is a tradeoff in its versatility. Be sure to buy gas that is not leaded and not that’s enriched with alcohol or methanol. These types of fuel can cause the performance of the vehicle to decrease and even explode.
ATG Jiko
The ATG Jiko multi fuel stove defra approved Fuel Stove from South Africa is an ultralight multifuel designed for harsh environments like Africa. It’s an efficient and compact all-in-one system that burns solid fuel, alcohol, tabs, and also gels using only one nozzle. It’s a light, minimalist design that costs less than most other multifuel stoves, and also has low cost of ownership with fuel being less expensive per Liter than gas canisters.
Other multifuel stoves feature a separate nozzle per fuel type. This makes them a little difficult to change in bad weather or with gloves, and adds to their weight overall. Multifuel stoves that are of the current kind utilize a single nozzle to burn multiple fuels, which makes it simpler. The latest models of these stoves are referred to as ‘hybrid’ or “compressed multifuel stoves’. there are various names for them, including isobutane canister fuel white gas, kerosene, and unleaded car gasoline/petrol.
Another option is to buy an multifuel stove kit which converts your standard Trangia burner into a multi fuel burning stove fuel cooker. They are sold in camping stores that specialize in outdoor equipment and can be bought internationally. They are ideal for Trangia enthusiasts. They can burn all liquid fuels, apart from diesel and with the appropriate accessories, they can even simmer.