View Full Version : Multiple fuel stoves
ec.hiker
12-15-2010, 15:53
fAre there any stoves that burn multiple fuels ie propane/butane and white gas
I know there are gas canisters that have a butane/isobutane/propane mix.
Joshuatree
12-15-2010, 16:39
They have some on the market but you have to change the burner jets when you switch from white gas, kerosene to LP/butane I would choose one type of fuel you'll burn most based on the conditions you'll be using it in. Those types of multi fuel stoves are more expensive Primus has one called the OmniFuel
Mountain Wildman
12-15-2010, 16:45
The MSR XGK-EX, Dragonfly and WhisperLite Internationale burn multi-fuels but not propane.
I have the Dragonfly and it is my favorite.
I use regular unleaded in white gas stoves.
I've only seen one MSR gas stove in action and it scared the crap out of me when the guy lit it - I thought he was going to blow the roof off the shelter.
I'll stick with esbit, thank you. It's not temperature sensitive and it won't spill. :)
Toolshed
12-15-2010, 23:13
The Whisperlite was my go to stove for a number of years before I switched to the Whisperlite Int'l about 17 years ago. It is still my go to stove for camping in groups or winter conditions. I prefer to burn RUG rather than WG, though. I must admit I have never had a problem other than the fuel pump cracking apart in subzero (greater than -20) weather in the adirondacks one winter trip. And MS replaced it in admirable fashion.
rpenczek
12-16-2010, 14:31
The Primus Omnifuel stove is the answer to your question. My Scout Troop owns four of these stoves and has about 3 years usage (perhpas 8 weekend trips a year and one two week trip per year) on each. I did rebuild (and clean) them before Philmont this past summer, a total rebuild kit was about $25.
We use them with white gas (most of the time) but do at times use them with MSR or Jetboil butane fuel cans ( when breaking in new boys, can't trust them with white gas LOL). You DO NOT need to change jets for either of these fuels (white gas or butane cans). If you want to burn Karocene or jet fuel or diesel or other thicker fuels, the stove comes with a larger jet for those and a tool to replace the jet (easily done - just a minute or two).
Here is an REI link, but you can find them for about $100 if you look.
http://www.rei.com/product/784352
When originally outfitting our Troop for backpacking we also tried two MSR stoves, the international and the dragonfly and we found the Primus stove to be much better all around.
Having provided this info, please note, we use these stoves because we travel in groups of 6 to 10 and cook from one 8 liter pot, so, white gas is the efficient way to go. When I hike alone or with just my son, I use a snowpeak giga power for the significant weight savings. Of course, cold weather is not nice to the giga power so sometimes I will carry my personal omnifuel during the winter months.
Hope this helps.
I have the Dragonfly and it is my favorite.
I have one too. There is one thing I hate about it and i bet you know what it is.
Mountain Wildman
12-16-2010, 14:51
I have one too. There is one thing I hate about it and i bet you know what it is.
Size and weight?
ec.hiker
12-16-2010, 15:28
well what is it?
I have one too. There is one thing I hate about it and i bet you know what it is.
well what is it?
Its probably the loudest stove ever. You can use different fuel with it but they recommend using only white gas If I remember the manual correctly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc5utLPV_ac
Mountain Wildman
12-16-2010, 15:46
Its probably the loudest stove ever. You can use different fuel with it but they recommend using only white gas If I remember the manual correctly.
I don't mind the noise because I figure it will scare away any un-wanted creatures that may be lurking and coveting my food!!!
It does sound like a jet engine though.:D
Kerosene
12-16-2010, 15:53
If you want to burn Karocene or jet fuel or diesel or other thicker fuels, the stove comes with a larger jet for those and a tool to replace the jet (easily done - just a minute or two).Great insight from rpenczek, but you've got to learn how to spell "kerosene" man!!! :D Then again, I can only fit 7 letters on my license plate so I've had "KEROSEN" and "KROSENE" and "KEROSNE", so who am I to nitpick.
I don't mind the noise because I figure it will scare away any un-wanted creatures that may be lurking and coveting my food!!!
It does sound like a jet engine though.:D
Yeah it does. It is a great stove though! I miss the days when i wasn't such a gram weenie.
Joshuatree
12-16-2010, 17:47
I use an older optimus nova because of the sketchy weather during the times I hike had issuses with the mix gas tanks burning only half the fuel because of the vaporizing points. I looked at the Primus Omni but couldn't find one priced right. I also normally have a small group that all goes togeather so its easier to just cook one big meal. Quick word of advice practice with your new stove set it up in both daylight and at night, and run through the trouble shooting procedures a few times it will make a differance if your setting it up in nasty weather.
ec.hiker
12-16-2010, 19:42
I have been checking out the reviews on this stove I guess its hard to get it to simmer I like everything about this stove except for that does anyone know if there are any stoves similar to this one that will actually simmer?
I have been checking out the reviews on this stove I guess its hard to get it to simmer I like everything about this stove except for that does anyone know if there are any stoves similar to this one that will actually simmer?
Are you talking about the Dragonfly? Cause I thought it simmers pretty good. I'm pretty sure I still have mine laying around somewhere. It probably needs new o rings and all that but i'll sell it to you for pretty cheap.
Mountain Wildman
12-16-2010, 20:48
The MSR Dragonfly is known for being the best backpacking simmering stove available, I can adjust mine from the slowest simmer to extremely rapid boiling.
ec.hiker
12-17-2010, 08:19
yep thats the one pm me a price on it
As you can see its not in good shape. It might still work but its a little rusty.
http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/6910/dsc0122o.th.jpg (http://img594.imageshack.us/i/dsc0122o.jpg/)
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3923/dsc0123q.th.jpg (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/dsc0123q.jpg/)
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3923/dsc0123q.jpg