Alternate fuel remote stoves

[Hishy P]

I'm getting a lightweight stove, and am considering non-butane/propane options (ie. liquid multi fuel options).

Specifically, I'm interested in being able to go overseas hiking in remote, cold or high-altitude locations (eg. Nepal GHT non-group hiking/mountaineering away from main trekking routes) on longer expeditions where gas butane/propane canisters may not be available.

Ideally, I'd be interested in stoves with the ability to simmer, lightweight, not too fidgety with many parts that can be lost or damaged when removing, chea... not too damn expensive. I don't mind if they don't do butane/propane. Naturally, compromises could be considered.

So my questions are:
1. what are your thoughts on liquid fuel stove alternatives?
2. When are they required?
3. what's your experience with any models?
4. what should I be looking for?
5. what are the limitations of liquid fuel stoves compared with canisters?

I haven't had any recent experience with these stoves.

I have seen some MSR whisperlite and dragonfly, Optimus Nova and Primus Omnifuel models and am still not clear on what would best suit my needs. The Primus model looked the best, with all the bells and whistles, but was very expensive.

[johnrs]

Hi HP
For really remote then something that burns local kerosene is the go,
Some form of MSR with a shaker jet cleaning system
Good to nearly 6000m
John

[Xplora]

I have had an MSR dragonfly for a very long time and it has been fantastic although a bit noisy. The XGK model will burn more fuels but the dragonfly does most. As long as the bottles are empty, rinsed and do not have the pump or cap connected most airlines will let you take them. For me the important thing was having control at the stove and the bottle and the dragonfly does that well. It is not the most compact but it can be field maintained. You can buy a small field kit for MSR stoves but the shaker jet does a pretty good. I gave up on canisters. Sick of all those nearly empty ones piling up. They are no good in the cold or at Australian altitude.

[RonK]

Open to offers on my rarely used Dragonfly.

[keithy]

For a cheaper alternative to the MSR/Primus multifuel stoves, have you considered the Chinese made FireMaple FMS-F5? Multi fuel but does not do butane/propane.

Someone else here reviewed it a while back viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15772 and here: http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com.au/2014 ... eview.html

[Gadgetgeek]

If you want to simmer, then a Dragonfly is the way to go. they are a bit loud, as they are based on the XKG design, but they are pretty bombproof. A few spare parts and you can handle almost anything.

I have a whisperlite international, and while it is a fantastic stove, it does have a few downsides. They are fiddly to clean, ( a real pain if they get sooted up and you have limited water with which to clean petroliums with) It can simmer, but it takes some real work as you have to use the bottle pressure as your simmer control. no set and forget. so its generally not a simmering stove. Its main benefit is that it is quiet. If I was going to go with a do-all stove, and weight was not my primary concern, I'd get a whisperlite universal, for the ability to also use canisters. But if actual cooking is what you want, I think you want a dragonfly. Not to many liquid stoves do much for simmering.