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Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove
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Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove

Item # 752658

$140.00

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Create culinary masterpieces on this award-winning stove wherever you travel.

  • Optimus has been building travel stoves for more than 100 years—and they're still cookin' up new ideas for the backcountry traveler!
  • This multi-fuel, expedition stove gives world-class performance in extreme conditions
  • The unique, quick-priming Nova burner reduces the time it takes from initial startup to full ignition, saving fuel and time
  • Includes a durable, all-aluminum fuel-pump
  • Flip-stop fuel pump purges fuel from the fuel line, eliminating fuel spillage when uncoupling the stove from the bottle
  • Superb flame control, even with diesel; also operates on kerosene/paraffin, white gasoline/petrol, Coleman® fuel and similar fuel types
  • Built-in cleaning needle clears the burner jet from the inside out
  • Turbine-shaped legs fan out from the burner, forming a stable base on which to cook
  • Customized stuff bag included
  • Weight of liquid fuel stove includes only stove and fuel pump

Backpacker Magazine says, ''Four years after winning an Editors' Choice Award (4/01), this stove remains an all-around workhorse.'' - March, 2005. Please note: We may not ship stoves to addresses in Japan or Korea.

Imported.

Item 752658

ONLINE ONLY!

This item's hot—and it's only available online.


Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove Specs

Specification

Description

Suggested useBackpacking
Weight (without fuel)15.3 ounces
Dimensions5.5 x 2.6 x 2.6 inches
FuelWhite gas/kerosene/jet/auto/diesel
Stove stabilityExcellent
Pot stabilityUA
Ability to simmerExcellent
Average boil time - white gas4.13 minutes
Average boil time - kerosene4.19 minutes
Burn time - white gas92 minutes
Burn time - kerosene60 minutes
Water boiled - white gas6.57 liters
Water boiled - kerosene3.6 liters
Ease of operation - white gasGood
Ease of operation - keroseneGood
Cold weather use - white gasGood
Cold weather use - keroseneGood

Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove
 
4.3

(based on 28 reviews)

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Powerful (24)
  • Stable (23)
  • Easy to light (20)
  • Great temperature control (19)
  • Easy to clean (18)

Cons

  • Bulky (3)
  • Difficult to light (3)

Best Uses

  • Backpacking (26)
  • High altitude (19)
  • Hiking (15)
  • Car camping (10)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid adventurer (21), Casual adventurer (8)
  • What Is Your Gear Style:
  • Comfort driven (7), Minimalist (6)

Reviewed by 28 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-10

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Jan

5

2008

(9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

Good High Altitude Performance

By Ecuador Explorer

from Quito, Ecuador

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Compact
  • Easy to Light
  • Great temperature control
  • Powerful

Cons

    Best Uses

    • High Altitude

    Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

    At 15,500 feet (38 degrees F), the stove was primed with white gas only (no paste). It took a little longer than at lower altitudes but was fantastic once warmed up. 1/2L for hot wets heated faster than expected. The carrying case opens flat making it very convenient. I also liked the fact that you can flip the pump over and relieve pressure in the tank without worrying about gas leaking on your hands.

    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Comfort Driven

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (9 of 9 customers found this review helpful)

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    Nov

    2

    2007

    (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    High performance, high price

    By Cold Weather Hiker

    from New England

    About Me Casual/ Recreational, Cold weather hiker

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy To Clean
    • Easy to Light
    • Powerful
    • Reliable
    • Stable

    Cons

    • Awkward to Pack
    • Expensive
    • Needs Windscreen

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Groups
    • High Altitude
    • Hiking
    • Winter hiking

    Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

    I have the original Optimus Nova, and it performs falwlessly in cold weather. Cold weather for me is 0F, 20 mph winds at 5k+ elevation. It is easy to prime, quick to light, burns clean, practically soot free, and efficient. It's especially nice for two or more people since it is very stable with large pots. It burns great with white gas, not too bad with kero, and reasonable with nail polish remover (it's a stupid story). At a pound without fuel, it's heavy for one person, but it's an incredible snow melting machine. It's really loud! The valve assembly and fuel line make it awkward to pack in a pot. My kit didn't come with a windscreen. An MSR style windscreen is a must. The magnetic cleaner is a gimmic, just shake the stove. It's expensive for what you get, but it will probably out-live you and your children.

    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (7 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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    Jun

    1

    2008

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Compact and durable

    By Scuba Steve from Seattle

    from Seattle, WA

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Lightweight

    Cons

    • Difficult to Light

    Best Uses

    • Backpacking
    • Car Camping
    • Hiking

    Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

    I bought this stove for a 3-week hiking/camping trip through Patagonia and at the end of the trip I was still pleased with its performance. It took me about 2 days of use to become proficient at igniting it. The "wind-shield" is an extra thick piece of tin foil which appears ghetto at first, but is mandatory in most situations. This is the first light-weight stove that I have used so I can't compare its performance to others. The only complaint I have is that the carrying case is rather inefficient. The case makes the stove take up much more room than it should.

    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

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    Jan

    5

    2008

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    use it since 2001

    By Tomer

    from LA, CA

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Easy To Clean
    • Easy to Light
    • Lightweight
    • Powerful

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Backpacking
      • High Altitude

      Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

      I bought it in 2001 for one year Backpacking in south America I used it almost every day in sea level in High Altitude and in extreme temperature
      with almost every kind of full and it works till today like new, a year ago I bought a new stove deferent one (don't ask me way) after few time of use I came back to my old Optimus Nova

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

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      Sep

      12

      2008

      (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      the best stove on market

      By cmatrix

      from canada

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy to Light
      • Great temperature control
      • Powerful
      • Stable

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Backpacking
        • Car Camping
        • High Altitude
        • Hiking

        Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

        I have used mine for 4 years ... including 7 months overseas. faultless. using car gas for most of its life ... no problems.

        • What Is Your Gear Style:
        • Minimalist

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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        Aug

        6

        2008

        (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Vesatile and economical

        By RFT

        from Airdrie, AB

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Pros

        • Compact
        • Easy To Clean
        • Easy to Light
        • Great temperature control
        • Powerful
        • Stable

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Backpacking
          • Hiking

          Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

          First used this stove in July and it worked well for 3 of us. We had budgeted 1.8 litres of fuel for a 5 day trip and barely used half that amount. I like the option of multi fuels but have not used anything other than white gas so far. I found the unit stable and easy to operate. One draw back and it's not a big deal but it is noisy compared with other stoves that we saw on the trip. The other concern I had was the fuel flex line kinks where it comes out of the fuel delivery pipe when packed in the carrying case.A quick disconnect fitting would work well so the line could be removed when stowed.

          • What Is Your Gear Style:
          • Comfort Driven

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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          Jul

          4

          2008

          (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          As good as the reviews say it is

          By mrosseker

          from Saskatchewan, Canada

          About Me Avid Adventurer

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Compact
          • Easy To Clean
          • Easy to Light
          • Great temperature control
          • Powerful
          • Stable

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Backpacking
            • Car Camping
            • High Altitude
            • Hiking

            Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

            I bought one of these stoves in 2002, and it's still going strong. I've used it in rain, wind, freezing temperatures, etc. It's never let me down, and requires almost no maintenance. My only beef with the unit I have is the old carrying pouch, which seems to have been changed to a new bag. If you don't mind a few extra ounces, you're getting a wonderful, reliable, flexible stove with this unit.

            • What Is Your Gear Style:
            • Comfort Driven

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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            Dec

            19

            2007

            (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Should be givin to all US Marines

            By USMCEOD

            from Twentynine Palms, CA

            About Me Avid Adventurer

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Compact
            • Easy To Clean
            • Easy to Light
            • Great temperature control
            • Powerful
            • Stable

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Backpacking
              • Car Camping
              • High Altitude
              • Hiking
              • Military Op's

              Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

              I used this stove for there weeks in the field and not once did it let me down. My stove didn't work, even with a jet change. The Nova burned JP-8 and anyrhing else we put in it. I am buying one today. I wish we all were issued this stove, it's a proven performer buy USMC EOD.

              • What Is Your Gear Style:
              • Comfort Driven

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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              Sep

              29

              2007

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              Best lightweight stove out there!

              By 111t

              from Olean NY

              About Me Casual/ Recreational

              Pros

              • Easy To Clean
              • Easy to Light
              • Great temperature control
              • Lightweight
              • Powerful
              • Stable

              Cons

              • None

              Best Uses

              • Backpacking
              • Car Camping
              • Hiking

              Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

              This stove is the best backpacking stove i've ever used. It strikes the perfect balance of light weight, durability, and functionality. I've never had to use the maintenance kit. I regularly use Coleman fuel and Kerosene and appreciate the ability to switch fuels without changing any parts. The standard thread on the pump means that you can use it with whatever fuel bottles you already own (not coleman)
              The pot supports are close enough that you can balance a mug on them. The flame adustment is immediate and precise.
              The pump is METAL for durability. There are lighter stoves out there... but none can out-cook
              the Nova!
              Bottom line... You get what you pay for.

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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              Sep

              28

              2007

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

               
              5.0

              One stove to do it all

              By Ibex

              from Overland Park, KS

              About Me Avid Adventurer, Casual/ Recreational

              Site Member

              Pros

              • Easy To Clean
              • Easy to Light
              • Great temperature control
              • Powerful
              • Stable

              Cons

              • Bulky

              Best Uses

              • Backpacking
              • High Altitude

              Comments about Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel Stove:

              I have had this stove for six or seven years and have used it to do everything from boil water to bake brownies with an Outback Oven.

              I generally use this stove with a MSR Titanium 2qt. pot, but have place an 8qt. pot full of water and this stove didn't flex.

              This stove has been with me on numerous trips from the Boundary Waters to the Flat Tops Wildnerness area in Colorado.

              There has been only one occassion when the stove failed to light due to operator error. It simmers well best when you barely have the gas flowing (you can barely hear that it is actually on) and it will boild water quickly in blow torch mode (roaring like a jet engine.)

              Keeping the jet clear with this stove is easy. It is just a matter of waving the magnetize tool a few times. Maintence is a breeze by using the same tool you can gain access to the o-rings and filter that occassionally the oiled/replaced.

              I appreciate that it is easy to releave pressure in the fuel bottle after each use by flipping the bottle from the on to off position mentioned in some of the other posts.

              The company stands behind the product. I over tightened the nut on the bottom of the stove to the point of snapping the bolt and they replaced the stove... no questions asked.

              Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

              (3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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