4 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: Bob Soutter, Innerleithen   (9-10-2011)

Good bit of kit - so far only used with petrol. Got it because my MSR was needing various parts (after 6 years) and because it can run on gas canisters (which I couldn't find in the USA!). But lighter than the MSR esp. if using with gas and not taking the fuel pump. Comparison? I think the MSR a bit more adjustable on low simmer. Good the way fuel pipe can be cleared when turning off - less messy when taking apart. Overall, pleased.

5 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: Tim Howes, Bristol   (27-5-2011)

Fantastic stove. Bought one of these 5 or 6 years ago and although I've mainly used it with cartridges of propane/bupane, it burns brilliantly - very good focused flame with efficient energy transfer. Packs down well. Started burning with a dirty flame recently and a DIY overhaul using the cheap Primus overhaul kit has rejuvenated it - burning beautifully now. Seriously good.

5 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: Christopher Parsons, Clevedon   (2-3-2011)

I continue to be amazed at the performane of this stove! I had been considering the MSR XGK EX as well but after dealings with Primus customer services for another reason I was so impressed it swung it.

I haven't been at all disappointed. I use the stove in conjuction with a 1.7ltr Eta Power Pot and for my last escape it boiled the 400mls of water I required for my dehydrated meal in about 40secs. You need to get used to the pre-burn if using liquid fuel but a couple of runs in the garden and you're pretty much sorted. This thing burns like a rocket - and that's what I call it! If you want to cook a gourmet meal, forget it, because although it has a simmer control it's not that adjustable. This thing is designed to melt snow and boil water and it does it amazingly well. It's well built and extremely easy to use. Make sure that once you've turned the canister over (to turn it off) you keep it running, not only until the flame goes out, but until all the pressure has been relieved from the canister. If not, you'll get a bit of leakage from the bottle and the pump will keep springing up!

Comes with a lovely little service kit and it's really easy to change the nozzle to run on other fuels. Gas is a real doddle, just screw in the cartridge and light it. Superb stove and I recommend it.

5 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: Graham Pinkerton, Glasgow   (31-8-2010)

It would be good to say something different to the other reviewers about this stove, but what is said is all true. It really is that good a stove.

If you need a stove that will work no matter where you are, but really like having the convenience, cleanliness and weight saving of using gas, then I've not seen another stove that can do what the Omni Fuel can.

Trying to find faults, when cooking with gas the flame is a little focused, so food can burn quicker than on a dedicated gas stove which tends to diffuse the flame a little more, but there's not much in it. It also weighs pretty much the same as a non bottle top gas stove.

When using liquid fuel it seems to work exactly as reliably as the expedition staple MSR Whisperlite, with the same cleaning requirements if using paraffin. Not tried it with diesel which it is apparently capable of running on.

The tool supplied makes it simple to strip the stove for cleaning and alter the valve for the most efficient burning of the various fuels, however the pin for cleaning the nozzle can break off if you're not careful.

That's really trying to think of problems with the stove (other than the cost, but, that's the price of these things, compare it to the limited edition titanium model and suddenly it'll seem much cheaper) when I'm using it I have no thoughts of problems, I'm just waiting for boiling water for my cup of tea, which it will do, quickly, every time.

5 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: Stephen, Brussels   (16-12-2009)

The Primus Omni Fuel is a truly world class stove because it can be used using most fuels available anywhere in the world. I have used the stove mainly with gas and for this purpose the fuel pump can be left at home so halving the weight of the stove.
I like the fact that is also a remote canister stove which makes it much easier to use, I can sit in my tent and control the stove while its outside making it very safe.
The stove is not really meant for solo use but it will work ideal for a pair or for a team.

5 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: Ben Glossop, Shrewsbury   (6-10-2009)

Why did it take so long for someone to develop this hybrid fuel connector design? It seems so simple in hindsight!
This stove does not disappoint! Within seconds of connecting it all up, I was actually cooking. On petrol! It's super quick to get going; almost as if it really wants to burn, no matter how windy or wet it is. For butane gas usage; it's even easier and quicker. Just open the valves and get it lit asap.
A lot of reviews on this talk about it being noisy, or the liquid fuel pump being a bit delicate to install and take out again. In all honesty; it wasn't that noisy compared to the breeze, especially once I got the pot on top, and the metal vacuum hose to the pump is the only thing that could be a bit delicate, and that's fine.
So it's solid really, easy to disassemble and clean. The multi-tool (provided) is literally all you need beside, perhaps, a cloth. It comes with three different jets, for use with different grades of fuel, and the instructions are nothing if not absolutely clear.
As is the case with any liquid fuel burner; it's cleaner for longer on white fuel or petrol, being completely clean on butane gas, but try to steer clear of Kerosene and Diesel if you can because it goes black within one second.

4 Primus Omni Fuel inc 600ml fuel bottle Review

Reviewer: joel riley, totnes   (8-9-2009)

This stove is fantastic. As far as cooking goes, I reckon its the best around. It certainly seems more powerful than my cooker at home, and seems to take a similar time to heat water.
It's also just as adjustable as my cooker at home, which is a feature that a lot of camping stoves lack, or just cant do well. This stove can do a very light simmer (although you wouldn't know from the jet engine noise!) to a full simmer in a turn of the knob.
It's pretty straightforward to use, although needs pumping and priming just like the other multifuel stoves- which basically means lighting some fuel on the burner and letting it burn yellow until the fuel in the pipe has heated and pressurised enough. After that its plain sailing.
The pot support is very good and will support a wide size range of pans, and is extremely stable. This however, is partly due to the fact that its pretty heavy, and the weight is low on the burner. in my opinion it could be made a fair bit lighter. it also doesnt pack down very small, and only just fits in my 16cm diameter pot.
All in all if it was smaller packing and lighter it would be perfect, but at the moment it certainly earns its place in my bag! Burns ferociously hot. I would certainly recommend.