I am looking for a multi-fuel stove and I cant deceive what to pick. the DragonFly, Optimus Nova Plus Stove, MSR XGK EX or MSR WhisperLite International

1) What the difference between each one?
2) Can I use ANY Brand (coleman, jetboil, etc) canisters?
3) Do I need to buy any special parts for the stove to work with liquid fuel?
4) What other replacement parts should I get right away that break most often?

thank you
Igor

Neither of MSR stoves you mentioned would burn gas (meaning propane-like fuel), they will only burn gasoline-like fuel, that is liquid. So if you want to stick with canister-based propane-like fuels choose canister based stoves (MSR or Primus have enough of those). As to differences - WHisperLight can't simmer (which is critical if you want more than just to boil water or to avoid dancing around the stove to avoid burning any food thicker than water), DragonFly is more expensive and almost twice heavier than WhisperLight International (important if you need more than camping near your car), XGK is a little heavier than WhisperLight and significantly more expensive but does what one needs on backpacing trip. Neither needs any special parts upfront and all are prety reliable. The first part that might need possible care is a pump but if once in a year you put a drop of oil into it there should not be any problems for a long time. Again, these stoves are not built for working on both gas\propane and luquid fuel. Not even sure if there are other stoves that can but, frankly, I would not think its worth of trying to find some special parts\converters that would allow that as you would need to carry it with you and then trust some sort of contruption on a trip where reliable stove is critical. And if its for a camping near a lodge or car than why care about those multiple choices - the canisters are readily available in regular stores as is the gasoline or gasolne-like fuels.

No, they don't. The stoves you mention only burn multiple liquid fuels (ie: white gas, kerosene, diesel, unleaded gasoline). And even if they did burn canister gas, it wouldn't be compatable with the Coleman propane cylinders that you buy at Walmart. The fitting for almost all canister stoves is a Lindal valve, which those big green canisters don't have. If you're looking for a true multi-fuel expedition quality stove with canister capabilities, the Primus Omnifuel is the one. If you're primarily interested in a canister fuel stove, I would strongly urge you to consider the Brunton Vesta. It gives you the ability to invert the canister and change the fuel feed from purely gas to liquid, thereby avoiding the problems associated with using canister fuels in colder temperatures. Reread the specs, but for what it's worth, I own and like my Dragonfly immensely for when I need to use larger pots for several people.

From the spec it looks like they burn any type of liquid fuel and gas. The most types of fuel I'll use is gas canisters from either Jetboil or Coleman and canister fuel that you can easily get in Walmart. Will i still have to switch nozzles? thanks.