A Jetboil Stove Is The First Thing I Pack On Any Camping Trip (2024)

With almost twenty years of review’s journalism behind me, I’ve tested several campgrounds’ worth of kit. It’s a total privilege—and at times, an absolute chore—but when curious campers and hikers ask me for recommendations, the Jetboil cooking system is almost always top of my list. I got my first Jetboil Flash around 2006, and while I've tested the stove competition rigorously, no camping trip is complete without one. And no single piece of kit can make coffee faster, or with as little fuss.

And yes, I am fully braced for the hate coming my way from certain outdoor factions. There are lighter, smaller and more tech-y options, especially when compared to the Jetboil Flash; some can do better at higher altitude, or with melting snow, but Jetboil’s ability to heat water fast makes it perfect for my needs.

What are those needs? I’m not thru-hiking The Great Trail, or summiting Mount Annapurna, but I am camping lots, whether that’s on a rare but cherished solo adventure, bikepacking and hiking weekends, or most likely, blissfully comfortable car camping weekends with family and friends.

What Makes A Jetboil Great?

After all, isn’t it just a portable camping stove designed to boil water? Invented by Dwight Aspinwall and Perry Dowst back in 2001 (and first launched to the industry in 2003) the original Jetboil was a revelation. Firstly, it was a single solution system, with all the components stored neatly inside the pan, easily slotting together when needed. It came with an insulating sleeve that worked, and prevented you from scalding your hands, but most importantly, it boiled water exceptionally fast. Turn over the container, and you’ll see the “Fluxring” circling the bottom. This is the secret to Jetboil’s speed and efficiency, as it, combined with a powerful burner, concentrates heat on the largest possible surface area. It’s essentially a concertina version of a large bottomed pot, that boils water faster due to the extra surface area.

It's ingenious, and works spectacularly. Combined with a powerful 9,000 BTU/h burner, the Jetboil Flash can boil 16 ounces of water in as little as 100 seconds. Get distracted and it will bubble over before you know it, but that’s our fault, not the stove’s, especially as the ingenious thermochromic plastic strips on the thermal casing literally tell you when the water’s about to boil.

What this means in my camping/hiking/festival world is hot water, for coffee (or tea), is ready fast. I’ve lost count of the number of times Jetboil has come to my caffeinated rescue. On hikes during the coldest months of the year I’ve been able to make a restorative brew in little over three minutes. And the multiple mornings-after-the-night-before at music festivals have been eased by the complete lack of effort needed to make something to ease the pain. And as for the idea of waiting in line for coffee...well, I’d rather stay in bed.

Jetboil Stash

No Faster Way To Make Camp Coffee

Jetboil Stash Stove

Yes, the click, click, roar of the automatic Piezo ignition and blow-torch level burner has been known to wake a few people up, but nobody complains when they’re handed a cup of coffee a few minutes later.

What Can Be Cooked In A Jetboil?

To some, the ability to make a hot drink marginally faster than normal is hardly justification for the Jetboil’s high price, but for me, that’s missing the point. I adore my alcohol-burning Trangia, and believe it (with the help of my wife) makes the finest camping risotto, but when it comes to boiling water, I can have made and drunk my Jetboil coffee before the Trangia hits its boiling point.

Admittedly, none of the compact Jetboil stoves are great for doing much more than boiling water, but they are superb for those adventures when your diet is little more than dehydrated camping meals, instant noodles and coffee. It’s quick to set up, fast to use and easy to stash away again.

That said, I have cooked eggs, soup, hot dogs, porridge and many tins of baked beans in my Jetboil stoves, and while clean-up is something of a disaster with virtually all non-water related recipes, the incremental adjustment from the the burner means you can carefully adjust the heat from barely a simmer to a full-on boil. For proper cooking, I’m currently using the Primus Kinjia two burner stove, which is impressively powerful, but I'll still use a JetBoil to prime water for pasta.

Are There Other Jetboil Models?

Backpacking stove systems like the Jetboil Flash and the smaller Jetboil Zip—where the pan and burner slot together securely—are understandably popular with big wall climbers (something I can only dream of) as they can hang the cooker safely, and still use it effectively. You can also pour it with the burner still attached and the whole unit just feels solid. I’d be lying if I said I’d never knocked one over, but at least when I did, there was, A: an insulated sleeve to make picking it up safer and, B: no roaring burner flailing about in the wind.

My latest acquisition however, the $150 Jetboil Stash, blurs the line between all-in-one and traditional camp stove. It doesn’t clip together like the Flash, and lacks instant Piezo ignition, but it does benefit from the same powerful burner and heat exchange pan base, and everything (including the gas canister) fits neatly inside the 28-ounce pan. Fuel efficiency, as with all Jetboil models, is superb, and I’ve yet to need more than a single 100g canister for an entire summer of use. It also weighs just 7.1 ounces and fits in my daypack or handlebar bag with ease. At a shade over 13 ounces, the larger Jetboil Flash is a bit of a chunk, but if capacity (34 ounces) matters, the extra weight can be tolerated.

What’s Not So Great About The Jetboil?

I’d not be doing my job properly if I didn’t highlight a few things Jetboil could do better. Firstly, I’ve lost count of the times the pouring lid has annoyed me. It’s just not good enough, and takes the most precise technique to not spill. For a while I was also addicted to the brilliantly convenient Jetboil Coffee Press but after a couple of summers I have come to realize that brewing coffee in it, rather than making a pour over, taints the flavor of every subsequent boil, and it’s a pain to clean. If all you want Jetboil for is coffee, then you’re in for a treat, but the stove is certainly more versatile than just brewing your morning java.

Other slight annoyances include the fact I can no longer get replacement burner parts for my original Jetboil Flash. The first generation was very different to the one today, and the gauze top would burn out after a few years, but I could replace it easily for about $11. The solution will be to buy a replacement burner unit for $50, but it’s not ideal. Jetboil does stock a wide selection of replacement parts, and, after rats found my camping box, I was relieved to discover a new Flash lid only costs $5.

Should You Buy A Jetboil?

Minor grumbles aside, if you’re looking for a dependable stove that will deliver hot water in next to no time, Jetboil’s roster of compact stoves can’t be beat. I’ve used the MSR Windburner range and have been impressed by the speed and versatility, but not the added cost. A Jetboil isn’t cheap, and you can spend just $50 and be set up for camping adventures, but after 18 years, and only a few minor cast changes in that time, it remains a solid investment, even if you only ever use it for coffee.

A Jetboil Stove Is The First Thing I Pack On Any Camping Trip (2024)

FAQs

A Jetboil Stove Is The First Thing I Pack On Any Camping Trip? ›

Admittedly, none of the compact Jetboil stoves are great for doing much more than boiling water, but they are superb for those adventures when your diet is little more than dehydrated camping meals, instant noodles and coffee. It's quick to set up, fast to use and easy to stash away again.

How do you travel with JetBoil? ›

Can I Carry My Jetboil on a Commercial Airplane? Yes, although you'll have to leave your fuel at home. While the FAA allows you to travel with your camping stove (“Camp stoves can travel as carry-on or checked luggage only if empty of all fuel and cleaned such that vapors and residue are absent.

Can you use a JetBoil in a tent? ›

The JetBoil Hanging Kit allows you to hang your JetBoil camping stove inside a tent, portaledge, or just about any camping situation that has sufficient space AND access to ventilation. Other than making your own homemade system, this is about your only option to convert your JetBoil into a hanging stove.

Can you use a JetBoil as a stove? ›

The JetBoil Zip is not a perfect camping stove in that it's limited to boiling water–in theory. For most people, rehydrating dry food for overnight backpacking trips is more than enough. However, if you are used to cooking up stews and frying pancakes, eggs or bacon, the JetBoil Zip by itself is not enough.

Do you use the lid on a JetBoil? ›

A: Yes you can boil water with the lid on....in fact, it was designed to do exactly that. And that lid has a pour spout/hole built in, you can pour your boiling water without removing the lid, ....or remove the lid and add the contents of your meal to the boiling water while it is still in the container.

Can I bring a camp stove on an airplane? ›

Camp stoves are allowed in carry-on or checked bags only if they are empty of all fuel and cleaned so that no fuel vapors or residue remain. Please wrap cords and layer items in bags so officers can get a clear view of the items. For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?'

How many boils can you get from a Jetboil? ›

On average, you can get 24 boils from one JetPower 100 g fuel canister. Can the Stash cook pot be used on other stoves? No. The Stash cook pot should only be used with the Stash burner to avoid possible damage.

Can I use other pans on a Jetboil? ›

The support attaches to your Jetboil burner so you can safely cook with your own pots and pans. This opens up a huge range of cooking options, and cuts the need for two separate stoves if you need more than boiling water.

What is the best gas for Jetboil? ›

For maximum efficiency and minimum consumption, use our high-performance propane / isobutane four-season blend. Propane provides higher vapor pressure for better performance in cold weather. Isobutane provides more constant pressure as the fuel level gets low.

What are the benefits of a Jetboil? ›

Being able to boil water fast helps speed up the cooking time of the recipe, as well as the using simmer control allowed me to keep my noodles hot without burning the food. In addition, It was the perfect pot to eat out of as well, which meant fewer dishes to wash!

Is Jetboil stove worth it? ›

Admittedly, none of the compact Jetboil stoves are great for doing much more than boiling water, but they are superb for those adventures when your diet is little more than dehydrated camping meals, instant noodles and coffee. It's quick to set up, fast to use and easy to stash away again.

Can you cook hotdogs in a Jetboil? ›

yes, 8 hotdogs really fit in a Jetboil Flash.

Can you cook eggs in a Jetboil? ›

With plenty of room to keep food moving, scrambled eggs, perfectly crispy potatoes, and vegetable stir fry are waiting for you to dig in. The incremental temperature control means you can easily cook even the most temperamental of ingredients.

How long does it take to boil water on a Jetboil stove? ›

This Product
This Product Jetboil FlashSoto Windmaster
Wind Boil Time (1 liter, 2-4mph)5:18 min:sec5:46 min:sec
Boil Time (1 liter)4:10 min:sec4 min:sec
Packed Weight (stove + all accessories)15.7 oz3.5 oz
Dimensions4.1" x 7.1 "4.7" x 3.9" x 3.6"
17 more rows

Can you use normal gas with Jetboil? ›

You can use coleman butane / propane canister on a jetboil. If the connection fits, you can use it. Some gas mixes have different properties, such as better cold-weathet performance, but it will work.

Can you use a skillet on the Jetboil stash? ›

E.g. the fuel canister neatly snaps securely into the lid in exactly the right position to miss the stove burner. Universal Pot/Pan compatibility: Unlike other JetBoils, the JetBoil STASH's new burner will work with any pot or pan without the need for an adapter. E.g. super nice if you also bring a small frying pan.

Can you put Jetboil in a checked bag? ›

The TSA website says camp stoves can travel as carry-on or checked luggage only if they are empty of all fuel and cleaned so that there are no vapors or residue.

Can you take camping gas canisters on a plane? ›

Transporting gas canisters in an aircraft

Gas canisters are not permitted in your carry-on luggage or your checked baggage. This applies not only to gas canisters, but to all other flammable gases and liquids as well. Fuel is an absolute no-no on an aircraft.

How to clean a backpacking stove for flying? ›

Scrub stoves thoroughly with soapy water, and pack them in checked luggage. To avoid trouble, BACKPACKER editors mail stoves and fuel bottles to outdoor stores at their destination. Like stoves, brand-new and empty liquid fuel bottles are okay, but used containers must be completely cleaned out.

Can you bring camping gear on a plane? ›

Items like tent pegs, camping knives, and trekking poles often can't fly carry-on, so plan to check a bag.

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