Jetboil Flash -
The Jetboil Flash system is a good looking stove that adds more enjoyment to your favorite outdoor adventure. As with all Jetboil innovative systems, Flash is an all-in-one design, combining burner and cooking vessel in one compact unit. Everything you could possibly need is stacked and stored inside the 1.0 liter cooking cup. A simple click to light and within two minutes you've got yourself two cups of boiling water for cocoa, coffee, instant soup or a gourmet freeze-dried meal! The newly designed burner secures the igniter, protecting it from bumps along the road.
This system is designed to be one of the safest cooking solutions out there. The cooking cup clips onto the burner, preventing accidental spills, and the fuel canister tripod ensures overall stability. The insulating cozy has a color-changing heat indicator that signals when contents are hot.
Features:
1.0 Liter FluxRing cooking cup with insulating cozy, featuring Flash color-change heat indicator.
Adjustable stainless steel burner with push-button "through-cup" igniter.
Drink-through lid and insulating bottom cover/measuring cup.
Tripod base for added stability.
Weight 14 oz (400 g) (System weight does not include pot support and fuel stabilizer)
Volume 32 oz (1 Liter)
Boil Time 16 oz (0.5 Liter) = 2 minutes, 30 seconds (avg over life of Jetpower canister)
Water Boiled 12 Liters per 100g Jetpower canister.
Dimensions 4.1” x 7.1” (104 mm x 180 mm)
Lining and Layers:
- Translucent measuring cup with easy-to-read lines unsnaps from the bottom of the cooking cup, giving you a convenient tool for preparing meals and hot drinks
Support and Cushioning:
- Stainless-steel pot support adds stability, allowing use of the 1.5-liter Jetboil pot or other pots and fry pans (sold separately) for greater cooking versatility
Insulation:
- 1.0 Liter FluxRing® cooking cup with insulating cozy, featuring Flash color-change heat indicator
- Insulating drink-through lid and measuring cup
Size and Dimensions:
- Dimensions 4.1" x 7.1" (104 mm x 180 mm)
Pockets:
- Sewn-on tunnel pocket on the cozy holds your utensils or Jetboil hanging kit (sold separately)
Features:
- When the indicator starts to turn orange you know your water is getting warm and will be boiling before long
- Winner of the Backcountry Magazine 2010 Editors' Choice Award, the Jetboil Flash is perfect for making hot drinks and whipping up a quick meal
- Stove burner and cooking cup twist together to create a single convenient system for cooking; disconnect the stove burner and cooking cup for storage
- Piezo igniter reliably sparks the stove to life with a simple push of the button; piezo is integrated into the burner for improved protection from bumps and knocks
- An innovative thermochromic temperature indicator is integrated into the 3 stripes on the colorful neoprene cozy to show you when the cup contents are hot
- Total system weight is 15.25 oz.: stove weighs 6 oz. and cooking cup with lid weighs 9.25 oz.
- Flash features a translucent drink-though lid that lets you check on the contents of the cup so you'll know precisely when your water begins to boil; lid is BPA free
- Neoprene cozy on the cooking cup stays in place during cooking without melting, thereby increasing heat retention and efficiency
- Because this stove system has a capacity of less than 1 liter, the average boil time specification represents the time required to do 2 separate boils of 0.5 liter of water
- Weight (without stabilizer) 14 oz (397 g)
- Boil Time 16 oz (1/2 Liter) = 2 minutes
- Anodized aluminum 1-liter cooking cup provides excellent heat transfer and cleans up fast
- Wire valve bail allows for easy flame adjustment and simmer control even while wearing gloves
- FluxRing® heat exchanger on the bottom of the cooking cup creates excellent fuel efficiency
- Adjustable-flame burner is housed in a windscreen, reducing heat loss when a breeze picks up
- Volume 32 oz (1 Liter)
- Same as the original Jetboil Personal Cooking system, the Flash integrates the personal cooking cup and stove for fast setup and compact storage
- Stove burner and 110g fuel canister (sold separately) stow inside the cup; lid snaps shut for storage
- Available in your choice of colors
- Water Boiled 12 Liters per 100g Jetpower canister
- Included stabilizer attaches to a fuel canister, widening the overall stove base to enhance stability
- Available in Gold (orange), Violet (purple), Sapphire (blue) and Carbon (black)
Backcountry Edge
The Jetboil Flash cooking system utilizes the same efficient design as the now classic Personal Cooking System (PCS) but adds the additional convenience feature of an external temperature indicator. Designed to capture and focus heat more efficiently than traditional cooking systems, the Flash brings two cups of water to a boil in only two minutes!
Mountain Gear
Ultralight and versatile for thru hikers, JETBOIL's Flash stove boasts a heat-transfer system to increase output and fuel efficiency, and has a heat indicator that changes color when hot & ready. This small and powerful setup features an adjustable burner with a push-button igniter, and a 1 liter translucent FluxRing cooking cup.
Zappos.com
All-in-one Flash™ Cooking System by Jetboil® is portable and convenient.The Flash system lights with the click of a button and within two minutes provides two cups of boiling water for hot chocolate, coffee, or instant soup.
The 1.0 Liter FluxRing® cooking cup with insulating cozy, features Flash color-change heat indicator.
Adjustable stainless steel burner with push-button "through-cup" ignition.
• Volume - 2 lbs(1 Liter).
• Boil Time - 1 lb(1/2 Liter) = 2 minutes.
• Water Boiled - 12 Liters per 100g Jetpower canister.
• Dimensions - 4.1" x 7.1" (104 mm x 180 mm).
Jenson USA
Jetboil stoves are compact and efficient making them perfect for bike touring or camping. The Flash uses an all-in-one design, combining burner and cooking vessel in one compact unit.
Average Price History:
| Activity: | Backpacking |
|---|---|
| Auto ignition: | Yes |
| Average boil time: | 5 min. 24 sec. |
| Avg. Boil Time: | 16 oz (0.5 Liter) = 2 minutes, 30 seconds (avg over life of Jetpower canister) Water Boiled: 12 Liters per 100g Jetpower canister |
| Boil Time: | 16oz (1/2 Liter) = 2 minutes 30 seconds |
| Burn time (max flame): | (100g of fuel) 42 minutes |
| Cold Weather Performance: | Fair |
| Country of Origin: | USA |
| Dimensions: | D 4.1" x H 7.1" (104 mm x 180 mm) |
| Fuel: | Iso/Propane Canister |
| Fuel type: | Canister |
| Heat Reflector: | yes |
| Material: | hard-anodized aluminum (cooking cup) |
| Packed Size: | 4.1" x 7.1" |
| Recommended Use: | Camping, Backpacking or at the Worksite |
| Simmer: | yes |
| Stability: | Good |
| Type: | Canister |
| Volume: | 32 oz / 1 Liter |
| Warranty: | One-Year Limited Warranty |
| Water Boiled: | 12 Liters per 100 g Jetpower canister of fuel |
| Weight: | 14 oz (not including fuel) |
| Weight w/o Fuel: | 14 oz (400 g) |
| Windscreen: | yes |
Compare specifications to related products.
Similar Products:
 | Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System | $74.95 - $99.99 |
 | Jetboil Flash Backpacking Cooking System | $99.95 |
 | Jetboil Flash Tomato Cooking System | $99.99 |
Subcategories of Stoves & Fuel:
Related Categories:
- Jetboil Camping Stoves & Fuel Bottles
- Camping Stoves & Fuel Bottles
- Everything from Jetboil.
Jetboil Flash Reviews:
Positive Reviews:
Best stove ever; still needs improvement
Just bought the Jetboil to replace my long-lived white-gas MSR Whisperlite, which after 20 years is getting less reliable. Used the Jetboil on a sea canoeing trip in Puget Sound; here are my initial thoughts:
1. The Good: This is the most powerful stove I've ever used; heck, I'm tempted to use it at home instead of the $2,000 dual-fuel stainless steel G.E. range in our kitchen. It's so powerful that it almost seems like cheating -- I mean, is it still a "wilderness experience" if you can heat 3/4 L. of cold water in 3 minutes? Even the piezoelectric igniter that some reviewers say is unreliable worked first-click for me, though that's likely to change over time. (Note: the instructions tell how to refresh the electrode wire, by the way.)
2. Necessary Improvements: I still didn't give it 5 stars, though, because it's still not perfect. Here are things Jetboil needs to fix:
A. The igniter is placed in a fragile location. Yes, it's better than in the first version, but it's still sitting up on top. If ANYTHING flat gets set on the stove, the igniter is likely to break off. The smart people at Jetboil have gotta be able to think of a better way.
B. The heat indicator on the neoprene wrapper is just goofy. And, for those of us who worry about weight down to the point where we pick wiregate carabiners to save a couple grams, it's unnecessarily bulky. If you want a heat indicator, just sew a thin stripe down the side, not a ginormous faux-Nike Swoosh.
C. The pot stand should come with the stove. Without it, you can't use any cookware other than the proprietary pot.
D. Should have a waterproof lid option; the one that comes with it has a sipping hole, but I'd prefer one that protected my stove from the elements (when it's packed inside the pot) in case my pack takes a dunking.
E. Whole system needs a bag to pack it in, to keep everything together. I might use such a bag in the field (depending on whether I'm concerned about weight); I definitely need such a bag to store the system in the garage between outings.
But while Jetboil needs to keep tweaking, this remains a mindblowingly efficient water-boiling system. In my mind there's really no alternative; my old WhisperLite will get cleaned carefully then reserved for really high altitudes and cold temps (where I've heard the Jetboil may not work so well (though I'm anxious to see whether that's true or not). The Jetboil will take its place in my pack on every other adventure.
1. The Good: This is the most powerful stove I've ever used; heck, I'm tempted to use it at home instead of the $2,000 dual-fuel stainless steel G.E. range in our kitchen. It's so powerful that it almost seems like cheating -- I mean, is it still a "wilderness experience" if you can heat 3/4 L. of cold water in 3 minutes? Even the piezoelectric igniter that some reviewers say is unreliable worked first-click for me, though that's likely to change over time. (Note: the instructions tell how to refresh the electrode wire, by the way.)
2. Necessary Improvements: I still didn't give it 5 stars, though, because it's still not perfect. Here are things Jetboil needs to fix:
A. The igniter is placed in a fragile location. Yes, it's better than in the first version, but it's still sitting up on top. If ANYTHING flat gets set on the stove, the igniter is likely to break off. The smart people at Jetboil have gotta be able to think of a better way.
B. The heat indicator on the neoprene wrapper is just goofy. And, for those of us who worry about weight down to the point where we pick wiregate carabiners to save a couple grams, it's unnecessarily bulky. If you want a heat indicator, just sew a thin stripe down the side, not a ginormous faux-Nike Swoosh.
C. The pot stand should come with the stove. Without it, you can't use any cookware other than the proprietary pot.
D. Should have a waterproof lid option; the one that comes with it has a sipping hole, but I'd prefer one that protected my stove from the elements (when it's packed inside the pot) in case my pack takes a dunking.
E. Whole system needs a bag to pack it in, to keep everything together. I might use such a bag in the field (depending on whether I'm concerned about weight); I definitely need such a bag to store the system in the garage between outings.
But while Jetboil needs to keep tweaking, this remains a mindblowingly efficient water-boiling system. In my mind there's really no alternative; my old WhisperLite will get cleaned carefully then reserved for really high altitudes and cold temps (where I've heard the Jetboil may not work so well (though I'm anxious to see whether that's true or not). The Jetboil will take its place in my pack on every other adventure.
Does all I Need..Good Java Too..
So far so good with this stove..tried it out a few times..looks like I'm in the satisfied crowd..just as most reviews tell it..works great..good even flame across the burner..heats quick..
Why I really like this PCS..for 15$ you can add the coffee press..for a weight cost of 0.8 oz (23 g)..and it fits in the cup too for packing..tried out the press with the most course grind I can do on my burr grinder..awesome cup of coffee by any standards..not a ton of grounds like others said..poured it through a sieve to check..barely any..
Haven't used this Flash enough yet too see if something bugs out..but I did a weight breakdown..maybe it will help a gram junkie..cut and pasted from my notes..may not line up right..sorry if it doesn't..I weighed each component & total weights are measured too..not just added up.. {:^)>
1L JetBoil Flash PCS Ver. 2.0 purchased 7/2011 REI..
My package wt. Flash w/ coffee press, 1 new fuel: 1 lb 8.8 OZ, 705 g
1L JB Flash w/stand, PH, cozies, lid, 1 new fuel: 1 lb 8.0 oz, 682 g
1L JB Flash w/stand, PH, cozies, lid, no fuel: 1 lb 1.0 oz, 482 g
1L JB Flash w/cozies,lid, no fuel: 14.7 oz, 417 g
Min Trail wt (only cup & burner, no cozies or lid): 11.2 oz, 316 g
Break Down
Burner assy: 5.2 oz, 146 g
1L Metal cup (no cozy): 6.0 oz, 170 g
Neoprene Cozy: 1.5 oz, 43 g
Burner Cozy: 1.0 oz, 29 g
Lid: 1.0 oz, 29 g
Stand: 1.0 oz, 28 g
Pot Holder: 1.3 oz, 37 g
Coffee Press: 0.8 oz, 23 g
Full Jetpower can 100g w/cap (4 cans weighed, all same): 7.0 oz, 200 g
Wt Per REI: 15.25 oz, 432 g
Wt per JetBoil: (without stabilizer) 14 oz, 397 g
All measurements taken from 0-5 lb dig scale..oz & grams are direct from scale display
Packed measure w/ tape meas: 7.25" tall x 4.25" lid outside dia (18.5 cm x 10.8 cm)
Why I really like this PCS..for 15$ you can add the coffee press..for a weight cost of 0.8 oz (23 g)..and it fits in the cup too for packing..tried out the press with the most course grind I can do on my burr grinder..awesome cup of coffee by any standards..not a ton of grounds like others said..poured it through a sieve to check..barely any..
Haven't used this Flash enough yet too see if something bugs out..but I did a weight breakdown..maybe it will help a gram junkie..cut and pasted from my notes..may not line up right..sorry if it doesn't..I weighed each component & total weights are measured too..not just added up.. {:^)>
1L JetBoil Flash PCS Ver. 2.0 purchased 7/2011 REI..
My package wt. Flash w/ coffee press, 1 new fuel: 1 lb 8.8 OZ, 705 g
1L JB Flash w/stand, PH, cozies, lid, 1 new fuel: 1 lb 8.0 oz, 682 g
1L JB Flash w/stand, PH, cozies, lid, no fuel: 1 lb 1.0 oz, 482 g
1L JB Flash w/cozies,lid, no fuel: 14.7 oz, 417 g
Min Trail wt (only cup & burner, no cozies or lid): 11.2 oz, 316 g
Break Down
Burner assy: 5.2 oz, 146 g
1L Metal cup (no cozy): 6.0 oz, 170 g
Neoprene Cozy: 1.5 oz, 43 g
Burner Cozy: 1.0 oz, 29 g
Lid: 1.0 oz, 29 g
Stand: 1.0 oz, 28 g
Pot Holder: 1.3 oz, 37 g
Coffee Press: 0.8 oz, 23 g
Full Jetpower can 100g w/cap (4 cans weighed, all same): 7.0 oz, 200 g
Wt Per REI: 15.25 oz, 432 g
Wt per JetBoil: (without stabilizer) 14 oz, 397 g
All measurements taken from 0-5 lb dig scale..oz & grams are direct from scale display
Packed measure w/ tape meas: 7.25" tall x 4.25" lid outside dia (18.5 cm x 10.8 cm)
Makes Trailside Cooking Fun
Here's the deal. This is an awesome product and if you are looking for that last nudge to buy it, do it...there's not much you are going to regret.
I have used this on the trail but before I even had a chance to take it on a backpacking trip, it got about a week's use for home cooking when we lost power in a windstorm.
here are the pros: very durable, very stable, powerful, lightweight and easy to pack, and I can set it up in less than a minute. I like to cook even when I am in backcountry and this stove let's you have some fun and be a little creative beyond just heating water for prepackaged gruel.
Here are some of the few negatives--not deal breakers. First the ignition is a little fidgety--sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't (not always wind related). I actually feel like I won something when the trigger ignites it. Just be sure to pack a wand lighter or I use a swedish fire steel to launch a spark in there, otherwise you will lose all the hair on your knuckles (and you probably still will from the heat). The only other problem was probably 'user error' in that I left the jet fuel cannister stored in the cup for awhile and when I pulled it out recently noticed a little rust ring had formed. I have been able to remove most of the superficial rust but I would recommend removing the jet fuel before an extended storage period and I now wrap the cannister in a paper towel or put the screen from the coffee press (also recommended) between the cannister and bottom of the cup as a barrier. One last thing: if you use the frying pan you really need to watch your temp because that sucker can heat up and burn whatever you are trying to cook up.
But that's really it...just recommendations from experience vs. detractors.
I have used this on the trail but before I even had a chance to take it on a backpacking trip, it got about a week's use for home cooking when we lost power in a windstorm.
here are the pros: very durable, very stable, powerful, lightweight and easy to pack, and I can set it up in less than a minute. I like to cook even when I am in backcountry and this stove let's you have some fun and be a little creative beyond just heating water for prepackaged gruel.
Here are some of the few negatives--not deal breakers. First the ignition is a little fidgety--sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't (not always wind related). I actually feel like I won something when the trigger ignites it. Just be sure to pack a wand lighter or I use a swedish fire steel to launch a spark in there, otherwise you will lose all the hair on your knuckles (and you probably still will from the heat). The only other problem was probably 'user error' in that I left the jet fuel cannister stored in the cup for awhile and when I pulled it out recently noticed a little rust ring had formed. I have been able to remove most of the superficial rust but I would recommend removing the jet fuel before an extended storage period and I now wrap the cannister in a paper towel or put the screen from the coffee press (also recommended) between the cannister and bottom of the cup as a barrier. One last thing: if you use the frying pan you really need to watch your temp because that sucker can heat up and burn whatever you are trying to cook up.
But that's really it...just recommendations from experience vs. detractors.
Pretty good but not great
I have used the jetboil on several backpacking trips. The best features are it's convenience. It sets up easily and is easy to operate. It is fuel efficient and I like that the stove locks to the cook mug. You can pick up the whole apparatus while it is cooking! (It can be suspended from tree- limbs, or cliff-faces too!) The neoprene cozy is a good feature. The mug lid is nice too. The stove and fuel pack neatly into the cook-mug as long as you use the smaller size fuel canister. It cooks fast under normal conditions.
The downside is mainly the cook mug. It is too tall and narrow. It is difficult to get food out of the bottom. You must hold a spoon by the tip of the handle and usually get food on the back of your knuckles; especially when cleaning. That is a significant hassle with this product. A cook bowl would be much better than a mug. It is not a particularly lightweight stove but not terribly heavy either.
Another problem is that there is no wind screen, and because (like all canister-mounted stoves) it sits atop the fuel canister it is so high up that it is hard to fabricate a windscreen from rocks and branches. Also the performance of the jetboil is significantly compromised at higher altitudes. At 10,000' a regular white gas pump stove out-performed the jetboil. At lower elevations it worked very well and was very fast and efficient although heavier than other canister stoves.
I have the last generation Jetboil. The new one has improved the flame adjust knob to make it useable while wearing gloves-hooray. They've also added a translucent lid and temperature gauge in the cozy; all good improvements but still with the narrow mug.
A great general use stove. Good for melting snow and snow camping uses. Mediocre for high elevation windy conditions (check the MSR stove instead). Price is competitive too.
The downside is mainly the cook mug. It is too tall and narrow. It is difficult to get food out of the bottom. You must hold a spoon by the tip of the handle and usually get food on the back of your knuckles; especially when cleaning. That is a significant hassle with this product. A cook bowl would be much better than a mug. It is not a particularly lightweight stove but not terribly heavy either.
Another problem is that there is no wind screen, and because (like all canister-mounted stoves) it sits atop the fuel canister it is so high up that it is hard to fabricate a windscreen from rocks and branches. Also the performance of the jetboil is significantly compromised at higher altitudes. At 10,000' a regular white gas pump stove out-performed the jetboil. At lower elevations it worked very well and was very fast and efficient although heavier than other canister stoves.
I have the last generation Jetboil. The new one has improved the flame adjust knob to make it useable while wearing gloves-hooray. They've also added a translucent lid and temperature gauge in the cozy; all good improvements but still with the narrow mug.
A great general use stove. Good for melting snow and snow camping uses. Mediocre for high elevation windy conditions (check the MSR stove instead). Price is competitive too.
Great but minor flaws...
Although my Cons list is much longer, I absolutely love this stove and it is the only stove I carry in most situations.
PROS:
-Compact, packs up well.
-Efficient, quick to boil water. Used this jetboil for 11 people on a 2 day trip (breakfast + dinner) and then used it myself (solo) for another 3 days and I only used a single 100g fuel canister (its basically empty, but it was still going when we finished cooking).
-Newer models have the "stovetop" addon which is very useful for other cooking, though you need to bring a separate pan (the older ones don't come with this piece).
CONS:
-Auto-ignitor is garbage. I've now gone through 3 different units; the auto-ignitor "sparks" but even with the gas all the way on, it will never light. Worthless feature.
-Flame blows out very easily on lower settings. Even a light breeze will put it out if you don't cover it. On higher settings, this doesn't happen. (Doubly annoying b/c then you have to "unlock" the cup from the stove so you can reach in with a lighter, b/c the auto ignitor never works).
-Hard to regulate temps (esp in windy conditions cause of above)
-Hard to clean the cup; not very good for anything but boiling water, but it is AMAZING at that.
-The "Zip Stove" (lighter/cheaper) model has markings for several different measurements, but this one only marks "MAX FILL 2 CUPS"; little odd but not a huge deal.
BOTTOM LINE:
-For almost all situations, I take just this stove. I always carry a 32oz ceramic mug which is what I eat out of, using the jetboil for water boiling + storage + (occasionally) with a frying pan.
Very happy with it, but the $80 "Zip Stove" seems to be almost identical to this one except cheaper, lighter, and without some of the useless features.
PROS:
-Compact, packs up well.
-Efficient, quick to boil water. Used this jetboil for 11 people on a 2 day trip (breakfast + dinner) and then used it myself (solo) for another 3 days and I only used a single 100g fuel canister (its basically empty, but it was still going when we finished cooking).
-Newer models have the "stovetop" addon which is very useful for other cooking, though you need to bring a separate pan (the older ones don't come with this piece).
CONS:
-Auto-ignitor is garbage. I've now gone through 3 different units; the auto-ignitor "sparks" but even with the gas all the way on, it will never light. Worthless feature.
-Flame blows out very easily on lower settings. Even a light breeze will put it out if you don't cover it. On higher settings, this doesn't happen. (Doubly annoying b/c then you have to "unlock" the cup from the stove so you can reach in with a lighter, b/c the auto ignitor never works).
-Hard to regulate temps (esp in windy conditions cause of above)
-Hard to clean the cup; not very good for anything but boiling water, but it is AMAZING at that.
-The "Zip Stove" (lighter/cheaper) model has markings for several different measurements, but this one only marks "MAX FILL 2 CUPS"; little odd but not a huge deal.
BOTTOM LINE:
-For almost all situations, I take just this stove. I always carry a 32oz ceramic mug which is what I eat out of, using the jetboil for water boiling + storage + (occasionally) with a frying pan.
Very happy with it, but the $80 "Zip Stove" seems to be almost identical to this one except cheaper, lighter, and without some of the useless features.
Unbeatable, Period. FOR BOILING STUFF.
NOW HEAR THIS: IF YOU ARE JULIA CHILD, DO NOT BUY THIS STOVE.
This baby is utterly revolutionary, and the best thing man has ever made to do one thing: BRING WATER TO A BOIL, MAJOR MAJOR FAST. It is called "Flash" for a reason. When I have been told the water is under way, it is a positive race to get my food/drink ready before the water is, and my record is no better than .500 on that score. FAST. Why I bought one. It only took one hot drink, did I say FAST????, to convince me I would get one.
That said. My fare backpacking is: powdered drinks; instant or microground or press coffee; freeze-dried food. Period. (You can backpack to do chores. I don't, particularly cooking and cleaning dishes.) This is NOT for "cooking." It is for getting water to a boil, very very fast. Yes, I note the poor temp control. The Saturn V rocket had poor speed control, precisely because control of speed is NOT what that baby was about. By the same token, this isn't about controlling temp but about running at full throttle to boil. Any other use invites criticism I could write for you. You can simmer and saute and poach; those activities get in the way of why I am there, which is to BE THERE. I want boiling water with minimal hassle. This is the way.
It's not a five (and I note Difficult to Light, and yes everything is relative) because the piezoigniter failed me after one day. (REI replaced it with less trouble than I do a shoelace. Kudos.) But what the Flash does, well, read the name. That fast. And for solo trips, the integral mug: primo.
This baby is utterly revolutionary, and the best thing man has ever made to do one thing: BRING WATER TO A BOIL, MAJOR MAJOR FAST. It is called "Flash" for a reason. When I have been told the water is under way, it is a positive race to get my food/drink ready before the water is, and my record is no better than .500 on that score. FAST. Why I bought one. It only took one hot drink, did I say FAST????, to convince me I would get one.
That said. My fare backpacking is: powdered drinks; instant or microground or press coffee; freeze-dried food. Period. (You can backpack to do chores. I don't, particularly cooking and cleaning dishes.) This is NOT for "cooking." It is for getting water to a boil, very very fast. Yes, I note the poor temp control. The Saturn V rocket had poor speed control, precisely because control of speed is NOT what that baby was about. By the same token, this isn't about controlling temp but about running at full throttle to boil. Any other use invites criticism I could write for you. You can simmer and saute and poach; those activities get in the way of why I am there, which is to BE THERE. I want boiling water with minimal hassle. This is the way.
It's not a five (and I note Difficult to Light, and yes everything is relative) because the piezoigniter failed me after one day. (REI replaced it with less trouble than I do a shoelace. Kudos.) But what the Flash does, well, read the name. That fast. And for solo trips, the integral mug: primo.
Jetboil is awesome!
I picked up a Jetboil Flash here after christmas mostly to use out ice fishing to make hot tea/coffee. I had no idea it would totally impress the heck out of my like it has. I didn't think anything wold replace my MSR SuperFly in my bivy pack but the Jetboil has. It was a prefect tool this winter out on the Ice to get a hot cup of tea to warm me up on the frigid bay when the fishing was slow. It lights in wind, it lights in rain, and man does it ever boil water quickly! I have a small mountain of camping/backpacking stoves and cooking accessories in my basement and i've been impressed with many of them but the jetboil does more and takes up less space than most of them. This spring I will be out quite often doing two and 3 day hikes and cannot wait to use the jetboil for my cooking needs. I have purchased many of the jetboil accessories like the fry pan, hanging kit, and the utensils and they all are very nice well made products that help the jetboil be a all-in-one go to system. The best accessory I picked up for the jetboil though is a Maxpedition 12" x 5" Bottle Holder it fits my JetBoil, large gas cylinder, eating utensils, spare ignitor and a few other bits and pieces all neatly and well contained/protected. The Maxpedition pouch is a bit too heavy for the minimalist hiker but is still a nice pouch to store it in when not in my pack. Overall the Jetboil is the best system for boiling water there is, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is worth every penny!
Works in all conditions
After reading complaints about a recently introduced "super" stove I thought I should put in my .02 in favor of the JetBoil. I have had my first one for 6+ years and it has worked flawlessly everytime and has required no maintenance. I use it to boil water only so there is zero cleanup. I used it for three years in TX and another three in CO. I use it in all conditions/seasons including on the ski slopes, snow camping, and mountaineering. It fired right up on top of Quandary Peak (14,271') last November and boiled water seemingly as well as always. I've never had the piezo fail to light the stove; although in the cold I may have to click the button a couple extra times. On a few occaisions if I feel the need to boost the heat output (e.g. extreme cold) I'll pour a little water into the bottom cover/cup and set the fuel canister in it. It immediately increases output significantly. When comparing to my friends' ultralight setups, by the time you include a pot, cover, cup, and fuel there's not much wt difference AND the JetBoil is much sturdier/stable. Since the fuel, stove, pot, and lid all lock together in use its easy to avoid spills; just find/make a flat spot or hold the side of the pot with your hand for the 2-3 minutes it takes to boil. No balancing act required. For longer trips the JetBoil starts to save weight because of it's lower fuel usage. I keep looking but I haven't found a reason to replace it. I bought my adult son one last year as a gift.
An Efficient Cooking System
I purchased the Jetboil Flash System based on recommendations from an REI Sales Associate. This is the first backpacking stove I have ever purchased, so I can't really compare it to any others out there, but I must say I am very satisfied with its performance.
The system is very easy: add water to the cup, screw into the base, place on the stand, turn the fuel valve, push the button and snap! Wait a couple of minutes for boiling water.
I've used the system to boil water for dehydrated meals, as well as hot drinks. Additionally, I purchased the pot stabilizer and I've used it along with my GSI Bugaboo Camping cookware set to make chili and various pastas. The pot stabilizer works great. I've never used the plastic measuring cup, and I've never used the pot for anything other than boiling water. So, cleanup of the Jetboil is always a snap.
My favorite use is early in the morning... it takes two minutes to have a steaming cup of hot coffee... the Jetboil Flash and Starbucks Via make perfect companions!
One complaint: After about a dozen uses, somehow the bottom of the web handle melted off. I'm not sure if maybe I left the water boiling too long or what (I was making breakfast for my daughter at the time). At any rate, I see on the Jetboil website that replacements are available for $6, so no big deal since it was probably my fault anyway.
Overall, I think this is a great product and I'm very happy I made the purchase!
The system is very easy: add water to the cup, screw into the base, place on the stand, turn the fuel valve, push the button and snap! Wait a couple of minutes for boiling water.
I've used the system to boil water for dehydrated meals, as well as hot drinks. Additionally, I purchased the pot stabilizer and I've used it along with my GSI Bugaboo Camping cookware set to make chili and various pastas. The pot stabilizer works great. I've never used the plastic measuring cup, and I've never used the pot for anything other than boiling water. So, cleanup of the Jetboil is always a snap.
My favorite use is early in the morning... it takes two minutes to have a steaming cup of hot coffee... the Jetboil Flash and Starbucks Via make perfect companions!
One complaint: After about a dozen uses, somehow the bottom of the web handle melted off. I'm not sure if maybe I left the water boiling too long or what (I was making breakfast for my daughter at the time). At any rate, I see on the Jetboil website that replacements are available for $6, so no big deal since it was probably my fault anyway.
Overall, I think this is a great product and I'm very happy I made the purchase!
Light, Compact, Perfect
So the "Flash" feature feels like a pretty cheesy marketing driven "upgrade"---if you can't figure out when water is about to boil/boiling you probably shouldn't be let outdoors unsupervised anyway. That said, Jetboil hasn't increased the price, so I'm not actually complaining.
Anyhow, this is a perfect cooking system---especially if you're cooking for one or two and don't often want or need a skillet. It boils water in a (wait for it...wait for it...) Flash and could not be easier to use: Screw in your fuel, open the stove's valve a bit, push the ignition button, and you've got boiling water or whatever before you know it. Easy and fast enough you can think about making a hot lunch instead of munching on dried fruit like a chipmunk. And the stove, fuel, and stabilizing platform all store inside the Jetboil cup.
We're pretty minimalist cooking-wise, so this is perfect for the gf and me: she carries her own cup and I eat out of the base or straight from the Jetboil. Nothing else needed except a couple of long spoons. Well, except for...
My one weakness out there is the need for a good cup (or three) of coffee. The french press addition adds virtually no weight, stores inside the Jetboil with everything else, and lets you make a delicious cup of your favorite real coffee no matter where you greet the sunrise or (with a splash of whiskey) sunset.
Anyhow, this is a perfect cooking system---especially if you're cooking for one or two and don't often want or need a skillet. It boils water in a (wait for it...wait for it...) Flash and could not be easier to use: Screw in your fuel, open the stove's valve a bit, push the ignition button, and you've got boiling water or whatever before you know it. Easy and fast enough you can think about making a hot lunch instead of munching on dried fruit like a chipmunk. And the stove, fuel, and stabilizing platform all store inside the Jetboil cup.
We're pretty minimalist cooking-wise, so this is perfect for the gf and me: she carries her own cup and I eat out of the base or straight from the Jetboil. Nothing else needed except a couple of long spoons. Well, except for...
My one weakness out there is the need for a good cup (or three) of coffee. The french press addition adds virtually no weight, stores inside the Jetboil with everything else, and lets you make a delicious cup of your favorite real coffee no matter where you greet the sunrise or (with a splash of whiskey) sunset.
Negative Reviews:
fell apart
I really liked it when it worked. Took it on a camping trip and worked really well.
then I took it up to a higher elevation, ski resort mammoth. I'm not sure if it was
the elevation or the quality that's in question, but the igniter stopped working
completely. Then the plastic piece melted and therefore, would not fit back into the
cup after I was done with it. Also, the water overflows so violently when it boils,
I can only fill it up half way. I think it's a great design and very portable, but
I did not have the luck that the other reviewers had.
then I took it up to a higher elevation, ski resort mammoth. I'm not sure if it was
the elevation or the quality that's in question, but the igniter stopped working
completely. Then the plastic piece melted and therefore, would not fit back into the
cup after I was done with it. Also, the water overflows so violently when it boils,
I can only fill it up half way. I think it's a great design and very portable, but
I did not have the luck that the other reviewers had.
Another silly gearhead gadget... *sigh*
Seriously, get a real stove if you are a real camper. Gadgety, overpriced device that does only one thing - it heats water. Sporting all of its "features", it's a perennial favorite of swaggering gearheads who love to flaut their lastest hi-tech REI purchase. Much to my chagrin, I received one as a gift. But if you'd like to turn the outdoors into another fast food experience, it might be for you, as it does a fine job of heating water, and only heating water.
But wait! There's more! Now BPA free and even tells you when your water is hot... just in case you couldn't tell...
But wait! There's more! Now BPA free and even tells you when your water is hot... just in case you couldn't tell...
A one pound behemoth
I've never understood why so many people like this stove/cook pot set. Yes, it works great, boils quickly, etc. But it weighs a pound! A normal canister stove is 3 ounces, then add 4 more for a titanium cook pot with handle built in, then use some tinfoil for a wind screen and pot cover, and you have everything you need for 7 ounces weight. Why carry an extra 8 ounces? Backpacking is hard enough without weighing yourself down with stuff that you don't need. I bought one of these things a few years ago, and then sold it and got a real stove.
....It Looks good.....but......
The main thing I had trouble with after I bought (2) two Jet Boil systems was the seal between the fuel cannister and the actual burn unit did not seal tightly. By this I mean that even when I had the gas all the way left to the OFF position I could hear gas hissing away. And I really DID use JetBoil fuel cannisters. I was worried that if I tightened it further I would strip the threading. Maybe you will have better luck than I. I thought REI would stand behind their product---but they didn't.
Broke on second use!
Works fine, as long as you never use it. Ceramic ignition guard shattered on SECOND use. And at $[$], unit was handled with kid gloves. Didn't bang the little ceramic ignition cover around! Be sure to by many, many of the $5 replacement kits. You'll need them every other day, apparently.
Neutral Reviews:
Worked great 2 out of 4 days
I was so excited to head out on my first backpacking adventure. I spent a small fortune on new gear at REI. After some research I ended up returning my Pocket Rocket and instead bought the Jetboil Flash.
I tested it before we left to make sure it worked. Worked like a charm. The first 2 days it worked wonderfully and boiled water quickly. The 3rd day it took approximately 10 minutes to boil 2 cups of water. I could tell something was wrong...seemed like it wasn't getting good flow up gas or something. The last day...it wouldn't even light. We tried everything. The lighting mechanism was fine, we had plenty of gas, etc. So, this left us HUNGRY and having to hike for 6 hours out of a canyon on trail mix and NO COFFEE. Not good.
Of course tonight as I prepared to return my Jetboil to REI I decided to give it one more try. It lit right up and boiled a cup of water in a minute. What the heck? I can't decide if I should still exchange it, carry a backup (I shouldn't have to do that if I have a reliable stove, right), etc. Still undecided at this point.
I tested it before we left to make sure it worked. Worked like a charm. The first 2 days it worked wonderfully and boiled water quickly. The 3rd day it took approximately 10 minutes to boil 2 cups of water. I could tell something was wrong...seemed like it wasn't getting good flow up gas or something. The last day...it wouldn't even light. We tried everything. The lighting mechanism was fine, we had plenty of gas, etc. So, this left us HUNGRY and having to hike for 6 hours out of a canyon on trail mix and NO COFFEE. Not good.
Of course tonight as I prepared to return my Jetboil to REI I decided to give it one more try. It lit right up and boiled a cup of water in a minute. What the heck? I can't decide if I should still exchange it, carry a backup (I shouldn't have to do that if I have a reliable stove, right), etc. Still undecided at this point.
Not what I was hoping for.
The most important information that I can bring to light is that the JB will not light nor stay lit if in windy conditions. This is the biggest problem I had. You'll have to shield the unit well on windy days.
I took the Flash Jetboil with me on a 2 month Rockclimbing journey where I camped in campgrounds and hitchhiked. I cooked food that required very little, mostly for the sake of convenience; the JB doesn't lend itself for cooking anything other than water. For a backpacker who uses freeze-dried goods and coffee, this will work stupendously. However, for cooking noodles, the JB will boil over and be difficult to simmer without going out or blowing out. Also, the cup is too small so combining ingredients won't work; it will be too full and you'll have the same problem previously mentioned. The igniter did not work to light my unit, but I've seen other people with igniters that worked great, so who knows.
I took the Flash Jetboil with me on a 2 month Rockclimbing journey where I camped in campgrounds and hitchhiked. I cooked food that required very little, mostly for the sake of convenience; the JB doesn't lend itself for cooking anything other than water. For a backpacker who uses freeze-dried goods and coffee, this will work stupendously. However, for cooking noodles, the JB will boil over and be difficult to simmer without going out or blowing out. Also, the cup is too small so combining ingredients won't work; it will be too full and you'll have the same problem previously mentioned. The igniter did not work to light my unit, but I've seen other people with igniters that worked great, so who knows.
water only!
It boils water, plain and simple. I don't understand why people are complaining about 'temperature control'
Don't cook anything in it, and don't eat out of it because cleaning can be hard because it is slightly narrow.
To answer the altitude question: yes, it works just fine *** AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THE GAS WARM **** I have taken it camping well above treeline and have had problems in the mornings if I forgot to keep the gas inside the tent. If you have a cold canister, the unit will fail miserably and waste your time.
I love to take it skiing because it is sturdy and lightweight. It does great on freeze-dried meals, hot chocolate, tea, instant mashed potatoes, etc.
If you store the rather small gas canister in the unit, make sure everything is dry, otherwise you will start to see rust.
Don't cook anything in it, and don't eat out of it because cleaning can be hard because it is slightly narrow.
To answer the altitude question: yes, it works just fine *** AS LONG AS YOU KEEP THE GAS WARM **** I have taken it camping well above treeline and have had problems in the mornings if I forgot to keep the gas inside the tent. If you have a cold canister, the unit will fail miserably and waste your time.
I love to take it skiing because it is sturdy and lightweight. It does great on freeze-dried meals, hot chocolate, tea, instant mashed potatoes, etc.
If you store the rather small gas canister in the unit, make sure everything is dry, otherwise you will start to see rust.
Qs about plastic lid, poor ignitor
This is a powerful stove that boils water fast. However, no one wants carcinogens leaching into their boiled water, right? I could find no info on the plastic lid that covers the pot, and jetboil did not respond to my inqiries about whether the lid contains BPA. I have never used a plastic lid on a cooking pot, so this would be good info to have. When I do use the plastic lid I notice a strong plastic odor, and that gives me pause. Also - the ignitor only works about half the time. My friend has an older jetboil and the ignitor has never failed. I would like to see a lightweight metal lid for the pot and a reliable ignitor before I'd recommend this to anyone.
Good product
Bought this back in January. Had problems with it warming water at altitude in cold conditions. So far this summer it has worked very well. The cup will rust if you dont completely dry the inside and the fuel canister before storage.
Other Recommended Products
