View Full Version : Jetboil
Earl Grey
02-19-2007, 01:09
Finally got to use this “in the wild” over the weekend. I wanted to make some mashed potatos so I put about a cup of water in the Jetboil and turned it on. Within a minute the water was starting to boil which is amazingly fast. It’s so easy to take apart and put back together that within 5 minutes of stopping I had put it together, boiled water and was eating. It hardly used any fuel since I couldn’t tell a difference in the weight of the fuel canister, very efficient. I think the most efficient way to use it is to run it wide open until water just starts to begin to boil and then shut it off although some more testing needs to be done. I do know that if its cold outside the pressure in the canister will be lower which therefore will result in longer boiling times. If it is cold then I could sleep with the canister in the sleeping bag which will keep it warm so that in the mornings it will operate as efficiently as possible.
I use MSR pocket rocket wich also uses a fuel canister, great idea sleeping with the canister in cold temps. Sorry that I missed the fun this weekend.
hammock engineer
02-19-2007, 01:20
That's how I did most of my cooking with my alcohol stove. Usually by the time my water boiled, the fuel ran out. I would add the food. The hot water would cook it just fine. Freezer bag cooking without the freezer bag.
Now I need to do what you are talking about and do some jetboil testing.
I don't recommend the jetboil at all. I have an MSR pocket rocket and it boiled water just as fast if not faster in an aluminum kettle and the PR is half the price. Backpacker.com just did a review in their last issue that I think is spot on. They were getting 10 minute boil times if I remember correctly.
Plus, if the jetboil burner got damaged, you would be out of a whole set rather than just a burner. I don't think the cup is compatible with anything else.
Another thing is the fuel cannister size. You can't just use any company's fuel, you have to use jetboil fuel in it's special size cannister.
The only advantage that I see is the cup's insulation allows you to keep things warmer a little longer.
I am waiting patienty for the MSR Reactor to come out.
Two Speed
02-19-2007, 07:07
. . . Another thing is the fuel cannister size. You can't just use any company's fuel, you have to use jetboil fuel in it's special size cannister. . .I'm not a fan of the JetBoil, but I don't think that's true. From my limited experience watching a partner fool with one I'm pretty sure the JetBoil will work with the Giga Power and MSR fuel cannisters just fine.
Yeah, I know the instructions say that the JetBoil won't work unless you use their proprietary rocket juice bottles, but I suspect that's more a confluence of JetBoil's lawyers wanting to limit liability and the marketers smelling revenue enhancement. I could be wrong, but that's the way it looks to me.
I use my Jetboil with the big 8oz MSR canisters all the time. The thing is a champ in any weather above 30 degrees. Below that, it gets steadily worse, until it stops working all together once you get below zero. Keeping the fuel canister warm works to some extent, but once you start using it, it cools off and freezes again very quickly. One way to tell how much fuel is left: Dip the canister in water. When you pull it out, a condensation line will form at the fuel level.
terrapin_too
02-19-2007, 14:34
I believe you can use the Jetboil with any standard gas canister, 4 oz or 8 oz. But only the 4 oz containers will fit inside the pot for stowage. The Jetboil is the most efficient of the canister stoves because of its heat exchanger, but otherwise it's just a well-packaged and "highly integrated" canister stove. If you don't care for that sort of integration, it's not for you.
Earl Grey
02-19-2007, 16:46
Yeah you can use any canister but like terrapin said, only the jetboil ones fit inside the cup. Im a fan of all-in-one products which is what the jetboil is. As Mr Happy said the performance will go down as the temps drop but this is true of any stove sans wood burning. If worse comes to worse you could boil some water quickly with it then with whats left over put the canister in the warm water and then boil more water if you need it. You couldnt do this with alcohol although its probaly not very safe with butane canisters either.
Backpacker.com just did a review in their last issue that I think is spot on. If backpacker.com gave a good review, it was more because the product was advertised with them than any actual performance data. Backpacker sold itself to advertisers a long time ago.
Yeah you can use any canister but like terrapin said, only the jetboil ones fit inside the cup. Are you guys sure about this?
eventidecu
02-19-2007, 17:50
Snow Peak Giga for me. Had it a couple of years and never a problem. Fuel can, cleaning sponge and stove fit in my cook pot. Little sponge on bottom to prevent scratching.
Beachwalker
02-19-2007, 17:55
I use the Jetboil on the boat when sailing offshore. Nothiong beats an instant cup of coffee at 3:00am... especially when its combined with a box of Milanos. When hiking, its the Brasslite Turbo Duck II-D for me!
-- BW
Are you guys sure about this?
I don't see why any canister with the same type fitting couldn't be used. The canister rest below the stove itself.
mweinstone
02-19-2007, 18:35
if you use jetboil you will die. its a fact. its another time saving /planet wasteing/ no brain required devise. it can only turn out bad for you all. im stickin with my improvised roadside devise. (catcan)
mweinstone
02-19-2007, 18:37
with all the minutes you save, youll be ready to die sooner. thereby leaving more arid farmable land for me. ms chime in here please......minnesota? ,......i supported you!...........ms!
Yeah you can use any canister but like terrapin said, only the jetboil ones fit inside the cup..
The snowpeak giga power small canister (3.88 oz) tucks inside the pot just fine. At least, mine does.
with all the minutes you save, youll be ready to die sooner. thereby leaving more arid farmable land for me. ms chime in here please......minnesota? ,......i supported you!...........ms!
As soon as he dies, an alchy "Stovie" will take his place using E85. We need
more corn growers in Minnesota. :banana
Dingus Khan
12-10-2007, 14:44
Are you guys sure about this?
i have been using the jetboil with giga cans (80z) and they are virtually the same dimensions as the jetboil ones, fitting inside identically
Dingus Khan
12-10-2007, 14:45
correction, 1pint got it - 4oz can, not 8
wrongway_08
12-10-2007, 15:22
-Most small cans will fit into the cup.
-Mine is extremely fast boiling and easy set up.
-You can use any threaded canister maker/size (4oz,8oz,12oz) with the Jet boil.
-Jet boil stoves will de-freeze boots fast!
-If the igintor does break, light it with a match or lighter.
-As much as I hate the price, the pots do boil water and cook food faster due to the built in heat exchanger on the pots, pans.
-In freezing weather just take a lighter and heat the can for a few seconds, it'll light right up and then all you do is wrap the canister with your gloves and it'll keep going strong. (or as mentioned before, sleep with the canister, then use the gloves to keep it warm while cooking.)
-I am working on a "self warmer" for the canisters - using the heat of the stove once it starts to keep the can warm in freezing weather. A small ruber pad and some foil to direct some of the heat to the canister. maybe 1.5 oz at the ost.
I havew a jetboil and LOVE it. no more waiting for ever to get water to boil, in about a minute, its great.
It seems like the people who dislike it dont say it is their own opponion, they shun it like the devil. It is as if they are jealous cause its rather expensive and they dont have one. or they are gram weenies.
either way, wow.
and I have heard that people use the jetboil in conjunction with the
MSR PR and it works ok.
also, there are tricks to getting the stove to work better in the cold. one way is to add a copper ring around the canister, with the ends close to the fire. that way, as it heats up, some heat is transfered back round the can, keeping the fuel warmer.
wrongway_08
12-10-2007, 22:13
I like the copper wire trick, never thought of that.
Have you tried it?
do you have any pictures of the wire trick?
wrongway_08
12-10-2007, 22:33
Found a article on this
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/9220/index.html?skip_to_post=78636
Mad Hatter 08
12-10-2007, 23:02
if you use jetboil you will die. its a fact. its another time saving /planet wasteing/ no brain required devise. it can only turn out bad for you all. im stickin with my improvised roadside devise. (catcan)
unless you've found the magic potion that lets you live forever then you'll die when it's your time as will everyone. Age doesn't usually play a part unless your one of the lucky people to make it to old age.
take-a-knee
12-11-2007, 00:38
Found a article on this
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/9220/index.html?skip_to_post=78636
Thanks for that BPL thread, it convinced me I would be better off with an MSR Wind Pro than a Jetboil.
I just got the jet boil cup with the heat exchanger and i got two types of alcohol stove that work under it not as fast as a canister but use less fuel in the long run. For you lite weight ones the stove is lighter then canister
We were going to get a Jetboil. My husband had a friend at work that had one and said we could use it on a trip we did in September. I have always used an older model Primus and wanted to upgrade. When we used the Jetboil, I had problems with it making a huge POOF when I would light it. It was like it was going to blow up. I also didn't like how if it got to boiling over,which happened often, I'd have to burn myself to get it turned down. I know that other canisters do fit the Jetboil, you just have to get small ones to go in the canister. I do like the coozy on the Jetboil, but I am in the process of making me one for my Ti cup.
I ended up with the Giga Snowpeak and the Titanium 700 cup and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. I have debated an alcohol stove for longer trips. A LOT of people like the Jetboil, and if that is what works for you then go for it. I think I am just accustomed to my canister stove ways.:)
wrongway_08
12-11-2007, 19:33
The POOF is because you are turning the knob up too high while tryn to light it.
If its boiling over - you filled it too high, thats the reason they have a Max. fill line in the cup.
The POOF is because you are turning the knob up too high while tryn to light it.
If its boiling over - you filled it too high, thats the reason they have a Max. fill line in the cup.
Or you tried to light it with the pot attached.
john gault
12-11-2007, 19:52
If its boiling over - you filled it too high, thats the reason they have a Max. fill line in the cup.
Not true, I have a Jetboil and have had it boil over a couple times, when I forgot about it, never filled it above the fill-line. Luckily I don't seal the top when I put it on.
I saw someone do this (top pressed firmly on cup) and he forgot to monitor his stove and the top blew off spewing hot water every where.
The poof could have been from having it up to much, but the pot was only filled to the line. My inexperience with JetBoil could have been a part in my decision against the Jet Boil, but either way I am happy with my Giga. :)
wrongway_08
12-11-2007, 21:15
Not true, I have a Jetboil and have had it boil over a couple times, when I forgot about it, never filled it above the fill-line. Luckily I don't seal the top when I put it on.
I saw someone do this (top pressed firmly on cup) and he forgot to monitor his stove and the top blew off spewing hot water every where.
I let mine boil and it never boil overs. Only thing I can think of is you have the heat set too high, it doesnt have to be on high setting to get it to boil. Try turning it down while boiling your water, this should stop the boil over and save fuel.
Boiling with the top sealed on is just stupid.
john gault
12-11-2007, 21:24
I let mine boil and it never boil overs. Only thing I can think of is you have the heat set too high, it doesnt have to be on high setting to get it to boil. Try turning it down while boiling your water, this should stop the boil over and save fuel.
Boiling with the top sealed on is just stupid.
No, it's because I forgot about it. Try it once. Boil some water and don't turn it off, just let it boil, it will boil over the top. Same thing happens to me when I forget about boiling water on my kitchen stove.
Nothing wrong with the Jetboil, it's a physics thing.
I have used the Jetboil and I recon that was the cause of my premature death.
Franco
BitBucket
12-11-2007, 21:56
Well from personal experience on a recent outing, I got 2 meals a day for 4 days for 2 people, boiled 6 additional pots of water, and dried out a soaking wet pair of socks and boots all on (1) 4oz canister.
I'm sold on Jetboil...but that's just me...
Well from personal experience on a recent outing, I got 2 meals a day for 4 days for 2 people, boiled 6 additional pots of water, and dried out a soaking wet pair of socks and boots all on (1) 4oz canister.
I'm sold on Jetboil...but that's just me...
Ditto--- I got just about the same results. I wonder how some of these people feed them selfs when they can't operate something as simple as a jet boil
wrongway_08
12-12-2007, 16:34
No, it's because I forgot about it. Try it once. Boil some water and don't turn it off, just let it boil, it will boil over the top. Same thing happens to me when I forget about boiling water on my kitchen stove.
Nothing wrong with the Jetboil, it's a physics thing.
Not sure what to tell you, I too have let it boil too long and all that happen was the water almost evaparated (sp?). Just added more in and it was fine. Never had it boil over.
I have used the Jetboil and I recon that was the cause of my premature death.
Franco
Quit waving it around then.
The best boil over I did was in a motel. The last time I put a big shot of sqeeze Parkay in the thing with the heat on...
Good foamage.
sheepdog
12-12-2007, 19:40
I love my Jet Boil. I am a gear head though and just bought the MSR reactor. The reactor works a little better in the wind. They are both great stoves. The reactor is just a bit bulkier, but I like the see through lid.
I retired last year and now work part time at a sporting goods store. I've been here about 7 months and I am about $300 in the hole.
wrongway_08
12-12-2007, 19:49
Anyone use the fryn pan? Been thinking about bringing it for fryn (Duaaaa :) ) It would fit nicely in my pack and havn steak on the trail every now and then would be cool.
You all think its worth it or not?
ric2hunt
12-12-2007, 20:07
I have had my JetBoil for three years. Tried others but still take the JB on the AT.Last year in the 10degree weather/ice storm only my stove worked.
My nephew uses his in Iraq and has yet to have any problems. Sand, wind, hot and cold. He is on his third deployment and all his buddies love it as well.
The fry pan worked great on home tests but have not yet taken it on any trips.