Do you want to take a compact stove on a hike to boil water, heat a meal or drink? Are meals too bulky for you? Then Jetboil stoves should interest you. Jetboil is a manufacturer of compact stoves capable of boiling water in an instant. It is one of the lights and portable stoves on the market.
Let’s see the Jetboil Flash review and test reports.
What Are the Advantages of the Jetboil Flash Stove?
First, we’ll see why you should prefer the Jetboil Flash stove and its main advantages…
High Energy Efficiency
Due to its optimal insulation, the Jetboil Flash is undoubtedly one of the most (fuel) efficient stoves on the market in ideal weather conditions. On the other hand, if you use it in a windy environment, its energy efficiency may drop by around 25% as our independent tests have found.
So keep this information in mind, I recommend you use it in a sheltered place, not prone to drafts. You can also purchase the suspension kit offered by Jetboil to use your stove in your tent.
One of the features that make the Jetboil Flash stand out from the competition is its flame-shaped logo which also serves as a temperature indicator: when its content approaches its boiling point, it turns red. This trick reveals the ingenuity of its design because it allows you to save fuel.
Indeed, some beverages (such as tea) do not necessarily need to reach a full boil to be prepared and ready to be consumed. On the Flash, the Jetboil logo also serves as a temperature indicator.
User-Friendly
The ingenious design of the Jetboils makes them easy to use. Indeed, the deep and narrow shape of the Flash makes it compact while its control valve is intuitive (it will prevent you from accidentally scalding yourself if the contents boil over and can be stored cleverly under the stove when not in use ). The stove under the Jetboil snaps on easily while the Flash’s pot is quite flexible.
As I explained previously, the temperature indicator in the form of the logo (in the shape of a flame) on the side of the Jetboil Flash is very practical and visually provides the expected information on the rise in temperature of the stove and its contents.
Thus, it is easy to regulate it and you can prevent the water from overflowing to manage the cooking of the preparation and also to save fuel. The advanced igniter built into the Jetboil Flash is also very easy to use and will not fail you.
Finally, for more stability, the fuel cartridge is well maintained using a foldable tripod which will prevent unfortunate falls. To go further, Jetboil also markets a range of very practical accessories such as utensils or even a plunger for making coffee.
Low Weight
One of the other advantages of Jetboil stoves is their very low weight. Indeed, the Flash weighs only 371 grams, which makes it one of the lightest stoves on the market and its intelligent design will allow you to do without a sometimes heavy and bulky cooking pot.
For example, the Jetboil Flash consists of an insulated one-liter pot, a piezoelectric ignition, a water temperature indicator (integrated with the logo), and a secure connection between the burner and the jar. The heating system adapts to the size of the pot to save space.
Boiling Time
Jetboil indicates, for its Flash model, a boiling time of 1 minute 40 seconds for 500 ml of water. Of course, depending on the weather conditions, the strength and intensity of the wind, and the fact of being sheltered or not, this indicative time may be longer.
Nevertheless, the data indicated by the manufacturers do not seem fanciful. And depending on the situation, it is capable of reproducing in a real environment. On this subject, as I mentioned a little earlier, if you use your Jetboil in your tent, you can use the suspension system which will thus offer you a faster boiling time and be closer to the manufacturer’s data.
Simmer Capacity
The simmering capacity of Jetboil stoves is a strong point to qualify. If you want to heat liquids in small quantities (the capacity of Jetboil stoves varies, i.e. 1L for the Flash), this is a very efficient stove.
On the other hand, if you plan to prepare solid foods or in larger quantities, you will not be able to do so with the Jetboil Flash and I advise you to choose a larger capacity stove such as the Jetboil Sumo or to choose a meal with adapted utensils and a more generous stove.
Accessible
Jetboil offers several models of compact stoves, but its Flash model (which can be considered the top of the range) is very likely one of the best values for the price of integrated reservoir stoves if you want to consume priority liquids or dehydrated foods in instant preparations.
The Verdict
The Jetboil Flash is a highly recommended product. It will be able to accompany hikers for whom the weight and size of the equipment play a major role. Indeed, thanks to its contained weight, its reduced dimensions. And with its ease-of-use design, it will be an excellent travel companion for lovers of simple food preparations (instant, dehydrated, liquid or to be prepared quickly).
Besides this, the wide availability of replacement parts and additional options (the suspension system) make it a modular product and in itself quite durable. And with only 340 grams on the scale, it allows you to perfectly control the weight on board while promising a record time of 1m40 to boil 500ml of water.