What is a Jetboil Stove (We answer all your Jetboil Questions here)

If you are going camping, you need to be able to prepare your own meals. The traditional ways of doing so (i.e. campfire, propane grill) can take up a lot of valuable luggage space, and they are bulky and heavy.

Photo courtesy of patchattack

This is especially difficult if you are going backpacking or backcountry camping. However, there are better ways to prepare food than spending a lot of time and effort in building a firepit!

One of the most highly recommended new cooking gadgets on the market is the Jetboil stove. It is easy, versatile, and lightweight, so you can take it just about anywhere you decide to go camping. Let’s talk about what it is and what you can do with it!

We get questions all the time about the jetboil, so we have created this question and answer article to answer the most common questions.

Here’s what we will cover.

• What is a Jetboil stove?
• How many types of Jetboil stoves are there?
• What fuel does a Jetboil run on?
• Can you use other kinds of fuel on a Jetboil stove?
• How long does a 100g canister of fuel last on a Jetboil stove?
• What can you cook on a Jetboil stove?
• What are some recipes for a Jetboil stove?
• How do you use a Jetboils stove?
• How fast does a Jetboil stove boil water?
• How do you cook rice on a Jetboil stove?
• Can you use any pan or skillet on a Jetboil?
• Can you take a Jetboil on an airplane?
• Does a Jetboil work in cold weather?
• How do you clean a Jetboil stove?
• Can you clean a Jetboil vessel in the dishwasher?
• Can you get replacement parts for a Jetboil stove?
• Where do I buy a Jetboil stove?
• Related articles

What is a Jetboil stove?

The Jetboil stove is a lightweight, portable, and compact cooking apparatus specifically meant for those people camping in areas normally more difficult to prepare meals in. It can be used by anyone, but backpackers and backcountry campers generally make up the biggest market for it.

How many types of Jetboil stove are there?

Depending on where you are hiking and what you plan to cook, there are different models of the Jetboil stove to choose from. They come in different sizes and each is better suited to cook unique meals. Some models are not mentioned here because they are not the main systems, but you can find everything you need to know about them on this page.

• The Zip. The Zip stove is best suited for people only cooking meals that require boiling water. For instance, if you are big on ramen noodles, this might be the right setup for you. It holds .8 liters of food, and it weighs 12 oz (or 340 g.) If you are looking to cook on a budget, consider checking out this version.

 

• The Flash. The Flash model is also meant for using foods that require boiling water, but it gets its name from heating your water faster than the Zip. It holds 1 liter and weighs 13.1 oz (or 371 g.)

 

• The Mightymo. This Jetboil model only includes the stove with no attachments. This means that you can use a pan to cook your food instead of the apparatus included with the other models if you would like. The capacity of this Jetboil stove depends on whatever cookware you use, and it weighs 3.3 oz (or 95 g.) It is one of the lightest stoves available, but keep in mind that you have to bring your own containers if you buy this one. It would be better suited to the needs of those with more packing space than just a small backpack.

 

• The Micromo. The Jetboil Micromo is the best option for lightweight cooking. It holds .8 liters and weighs 12 oz (or 340 g.)

 

• The Minimo. This model of stove is the best option for those who want to cook all types of food; if ramen isn’t your camping food of choice, check this one out instead. It holds 1 liter, and it weighs 14.6 oz (or 415 g.)

 

• The Sumo. The Sumo Jetboil stove is almost definitely the right fit for your situation if you plan to camp with a group. Other stove models just do not have the capacity to cook for 6 people all at one time. If you plan to eat together, consider buying the Sumo Jetboil. It holds 1.8 liters and weighs 16 oz (or 453 g.)

 

• The Joule. This Jetboil stove is made for the toughest mountaineers. It holds 2.8 liters and weighs about 28 oz (or 790 g.)

What fuel does a Jetboil stove run on?

The fuel that you use in a Jetboil stove depends on the model that you purchase. Every type mentioned above runs on gas except for the Joule. The Joule model runs on liquid. Some of their lesser known apparatuses use propane fuel instead.

Can you use other types of fuel for a Jetboil stove?

If you need to resupply your fuel, but you can’t find any of Jetboil’s brand in time for your camping trip, then you can use other compatible brands with similar formulas. These brands that carry the formulas, according to the manufacturer, are:

• Brunton
• Gigapower
• MSR
• Primus
• Snowpeak

However, the company can’t guarantee that all fuel will work as efficiently with their camping stoves as their own brand will. After all, it was specifically made with these gadgets in mind. Other users, however, have had some positive experience by using these other brands when they were in a bind.

How long does a 100g canister of fuel last?

A 100g can of Jetboil fuel lasts around 5 days if you cook only breakfast and dinner (16g-18g of fuel), according to another Jetboil user.

Of course, the amount of fuel you can use varies greatly with weather conditions and how many meals you cook per day/how many people you are serving. A great rule to follow is to bring 2 cans per 6 days for a very small group. Most users recommend testing it yourself first to get a good feel for how much fuel you will need.

This will ensure that you have everything you need when you get to where you are camping or backpacking. It would be awful to finally get to your destination far away from everyone else only to have your fuel run out! Be smart and plan ahead.

Courtesy of Dion Hinchcliffe

What can you cook on a Jetboil stove?

When it comes to versatility, the Jetboil stove outdoes all of the competition. You can cook almost anything with it, including:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Desserts
• Beverages
• Snacks

Let’s see a traditional campfire do that! You are no longer limited to the world of hot dogs and beans. You aren’t chained down by endless granola bars and packets upon packets of beef jerky. Don’t just take my word for it; see what the Jetboil has to offer and see what others have cooked for their own groups using one.

What are some recipes for the Jetboil stove?

There are a ton of recipes for meals that the Jetboil can prepare with no problem. It will be almost like cooking at home, but faster. The best part is that you can speed up your cooking time if you prepare your ingredients ahead of time!

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gives you the energy and nutrition you need to get through without feeling sluggish and unmotivated. You do not have to skip it just because you are away from the frozen meals you normally pop in the toaster. Here are some recipes for breakfast foods that Jetboil recommends:

• This breakfast quesadilla only involves 8 ingredients and adds a little bit of Tex-Mex flavor to your morning. The recipe is almost like a hybrid between a quesadilla and an omelet; it is full of protein, carbs, and veggies — something that every camper needs for lasting energy.

 

• If you prefer an actual omelet instead of a hybrid, then you should check out this recipe! It takes only 5 minutes to make, so you don’t have to worry about missing your next destination on the itinerary. You will have all the energy and time you need to get there, as eggs are one of the most protein-packed foods you could eat. If the ingredients you see in the recipe do not appeal to you, then customize it and make it your own.

 

• For the late risers, Jetboil recommends this brunch item comprised of healthy ingredients like oats, edamame, mixed berries, and flaxseed! It’s a wonderful transition into the strenuous activity the day will bring; you may be doubtful of the typically “health nut” ingredients, but you might be surprised at how tasty it is.

Lunch

By the time you are ready for a rest after hiking or doing other draining activities, you will be hungry again. Don’t worry, you do not have to eat leftovers from the morning! There are plenty of recipes for lunch to choose from:

• The backpackers out there know that instant ramen noodles are the easiest and lightest food to pack when going on a trip. If they get crushed in the pack, it’s fine because they are meant to be broken up, anyway! You can bring your packets along and cook them quickly in the Jetboil stove you chose. Here is a recipe from their site to follow if you want to change it up. The ingredients are strange, but the meal itself is packed with flavor.

 

• If you are looking for a recipe that you can make for lunch and reheat for dinner later, preparing tortellini soup the Jetboil way is ideal. It involves quite a few ingredients, so the backpackers can skip over this one. This hearty soup will warm up winter campers, and it can be made in the Minimo model with no problem!

 

• Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? It’s a camping staple, and it is good no matter what time of day you make it. The Jetboil allows you to still whip up one of the camping favorites; this recipe loads it with all kinds of extra goodness like hot sauce and dry mustard! These are optional, and the recipe will still be just as good without it.

Snacks and Desserts

Everyone needs a little energy boost at some point during their trip, and after a while, you get sick of eating the same granola bars every day. The Jetboil can fix that issue with some of their snack ideas! These could also double as desserts if you would prefer to fix them up after dinner.

• If you are in the mood for something sweet, you can make some sugar cinnamon fried munchkins! These two flavors were a match made in heaven, and now you can have this delicious snack with you hot and fresh. It is recommended that you cook these in a Minimo or Micromo Jetboil stove.

 

• This banana nut bread pudding from the Backpacking Chef requires minimal effort with maximum satisfaction!

 

• Southern backpackers will enjoy this peach cobbler recipe that is simple to make with only a little preparation ahead of time. It’s easy and almost as delicious as something you could make at home!

Dinner

End the day with something quick and comforting instead of standing over the hot campfire with a stick and sweating over something as mediocre as hot dogs. The Jetboil gives you so many options that definitely do not involve possible splinters.

• Pasta is almost everyone’s go-to comfort food, and you do not have to compromise that warm, Italian favor out on the trail. This angel hair pasta with chicken and artichokes can be cooked on the MiniMo stove! Considering the size of the model, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

 

• With a Jetboil, you can have healthy chicken fried rice in less time than it takes to even prepare ingredients for a normal meal at home! If you are feeling like exploring foreign flavors, save this recipe.

 

• Making great risotto was already simple enough, but now you can do it with less effort than you normally would. This chorizo and wild mushroom risotto is sure to knock your socks off!

Beverages

While not “food” in the typical sense of the word, you can bring the ingredients for your favorite hot drinks instead of leaving them at home. Here are a few that might surprise you:

 

• If you are a backpacker who loves drinking tea, today is your lucky day! Teabags weigh next to nothing, and so does the Jetboil. It’s super easy to prepare your morning drink with the Zip or Flash models, some of the lightest on the market. Keep this recipe for spiced tea bookmarked for future use!

 

• Many people consider the hot toddy a great drink for remedying a sore throat. If by chance, you happen to have a sore throat, the Jetboil will help you out. This recipe with honey, cloves, cinnamon, and bourbon will have you feeling better in no time. Drink responsibly.

 

• If you’re looking for more adult beverages, try out this Irish coffee recipe!

 

• Children and adults alike love hot chocolate when the weather is chilly, and you can have it in a flash. In fact, you can make it in about 30 seconds. Children are impatient; you can save your ears from the pleading and the “Is it ready yet?” questions when you make your hot cocoa on a Jetboil stove.

For more recipes that you can create for the whole group in a Jetboil stove, look here on their website or on the Backpacking Chef’s site.

How do you use a Jetboil stove?

Setting up one of these stoves is easy and less tedious than creating a firepit and lighting kindling, hoping that it will eventually catch.

Each model has its own manual instructing users how to assemble their Jetboil stoves. As you can imagine, different models will have slightly differing instructions. If you need to see how each one works before buying, you can find the specific manuals below:

• Zip: manual here
• Flash: manual here
• MiniMo: manual here
• MicroMo: manual here
• MightyMo: manual here
• Sumo: manual here
• Joule: manual here

(Note: these are downloadable PDF files. If you can’t access them in this version, the overall list of manuals on the Jetboil site can be found here.)

If you learn better with videos than you do with pictures on a page, the Hiking Lady can help! This avid camper loves to cook with her Jetboil stove, and she shows other potential users how to set it up and use it for themselves. Find those videos at this link.

How fast does a Jetboil stove boil water?

How fast the Jetboil stove can boil water depends on the model you are considering purchasing for your camping trip. According to the website, these are the time estimates for the water to reach its boiling point:

• Flash: 100 sec per 16 oz.
• Zip: 2 min 30 sec per 16 oz.
• MightyMo: 3 min per 32 oz.
• MicroMo: 2 min 15 sec per 16 oz.
• MiniMo: 2 min 15 sec per 16 oz.
• Sumo: 4 min 15 sec per 32 oz.
• Joule: 2 min 40 sec per 32 oz.

How do you cook rice in a Jetboil stove?

When you plan to cook rice in your Jetboil stove, using instant (box) rice will yield the best results (according to past users.) Here are the recommended steps to cooking rice if you use the instant version:

• Bring your water to a boil
• Pour onto dehydrated rice and let simmer
• Put both back into the Jetboil and reheat until the rice is the right consistency

Cooking rice in one is pretty controversial and different users recommend different ways of doing so. This was just the most highly recommended way to do it.

Can you use any pan or skillet on the Jetboil stove?

Although it is technically possible to use other pots and skillets on a Jetboil stove, it is not recommended. Jetboil also sells their own cookware that is specifically designed for lightweight and quick cooking, and the parts you use to stabilize it fit perfectly with their pan designs.

Another type of pan or skillet would take longer to heat up, and they likely will not work as efficiently as a Jetboil cookware piece would.

Can you take a Jetboil stove on an airplane?

There is good news and bad news when you have to carry your Jetboil on a commercial plane. The good news is that you can take the stove itself with no problem. However, you will have to find your fuel at your destination, because it is definitely not allowed according to federal laws.

TSA agents do recommend that you ship your Jetboil stove to where you are going ahead of time, as they can sometimes be confiscated due to leftover fuel vapors that can seem suspicious.

Does the Jetboil stove work in cold weather?

Well, this question does not have an easy, black and white answer. The reality is that while the Jetboil can still function in cold weather, it suffers a performance drop. Cold fuel loses pressure, which in turn minimizes the output of the burner.

It will take longer to heat your water, and it may not heat to the right temperature for the meal you planned on cooking. If you are camping in the dead of winter, the Jetboil might not be a great option for you.

How do you clean a Jetboil?

The Jetboil company itself recommends using this method to clean the Jetboil vessel where your water and food will go:

• Pour a solution together that is comprised of 75% water and 25% white vinegar.
• Leave that mixture in the vessel for a few minutes to sanitize it and loosen food residue.
• Use a non-metallic scrub pad to clean the residue from the Jetboil vessel.
• Note: baking soda and water will work well as an alternative to white vinegar.

Can you clean your Jetboil vessel in a dishwasher?

Jetboil does not recommend washing your stove’s cooking vessel in the dishwasher. This is because FluxRing on it will get damaged, which will affect your stove’s future performance.

Can you get replacement parts for the Jetboil stove?

If you do accidentally put it in the dishwasher or damage the parts in any other way, you can order replacement parts on their site. You won’t get them for free, but the parts will be less expensive than the rest of the system, at least!

Any parts, cookware, or stove models you may need will be found in the official Jetboil site’s shop. They even have items for sale, so you can get what you need at a discounted price.

There you have it! I hope I answered all of your burning questions; now get out there and cook like you never could before!

Where do I buy a Jetboil stove?

You can buy a jetboil directly from the manufacturer but most people will buy from eBay or amazon since you can sometimes get a good deal. Also, if you want to save a little money, consider getting a used model.

If you would like to check out the prices on the Amazon search page, click here.

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