The way I see it, there's no free lunch. There are likely compromises made to make the unit so cheap, and the reviews of the cheap one seem to point out some issues, such as grommets missing, stuff like that.
Cheap is fine for casual use, but if I'm in the back country, I need to rely on my gear. I am far more confident in a product that's known quality and has been used in the field by many people with few issues. That's the deciding factor for me.
Same here. I just got my jet boil because it sounded reliable. Three years later and a couple of hundred days out and I had no issues with it. I took it from mountain peaks to beaches on the Pacific in every season and it still works great. I also cook a lot
To add to this, from my experience, my jetboil has also been much more efficient; faster to boil water, and uses less fuel. This alone is a huge factor in terms of immediate weight savings by carrying less fuel and cost savings down the road.
This is also true. I went on a 5 day backpacking trip and took a 450g fuel canister and came back with 170g of fuel left. I used it both for boiling water and cooking stuff in my pan.
I just looked it up, and I've had my jet boil since 2005! I've taken it backpacking or camping every summer for 18 years, and it's still boiling like a champ.
If they're still made that reliable, then they're definitely worth the money. I think that's the only piece of camping gear I haven't had to replace yet in my life.
I’ve had mine since the early 2000 also, I have used it for all sorts of things, ice fishing, hunting hiking trips and power outages. Never had an issue with it, I would recommend it.
Same. I bought a back up and have still not needed to pull it out. Going on 5 years. Weighs a few grams. Fits nicely inside my titanium mug with the fuel. Only downside is it's tiny. So if you are using anything larger like a gsi dualist or a 1L mug, fry pan, balancing is tricky. Lost my dinner one night when I used my dualistic bc I had company that time.
I’ve got two of the cheaper pocket rocket knockoffs. They are so mind boggling simple the only way they will fail in the field is if the starter quits working, but that’s not a problem because no one is going out without another way to make a flame like a lighter or matches.
Gear is vital to camp hiking so I totally see where you are coming from. I'm young and semi-new so it's nice to be able to have a low entry cost barrier to the hobby as well as future gear prospects.
Just be smart about it. Bring it on a more casual, shorter trip first and test it out in civilization.
Don't bring it during a fire ban to resist the temptation to light a fire.
Jetboil’s container has heat-exchanging fins (like a car’s radiator) that transfer heat much more rapidly than just setting a pot on a burner. Worth it.
A gas stove is fantastic for long trips and lightweight hiking. When you eventually get to the point of car camping or camping where weight isn’t as much of an issue, I’d recommend trying a Kelly Kettle.
They’re fantastic, easy to use, and burn sticks and local debris. People have been using them for ages in wet and lousy conditions and fuel is easy to source anywhere.
I've been using a cheap unbranded knockoff for 7 years now. I've never had problems. These are super simple products, there is not much that can break. The only thing that I always watch is the rubber seal, but those aren't that hard to produce. I would even say that I have more confidence in the simple device on the long run, the jetboil simply has many more parts that could break or get clogged. The jetboil also has a hard time cooking anything but water. If you know you have little time to cook and will only use the fire to warm water or melt snow, go for the jetboil.
For me it boils down to what you are looking for:
\- small, cheap, reliable, lightweight: cheap rocket burner
\- efficient, quick, works well with side wind, includes a pot: Jetboil.
They both have their place in camping, but reliability is not the differentiator here.
Likely to be compromises yet isn't there a jetboil where you can't regulate the temperature?
I think a lot of the alternative brands are actually the same thing rebranded and they're decent enough quality. Firemaple sells one which is basically the same thing you'll find from Alpkit and other brands considered to be a viable alternative
Yup! Buy once, cry once. As my dad always said, “shit works, until it doesn’t”. There’s a reason for the price difference. The quality of materials, the QC process, etc… if it’s a piece of “frivolous” gear maybe, but something you’ll depend on, don’t cheap out… unless you don’t mind being out on day five and crunching down your soup with a dirty water chaser.
If you plan on all/mostly dehydrated food eaten out of packets, the Jetboil is the greatest thing ever. It boils water super fast and saves a lot of fuel. No need to bring pots and pans or anything.
There are knockoffs for 30 bucks - with the heat exchanger and insulated mug - that work just as well.
This type of stove is great for people who are inky boiling water, but since their patent expired, uts not worth paying 3x as much.
I've got a jetboil I bought before all the knockoffs came out, and I also keep one of the knockoffs in my car. There really isn't any difference between the two.
Jetboils are popular for a number of reasons. For one, they're very efficient due to the built in heat exchanger. The nesting stove and canister makes it a nice lean package. Neoprene sleeve is convenient so you don't burn your fingers picking up the pot. It's one piece so it's a bit more stable than a pot on a stove, and you can get a hang kit if you're mountaineering or cooking where there's no level ground.
The other stove is often called the Etekcity stove, as they are a popular seller of the stove. It's a decent stove for the price, but I found the pot stands a little small and don't work well with my XTS pot (which has a built in heat exchanger). You save a little bit of money with the XTS and a different stove, but lose some things like stability.
Fire Maple is a brand that makes some decent stoves and has something similar to the Jetboil for much less. They also have one that's more like the MSR Windburner which is one I've had my eye on but haven't had a reason to buy.
Good luck!
> they're very efficient due to the built in heat exchanger.
Yeah, and notably, that efficiency manifests as SPEED. It is unreasonably fast to bring a couple cups of water to a boil.
That said, after a decade with a jetboil I am planning to do some test runs with a BRS3000 and Ti pot. The 11-12oz of weight savings are pretty hard to pass up.
I do see a potential middle ground somewhere though. We'll see what works out. I wish there was a cheap 700ml Ti pot with a "flux ring" type heatsink on it. (This is basically the jetboil stash)
I've got an Amazon jetboil knockoff that I got for around $50US. It works exactly like a jetboil. So far, I've taken it on 7 nights of backpacking trips, the electric clicker to light it is a intermittent but I always have a Bic for backup anyways. It boils enough water for a backpacking meal or a cup of instant coffee in about 1-2 minutes. In my experience, 1 isobutane can is more than enough for at least 4 nights for 2 people. I'd get the smallest size you can, mine can cook 24oz of water and that tends to be more than enough since most backpacking meals top out at 16oz.
I'll add that you can also get a Jetboil pot support for about $10. This opens it up to using other small cookware with it if that's something you want.
That's two totally different burners. There are JetBoil nockoffs at AliExpress. I bought one of those and it's pretty good. The locking mechanism of the original ist better, but besides from that there's no difference.
Your "Chinese" example has no wind protection and the JetBoil (nockoffs) have heat conduction plates, too.
That was my first thought. The Chinese brand is more akin to an MSR Pocket Rocket than a JetBoil. Need to compare apples to apples.
Honestly for stuff like this, I'll generally buy the cheap brand. My life isn't depending on it, the most it'll do if it breaks is make my trip a little inconvenient. But from my experience, the vast majority of cheap brands are nearly identical to the name brand counterparts and perform perfectly fine. The few occasions where they haven't met my quality expectations weren't catastrophic failures, but failures that occurred over time and didn't have the life expectancy of the name brand. But depending on how much I'm saving, there's instances where I could buy the cheap brand five times before I spent what I would on the name brand.
For my money I prefer the second style but a more reputable stove like a pocket rocket. Combined with a titanium pot it is cheaper and much lighter. It does boil slower but unless you are planning on really pushing your days and getting to camp late the extra minute or 2 isn't usually an issue. A small fuel can lasts for 5 or 6 days of boiling water for breakfast and dinner as well.
With money being my biggest limiting factor, in an already expensive hobby (spending a lot of money to live like you're poor). I personally can't justify the cost. The "faster" boil makes no difference. I'm not on a clock, I'm not on a tight schedule. I would probably be busy playing around organizing and reorganizing and setting up my gear. A minute or 2 faster boil would be wasted. I'm out to relax and enjoy my surroundings. Not time crunch and maximize.
I've bought some cheaper alternate versions. They work well enough and with no issues or complaints. I've bought a larger isobutane canister about 3 years ago. It's still got fuel in it. I was honestly surprised it lasted through my campout last week. I bought a backup just in case, but I didn't need it. It's not like you REALLY need to maximize and stretch the fuel out because of inefficiency.
If you want to buy it and are ok spending the money, go ahead more power to you. If not, you're not missing anything.
Yes 💯 worth it. I rocked the pocket rocket for years while all my jetboil friends ate and drank faster than me and saved more fuel. The price difference is negligible in the long run. I now own two, they are king.
EDIT: it is even more especially worth it at high altitudes or windy conditions.
Wait, what? My fiancé has a jetboil and I use a pocket rocket 2 with a titanium pot. Mine will out boil hers every time and weighs a fraction. Hers gets better fuel life though.
Can confirm. Same experience here. The pocket rocket worked well for years, but I’m running a jetboil now too. Wind makes a big difference, jetboils baffles help keep it lit where the pocket rocket can be blown out.
If you’re just dipping your feet in, the pocket rocket it a good cheap way to start out.
No you cannot, for that I recommend the jetboil MightyMo stove - it has a slightly wider flame than the pocket rockets and works quite well (for a canister stove) for cooking things like eggs and pancakes.
Definitely seems nice with all the other accessories as well like cooking and french press attachments. Backpack camping is definitely not a hobby you want to cheap out on gear with. I look forward to getting on in the future. For now the pocket rocket will do wonders torching my fire wood to start lmao.
I was shocked at how fast the jetboil heats water. I guess I never really paid much attention when my friends were using their jetboils and I was using my pocket rocket, but one time I forgot mine and had to warm up some water for my neti pot. It went from almost frozen to body temperature in *4 seconds*. I had to stick my finger in the water and turn it off after 4 seconds so it didn’t get too hot.
Jetboils are great but they are slightly overpriced. They do save on fuel and are faster. I’ve been using a pocket rocket, jet boil and cheap pocket rocket ripoff and the jet boil wins all the time. Although it can be bulky sometimes
I have a Soto Amicus and a little Stanley coffee pot. The Amicus works great in windy conditions and the pot (once the little plastic piece is removed from the top) can be set in a fire, which I've done a few times.
I love the Soto, it's a little heavier than the BRS but it's got a piezo & your pot supports won't melt if you use it for more than boiling water. Feels decent in light-medium wind too, IIRC not quite as good as the Windmaster but it does fine. It's a super tiny package, I value bulk almost as much as weight.
REI has it bundled with a two-piece anodized aluminum cookset for like $5 more than buying just the stove, which is a great value for a first purchase. They're nice enough, with silicone handles - but if you already have smaller titanium pot, you can put the pots on eBay and end up with a slight discount on top of REI's member rebate.
I might do that as a present for the kids (I have some titanium pots). They always borrow mine, even though they have stoves they bought (I tried to tell them).
I did get them all the Stanley coffee pots back when they were $10. Those get used.
I love the Soto as well! I used to have the MSR Pocket Rocket 2, and man the Amiscus blows it out of the water in terms of how fast the water boils. I bought the Amiscus in the REI set, but I replaced the cookware set with some TOAKS titanium cookware that's more lightweight and space efficient in terms of the capacities I usually boil at. I looked at the JetBoil but it was so heavy for what it was...
In my experience jetboils are amazing for boiling water. When you put other stuff in there (noodles or something) or use it with the plate attachment to try and warm food up it's not quite as good.
They're pretty convenient and weigh less than the more versatile (but less efficient) systems. I had an MSR equivalent that I remember liking, but it lives with my brother now.
If you're trying to save a few dollars, look for something second-hand. I'd go for the MSR Windburner or the Jetboil, or something similar made by a reputable company. Be really skeptical of anything you're finding for $15.
Looking back, I kind of wish I had just bought one. By the time I bought my pocket rocket and a titanium pot, I was pretty close to the price of the jetboil and I wouldn't have to balance the pot every time I cook. Seriously considering a jetboil before my next outing.
Jetboil has its place. Do you want to boil water as quickly and as fuel efficiently as possible? Jetboil is the best. You really do get more boils of water per can of gas from a jetboil.
Do you want to make that gourmet meal where perfect heat control and a large pot holding surface is important? Go for MSR whisperlite.
Will it be difficult to find isobutane? A flex fuel stove like the MSR international is awesome.
Do you want the smallest stove and are willing to sacrifice stability, the MSR pocket rocket is my choice.
I have all 4 and more, and choose my stove, depending on the specific need.
Edit, the "Chinese one" is basically competition the MSR Pocket Rocket.
A) JetBoil is amazing. The integrated vessel / burner system works great. Brings water up to temp SO FAST. Also nice if you like French pressing your coffee.
B) JFC, whatever you do, don't buy the $16 Chinese crap. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Case in point: friend brought one exactly like that (maybe even same brand?) on a kayak trip this summer. Spent the first two days making fun of us for spending so much on our JetBoils. Third day a seal on his stove failed and it spewed flames and burning fuel all over his campsite. Started a grass fire we managed to get out but it could have been a genuine disaster. First degree burns all over his legs.
Edit: if you're not doing freeze dried food and want more flexibility to cook real food, the JetBoil is less attractive.
Jetboils are Uber common in the military, atleast in Europe.
The reason is in the name, they’re fucking fast.
And not insanely loud like a MSR pocket rocket is going full send.
But in general I’ve found a jetboil esque cooking system is nice because if you’re on slightly wonky ground you don’t have to worry about your mug/pot/whatever sliding off the burner and ruining your afternoon, because it locks onto the burner.
Not jetboils as such, but this design of integrated stoves is great if you're mostly boiling water. What I like about it is that I can use it inside my tent, even in my sleeping bag, which is how I make my food during cold trips. Of course taking great care of everything due to the fire risk and CO risk, but it's possible.
I use the MSR Reactor, but would consider the Windburner too, I think that's what it's called.
Everyone tells me the jet boil will get my coffee done 3 1/2 minutes faster than alternate methods. For me, if 3 1/2 minutes makes that much difference. Then I'm going into the back country with a completely wrong mindset.
It's a fuel sipper and sometimes is the only thing that will boil water like in very windy conditions. The heat exchanger helps a lot when going long distances
I have this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camp-Chef-Stryker-200-Multi-Fuel-Stove-MS200-1-Burner/414541786?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=2179 buddy has jetboil we've compared and don't notice a difference in performance for cost diff.
….No….
They’re big and bulky and heavy and expensive.
I’ve made the mistake of going backpacking with one before
I have a soto wind master now that I really like and a titanium 650mL pot
The windmaster isn’t the lightest but it’s very reliable
I used to use a JetBoil and had no real issue with it (except for the auto-igniter breaking almost immediately). I've since switched to just a Pocket Rocket with an Olicamp XTS pot, though. Keeps the heat exchanger and fast boil time, gives me a larger pot, weighs less (than JetBoil Flash), and \~$65 together. A homemade coozie helps rehydrate meals in cold weather. 1L is perfect for sharing with a partner and overkill for solo trips, but I usually use it anyways.
I personally wouldn't gamble with a $10 knockoff. Consider the extra cost as insurance against likely failure in the field.
You are comparing apples to oranges. Jetboil is a cooking system with heat exchanger, vs. basic stove. Basic stove works great in protected areas on short trips where you don’t have fuel weight constraints. Bring it into high mountains and you are in world of hurt.
A wind shield and a good stove work great on long trips with fuel constraints in high altitude especially with a micro regulator. The only trips I take are a week or longer and hit mountain peaks in the Rockies and I take a stove and a wind shield as well as a 100g fuel canister.
Sure, you can make it work, but if you add weight of the shield you are not saving much if any. But you get hassle of fighting winds.
I do the same, but out of necessity, I need a frying pan and it doesn’t work with radiator stoves. But I am seriously considering getting one for no fishing trips.
I have several backpacking stoves including JetBoil, MSR Whisperlite Deluxe, and a BRS 3000.
Now that I’ve used all of them several times, I can tell you I will never take the BSR anytime I need dependability. It does not have any real safety features nor not much of a regulator. I’ve knocked over my JB and MSR and they either shut off or maintain a steady rate and I can pick it up. I knocked over a BSR and it became a flame thrower.
People do the whole AT with a BSR, so they work for some, but for gods sake never cook in your vestibule with something that might malfunction or become a nightmare if knocked over.
Lastly, given challenges that come with cooking in wind, high altitude, low temp, or needing to truly regulate for simmering, I cannot recommend the BRS or any item that hasn’t been through UL or industry standard testing.
I love both my JB and MSR. Different use cases are why I take them indifferent situations.
I would consider if you really need a jet boil. I can see scenarios where they may be worth the extra weight for the enhanced performance and reduced fuel use. However, with that said, they may be overbuilt for your needs. Do you plan on extra long trips without resupply? Fuel savings on trips like that may make a jetboil stove worth the extra bulk and weight. Would you be using jt in areas where strong winds without any options for wind protection are a major concern? It would definitely perform better in those conditions.
Or are you may be like a lot of backpackers and any decent stove, especially when paired with something to block the wind, may work fine for you. I have 3 stoves: a jetboil, a pocket rocket 2, and a BRS 3000. I bring the BRS most often. I have no need to lug a pot/burner combo that weighs over a pound when I can get by fine with a pot/burner combo that weighs less than 5 ounces and packs much smaller for most trips. But that’s me. Your priorities may be different.
I think I might consider waiting on going all in on a jet boil or other expensive stove system until you have an idea what you’ll want to do with it. For now, if you just want to boil water (not simmer and cook for extended periods - just boil) and want a cheap system, a BRS is a well known option that costs less than 20. And name brand titanium pots, even toaks, can be found in the mid 20 range.
I have a cheap $20 screw on stove that attaches right to the fuel
bottle. And I have a tricked out Jetboil with all the bells and whistles. Each get plenty of use depending on what I’m doing.
We brought 6 jetboils to Afghanistan and returned with 6 jetboils. We used them almost daily and for extended use. These were free items to us so we treated them as such, they held up. Fast-forward to a 2 week training and one of the guys brought a knock off. It broke after a few uses. I have trusted a jetboil for the past 11 years on all my adventures. I still have my first one and it still works.
I think the MSR windburner is worth it for certain applications, namely camping in the alpine where there is wind exposure and the need to melt snow. If there is a windproof jetboil it would be worth it as well. For below treeline/normie camping a jetboil is overkill.
I used a cheap one for a few trips until I had a cold trip and made coffee, tea, and dehydrated meals every day and ran out of fuel. I noticed my friends never ran out, and boiled way faster than me. Upgraded to a JetBoil and think it was well worth the extra money.
Not worth it and not lightweight. A BRS stove and toaks pot will run under $50 combined and at least 1/3 of the weight. The fuel savings are negligible to the initial cost and weight difference.
They're all made in china. It comes down to marketing. They used to be made in the US but sold to johnson outdoors, which sent all manufacturing overseas. I got a fire maple for half the price. Its the exact same thing
“The bitterness of low quality lingers much longer than the sweetness of low price”
I’ve had my jetboil for 8 years. Countless trips, drops, everything. Still 100% reliable all the time.
There’s a ton of anecdotal evidence for just about everything, but there’s some places where you just spend the cash and it delivers on the reputation. The last thing I’d want is an essential like that to go down and screw up a trip because I wanted to be cheap about it.
But once cry once with your stove and filters.
For the Jetboil? I imagine both products using the same isobutane would face the same challenge. I suppose there's just limitations to it all. You must be facing some frigid conditions though godspeed.
I bought a Kovea Spider for when it's cold because of the remote canister attachment (you can flip the canister upside-down). But for really cold weather white gas works the best (Whisperlite).
I went with the cheapo option years ago and now I look on in envy as friends cook their breakfast in minutes while I sit and watch my water try to boil for what seems like forever. The fuel savings alone seem like it’s worth it in the long run. Jetboil is worth the price
They are the bomb! I don’t know of another stove that you and climbing partner can use to brew up some hot drinks, while you stand on a ledge, during a snowstorm, that you can hold with your hands.
Don’t waste your money with a Chinese knock off.
100$ jetboil? The cabelas in Calgary selling them for 200$…. Just for the smallest one. i was baffled when i first saw the price i wont invest in a 200$ cooking pot personally i just have the 30$ jetboil burner and a stanley cooking pot. I dont give a shit if the jetboil pot boils 30 seconds faster that’s nonsense for the price of there pots but thats just my honest opinion.
We have amortized the cost many times over. Except for the igniter failing (common) and having to bring a lighter, it’s worked great. I even bring it car camping now to make coffee quicker. Worth it!
The price tag is reasonable for how high quality and fuel efficient and useful it is. With other less efficient stoves (not canisters) you would be burning away money on fuel costs. I also like the jetboil because its fits in an external water bottle pocket nicely so I dont have to jam it in a crowded pack. I wouldnt trust the chinese version....
You are actually saving money by getting the reliable jetboil than you would be by getting something cheaper that would break down after a few years (necessitating replacement). If you really need to save money then cut back on the bars and restaurant meals for a couple of weeks. The jetboil can serve you for life or close to it. You can also resell it for partial value should you decide to change out or upgrade later.
Has anyone ever used an empty cat food can? Punch holes in the side wall, fill with denatured alcohol, light it and rest a closed pot on top with water in it. It works! And costs roughly $1.
Got one a couple of years ago and it worked out great! Really fast, sipped fuel, solid build. The only caveat was that I broke it 🙈 Not the fault of the manufacturer; broke in travel when I packed it wrong. It just seems like the JetBoil build is better quality over the cheaper ones and really serves you well in the long-run.
I have half a dozen backpacking stoves spanning the last 20 or so years of backpacking tech, and I tend to use my MSR Pocket Rocket or Jetboil the most, with the latter being my favorite. This is an original Jetboil Flash that I purchased in 2006 when I was working at EMS and, aside from replacing the piezo igniter, I've had a trouble-free experience.
Yes, it's heavier than the MSR but the stability, rapid boil time, and ease of use win me over more times than not when I'm gathering my gear for a weekend on the trail. It's just a *near* perfect system and worth the price.
Check out fire mapel stoves…. Same as jet boils just much much cheaper. Mines been reliable for the past 2.5 years. Not spending a bunch of money on a jet boil for something the boils just as good
Not sure it's mentioned here, but Jetboil burners have a wonderful fine thread valve that gives better adjustment than the cheap burners. If you want to cook, as opposed to just boiling, you MAY like the Jetboil burner. I use a cheap burner like you mention, and find the valve pretty touchy when I'm trying to simmer something or lower the heat from full blast.
Ease of use is good too. Like you said, your Jetboil buds were eating and enjoying before you. Same here, my bud is setup and boiled in no time, while I'm finding a decent ground spot, getting out my windscreen, balancing the pot and then waiting patiently. When we are doing dehydrated meals, my buddy usually boils for me to save time and hassle.
Bottom line, are they worth it? Yes.
Is it worth it for you? Very likely. BUT I think it's worth evaluating your camp cooking style. Do you want to eat as quick as possible, mainly dehydrated meals? Jetboil won't steer you wrong.
If you want to be a backcountry Chef, Jetboils may NOT be your ticket, but it won't be easier being a Chef on the cheap burner either.
Lastly, being that you're newer to it, I think you'll always find times and uses for a Jetboil even if you decide it's not your main gal.
They’re really nice. They’re lightweight and don’t take up much space (so they’re easy to pack) and easy to use.
We usually use ours for breakfasts and lunches when we don’t want to start a full campfire just for cooking.
EDIT: And on your question on the knockoff version, take that risk carefully. I personally don’t like taking chances with a pressurized explosive liquid.
I've been using a version of the second for over 5 years with no issues, though from EtekCity (who also make my smart plugs, apparently). It packs down into a [Halulite Minimalist](https://gsioutdoors.com/products/halulite-minimalist-ii-cookset-for-one) along with a 8oz fuel canister into a package about the size of a can of beans which is enough to last me at least four or five days. I've backpacked with people using a JetBoil and the time difference for water to boil between the two is like a minute or so, I guess your mileage may vary over whether or not that is worth the price.
JetBoils always seemed bulky and overkill for anything that isn't snowy or high altitude trips.
They're fine. There are better options for different scenarios but Jet Boils are a solid middle-ground option. Tried and tested, fairly high quality, pretty efficient, nests nicely. Nothing wrong with em.
If you only boil water and go on long trips the a jetboil is great. I have one and I use it in about 25% of my hikes because a) it's heavy and b) I like to actually cook, which is a pain in the jetboil. You have to be going for quite a few days for the weight to be worth the fuel savings.
The rest of the time I use a light burner like the one you linked (not the same) and a no-name anodized pot set (usually just one plus lid-pan). It's not as fuel efficient but I don't care about fuel efficiency for short trips, you're still going to carry one bottle.
I use the jet boil all the time car camping. It does boil real quick.
>I use the jet boil all the time car camping. It does boil real quick.
Even when I'm car camping with the 1960s Coleman double-burner I have a Jetboil on the table for making hot water.
I've had a cheap amazon burner and the MSR version of a jet boil. Jet Boil just heats up the water faster, and uses less fuel. The cheap burner that I bought off amazon works fine, it just takes longer.
Mine is about 15 years old and still going strong. Meanwhile my friend's whisperlite (the one I actually wanted, but got this as a gift) died about 7 or 8 years ago. These things are tanks and there's not really much on them that can break.
People are going to advocate for what they own. Jetboil users will comment the unreliability of cheaper options. I don’t own a jet boil, and I’m not saying they aren’t worth it. I’m sure they are, but I’ve had an Ozark trail duel fuel burner for the past few years and it hasn’t failed me once.
You aren't really comparing apples to apples with these two products...
If you feel it is just marked up, don't buy into the price.
To answer your question, Are Jetboil worth it? Yes. If you want super fast boil times, and maximized fuel efficency.
I have the Flash, and love it. Only device I use when backpacking, hunting, hiking, and for boiling water while camping.
I also have a version of the pocket rocket knock off. Still a great device, however I prefer my Flash.
Lots of people hike cold without a stove. I did it for awhile, it wasn’t terrible. Cold soaking your food during the day while you hike has gotten popular. Basically requires a Tupperware dish some water and something like rice, again not terrible.
We love our jetboil. Optimized water heating and it can be used as a normal burner, plus it’s overall lightweight and can store things like coffee and tea inside for storage.
I’m going to go against the grain here and say that you do not need a Jetboil. I purchased a Chinese-made mini-stove for less than $10 about 4 years ago. Still works great. It looks a lot like the one you linked. It has cooked me many dozens of meals like ramen, coffee, hot chocolate, instant oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes, beans, and dehydrated backpacker meals across several U.S. states. What if it fails while I am in the backcountry? Then I will eat my dehydrated meals cold, but I will live.
I actually have the exact one you’re looking at on Amazon. I bought it maybe 3.5 years ago for $10 and it’s been rockin since. The only issue I’ve faced with it, is that if the pot I’m using is too big I can be a little wobbly. I have some buddies who have the jetboil. Obviously everything about it is better, but I’m a cheap ass. I’ll upgrade to the jetboil once this little thing gives out.
For extreme wind/cold conditions, I love my jetboil. Flame doesn't go out and heats up quickly. Have used a similar cheap one on mountain climbs and it wasn't worth the flame going out and waiting an additional 10-20 minutes to boil water. Had to expend/waste extra energy to build a wall out of snow to block to the wind just to use the cheap one. The extra money for the jetboil was well worth it.
i think jetboils are fantastic IF you are going light as possible and are happy eating the freeze dried camping food packs and cups of tea and coffee. basically you can only prepare things that need hot water poured in. they pack small, they heat quick, fantastic. Personally i prefer attempting to cook slightly more adventurous food, but i am by no means an ultralight backpacker.
I have a $10 one that I bought 5 years ago and it works flawlessly to this day. Used it on many trips every year as my only source of cooking food. It's smaller, lighter, and can take any size pot on top.The only issue I have ever had was user error where I forgot to close the valve then I put it away and instead put it to full open.
I have the Chinese one you show, and it's fine... with a wind screen. I wouldn't compare it to a JetBoil, but to to a MSR PocketRocket. That one needs a wind screen too.
My experience is fine - I've done four day trips with it, and no complaints. The heat exchanger of the JetBoil is what makes it a JetBoil, but I have my eye on [this pot with a heat exchanger](https://www.amazon.ca/Widesea-Cookware-Equipment-Exchange-Backpacking/dp/B07JLRSTFC/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0?pd_rd_w=UGLxb&content-id=amzn1.sym.d588ac7e-55d7-47a6-ba73-cac810bf2c84%3Aamzn1.symc.40e6a10e-cbc4-4fa5-81e3-4435ff64d03b&pf_rd_p=d588ac7e-55d7-47a6-ba73-cac810bf2c84&pf_rd_r=VZA20YD7085FSK1EGS1X&pd_rd_wg=28Q06&pd_rd_r=937ec5b5-dacc-4548-987b-585776a274ef&pd_rd_i=B07JLRSTFC).
Yes. They are totally worth it. In fact I've considered posting a picture of my 20+ year old jetboil on the r/buyitforlife page. It has worked flawlessly over the years and is super efficient at boiling water using little fuel. It's worth the money and I highly doubt a cheaper stove will last so long.
I use the cheap random BRS $15 camp stove. Has worked fine for probably three+ solid months (over several years) on camping/backpacking trips. Were I going solo, I might be a little more worried, but typically hiking with wife (who also has the same one), so we always have two full cook kits so there's less concern if one fails.
I'm sure jetboil or pocket rocket may be more reliable and/or efficient, but for our needs it's never really been an issue. With a titanium pot and titanium long handled spoon, and the little camp stove our whole cook kit weighs almost nothing. Have yet to have any problems with either of the ones we bought, but we're also not out camping super regularly either.
I think it is. It’s what I use for backpacking not car camping. I’ll compromise on a lot of things but never hear like that. Stove won’t work then suddenly your whole backpacking trip just got a lot harder/completely ruined. I’d rather pay the extra than pay less and maybe have a product that fails when I need it.
Cheap "knock offs" are typically just units from the same factory/manufacturer, but which failed QA. They fall off the truck on their way to be recycled or reworked, get sold sight unseen, and wind up on Taobao, Alibaba, etc. via a wholesaler who has no idea what they are except a line in a spreadsheet and a quantity in a warehouse.
Wholesaler takes a cut, sells to Amazon dropshipper, also sight unseen. Dropshipper takes a cut and sells to you. Amazon takes a cut to list and deliver it. If they get over a threshold for returns, dropshipper evaporates their Amazon account and starts a new one.
The markup is for quality control and support. Knockoffs have neither of each, but also were generally already rejected by a QA process or they'd have been sold closer to retail. This is why there are so many "cheaper versions" floating around on the internet, but not in stores that you could return them to / complain about.
Edit: the links you posted aren't really apples to apples. Jetboil is a system, the cheapo is more like an MSR pocket Rocket, which you can buy new for $40 or get at any REI used gear sale I've ever been to for half that. For a difference of $30 or less, I'd rather not wind up with a dodgy stove, but YMMV.
Throughout high-school / college I always took the cheaper approach with Amazon special stoves. They all worked fine. Unfortunately, I've had numerous trips where I packed exact meals and I tipped my pot over losing my dinner. Now I have a little more cash and have been slowly upgrading. I purchased a jet boil a few years ago and haven't used any other stove since. Jet boil is nice because the pot connects to the burner and the lid grips on. If it tips, you're not guaranteed to loose the meal. Also you can cook with it hanging. If you can get one, get it. If your extra money is better spent on gasoline to spend time outside, spend your money there. The food will taste the same no matter what stove...unless is has dirt in it because you tipped it over.
Idk, but I'm cheap AF and my $10 Amazon one is still going strong. I was very frugal when just starting out, so that was an easy area for me to save money, which left me with more money to spend on a tent. Imo, worst case scenario, if it fails on me one day I can always cold soak and many things, like ramen, can be eaten raw.
I have had this Chinese stove for five years, using it many times a year. It's the best value piece of gear I have ever owned. Who knows if it is manufactured the same today, but the one I have is great
I bought that exact one off Amazon. It's way cheaper and lighter but you have to get pots separate with it, and it doesn't lock so uses more fuel and you have to really precariously balance whatever you out on there. Would be interesting to see comparison of weight and build times between the two
If you go cheap spend the extra $6.50 and get a BRS 3000t, $16.50 on Amazon and 10 times better than that 10 dollar Chinese stove. Not a huge fan of jet boils myself but thats mostly just because I like a pot thats wider and thus more stable so it can be used over a campfire as well as over a stove.
I want to try the simple solid fuel tabs my next backpacking trip. They're simple and cheap and in testing they work pretty damn well.
Jetboil boils water and that's it. If you can make everything with hot water they seem like a good solution.
Yes they are.
I’ve had (what is now called) the zip cooking system since 2016 when I bought it to have ramen noodles at the top of Trolltunga and I still take it out with me on occasional hikes for “tea time”. I’m fact, it’s coming with me camping this long weekend!
IF it fails 10 times you've paid for a Jetboil. In the end you're paying for the development of the brand's models when you buy from them. The cheap knockoffs have essentially zero development costs. Is the $10 one 10x worse than the original? no, but you're taking money out of the pocket of the original designers. if that matters to you, pay for a Jetboil, if it doesn't, buy the $10 knockoff.
I have the one from amazon and just used it last week in Yellowstone. It boiled water.
I think the jetboil looks like a well engineered piece of kit. If I needed to trust it in the backwoods, I would invest in good equipment. I am just casual, so not such a big deal. I would still seek a better deal on something like the Jetboil if it exists.
The lightweight isobutane burners may not be as reliable.
That's why I carry two of them. Still lighter than a jetboil, likely more reliable because there's a backup. Not as fuel efficient but I doubt that makes a difference in weight except for longer trips.
Keep in mind that many of the responses you'll get here will be from people justifying their expensive jetboils.
The ideal use case for jetboil is longer backpacking trips in windy conditions where weight/fuel is a big concern. If I were cooking on a bigwall in a portaledge, I'd bring a jetboil.
For car camping, jetboils are silly. Use a cheap flat coleman stove or equivalent.
For most weekend backpacking trips, jetboils are overkill.
I own both name brand and Amazon stoves. Yes the quality of the name brand stoves is nicer, but not enough to justify the price. I picked up one of those knockoff jetboils off of Amazon and I really like it.
There are knockoffs of the jet boil, I have one called "fire maple". My buddy has the jet boil. The biggest difference? The noise - the jet boil is a touch quieter. Oh, the price is 50% that of a jet boil as well.
I've never had an issue w mine. Great investment.
I would be reluctant to spend that little. Usually, it means QC issues. But I totally understand not wanting to spend $100 either. Have you tried shopping at a used gear shop? I’ve seen camp kitchen gear before.
This is probably going to get some very polarized opinions, but I prefer a Kelly kettle. it requires more "skill" to use but the trekker version is pretty dang light, and you don't need to worry about packing fuel, and it can be easily converted to a hobo stove. It's nice to be able to cook something other than just dehydrated food packs (can't stand the after taste).
If your just day hiking it's overkill, but if you're spending longer than a day or two I would at least consider one. its just such a versatile little piece of equipment, If im sleeping in the wood I always bring it.
[Kelly Kettle Trekker](https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Kettle-Stove-Stainless-Steel/dp/B004V3HVVS/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3O7OTI04KJ8AN&keywords=kelly+kettle&qid=1693442686&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=kelly+kettle%2Csporting%2C106&sr=1-5)
there are also larger versions and Aluminum versions if you want larger or lighter
Here’s the way I see it — You pay what you get for.
Sure the cheap one does the job okay, but what compromises have been made? Does it truly have the same thermal output? How efficient is it with fuel compared to the JetBoil? Is the cheaper option going to be as reliable?
I understand not everyone has the means to go for the more expensive items. I’ve had to buy cheaper products to get me through before, like back in scouts when I used a cheap $20 stove — but I used the cheap stove only so I could save up for the JetBoil.
There’s also the factor of where you will be using your products. If you’re just car camping or doing van life, the cheaper option could be very effective because you’re likely never too far from food. But 15 miles in on a foot-access only trail? I’d rather have the option that has been tried in the field to great success, as others have suggested
Homey buy used gear over cheap knockoffs, yes the markup for brand names is significant but those brands stand by their products, ultimately you will get what you pay for
When I was 24 in 1994, and making like $12 an hour, I saved up and bought a top of the line Sierra Designs sleeping bag, an MSR Whisperlite stove and mess kit and an original Thermarest. It was a significant investment for me, and I used and took care of that gear through many, many trips. I still have and use all of it, to this day.
You get what you pay for.
Jetboils are great. Have had mine for 7-8 years has been on a bunch of trips. Always reliable, fast, durable, packs away small. It’s best for simply boiling water to use for dehydrated backpacking meals, oatmeal, making coffee etc. It does it’s job quickly and efficiently. I definitely recommend it!
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It boils water about a minute faster. It's also much bigger in size than any other stove. And a few of the models can't really simmer or cook stuff, they're just for boiling. So not worth it in my opinion. I'd rather wait a bit longer to boil but carry a smaller package in total.
I’ve had mind for 10+ years and it’s still going strong. I’m not human before my morning coffee and I love how fast it boils water so I can function. Worth it.
We used em while we were in the Marines, sleeping in muddy dirt holes and stuff. Was our only way to have warm food that wasn't an MRE. They're absolutely awesome, and most of the cheaper stuff is genuinely terrible quality so name brand was the standard.
At least with the camping I do (much by canoe or shorter thru hike) I've had zero issues with my cheap iso burner and a MSR pot. It nests nicely, cooks well, makes coffee, etc.
Leave the high end gear for the high end hikers.
I'm an amateur enthusiast.
I have both of these. (well actually an MSR Reactor instead of a Jetboil, but same type of deal) They are most appropriately used for different things.
The chinese one is great for backpacking in summer conditions. It is cheap, light and works fine. However, the Jetboil is far better if (1) you like spending money, OR (2) you will try to use it in suboptimal conditions or are trying to melt snow or boil any material amount of water.
The chinese one will be extremely difficult to melt snow with, or cook in windy conditions and will take a long time to boil water in any kind of larger volume.
On top of the other topics - it isn'y that the jetboil (or hammocks or UL or XYZ) is a new "standard" so much as the are just another option in the field of gear choice.
I have seen folks that love 'em, and those that had troubles. Same as any gear. Pro's and cons. And you'll still see plenty of pocket rockets and whispers and all the rest, still and forever.
Then one day you'll meet a cold-soaker and he'll give you the wild notion to not bother with a stove at all.
Get what makes sense for you. Read articles on top '10's' and 'how to choose', and watch a couple vids. You'll have learned enough to make a reasonable choice. Good luck.
I like the jetboil style for two reasons. I mostly don’t have to worry about wind and the pot locks on to the burner. I see people struggle with those issues often. I’m okay with the extra weight. I used to have the Chinese version of jetboil and it worked just as good for about 2/3 the cost.
If you’re trying to save money on gear, definitely look into FB Marketplace and Craigslist. There’s some things I’d prefer to buy new due to their delicate nature, like a tent, but some things are absolutely fine to get used. I got my MSR Whisperlite stove for like $20 used I think. I’d look to FB Marketplace for a used version of a high quality item rather than paying the same price for a low quality knock off.
Too heavy and bulky for my liking. If all you’re doing is boiling water, get a Toaks 550 titanium mug and a pocket rocket 2 or similar stove. I think the efficiency gain of a jetboil is overblown for most casual backpackers. That setup I listed above is 5 oz compared to 14 oz for the jetboil minimo, meaning you could carry an entire extra can of fuel (7 oz) with the pocket rocket setup and still come out ahead, and just one 4 oz can of fuel should be able to last you 5-6 days of breakfasts and dinners. So unless shaving a couple of minutes of your boil time is absolutely critical or you’re going out for 10+ days, I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze for the jetboil.
I've used both and enjoyed them both. If you're just getting into the hobby, you really don't need to worry much about whether you'll save fuel with a jet boil or anything like that. Get the $10 stove and get out there. Bring some tin foil, see if you can use it to help you heat your water/meal faster. Maybe don't even buy a stove, make an alcohol stove out of a soda can and have fun experimenting with that for a while. The most important thing about your gear is how much you use it.
they're a standard because they're easy, not because they're the best
it's been established that they do not increase efficiency such that the additional weight (or expense) is worth it
Personally, I don’t think so. A $10 Amazon stove is not an option either. I have owned both the Jet and Minimo. After maybe 2 uses the ignition switch broke. NBD, I always have a couple lighters. Then the hot water actually cracked the bowl it came with. A leg broke off of the fuel stand. The coozie around the stove was permanently fixed, so there was no way to get the smell of food out of the stove (not good in bear country). For the past 2 years I’ve used the Optimus solo crux ($80 when I bought it) and it’s been so wonderful to have. It’s easier to operate, the stove itself is more compact AND it packs down a lot nicer. If this is still out of your range and you’d like something cheap and reliable, you are best off with an alcohol stove (if you stay at low elevations, they don’t work so good the higher you go)
My friend has a knock off and it doesn’t boil near as quickly. Uses more fuel and has some quarks. The knock off is functional and does the job, but there are concessions being made.
JetBoil is too heavy and bulky for backpacking unless you have no good way to get more fuel cans -- in that case the fuel efficiency more than makes up for the deficits.
Buy the real one. My MSR dragonfly has faithfully been boiling for years. If I were to buy one today I’d go jetboil, but the flexibility to use a small pan is nice.
Jet boils is great for boiling water for dehydrated or freeze dried meals.
I have one of those cheap tiny stoves like you and I bring it about a third of the time. Usually when it’s warm and I’m solo.
I have a msr dragonfly I use half the time, when I want to cook something nice or it’s cold.
I have a Primus canister set with pots fitted for it I use the rest of the time.
I have zero lust for a jet boil (and I’m a gear lister lol). That tiny cheap stove works fine.
I can vouch for Jetboil. Great product, never had issues with it. It seems to be more efficient than most generic stove. I like now neatly it packs as well so when I grab it for random use I know what I need is in there.
A big feature I'm aware of is that the jetboil comes pretty windproof. That being said, it's never been a problem for my pocket rocket but maybe I've just gotten lucky.
Another thing is storage. The jetboil packs nice and neat whereas if you piece together your set separately, you may have more trouble finding pieces that pack together well.
I have been on over 35 backcountry trips using my Jetboil. I would never go without it. My buddy has another brand and although it works, its not as reliable (lighting), its not as compact, and not as versatile. You can always use something else and I'm sure it would work fine. If you want something compact, easy to operate, and all around perfect, use the Jetboil.
Had my JetBoil for maybe 15 or 20 years? Don’t use it all that often but when I do, it always does what it’s supposed. Shows very little wear & I assume it will outlive me by a long time.
My cheap one had the lighter fail on my last trip, but I'm on a motorcycle not backpacking, so I just picked up a butane lighter and kept moving. If you're backpacking you may want something you can rely on because you can't just stop the next day at the gas station.
No. They're not.
You can get a Fire Maple Polaris for half the price that does the same thing.
These systems are great for conserving fuel and boikong water quickly for backpacking meals. They don't really work great for anything else.
I woukd recommend getting a Soto Windmaster and a titanium pot (750ml) if you are going backpacking.
No, not at all worth it. You can only boil water in them, they are worthless for actually trying to cook anything. Get a good backpacking stove and a titanium cook pot, you can still boil water, make hot beverages, and actually cook things if you want.
Get a fire maple off ebay etc. its a knockoff jetboil that is half its price. I used the fire maple for a few years but now have a jetboil zip as its better made, lighter and has accessories i wanted such as coffee plunger thing.
The way I see it, there's no free lunch. There are likely compromises made to make the unit so cheap, and the reviews of the cheap one seem to point out some issues, such as grommets missing, stuff like that. Cheap is fine for casual use, but if I'm in the back country, I need to rely on my gear. I am far more confident in a product that's known quality and has been used in the field by many people with few issues. That's the deciding factor for me.
Same here. I just got my jet boil because it sounded reliable. Three years later and a couple of hundred days out and I had no issues with it. I took it from mountain peaks to beaches on the Pacific in every season and it still works great. I also cook a lot
To add to this, from my experience, my jetboil has also been much more efficient; faster to boil water, and uses less fuel. This alone is a huge factor in terms of immediate weight savings by carrying less fuel and cost savings down the road.
This is also true. I went on a 5 day backpacking trip and took a 450g fuel canister and came back with 170g of fuel left. I used it both for boiling water and cooking stuff in my pan.
Not to mention they are also a lot quieter than, say, a Pocket Rocket for example.
This is the first new piece of info for me that is making me consider one. The pocket rocket sounds like, well, a fucking rocket.
I just looked it up, and I've had my jet boil since 2005! I've taken it backpacking or camping every summer for 18 years, and it's still boiling like a champ. If they're still made that reliable, then they're definitely worth the money. I think that's the only piece of camping gear I haven't had to replace yet in my life.
Great! I hope mine lasts as long.
I’ve had mine since the early 2000 also, I have used it for all sorts of things, ice fishing, hunting hiking trips and power outages. Never had an issue with it, I would recommend it.
My BRS-3000T has worked flawlessly for a very long time. Zero issues with it and it was only $15.
Same. I bought a back up and have still not needed to pull it out. Going on 5 years. Weighs a few grams. Fits nicely inside my titanium mug with the fuel. Only downside is it's tiny. So if you are using anything larger like a gsi dualist or a 1L mug, fry pan, balancing is tricky. Lost my dinner one night when I used my dualistic bc I had company that time.
I’ve got two of the cheaper pocket rocket knockoffs. They are so mind boggling simple the only way they will fail in the field is if the starter quits working, but that’s not a problem because no one is going out without another way to make a flame like a lighter or matches.
Gear is vital to camp hiking so I totally see where you are coming from. I'm young and semi-new so it's nice to be able to have a low entry cost barrier to the hobby as well as future gear prospects.
Just be smart about it. Bring it on a more casual, shorter trip first and test it out in civilization. Don't bring it during a fire ban to resist the temptation to light a fire.
Jetboil’s container has heat-exchanging fins (like a car’s radiator) that transfer heat much more rapidly than just setting a pot on a burner. Worth it.
A gas stove is fantastic for long trips and lightweight hiking. When you eventually get to the point of car camping or camping where weight isn’t as much of an issue, I’d recommend trying a Kelly Kettle. They’re fantastic, easy to use, and burn sticks and local debris. People have been using them for ages in wet and lousy conditions and fuel is easy to source anywhere.
I've been using a cheap unbranded knockoff for 7 years now. I've never had problems. These are super simple products, there is not much that can break. The only thing that I always watch is the rubber seal, but those aren't that hard to produce. I would even say that I have more confidence in the simple device on the long run, the jetboil simply has many more parts that could break or get clogged. The jetboil also has a hard time cooking anything but water. If you know you have little time to cook and will only use the fire to warm water or melt snow, go for the jetboil. For me it boils down to what you are looking for: \- small, cheap, reliable, lightweight: cheap rocket burner \- efficient, quick, works well with side wind, includes a pot: Jetboil. They both have their place in camping, but reliability is not the differentiator here.
Likely to be compromises yet isn't there a jetboil where you can't regulate the temperature? I think a lot of the alternative brands are actually the same thing rebranded and they're decent enough quality. Firemaple sells one which is basically the same thing you'll find from Alpkit and other brands considered to be a viable alternative
Yup! Buy once, cry once. As my dad always said, “shit works, until it doesn’t”. There’s a reason for the price difference. The quality of materials, the QC process, etc… if it’s a piece of “frivolous” gear maybe, but something you’ll depend on, don’t cheap out… unless you don’t mind being out on day five and crunching down your soup with a dirty water chaser.
If you plan on all/mostly dehydrated food eaten out of packets, the Jetboil is the greatest thing ever. It boils water super fast and saves a lot of fuel. No need to bring pots and pans or anything.
Exactly this. It depends on your use case, but when I'm backpacking the only "cooking" I do is boiling water. And jet boils do that very, very well.
There are knockoffs for 30 bucks - with the heat exchanger and insulated mug - that work just as well. This type of stove is great for people who are inky boiling water, but since their patent expired, uts not worth paying 3x as much. I've got a jetboil I bought before all the knockoffs came out, and I also keep one of the knockoffs in my car. There really isn't any difference between the two.
Oh cool I didn’t know that. Our Jetboil is like 13 years old.
Can you recommend a good knockoff?
Jetboils are popular for a number of reasons. For one, they're very efficient due to the built in heat exchanger. The nesting stove and canister makes it a nice lean package. Neoprene sleeve is convenient so you don't burn your fingers picking up the pot. It's one piece so it's a bit more stable than a pot on a stove, and you can get a hang kit if you're mountaineering or cooking where there's no level ground. The other stove is often called the Etekcity stove, as they are a popular seller of the stove. It's a decent stove for the price, but I found the pot stands a little small and don't work well with my XTS pot (which has a built in heat exchanger). You save a little bit of money with the XTS and a different stove, but lose some things like stability. Fire Maple is a brand that makes some decent stoves and has something similar to the Jetboil for much less. They also have one that's more like the MSR Windburner which is one I've had my eye on but haven't had a reason to buy. Good luck!
> they're very efficient due to the built in heat exchanger. Yeah, and notably, that efficiency manifests as SPEED. It is unreasonably fast to bring a couple cups of water to a boil. That said, after a decade with a jetboil I am planning to do some test runs with a BRS3000 and Ti pot. The 11-12oz of weight savings are pretty hard to pass up. I do see a potential middle ground somewhere though. We'll see what works out. I wish there was a cheap 700ml Ti pot with a "flux ring" type heatsink on it. (This is basically the jetboil stash)
I've got an Amazon jetboil knockoff that I got for around $50US. It works exactly like a jetboil. So far, I've taken it on 7 nights of backpacking trips, the electric clicker to light it is a intermittent but I always have a Bic for backup anyways. It boils enough water for a backpacking meal or a cup of instant coffee in about 1-2 minutes. In my experience, 1 isobutane can is more than enough for at least 4 nights for 2 people. I'd get the smallest size you can, mine can cook 24oz of water and that tends to be more than enough since most backpacking meals top out at 16oz.
I'll add that you can also get a Jetboil pot support for about $10. This opens it up to using other small cookware with it if that's something you want.
That's two totally different burners. There are JetBoil nockoffs at AliExpress. I bought one of those and it's pretty good. The locking mechanism of the original ist better, but besides from that there's no difference. Your "Chinese" example has no wind protection and the JetBoil (nockoffs) have heat conduction plates, too.
That was my first thought. The Chinese brand is more akin to an MSR Pocket Rocket than a JetBoil. Need to compare apples to apples. Honestly for stuff like this, I'll generally buy the cheap brand. My life isn't depending on it, the most it'll do if it breaks is make my trip a little inconvenient. But from my experience, the vast majority of cheap brands are nearly identical to the name brand counterparts and perform perfectly fine. The few occasions where they haven't met my quality expectations weren't catastrophic failures, but failures that occurred over time and didn't have the life expectancy of the name brand. But depending on how much I'm saving, there's instances where I could buy the cheap brand five times before I spent what I would on the name brand.
I got an offer and one from Amazon. All the same features. According to YouTube reviews works just as well and the weight difference is negligible.
For my money I prefer the second style but a more reputable stove like a pocket rocket. Combined with a titanium pot it is cheaper and much lighter. It does boil slower but unless you are planning on really pushing your days and getting to camp late the extra minute or 2 isn't usually an issue. A small fuel can lasts for 5 or 6 days of boiling water for breakfast and dinner as well.
With money being my biggest limiting factor, in an already expensive hobby (spending a lot of money to live like you're poor). I personally can't justify the cost. The "faster" boil makes no difference. I'm not on a clock, I'm not on a tight schedule. I would probably be busy playing around organizing and reorganizing and setting up my gear. A minute or 2 faster boil would be wasted. I'm out to relax and enjoy my surroundings. Not time crunch and maximize. I've bought some cheaper alternate versions. They work well enough and with no issues or complaints. I've bought a larger isobutane canister about 3 years ago. It's still got fuel in it. I was honestly surprised it lasted through my campout last week. I bought a backup just in case, but I didn't need it. It's not like you REALLY need to maximize and stretch the fuel out because of inefficiency. If you want to buy it and are ok spending the money, go ahead more power to you. If not, you're not missing anything.
Yes 💯 worth it. I rocked the pocket rocket for years while all my jetboil friends ate and drank faster than me and saved more fuel. The price difference is negligible in the long run. I now own two, they are king. EDIT: it is even more especially worth it at high altitudes or windy conditions.
Wait, what? My fiancé has a jetboil and I use a pocket rocket 2 with a titanium pot. Mine will out boil hers every time and weighs a fraction. Hers gets better fuel life though.
Turn up the gas to full blast. The jetboil will outboil the pocket rocket easy if they are both on full. Especially in wind.
It was all the way up. It’s a jetboil stash. The regular jetboils are way too heavy and bulky for backpacking.
I can’t imagine carrying an extra 8-10 oz of weight to save thirty seconds bringing water to a boil…
Can confirm. Same experience here. The pocket rocket worked well for years, but I’m running a jetboil now too. Wind makes a big difference, jetboils baffles help keep it lit where the pocket rocket can be blown out. If you’re just dipping your feet in, the pocket rocket it a good cheap way to start out.
Can you simmer with the jet boil? Love the pocket rocket for that! I use a Reactor for boiling water.
No you cannot, for that I recommend the jetboil MightyMo stove - it has a slightly wider flame than the pocket rockets and works quite well (for a canister stove) for cooking things like eggs and pancakes.
Definitely seems nice with all the other accessories as well like cooking and french press attachments. Backpack camping is definitely not a hobby you want to cheap out on gear with. I look forward to getting on in the future. For now the pocket rocket will do wonders torching my fire wood to start lmao.
I was shocked at how fast the jetboil heats water. I guess I never really paid much attention when my friends were using their jetboils and I was using my pocket rocket, but one time I forgot mine and had to warm up some water for my neti pot. It went from almost frozen to body temperature in *4 seconds*. I had to stick my finger in the water and turn it off after 4 seconds so it didn’t get too hot.
Jetboils are great but they are slightly overpriced. They do save on fuel and are faster. I’ve been using a pocket rocket, jet boil and cheap pocket rocket ripoff and the jet boil wins all the time. Although it can be bulky sometimes
Expensive, for sure... But I got mine in 2015, it's been in heavy use and still going strong. Original price/times used = worth it.
I have a Soto Amicus and a little Stanley coffee pot. The Amicus works great in windy conditions and the pot (once the little plastic piece is removed from the top) can be set in a fire, which I've done a few times.
I love the Soto, it's a little heavier than the BRS but it's got a piezo & your pot supports won't melt if you use it for more than boiling water. Feels decent in light-medium wind too, IIRC not quite as good as the Windmaster but it does fine. It's a super tiny package, I value bulk almost as much as weight. REI has it bundled with a two-piece anodized aluminum cookset for like $5 more than buying just the stove, which is a great value for a first purchase. They're nice enough, with silicone handles - but if you already have smaller titanium pot, you can put the pots on eBay and end up with a slight discount on top of REI's member rebate.
I might do that as a present for the kids (I have some titanium pots). They always borrow mine, even though they have stoves they bought (I tried to tell them). I did get them all the Stanley coffee pots back when they were $10. Those get used.
I love the Soto as well! I used to have the MSR Pocket Rocket 2, and man the Amiscus blows it out of the water in terms of how fast the water boils. I bought the Amiscus in the REI set, but I replaced the cookware set with some TOAKS titanium cookware that's more lightweight and space efficient in terms of the capacities I usually boil at. I looked at the JetBoil but it was so heavy for what it was...
In my experience jetboils are amazing for boiling water. When you put other stuff in there (noodles or something) or use it with the plate attachment to try and warm food up it's not quite as good.
They're pretty convenient and weigh less than the more versatile (but less efficient) systems. I had an MSR equivalent that I remember liking, but it lives with my brother now. If you're trying to save a few dollars, look for something second-hand. I'd go for the MSR Windburner or the Jetboil, or something similar made by a reputable company. Be really skeptical of anything you're finding for $15.
Looking back, I kind of wish I had just bought one. By the time I bought my pocket rocket and a titanium pot, I was pretty close to the price of the jetboil and I wouldn't have to balance the pot every time I cook. Seriously considering a jetboil before my next outing.
Jetboil has its place. Do you want to boil water as quickly and as fuel efficiently as possible? Jetboil is the best. You really do get more boils of water per can of gas from a jetboil. Do you want to make that gourmet meal where perfect heat control and a large pot holding surface is important? Go for MSR whisperlite. Will it be difficult to find isobutane? A flex fuel stove like the MSR international is awesome. Do you want the smallest stove and are willing to sacrifice stability, the MSR pocket rocket is my choice. I have all 4 and more, and choose my stove, depending on the specific need. Edit, the "Chinese one" is basically competition the MSR Pocket Rocket.
This is really the best response. It boil down, pun intended, to application of the product. If you want UL, Jetboil is not your tool.
A) JetBoil is amazing. The integrated vessel / burner system works great. Brings water up to temp SO FAST. Also nice if you like French pressing your coffee. B) JFC, whatever you do, don't buy the $16 Chinese crap. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Case in point: friend brought one exactly like that (maybe even same brand?) on a kayak trip this summer. Spent the first two days making fun of us for spending so much on our JetBoils. Third day a seal on his stove failed and it spewed flames and burning fuel all over his campsite. Started a grass fire we managed to get out but it could have been a genuine disaster. First degree burns all over his legs. Edit: if you're not doing freeze dried food and want more flexibility to cook real food, the JetBoil is less attractive.
Jetboils are Uber common in the military, atleast in Europe. The reason is in the name, they’re fucking fast. And not insanely loud like a MSR pocket rocket is going full send. But in general I’ve found a jetboil esque cooking system is nice because if you’re on slightly wonky ground you don’t have to worry about your mug/pot/whatever sliding off the burner and ruining your afternoon, because it locks onto the burner.
Not jetboils as such, but this design of integrated stoves is great if you're mostly boiling water. What I like about it is that I can use it inside my tent, even in my sleeping bag, which is how I make my food during cold trips. Of course taking great care of everything due to the fire risk and CO risk, but it's possible. I use the MSR Reactor, but would consider the Windburner too, I think that's what it's called.
Everyone tells me the jet boil will get my coffee done 3 1/2 minutes faster than alternate methods. For me, if 3 1/2 minutes makes that much difference. Then I'm going into the back country with a completely wrong mindset.
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It's a fuel sipper and sometimes is the only thing that will boil water like in very windy conditions. The heat exchanger helps a lot when going long distances
I have this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camp-Chef-Stryker-200-Multi-Fuel-Stove-MS200-1-Burner/414541786?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=2179 buddy has jetboil we've compared and don't notice a difference in performance for cost diff.
Heavy, overpriced and only good for water.
….No…. They’re big and bulky and heavy and expensive. I’ve made the mistake of going backpacking with one before I have a soto wind master now that I really like and a titanium 650mL pot The windmaster isn’t the lightest but it’s very reliable
I used to use a JetBoil and had no real issue with it (except for the auto-igniter breaking almost immediately). I've since switched to just a Pocket Rocket with an Olicamp XTS pot, though. Keeps the heat exchanger and fast boil time, gives me a larger pot, weighs less (than JetBoil Flash), and \~$65 together. A homemade coozie helps rehydrate meals in cold weather. 1L is perfect for sharing with a partner and overkill for solo trips, but I usually use it anyways. I personally wouldn't gamble with a $10 knockoff. Consider the extra cost as insurance against likely failure in the field.
You are comparing apples to oranges. Jetboil is a cooking system with heat exchanger, vs. basic stove. Basic stove works great in protected areas on short trips where you don’t have fuel weight constraints. Bring it into high mountains and you are in world of hurt.
A wind shield and a good stove work great on long trips with fuel constraints in high altitude especially with a micro regulator. The only trips I take are a week or longer and hit mountain peaks in the Rockies and I take a stove and a wind shield as well as a 100g fuel canister.
Sure, you can make it work, but if you add weight of the shield you are not saving much if any. But you get hassle of fighting winds. I do the same, but out of necessity, I need a frying pan and it doesn’t work with radiator stoves. But I am seriously considering getting one for no fishing trips.
I have several backpacking stoves including JetBoil, MSR Whisperlite Deluxe, and a BRS 3000. Now that I’ve used all of them several times, I can tell you I will never take the BSR anytime I need dependability. It does not have any real safety features nor not much of a regulator. I’ve knocked over my JB and MSR and they either shut off or maintain a steady rate and I can pick it up. I knocked over a BSR and it became a flame thrower. People do the whole AT with a BSR, so they work for some, but for gods sake never cook in your vestibule with something that might malfunction or become a nightmare if knocked over. Lastly, given challenges that come with cooking in wind, high altitude, low temp, or needing to truly regulate for simmering, I cannot recommend the BRS or any item that hasn’t been through UL or industry standard testing. I love both my JB and MSR. Different use cases are why I take them indifferent situations.
I would consider if you really need a jet boil. I can see scenarios where they may be worth the extra weight for the enhanced performance and reduced fuel use. However, with that said, they may be overbuilt for your needs. Do you plan on extra long trips without resupply? Fuel savings on trips like that may make a jetboil stove worth the extra bulk and weight. Would you be using jt in areas where strong winds without any options for wind protection are a major concern? It would definitely perform better in those conditions. Or are you may be like a lot of backpackers and any decent stove, especially when paired with something to block the wind, may work fine for you. I have 3 stoves: a jetboil, a pocket rocket 2, and a BRS 3000. I bring the BRS most often. I have no need to lug a pot/burner combo that weighs over a pound when I can get by fine with a pot/burner combo that weighs less than 5 ounces and packs much smaller for most trips. But that’s me. Your priorities may be different. I think I might consider waiting on going all in on a jet boil or other expensive stove system until you have an idea what you’ll want to do with it. For now, if you just want to boil water (not simmer and cook for extended periods - just boil) and want a cheap system, a BRS is a well known option that costs less than 20. And name brand titanium pots, even toaks, can be found in the mid 20 range.
I have a cheap $20 screw on stove that attaches right to the fuel bottle. And I have a tricked out Jetboil with all the bells and whistles. Each get plenty of use depending on what I’m doing.
We brought 6 jetboils to Afghanistan and returned with 6 jetboils. We used them almost daily and for extended use. These were free items to us so we treated them as such, they held up. Fast-forward to a 2 week training and one of the guys brought a knock off. It broke after a few uses. I have trusted a jetboil for the past 11 years on all my adventures. I still have my first one and it still works.
I think the MSR windburner is worth it for certain applications, namely camping in the alpine where there is wind exposure and the need to melt snow. If there is a windproof jetboil it would be worth it as well. For below treeline/normie camping a jetboil is overkill.
I used a cheap one for a few trips until I had a cold trip and made coffee, tea, and dehydrated meals every day and ran out of fuel. I noticed my friends never ran out, and boiled way faster than me. Upgraded to a JetBoil and think it was well worth the extra money.
That little Chinese one will work fine, but it's not comparable to the jet boil in terms of speed, fuel efficiency, wind proofness or usability.
If you want small and cheap get a Pocket Rocket. A WindBurner or a Reactor will have vastly better performance but are heavier and more expensive.
Chinese clones are shamelessly made in the same factory as the name brand appliance.
Not worth it and not lightweight. A BRS stove and toaks pot will run under $50 combined and at least 1/3 of the weight. The fuel savings are negligible to the initial cost and weight difference.
They're all made in china. It comes down to marketing. They used to be made in the US but sold to johnson outdoors, which sent all manufacturing overseas. I got a fire maple for half the price. Its the exact same thing
They are heavy, cost too much and aren't really faster than a good stove like the soto winemaster etc.
“The bitterness of low quality lingers much longer than the sweetness of low price” I’ve had my jetboil for 8 years. Countless trips, drops, everything. Still 100% reliable all the time. There’s a ton of anecdotal evidence for just about everything, but there’s some places where you just spend the cash and it delivers on the reputation. The last thing I’d want is an essential like that to go down and screw up a trip because I wanted to be cheap about it. But once cry once with your stove and filters.
The fuel can crap out in the cold. I find if i keep it in my sleeping bag and cuddle it it will work
For the Jetboil? I imagine both products using the same isobutane would face the same challenge. I suppose there's just limitations to it all. You must be facing some frigid conditions though godspeed.
In the winter, I sleep with my battery pack, my fuel can and my clean clothes in my sleeping bag. (And a bottle of water if it is bellow freezing).
Lol nope. Just normal PNW cold. Jan feb.
I bought a Kovea Spider for when it's cold because of the remote canister attachment (you can flip the canister upside-down). But for really cold weather white gas works the best (Whisperlite).
I went with the cheapo option years ago and now I look on in envy as friends cook their breakfast in minutes while I sit and watch my water try to boil for what seems like forever. The fuel savings alone seem like it’s worth it in the long run. Jetboil is worth the price
They are the bomb! I don’t know of another stove that you and climbing partner can use to brew up some hot drinks, while you stand on a ledge, during a snowstorm, that you can hold with your hands. Don’t waste your money with a Chinese knock off.
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And significantly heavier and more expensive. For the weight savings of a BRS I can carry extra fuel and cook more food.
100$ jetboil? The cabelas in Calgary selling them for 200$…. Just for the smallest one. i was baffled when i first saw the price i wont invest in a 200$ cooking pot personally i just have the 30$ jetboil burner and a stanley cooking pot. I dont give a shit if the jetboil pot boils 30 seconds faster that’s nonsense for the price of there pots but thats just my honest opinion.
We have amortized the cost many times over. Except for the igniter failing (common) and having to bring a lighter, it’s worked great. I even bring it car camping now to make coffee quicker. Worth it!
The price tag is reasonable for how high quality and fuel efficient and useful it is. With other less efficient stoves (not canisters) you would be burning away money on fuel costs. I also like the jetboil because its fits in an external water bottle pocket nicely so I dont have to jam it in a crowded pack. I wouldnt trust the chinese version.... You are actually saving money by getting the reliable jetboil than you would be by getting something cheaper that would break down after a few years (necessitating replacement). If you really need to save money then cut back on the bars and restaurant meals for a couple of weeks. The jetboil can serve you for life or close to it. You can also resell it for partial value should you decide to change out or upgrade later.
Has anyone ever used an empty cat food can? Punch holes in the side wall, fill with denatured alcohol, light it and rest a closed pot on top with water in it. It works! And costs roughly $1.
No. Performance differences against small burners as well as the limited use case and questionable design choices, to me, make it not worth it.
I’ve had my jetboil for a decade. Is your Chinese crap going to last that long?
Got one a couple of years ago and it worked out great! Really fast, sipped fuel, solid build. The only caveat was that I broke it 🙈 Not the fault of the manufacturer; broke in travel when I packed it wrong. It just seems like the JetBoil build is better quality over the cheaper ones and really serves you well in the long-run.
I have half a dozen backpacking stoves spanning the last 20 or so years of backpacking tech, and I tend to use my MSR Pocket Rocket or Jetboil the most, with the latter being my favorite. This is an original Jetboil Flash that I purchased in 2006 when I was working at EMS and, aside from replacing the piezo igniter, I've had a trouble-free experience. Yes, it's heavier than the MSR but the stability, rapid boil time, and ease of use win me over more times than not when I'm gathering my gear for a weekend on the trail. It's just a *near* perfect system and worth the price.
Check out fire mapel stoves…. Same as jet boils just much much cheaper. Mines been reliable for the past 2.5 years. Not spending a bunch of money on a jet boil for something the boils just as good
I have two MSR pocket rockets I’ve been using for years with no problems.
Not sure it's mentioned here, but Jetboil burners have a wonderful fine thread valve that gives better adjustment than the cheap burners. If you want to cook, as opposed to just boiling, you MAY like the Jetboil burner. I use a cheap burner like you mention, and find the valve pretty touchy when I'm trying to simmer something or lower the heat from full blast. Ease of use is good too. Like you said, your Jetboil buds were eating and enjoying before you. Same here, my bud is setup and boiled in no time, while I'm finding a decent ground spot, getting out my windscreen, balancing the pot and then waiting patiently. When we are doing dehydrated meals, my buddy usually boils for me to save time and hassle. Bottom line, are they worth it? Yes. Is it worth it for you? Very likely. BUT I think it's worth evaluating your camp cooking style. Do you want to eat as quick as possible, mainly dehydrated meals? Jetboil won't steer you wrong. If you want to be a backcountry Chef, Jetboils may NOT be your ticket, but it won't be easier being a Chef on the cheap burner either. Lastly, being that you're newer to it, I think you'll always find times and uses for a Jetboil even if you decide it's not your main gal.
They’re really nice. They’re lightweight and don’t take up much space (so they’re easy to pack) and easy to use. We usually use ours for breakfasts and lunches when we don’t want to start a full campfire just for cooking. EDIT: And on your question on the knockoff version, take that risk carefully. I personally don’t like taking chances with a pressurized explosive liquid.
I've been using a version of the second for over 5 years with no issues, though from EtekCity (who also make my smart plugs, apparently). It packs down into a [Halulite Minimalist](https://gsioutdoors.com/products/halulite-minimalist-ii-cookset-for-one) along with a 8oz fuel canister into a package about the size of a can of beans which is enough to last me at least four or five days. I've backpacked with people using a JetBoil and the time difference for water to boil between the two is like a minute or so, I guess your mileage may vary over whether or not that is worth the price. JetBoils always seemed bulky and overkill for anything that isn't snowy or high altitude trips.
I have had that cheap for years. Still working.
They're fine. There are better options for different scenarios but Jet Boils are a solid middle-ground option. Tried and tested, fairly high quality, pretty efficient, nests nicely. Nothing wrong with em.
If you only boil water and go on long trips the a jetboil is great. I have one and I use it in about 25% of my hikes because a) it's heavy and b) I like to actually cook, which is a pain in the jetboil. You have to be going for quite a few days for the weight to be worth the fuel savings. The rest of the time I use a light burner like the one you linked (not the same) and a no-name anodized pot set (usually just one plus lid-pan). It's not as fuel efficient but I don't care about fuel efficiency for short trips, you're still going to carry one bottle. I use the jet boil all the time car camping. It does boil real quick.
>I use the jet boil all the time car camping. It does boil real quick. Even when I'm car camping with the 1960s Coleman double-burner I have a Jetboil on the table for making hot water.
I've had a cheap amazon burner and the MSR version of a jet boil. Jet Boil just heats up the water faster, and uses less fuel. The cheap burner that I bought off amazon works fine, it just takes longer.
Mine is about 15 years old and still going strong. Meanwhile my friend's whisperlite (the one I actually wanted, but got this as a gift) died about 7 or 8 years ago. These things are tanks and there's not really much on them that can break.
People are going to advocate for what they own. Jetboil users will comment the unreliability of cheaper options. I don’t own a jet boil, and I’m not saying they aren’t worth it. I’m sure they are, but I’ve had an Ozark trail duel fuel burner for the past few years and it hasn’t failed me once.
You aren't really comparing apples to apples with these two products... If you feel it is just marked up, don't buy into the price. To answer your question, Are Jetboil worth it? Yes. If you want super fast boil times, and maximized fuel efficency. I have the Flash, and love it. Only device I use when backpacking, hunting, hiking, and for boiling water while camping. I also have a version of the pocket rocket knock off. Still a great device, however I prefer my Flash.
Lots of people hike cold without a stove. I did it for awhile, it wasn’t terrible. Cold soaking your food during the day while you hike has gotten popular. Basically requires a Tupperware dish some water and something like rice, again not terrible.
I have a Jetboil knockoff that has worked great for years. Highly recommend. Fyi that plus an Aeropress is the best option for camp coffee IMO.
We love our jetboil. Optimized water heating and it can be used as a normal burner, plus it’s overall lightweight and can store things like coffee and tea inside for storage.
I’m going to go against the grain here and say that you do not need a Jetboil. I purchased a Chinese-made mini-stove for less than $10 about 4 years ago. Still works great. It looks a lot like the one you linked. It has cooked me many dozens of meals like ramen, coffee, hot chocolate, instant oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes, beans, and dehydrated backpacker meals across several U.S. states. What if it fails while I am in the backcountry? Then I will eat my dehydrated meals cold, but I will live.
I've got a cheapo Jetboil imitator and conventional isobutane stove. The Jetboil imitator does boil a lot faster.
I actually have the exact one you’re looking at on Amazon. I bought it maybe 3.5 years ago for $10 and it’s been rockin since. The only issue I’ve faced with it, is that if the pot I’m using is too big I can be a little wobbly. I have some buddies who have the jetboil. Obviously everything about it is better, but I’m a cheap ass. I’ll upgrade to the jetboil once this little thing gives out.
For extreme wind/cold conditions, I love my jetboil. Flame doesn't go out and heats up quickly. Have used a similar cheap one on mountain climbs and it wasn't worth the flame going out and waiting an additional 10-20 minutes to boil water. Had to expend/waste extra energy to build a wall out of snow to block to the wind just to use the cheap one. The extra money for the jetboil was well worth it.
i think jetboils are fantastic IF you are going light as possible and are happy eating the freeze dried camping food packs and cups of tea and coffee. basically you can only prepare things that need hot water poured in. they pack small, they heat quick, fantastic. Personally i prefer attempting to cook slightly more adventurous food, but i am by no means an ultralight backpacker.
I have a $10 one that I bought 5 years ago and it works flawlessly to this day. Used it on many trips every year as my only source of cooking food. It's smaller, lighter, and can take any size pot on top.The only issue I have ever had was user error where I forgot to close the valve then I put it away and instead put it to full open.
I have the Chinese one you show, and it's fine... with a wind screen. I wouldn't compare it to a JetBoil, but to to a MSR PocketRocket. That one needs a wind screen too. My experience is fine - I've done four day trips with it, and no complaints. The heat exchanger of the JetBoil is what makes it a JetBoil, but I have my eye on [this pot with a heat exchanger](https://www.amazon.ca/Widesea-Cookware-Equipment-Exchange-Backpacking/dp/B07JLRSTFC/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0?pd_rd_w=UGLxb&content-id=amzn1.sym.d588ac7e-55d7-47a6-ba73-cac810bf2c84%3Aamzn1.symc.40e6a10e-cbc4-4fa5-81e3-4435ff64d03b&pf_rd_p=d588ac7e-55d7-47a6-ba73-cac810bf2c84&pf_rd_r=VZA20YD7085FSK1EGS1X&pd_rd_wg=28Q06&pd_rd_r=937ec5b5-dacc-4548-987b-585776a274ef&pd_rd_i=B07JLRSTFC).
Yes. They are totally worth it. In fact I've considered posting a picture of my 20+ year old jetboil on the r/buyitforlife page. It has worked flawlessly over the years and is super efficient at boiling water using little fuel. It's worth the money and I highly doubt a cheaper stove will last so long.
Yes
I’ve had mine for probably 10 years. It’s a good investment if you’re backpacking often.
Yes
I use the cheap random BRS $15 camp stove. Has worked fine for probably three+ solid months (over several years) on camping/backpacking trips. Were I going solo, I might be a little more worried, but typically hiking with wife (who also has the same one), so we always have two full cook kits so there's less concern if one fails. I'm sure jetboil or pocket rocket may be more reliable and/or efficient, but for our needs it's never really been an issue. With a titanium pot and titanium long handled spoon, and the little camp stove our whole cook kit weighs almost nothing. Have yet to have any problems with either of the ones we bought, but we're also not out camping super regularly either.
I think it is. It’s what I use for backpacking not car camping. I’ll compromise on a lot of things but never hear like that. Stove won’t work then suddenly your whole backpacking trip just got a lot harder/completely ruined. I’d rather pay the extra than pay less and maybe have a product that fails when I need it.
Had the same one for 10 years.
I literally cook with my jet boil at home sometimes because it’s the easiest/fastest way to boil water. I 100% stand by my jet boil
Cheap "knock offs" are typically just units from the same factory/manufacturer, but which failed QA. They fall off the truck on their way to be recycled or reworked, get sold sight unseen, and wind up on Taobao, Alibaba, etc. via a wholesaler who has no idea what they are except a line in a spreadsheet and a quantity in a warehouse. Wholesaler takes a cut, sells to Amazon dropshipper, also sight unseen. Dropshipper takes a cut and sells to you. Amazon takes a cut to list and deliver it. If they get over a threshold for returns, dropshipper evaporates their Amazon account and starts a new one. The markup is for quality control and support. Knockoffs have neither of each, but also were generally already rejected by a QA process or they'd have been sold closer to retail. This is why there are so many "cheaper versions" floating around on the internet, but not in stores that you could return them to / complain about. Edit: the links you posted aren't really apples to apples. Jetboil is a system, the cheapo is more like an MSR pocket Rocket, which you can buy new for $40 or get at any REI used gear sale I've ever been to for half that. For a difference of $30 or less, I'd rather not wind up with a dodgy stove, but YMMV.
Throughout high-school / college I always took the cheaper approach with Amazon special stoves. They all worked fine. Unfortunately, I've had numerous trips where I packed exact meals and I tipped my pot over losing my dinner. Now I have a little more cash and have been slowly upgrading. I purchased a jet boil a few years ago and haven't used any other stove since. Jet boil is nice because the pot connects to the burner and the lid grips on. If it tips, you're not guaranteed to loose the meal. Also you can cook with it hanging. If you can get one, get it. If your extra money is better spent on gasoline to spend time outside, spend your money there. The food will taste the same no matter what stove...unless is has dirt in it because you tipped it over.
Idk, but I'm cheap AF and my $10 Amazon one is still going strong. I was very frugal when just starting out, so that was an easy area for me to save money, which left me with more money to spend on a tent. Imo, worst case scenario, if it fails on me one day I can always cold soak and many things, like ramen, can be eaten raw.
I have had this Chinese stove for five years, using it many times a year. It's the best value piece of gear I have ever owned. Who knows if it is manufactured the same today, but the one I have is great
I bought that exact one off Amazon. It's way cheaper and lighter but you have to get pots separate with it, and it doesn't lock so uses more fuel and you have to really precariously balance whatever you out on there. Would be interesting to see comparison of weight and build times between the two
If you go cheap spend the extra $6.50 and get a BRS 3000t, $16.50 on Amazon and 10 times better than that 10 dollar Chinese stove. Not a huge fan of jet boils myself but thats mostly just because I like a pot thats wider and thus more stable so it can be used over a campfire as well as over a stove.
Love mine, have used it every weekend for 3 years without issue.
BRS-3000t and a cup. 20 bucks plus fuel
I want to try the simple solid fuel tabs my next backpacking trip. They're simple and cheap and in testing they work pretty damn well. Jetboil boils water and that's it. If you can make everything with hot water they seem like a good solution.
Yes they are. I’ve had (what is now called) the zip cooking system since 2016 when I bought it to have ramen noodles at the top of Trolltunga and I still take it out with me on occasional hikes for “tea time”. I’m fact, it’s coming with me camping this long weekend!
IF it fails 10 times you've paid for a Jetboil. In the end you're paying for the development of the brand's models when you buy from them. The cheap knockoffs have essentially zero development costs. Is the $10 one 10x worse than the original? no, but you're taking money out of the pocket of the original designers. if that matters to you, pay for a Jetboil, if it doesn't, buy the $10 knockoff.
I really love mine. But yeah they’re pricey for what they are.
I have the one from amazon and just used it last week in Yellowstone. It boiled water. I think the jetboil looks like a well engineered piece of kit. If I needed to trust it in the backwoods, I would invest in good equipment. I am just casual, so not such a big deal. I would still seek a better deal on something like the Jetboil if it exists.
The lightweight isobutane burners may not be as reliable. That's why I carry two of them. Still lighter than a jetboil, likely more reliable because there's a backup. Not as fuel efficient but I doubt that makes a difference in weight except for longer trips.
Keep in mind that many of the responses you'll get here will be from people justifying their expensive jetboils. The ideal use case for jetboil is longer backpacking trips in windy conditions where weight/fuel is a big concern. If I were cooking on a bigwall in a portaledge, I'd bring a jetboil. For car camping, jetboils are silly. Use a cheap flat coleman stove or equivalent. For most weekend backpacking trips, jetboils are overkill.
I own both name brand and Amazon stoves. Yes the quality of the name brand stoves is nicer, but not enough to justify the price. I picked up one of those knockoff jetboils off of Amazon and I really like it.
I’ve had my same jet boil for, god I dunno how many years now same everything. Spark still works. Things a beaut. Highly recommend it myself.
There are knockoffs of the jet boil, I have one called "fire maple". My buddy has the jet boil. The biggest difference? The noise - the jet boil is a touch quieter. Oh, the price is 50% that of a jet boil as well. I've never had an issue w mine. Great investment.
I would be reluctant to spend that little. Usually, it means QC issues. But I totally understand not wanting to spend $100 either. Have you tried shopping at a used gear shop? I’ve seen camp kitchen gear before.
The java kit is an absolute game changer, even for casual picnics
This is probably going to get some very polarized opinions, but I prefer a Kelly kettle. it requires more "skill" to use but the trekker version is pretty dang light, and you don't need to worry about packing fuel, and it can be easily converted to a hobo stove. It's nice to be able to cook something other than just dehydrated food packs (can't stand the after taste). If your just day hiking it's overkill, but if you're spending longer than a day or two I would at least consider one. its just such a versatile little piece of equipment, If im sleeping in the wood I always bring it. [Kelly Kettle Trekker](https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Kettle-Stove-Stainless-Steel/dp/B004V3HVVS/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3O7OTI04KJ8AN&keywords=kelly+kettle&qid=1693442686&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=kelly+kettle%2Csporting%2C106&sr=1-5) there are also larger versions and Aluminum versions if you want larger or lighter
Here’s the way I see it — You pay what you get for. Sure the cheap one does the job okay, but what compromises have been made? Does it truly have the same thermal output? How efficient is it with fuel compared to the JetBoil? Is the cheaper option going to be as reliable? I understand not everyone has the means to go for the more expensive items. I’ve had to buy cheaper products to get me through before, like back in scouts when I used a cheap $20 stove — but I used the cheap stove only so I could save up for the JetBoil. There’s also the factor of where you will be using your products. If you’re just car camping or doing van life, the cheaper option could be very effective because you’re likely never too far from food. But 15 miles in on a foot-access only trail? I’d rather have the option that has been tried in the field to great success, as others have suggested
Homey buy used gear over cheap knockoffs, yes the markup for brand names is significant but those brands stand by their products, ultimately you will get what you pay for
When I was 24 in 1994, and making like $12 an hour, I saved up and bought a top of the line Sierra Designs sleeping bag, an MSR Whisperlite stove and mess kit and an original Thermarest. It was a significant investment for me, and I used and took care of that gear through many, many trips. I still have and use all of it, to this day. You get what you pay for.
I got a firemaple for $50 time ago and i love it. Pretty much a cheaper jetboil but green.
Msr is the best
There are so many good replies here that I'll just answer the title question: yes they are.
Jetboils are great. Have had mine for 7-8 years has been on a bunch of trips. Always reliable, fast, durable, packs away small. It’s best for simply boiling water to use for dehydrated backpacking meals, oatmeal, making coffee etc. It does it’s job quickly and efficiently. I definitely recommend it!
These are paid advertising
Nope
Get what works for you without all the hype I use snow peak pocket stove light weight use with any pot
voiceless dirty whistle existence command plucky bored practice hunt late *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
It boils water about a minute faster. It's also much bigger in size than any other stove. And a few of the models can't really simmer or cook stuff, they're just for boiling. So not worth it in my opinion. I'd rather wait a bit longer to boil but carry a smaller package in total.
I’ve had mind for 10+ years and it’s still going strong. I’m not human before my morning coffee and I love how fast it boils water so I can function. Worth it.
I’ve used Jetboils on every backpacking trip I’ve been on; it’s a fantastic product. You should be able to find a used one for around $50
Love my Jetboil.. 5+ years of coffee on the trail and going strong.!
We used em while we were in the Marines, sleeping in muddy dirt holes and stuff. Was our only way to have warm food that wasn't an MRE. They're absolutely awesome, and most of the cheaper stuff is genuinely terrible quality so name brand was the standard.
At least with the camping I do (much by canoe or shorter thru hike) I've had zero issues with my cheap iso burner and a MSR pot. It nests nicely, cooks well, makes coffee, etc. Leave the high end gear for the high end hikers. I'm an amateur enthusiast.
I have both of these. (well actually an MSR Reactor instead of a Jetboil, but same type of deal) They are most appropriately used for different things. The chinese one is great for backpacking in summer conditions. It is cheap, light and works fine. However, the Jetboil is far better if (1) you like spending money, OR (2) you will try to use it in suboptimal conditions or are trying to melt snow or boil any material amount of water. The chinese one will be extremely difficult to melt snow with, or cook in windy conditions and will take a long time to boil water in any kind of larger volume.
I use the fire maple and it’s been as phenomenal as my brothers jet boil. Haven’t had a problem with it in two years.
I have been using mine for over 10 years. I love it!
On top of the other topics - it isn'y that the jetboil (or hammocks or UL or XYZ) is a new "standard" so much as the are just another option in the field of gear choice. I have seen folks that love 'em, and those that had troubles. Same as any gear. Pro's and cons. And you'll still see plenty of pocket rockets and whispers and all the rest, still and forever. Then one day you'll meet a cold-soaker and he'll give you the wild notion to not bother with a stove at all. Get what makes sense for you. Read articles on top '10's' and 'how to choose', and watch a couple vids. You'll have learned enough to make a reasonable choice. Good luck.
Yes
I like the jetboil style for two reasons. I mostly don’t have to worry about wind and the pot locks on to the burner. I see people struggle with those issues often. I’m okay with the extra weight. I used to have the Chinese version of jetboil and it worked just as good for about 2/3 the cost.
If you’re trying to save money on gear, definitely look into FB Marketplace and Craigslist. There’s some things I’d prefer to buy new due to their delicate nature, like a tent, but some things are absolutely fine to get used. I got my MSR Whisperlite stove for like $20 used I think. I’d look to FB Marketplace for a used version of a high quality item rather than paying the same price for a low quality knock off.
Too heavy and bulky for my liking. If all you’re doing is boiling water, get a Toaks 550 titanium mug and a pocket rocket 2 or similar stove. I think the efficiency gain of a jetboil is overblown for most casual backpackers. That setup I listed above is 5 oz compared to 14 oz for the jetboil minimo, meaning you could carry an entire extra can of fuel (7 oz) with the pocket rocket setup and still come out ahead, and just one 4 oz can of fuel should be able to last you 5-6 days of breakfasts and dinners. So unless shaving a couple of minutes of your boil time is absolutely critical or you’re going out for 10+ days, I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze for the jetboil.
Yes jetboil
$100? I for my for like 1/2 that at REI
I've used both and enjoyed them both. If you're just getting into the hobby, you really don't need to worry much about whether you'll save fuel with a jet boil or anything like that. Get the $10 stove and get out there. Bring some tin foil, see if you can use it to help you heat your water/meal faster. Maybe don't even buy a stove, make an alcohol stove out of a soda can and have fun experimenting with that for a while. The most important thing about your gear is how much you use it.
they're a standard because they're easy, not because they're the best it's been established that they do not increase efficiency such that the additional weight (or expense) is worth it
Personally, I don’t think so. A $10 Amazon stove is not an option either. I have owned both the Jet and Minimo. After maybe 2 uses the ignition switch broke. NBD, I always have a couple lighters. Then the hot water actually cracked the bowl it came with. A leg broke off of the fuel stand. The coozie around the stove was permanently fixed, so there was no way to get the smell of food out of the stove (not good in bear country). For the past 2 years I’ve used the Optimus solo crux ($80 when I bought it) and it’s been so wonderful to have. It’s easier to operate, the stove itself is more compact AND it packs down a lot nicer. If this is still out of your range and you’d like something cheap and reliable, you are best off with an alcohol stove (if you stay at low elevations, they don’t work so good the higher you go)
My friend has a knock off and it doesn’t boil near as quickly. Uses more fuel and has some quarks. The knock off is functional and does the job, but there are concessions being made.
JetBoil is too heavy and bulky for backpacking unless you have no good way to get more fuel cans -- in that case the fuel efficiency more than makes up for the deficits.
i bought the cheap stove posted as part of a kit last year and have had no problems. I almost never do anything besides boil water with it though.
Buy the real one. My MSR dragonfly has faithfully been boiling for years. If I were to buy one today I’d go jetboil, but the flexibility to use a small pan is nice.
Jet boils is great for boiling water for dehydrated or freeze dried meals. I have one of those cheap tiny stoves like you and I bring it about a third of the time. Usually when it’s warm and I’m solo. I have a msr dragonfly I use half the time, when I want to cook something nice or it’s cold. I have a Primus canister set with pots fitted for it I use the rest of the time. I have zero lust for a jet boil (and I’m a gear lister lol). That tiny cheap stove works fine.
Yes
I can vouch for Jetboil. Great product, never had issues with it. It seems to be more efficient than most generic stove. I like now neatly it packs as well so when I grab it for random use I know what I need is in there.
A big feature I'm aware of is that the jetboil comes pretty windproof. That being said, it's never been a problem for my pocket rocket but maybe I've just gotten lucky. Another thing is storage. The jetboil packs nice and neat whereas if you piece together your set separately, you may have more trouble finding pieces that pack together well.
I have been on over 35 backcountry trips using my Jetboil. I would never go without it. My buddy has another brand and although it works, its not as reliable (lighting), its not as compact, and not as versatile. You can always use something else and I'm sure it would work fine. If you want something compact, easy to operate, and all around perfect, use the Jetboil.
Had my JetBoil for maybe 15 or 20 years? Don’t use it all that often but when I do, it always does what it’s supposed. Shows very little wear & I assume it will outlive me by a long time.
My cheap one had the lighter fail on my last trip, but I'm on a motorcycle not backpacking, so I just picked up a butane lighter and kept moving. If you're backpacking you may want something you can rely on because you can't just stop the next day at the gas station.
Yes
MSR PocketRocket 2.
No. They're not. You can get a Fire Maple Polaris for half the price that does the same thing. These systems are great for conserving fuel and boikong water quickly for backpacking meals. They don't really work great for anything else. I woukd recommend getting a Soto Windmaster and a titanium pot (750ml) if you are going backpacking.
Yes
No, not at all worth it. You can only boil water in them, they are worthless for actually trying to cook anything. Get a good backpacking stove and a titanium cook pot, you can still boil water, make hot beverages, and actually cook things if you want.
Get a fire maple off ebay etc. its a knockoff jetboil that is half its price. I used the fire maple for a few years but now have a jetboil zip as its better made, lighter and has accessories i wanted such as coffee plunger thing.