• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Jet Boil

Lalawman

Lalawman

Active Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
186
Does anyone have any experience with a Jet Boil or anything like it? Getting the family into camping/hunting and looking for something along these lines to start out with before going real big into it next year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
There are better options, but if you're not hardcore backcountry type, it will be fine.

That said,

I'd recommend the MSR whisperlite for casual family camping and truck camping, or backpack camping for long trips with multiple people.

If you're going lightweight, solo, deep type stuff, there's much more compact and reliable setups than the jetboil. I use an optimus crux lite solo, for deep stuff, and the whisperlite for big group or truck camping. I prefer small stove setups like this because I can carry two and have a backup. There's plenty of cheap options to keep as a backup (like 20.00 and they weigh an ounce). I haven't had an issue with the optimus going on 100+ burns.
 
My plan is to have a canvas tent with an internal stove for next season for three people and gear total. I’m coming into this with zero knowledge so any and all advice will be greatly appreciated for every Avenue in this. I would like this to be a setup that will be as comfortable for myself, the ol laidy, and a 10 year old girl.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Most of the canister type work pretty well for this type of cooking as they are hot, adjust well, and don't take up much room. As long as you don't do altitudes over 12,000 ft. or below zero the work fine. Some of them are available with a fuel mix for colder weather also. MSR is a pretty trusted brand. For family camping you might also consider a Coleman 2 burner propane stove as you have more cooking options and it's pretty fiddle free.
 
There's trade offs of every stove. Ive been using the original jet boil for 15+ years. I love it. That being said when camping with the family we bring a Coleman 2 burner white gas. As @kyler1945 said the whisperlite is a good stove, but if you want to simmer or bake its finicky and takes a lot of getting used to. When I used to guide it was the standard. It is real easy to calculate fuel consumption for and they are ridiculously reliable. That being said, I have sold both the original and international that I have had. Are you backpacking? Basecamping from the car? What kind of things do you likento cook?

The jet boil is not a family stove. I have all the accessories to make it usable with standard pots. Its ok. Ive cooked pancakes, bacon. You name it on it, but it took me years to not burn the **** out of things.... its very reliable, ive used mine year-round. What it's good at is boiling water when you're freaking freezing and stsrving and want that mtn house freeze dried meal as fast as physically poasible....and coffeee....the french press option kicks ass....

Get a Coleman or primus 2 burner stove. Primus makes one with a griddle option on half which is quite nice as well. You'll be happy you got something more robust for family camping....
 
What he said.

I have 2 whisperlites, an MSR pocket rocket, a Soto and a 2 burner Coleman. And have used them all. A lot.

All have their place, but there’s several variables that come into play with each.

The whisperlite is a great stove, but as mentioned it can be tough to simmer with. It’s also a bit of a fire hazard should you be careless and not clear the area around it prior to lighting it off. Where it shines is Tripp’s of a several night duration with multiple people as a bottle of fuel will last a LONG time.

The pocket rocket and Soto are interchangeable as far as use. Both are canister stoves and will be fine for 1 person on an extended trip, but for multiple people em you better have extra canisters. The dot has an igniter which is nice, but the pocket rocket is sturdier and can handle a larger pot.

The Coleman is a no brainer if you’re not packing in. It can handle anything temp wise or weight/size wise and can cook an entire meal at once with the double burner.
 
I take my optimus Vega just about everywhere and it’s been great. I’ve used it on the Appalachian trail. Fly fishing trips to cook a fresh trout in a cast iron pan. 12 cup coffee percolator, etc. Light and packs up great in a Stanley stainless steel cook pot with a tiny canister.

Big downfall i noticed with even a wider backpack stove like this one is that the heat is very centered on a pan. Will burn a pancake in the middle before it cooks the outside.

Optimus Vega Remote Gas Canister Stove with Integrated 4 Season Mode https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1OOHUE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yN6KFb1SATPXA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
There also seems to be a drop off in quality and reliability of the jetboil specifically in new models. This is second hand, but plastic, and profit margins, seems to be taking their effect.

inagree with the guys above, you’ll have multiple stoves in short order. They don’t multitask too well.
 
kyler1945 said:
There are better options, but if you're not hardcore backcountry type, it will be fine.

That said,

I'd recommend the MSR whisperlite for casual family camping and truck camping, or backpack camping for long trips with multiple people.

If you're going lightweight, solo, deep type stuff, there's much more compact and reliable setups than the jetboil. I use an optimus crux lite solo, for deep stuff, and the whisperlite for big group or truck camping. I prefer small stove setups like this because I can carry two and have a backup. There's plenty of cheap options to keep as a backup (like 20.00 and they weigh an ounce). I haven't had an issue with the optimus going on 100+ burns.
Click to expand...
Been looking at a light weight stove for elk trip next year. Was looking at the crux lite and you have me sold on it now.

I agree with what everyone stated above. Most of the smaller type stoves are just made for the water boil.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top