COOKWARE
Jetboil Flash vs Zip: Which One is The Best Stove for Outdoor Use?
As the festive or winter seasons approach as the most adorable seasons to explore the countryside, we desire to be well-prepared for all our cooking needs. The campfire, for example, may not be the best option in some instances when you need the boiled water quickly for a hot delicious coffee.
Now the stoves have come in handy to many explorers as alternatives to the campfire in preparing your breakfast meals or boiling water. But then there are factors such as the weight and other additional gadgets that are at the forefront of our decisions when purchasing such stoves.
To help you in your search of the best featured stoves, we have brought the Jetboil Flash vs Jetboil Zip stoves article to you. Having either one of them is undoubtedly the best idea.
For all your outdoor quick cooking needs, the Jetboil Flash and the Jetboil Zip compact stoves are the great products you wouldn’t like to overlook. They are so far the most popular stoves renowned for their essential functionalities for outdoor adventures compared to other models by the same manufacturer or even by different manufacturers.
Nevertheless, it is not that easy to decide with ease that which cooking system among these ones could be the best for your cooking needs, especially when faced with their wide range of specifications that they have.
Among other considerations, they come with features that may be appealing to different users, so knowing all the pros and the cons of each, will definitely help you make the right decision.
A glimpse of Jetboil Flash and Jetboil Zip
Before we can tabulate the key differences and similarities of these Jetboil’s products, let us give you a glimpse so that you can understand them or see the need to have any of them.
These cooking stoves have been engineered to make outdoor cooking an absolute breeze, but only for minor cooking such as warming of your breakfast oats, dehydrated meals, making a delicious cup of coffee or boiling water for any use. For major cooking needs, you will have to resort to the campfire.
These stoves come with varying components such as the cooking cup, adjustable stove burner, stabilizer tripod and igniters that are central to their optimal performance. With these components, you can have your cooking system to prepare food in less than 5 minutes depending on the model chosen. Worth noting is the fact that these stoves vary with the components that also justify their price difference.
The nice thing about the Jetboil stoves is that they are light in weight to make them suitable for outdoor activities such as backpacking and camping so that they do not overburden your gear. This lightweight feature makes them a decent choice among other stoves, and furthermore makes it easy to prepare food at a blink of an eye while in the wilderness.
After all, who would tolerate hours of preparing food in the morning prior to setting feet on the trail whereas the quicker methods are available? On average, these stoves come with less than a liter of the cooking cup, and other light components that are stowed in the stoves to make them more portable. Let’s now get into the reviews of individual products to outline the full details.
Jetboil Zip Review
Compared to Jetboil Flash, this is the most lightweight and compact stove with 0.8 liter of the FluxRing® cooking cup. In this cooking cup you can pour water to prepare your hot coffee or warm meals with it because it has an insulating cozy. It will certainly take less than 5 minutes as the average time to boil the water.
However, if you need more water, you have to boil many batches until the required liters of water are boiled. But if you are a solo traveler, for example, you can save the hassles of having to boil water repeatedly for many people because a single cup would be ok for you.
The FluxRing® cooking cup can be disconnected from the Jetboil Zip cooking system for storage purposes. Also the stove burner can be disconnected when the need arises. These components twist simultaneously with the stove for better convenience, and the burner can be adjusted to control the amount of flame needed.
Furthermore, the burner and the fuel canister can be saved in the stove; but bear in mind that the 100 g fuel canister has to be bought separately from retail stores due to shipping restrictions of flammable products.
When using this Zip model of Jetboil, the heat will be transferred through the bottom of the cooking cup which has the fuel efficiency to boil half a liter in just 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The model includes the tripod that helps stabilize it, and also clips on the 100 g fuel canister.
Please note that only a 100 g fuel canister is compatible. So, if you purchase more than the recommended size, it might not work on this cooking system.
Moreover, the stove uses isobutane-propane fuel to provide heat to the cooking cup. In case you need a measuring cup, you can use the bottom cover of the cooking cup to use it as either the measuring cup or the bowl.
Jetboil Flash Review
This outdoor cooking set is the larger option to the Jetboil Zip. It comes with a 1 liter of the FluxRing® cooking cup that also boils in just less than 5 minutes to help you prepare a cup of coffee or warm meals quickly. To be precise, it can take 2 minutes to have your water ready boiled, and it can boil in any weather condition.
This means that the stove is not weather dependent for it to effectively provide you with hot water in a few minutes time.
The Jetboil Flash can be suitable for two people out in the wilderness because of its more capacity of 1 liter than the Jetboil Zip that help make 2 cups at a time. So this is an opportunity when you are traveling with your partner or other people. On repeated boiling, for example, it can provide 4 cups in less than 5 minutes because of its fuel efficient cooking cup that clips on the burner.
The stove comes with a stabilizing fuel canister tripod which clips on the 100 g fuel canister. But note that the fuel canister is not included when purchasing this Jetboil Flash. Instead, it has to be bought separately even though it is seldom shipped due to flammable materials shipping restrictions. Your only option is to visit the retail stores in your proximity to look for this flammable product.
To light this stove, there is a push-button igniter as well as the color change heat indicator. Well the Jetboil Flash outperforms the Jetboil Zip with this essential feature.
For storage purposes, the adjustable stainless steel burner and the 100 g fuel canister can be stowed in the stove. Meanwhile, the bottom cover of the cooking cup can be used at either the bowl or the measuring cup.
It makes your gear to be lightweight because you will not have to bring an additional measure cup. Furthermore, the cooking cup has a great insulation cozy to keep your food warm and boil water efficiently.
When buying the Jetboil Flash, take note of the varying models such as the Jetboil Flash Java and the Lite model. The Java model, on the other hand, comes with the coffee sample, although it is relatively expensive than the others. The Flash Lite is similar in liter capacity to the Jetboil Zip but it is priced the same with the regular Flash model.
Not with standing the variety of models that Jetboil Flash has, it remains the superior outdoor cooking system. All the models have the same features with a few exceptions that include the size of the FluxRing® cooking cup. And all the other components such as the adjustable burners, fuel canisters, and the stabilizer tripods remain common.
When Compared
The main concern is to compare the Jetboil Zip and the Jetboil Flash features so that you choose the right stove which can be more suitable for your wilderness adventures. Find below the tabulated comparisons done for these outdoor cooking systems.
| Features | Jetboil Flash | Jetboil Zip |
| Cooking Cup | 1.0 liter FluxRing cooking cup | 0.8 liter FluxRing cooking cup |
| Fuel Canister | 100g Fuel canister compatible | 100g Fuel canister compatible |
| Fuel type | Isobutane-propane | Isobutane-propane |
| Tripod | Yes | Yes |
| Average Boil time | 4 minutes 30 seconds | 5 minutes |
| Dimensions | 7.1 x 4.5 x 4.1 inches | 4.1 x 6.5 inches |
| Weight | 15.25 ounces | 11.75 ounces |
| Price | $99.95 | $79.95 |
| Best Use | Backpacking | Backpacking |
| Color Change Heat Indicator | Yes | No |
| Push button Igniter | Yes | No |
| Auto Ignition | Yes | No |
Fig. 1 Tabular comparison of features between Jetboil Flash and Jetboil Zip
Recommended Jetboil Cooking System
Based on the aforementioned features between the Jetboil Flash, and Zip, we can come to conclusions and recommend the best stove in accordance with your preference. Let’s first consider the liter capacity and then the ounces of either stove. The other key differences will be discussed subsequently.
Liter and Weight Capacity
The Flash model, in particular, can be suitable for two person backpacking because it can make 2 cups at the same time in less than 5 minutes. It can also warm enough food due to its larger capacity of 1.0 liter. Again, it has more ounces than the Zip meaning it puts more burden in relation to the Zip.
If the weight isn’t much of a priority, but the capacity is, then you can consider the Jetboil Flash. You won’t have to boil water separately for each person’s cup.
The Jetboil Zip, on the other hand, it is more suitable for a solo backpacker because of its limited and relatively smaller liter capacity. It has about 750 ml of capacity, and that can make one cup. If you want to make for the other person, you will have to boil another batch of water.
With regard to its weight, it has fewer ounces compared to the Flash model. That said, if the weight of the stove is your priority, then the Jetboil Zip is your best fit.
As outdoor enthusiasts, we prefer lightweight products that will not overburden us when traveling long distances. Having mentioned this, the Zip model will certainly be a good choice to the travel that prioritizes weight over everything such as performance.
The Jetboil Zip will be a great and decent choice more especially when you travel alone, whereas the Flash could be a great choice if you decide to overlook the weight and, instead, focus on its optimal performance and capacity of catering for two persons.
Additional Gadgets
When considering other features such as the auto ignition, Jetboil Flash overpowers the Zip model. It comes with these fancy features for efficient creation of fire. Also worth noting is the push button igniter that it has. The Zip cooking system, on the other side, needs you to have additional lighters to ignite it. These differences of features justify the price difference between these two models.
For instance, the Jetboil Flash is about $20 more expensive, which is reasonable when you take into account its superior and fancy gadgets compared to the affordable Jetboil Zip. The Zip has nonetheless provided an optimal performance with its basic features to many customers. It is a portable cooking system, although outperformed by the Flash with additional gadgets.
Even more about the additional gadgets, the Flash has a color change heat indicator as the temperature indicator pitch. It helps you to regulate the amount of the temperature needed in cooking or warming up on your food. This feature is helpful to help prevent the burning of food with too much heat.
Unfortunately, the Zip model doesn’t seem to afford users with an opportunity to regulate the temperature when cooking. It is nonetheless still the brilliant cooking system, although the Flash outsmarts it. With these observations, the Flash is the safest stove to buy.
Price of the cooking system
If you are on a budget, the Jetboil Zip is the best choice for your cooking needs. It costs about $80 whereas the Flash costs $20 more to it. But obviously the price comes with features as seen in the table above. For example, the higher price of the Flash stove is justified by its advanced features.
The additional price on any of these products could emerge from the 100 g fuel canister which has to be purchased separately. Other prices could involve the purchases of coffee press and other indispensable accessories. But note that any of these stoves is compatible with Jetboil accessories only.
In overall, these stoves are similar with regard to their the components. For an optimal performance, We do recommend the Jetboil Flash over the Zip. But individual preference is paramount because each product has its own cons.
For instance, the Flash seemingly appears to be the best performer, but then it is relatively heavyweight and more expensive. The pro side of the Zip stove is that it is light in weight and relatively inexpensive. But then it lacks some of the features such the auto ignition that the Flash has.
Additional Tips
As much as you might have an idea of which stove to purchase for your outdoor excursion based on our reviews, you must take time to read the customer reviews on the site that you purchase the products at. The previous customers can help you know the inconveniences or advantages associated with any of the stoves.
Once you know about the cons, for example, you can take remedial actions such as changing the decision to either buy the Jetboil Zip or the Jetboil Flash.
Also important to note is that, you need to buy only additional accessories that are manufactured by the Jetboil brand. For example, you might need to buy additional coffee press or utensil kit. Or perhaps your product needs replacement parts such as the adjustable burner or the tripod later on; Jetboil made parts should be utilized.
Furthermore, the compatible fuel canister needs to be bought for the stove to be ignited. If, for example, you purchase a larger canister, it might not be compatible with any of the Flash or Zip models.
The Jet Flash has various models, and most of them are similar in components with a few exceptions such the liquid capacity. You can either opt for the Jetboil Flash Java or Flash Lite. But the Java model is expensive.
Wrapping it up
Having reviewed the differences between the Jetboil Flash and the Jetboil Zip, you must now be in a good position to decide that which product is more suitable for your cooking needs. Just a final word, the Flash is bigger than the Zip and, therefore, would be a suitable choice for two person backpacking because of its ability to make 2 cups at once.
The Zip is preferable for solo outdoor activists because it can make 1 cup at once. It needs to be boiled repeatedly to serve two people. But price wise, the Zip is affordable than the Flash. Take time to assess the features as aforementioned to see that where can you invest your hard-earned dollars.
Nobody enjoys doing chores. Unfortunately, even when you’re out in the wild these necessities can be unavoidable. Cooking, cleaning, heating, washing… these are simply requirements if you want to stay at all hygienic during your outdoor expeditions. Our best advice is to simply get them over with as quickly as possible.
The more efficient you are about these activities the faster they’ll be done and the quicker you can get on to enjoying fishing, hiking, hunting or other adventures. The easiest way to speed these things up is to utilize the right equipment and we think we’ve found a real wonder on the market. The Jetboil Flash adds a whole new level of convenience to outdoor water heating & cooking.
So much so that we’ve decided to provide you with a full write up of its features and how it could be used to make your next outdoor trip even more fun by minimizing your ‘chores’ time. So without further ado, let’s jump straight into discussing the features of The Flash Personal Cooking System in this Jetboil Stove review
Review
In less than two minutes the Jetboil Flash can help you prepare a hot drink or an instant hot meal. This is the ideal choice for anyone who is in need of efficient cooking/boiling energy. The Jetboil Flash is well-organized, lightweight and fast.
High fuel efficiency, and all-in-one package, means that you do not need additional cookware. Here are the specifications that make the Jetboil Flash Personal Cooking System special.
Packaging
The very first consideration to make when shopping for an outdoor cookware is packaging. The Jetboil Flash Personal is one of the lightest, weighing in at 0.88 pounds when removed out of the box. The weight along with the system’s dimensions (7.09 by 4.09 by 4.09 inches) makes the stove the ideal choice for backpackers. The cookware will fit comfortably in your backpack.
Apart from the weight and dimensions, the major benefit of the Jetboil Flash Personal cookware is simplicity. Basically, it contains fewer parts: 1 liter of the FluxRing cooking cup, adjustable burner, and fuel canister. The fuel canister and stainless steel burner stow suitably inside the cup. This makes backpacking remarkably easy.
Design & Durability
The cooking system’s construction is undoubtedly higher end with the burner being made of stainless steel and the cooking cup of aluminum. Both these metals are known for their durability, which is an incredibly important factor when assessing outdoors products. You want to know that a bit of rough and tumble won’t break your brand new stove, and we’re fairly confident you can be sure of the stove’s durability.
The cookware seems to be a cooperation of a well-made cooking cup and an unrivaled ignition system. Out of the box, you will observe at first glance the cute packaging. Each piece fits in the cup for easy transport. This simply signifies how resourceful and versatile the design is when compared to other backpacking stoves in the market.
The multipurpose plastic cover found at the bottom of The Flash Personal Cooking System’s cooking cup is very useful for the minimalist outdoor packer. You’ll find that it has three uses (that we can think of), namely use as a measuring cup, a small bowl, and as a protective cover on the bottom of the cooking cup to keep your hands from being burnt by the heat while you enjoy whatever is inside.
The cooking system has a clever tripod for added efficiency. The tripod is specifically engineered to be used on rugged terrain and accommodates the little stove perfectly. We think the idea has a fair bit of merit, and anyone who has spilt hot water on themselves before, is sure to agree. The tripod doesn’t add any inconvenience to your transportation needs either as it folds up and fits with the rest of the system into the cooking cup.
The cooking cup of The Flash Personal cookware not only includes something useful at its base (the plastic cover), but also at its top. Built into the neoprene upper lining of the cup is a wonderful little heat indication window. This window will slowly turn orange as the interior contents of the cup heats up, which is a highly resourceful feature when boil water.
You could probably tell that the cup is ready without this window when you are boiling water as the device tends to make a small bubbling sound and let off some steam. Where the heat indication window really shines is when you are cooking up a delicious rehydrated mini meal. Just sit back and relax and wait for the little window to turn orange to let you know your food is hot and ready to be consumed.
The Flash Personal Cooking System is ready to go in any weather thanks to the elemental resistance screen. The system not only runs off hot jet fuel, but protects its flame from wind and rain by utilizing a barrier around its flame area. This is great because when it is cold and rainy what can often help to brighten your mood the most is a nice cup of hot cocoa or coffee – this stove makes that possible.
Ease of Use & Efficiency
To use the stove, you have to link the canister to the clever tripod. There is an ignition button, which you have to push to turn on the stove once you have switched on the gas flow. The igniter has actually simplified your work. Then add water to the 1 liter cup and have it fixed to the stainless steel burner. The one liter capacity will allow you to prepare two cups of hot coffee or cocoa in two minutes.
Basically, the one liter capacity is sufficient, but you are strongly urged to boil less amount of water at a time to circumvent accidents. The reputation of the Jetboil Flash Personal cookware is attributed to its boil time. In actual fact, the boil time is the main reason why most outdoorsmen like the cooking system. Impressively, the stove boils one liter of water in two minutes under normal conditions, and four minutes in extreme conditions.
Storage after Use
To ensure the durability of the cookware, you have to store it correctly after every use. Once you are done cooking, turn the control valve off so as to put out the flame. Then go ahead and separate the cup from the base of the stainless steel burner. Have the stabilizer removed from the fuel canister. At that point, unbolt fuel container from the burner base.
Make sure you replace the plastic fuel cap. For easy storage, position the stabilizer in the bottom of the cup, followed by the burner base, and eventually the fuel canister. Place the lid to secure the items inside the cup. Never forget to disconnect the fuel cartridge once you are done cooking. To ensure the cup is not damaged, you are advised to wash it by hand.
Unique Features
Jetboil FluxRing Technology: The burner is handily connected to the cooking cup by use of FluxRing tech. This ensures there is minimal or no heat loss during boiling or cooking, thus better boil times.
Built-in Windscreen: Unlike traditional camping stoves that are known not to function properly in windy conditions, the Jetboil Flash Personal has a built-in windscreen that allows it to perform exceptionally in windy climate.
A Resourceful Neoprene Lining: The cooking cup is enclosed by a neoprene lining that maintains the warmth of drinks and food for the considerable time duration. The lining also incorporates a color changing window that always signals when food or drinks are hot.
Quick Ignition Ability: The quick ignition ability of The Flash Personal Cooking System makes it ideal for big families who will have multiple users handling it. There is an auto-start filament built into the system which enables the jet flame to be created without the use of matches. Anyone who has ever forgotten to pack matches for their trip will know that this is a big help.
Value for Money & Guarantee
The Jetboil Flash Personal Cookware is worth your every dollar. The price is reasonable when you consider its amazing features and performance, especially its boil time. At approx. $100, you get a fully functioning stove that prevails both in normal and windy conditions. Some individuals may consider it to be an expensive unit; but camping and hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the price.
There are compatible accessories and products that are sold separately, including: 1.5L cooking pot, 1.8L spare cup, 1L tall spare cup, and an 8-inch FluxRing fry pan. There is a manufacturer’s warranty for the cooking system in case it does not perform as expected under normal use. However, the warranty does not cover damages due to improper use, accidents, negligence, poor maintenance, and normal wear and tear.
The Jetboil Flash Personal is the best backpacking canister stove system that addresses the shortcomings of traditional cooking systems. The most defining feature of the Jetboil Flash Personal is the fact that it is an integrated stove system. As aforementioned, it combines a fuel cartridge with an effective built-in windscreen, stabilizer, stainless steel burner and a FluxRing cooking cup.
As far as the Flash Personal cooking system is concerned, every part has its unique purpose and contributes to the general performance of the stove. The FluxRing heat exchanger makes sure that the flame is uniformly distributed at the base of the cup so as to maximize fuel efficiency. The creative temperature indicator alerts you when food or drink is hot and cooked, saving fuel.
The adjustable burner is enclosed by an inbuilt windscreen so as to reduce heat loss and at the same time improve fuel efficiency. You really do not need a match to ignite the stove, since the push button electric igniter is enough to start a flame. This makes the Flash Personal System a very reliable choice for emergency situations other than regular outdoor adventures.
Pros:
- Stabilizing tripod base for added convenience & safety
- Plastic cover acts as a measuring cup, small bowl & heat protector
- Interactive cooking window indicates when food is hot & ready
- Fabric cozy provides helpful handle and attractive exterior
- The overall construction is high quality with durable materials
- Resistive barrier allows the stove to be used in any weather conditions
- Auto-start filament for matchless immediate ignition included
Cons:
- 32-ounce capacity only provides enough room for 1 or 2 people rehydrated meal preparations.
- Relying on the supply of isobutene and propane gas (unable to run off renewable energy)
- Does not work well in high altitudes and very cold climates.
A decent Jetboil stove is a worthwhile investment that can take hours off your outdoor ‘chores’ time over the course of years. The Flash Personal Cooking System is one of our favorite choices because of its clever design and easy portability. If you’re looking to create quick and easy meals or simply boil water for purification, then it’s a great option.
Are you an avid camper, hiker, fisher or general outdoors enjoyer? If so, then you’ve probably already discovered the amazing benefits of having a decent campfire. An outdoor stove takes that one step further and provides you with not only warmth and light, but a convenient fireplace to cook/boil water over as well. Add to that functionality the USB charging ports built into BioLite Wood stoves and you’ve got the best thing since portable tents.These smart stoves are absolutely amazing. As such, we’ve decided to write a full BioLite stove review on our favorite one: The BioLite Wood Burning Campstove. We’ll cover the good, the bad and the ugly about this little stove in this review. So if you’ve been looking for a camp stove in general or at this one in particular, then be sure to read this review. We’ll start with the specifications.
Review
Packaging
This unit will be shipped to you in a 5 by 5 by 8.3 inch box that weighs 2.9 pounds. The unit itself is lightweight and compact, weighing in at 2.1 pounds. This means that you should have no trouble fitting it in a backpack in case you need to carry it with you on a hike. Plus, it definitely won’t weigh you down.
The stove consists of two main components: the stove itself and the power module (where the USB port, fan and internal battery are located). The power module can be placed inside the stove when not in use, reducing its size considerably to be the same as a 1-liter Nalgene water bottle. It also has a grill top for balancing your pots when placed on top the stove. It also comes with a nylon stuff sack that you can place it in after unboxing for proper storage.
Design and Durability
The BioLite Wood Burning Camp stove is a sturdy piece of equipment built to make outdoor fire use easy. Its technology features are some of the best in the outdoor stove industry, including both a USB charging port and fans to help fires burn hotter. That it runs off biomass as well makes this stove particularly attractive due to emergency and environmental benefits.
The stove’s frame is mostly made up of aluminium. This metal is known for being both strong and lightweight, which is a great combination for any portable item. Although still too heavy to carry on extremely long hikes, we certainly think it’d earn an easy spot in the car or boat transport as well as short backpack trips.
The creators of the stove have made it a good size in terms of dimensions, not adding more than needed but not leaving anything crucial out either. You might want to test carry an item of similar weight and dimensions to ascertain whether this stove is right for you.
Overall the shape and outer design of this stove are well thought through. They complement its inner, smart technology design well, by making it functional. We appreciate that they’ve kept it relatively small so as to make it easier to transport. There are a few other feature worth mentioning though, so here’s our take on the main features to be aware of if you’re thinking about buying this stove.
Unique Features
This stove comes with some rather unique features that give it an edge over the competition.
Thermoelectric Generator: This BioLite Campstove allows its owners to personally generate electricity from nothing more than burning wood. This means that you can choose to take a variety of USB chargeable items with you when visiting the great outdoors and charge them as you cook or boil food/water. This thermo-electric generator is perfect for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors while remaining contact-able.
You’ll get approximately 60 minutes of talk time on regular smart phones from 20 minutes of charging time on a strong fire. We’d recommend turning off your electronic devices now and again anyway to enjoy the outdoors more, but in general this is a fantastic concept. The best part about it is that the thermo-electric generator technology works off principles and airflow, meaning it’s usable for as many times as you want or have wood for. No running out of battery charge ever again!
Burn Increasing Fan: The internal fan and gas jets built into the BioLite Campstove is ideal for outdoors people who want to get their fires up and running quickly (and don’t we all?). Having appropriate kindling or dry wood certainly helps, but isn’t a necessity with this cool stove’s design.
The HI/LO set-able fans push air into your fire which improves the combustion system. You’ll get a hotter, more efficient flame, much faster, and some find the air circulation helps with smoke control as well. If you intend to get started on making your fires late in the evening, this is a perfect choice for you.
Biomass Fuel System: The BioLite Campstove takes renewable energy to a whole new level. The system not only runs off renewable biomass like twigs and sticks found while out and about, but also takes that renewable energy and turns into electrical energy to charge your devices with! We love that it’s not reliant on coals or petroleum. It’s a much more environmentally friendly approach to fire starting and we give it a big thumbs up for that.
NOTE: This stove would be useful in emergency situations because it is not reliant on petroleum or electricity to start. You can charge your electronic devices from it, despite power line outages using just biomass (twigs and wood) from your surrounding gardens. Stay on the grid!
User Friendly Interface: The big, ON button, and easily discernible USB charging port on the BioLite Campstove, are just a couple of the user friendly features of the design. When looking for a smart camp stove you ideally want something that anyone can use. This system makes it easy to start fires by storing a little charge to fan your initial fire starting with.
That means even beginner fire starters should be able to get the flames going in this stove. For those who have tried fire starting themselves, you’ll know it’s not always as easy as it looks, especially if your wood is damp. That’s why the user friendly fans and gas jets to help start this stove’s fires are so great.
Value for Money and Guarantee
Once you consider how much you will actually be saving in terms of purchasing fuel for a gas powered stove, the decision to get the BioLite Campstove becomes easy. Furthermore, you also don’t need to buy any extra emergency battery packs in case your phone dies on you.
The unit costs approx. $130 on Amazon. It is currently not available on the BioLite website, so people looking for this unit will have to purchase it on Amazon. Once you add up the specifications, it is easy to tell that getting the BioLite Campstove will provide you with great value for your money.
We would definitely recommend this BioLite Wood Burning Campstove to anyone looking for a high quality piece of fire making and cooking outdoor equipment. Do, however, ensure that you are aware of the size and weight of the item prior to purchase. To get it to your outdoor spot you’ll have to transport it!
In addition, we’d also recommend taking a couple of small fire-starting cubes and some waterproof matches with you when you head out. This will make the fire-starting process even easier, though the design of the camp stove makes that pretty easy already.
A final note is to choose pots and pans to use with this system that are metal, no more than 10 inches in diameter, and no more than 8 pounds in weight. Other than that, this stove is ready to go. You’ll find it adds a whole new level of cool to your outdoor experience and makes cooking/boiling food/water so much easier. When it comes to camp stoves it can be worth digging a little deeper in your pocket to get a great multifunctional product, that will go the distance with you.
PROS:
- Compatible with most common USB devices
- Can generate better flames than average stoves because of its fans and gas jets
- Easy to use scalloped upper design supplies a sturdy surface for pots and pans
- Cool to the touch safety conscious honeycomb exterior
- Aluminium frame is lightweight and strong
- Smart technology runs completely on biomass fuel which is renewable and readily available
CONS:
- Slightly heavy
- Somewhat bulky
(Some may find that carrying a portable camp stove around is too inconvenient when they know they can just find sticks and build a fire on the ground at their destination site).
A pros and cons list is good to ensure that you get an unbiased review, and we hope that you agree with us that the pros more than make up for the cons. This is based on our educated opinion, and we are confident in recommending this stove as one of the most highly efficient, easy-to-use and useful outdoor stoves around. If you take it to the great outdoors for off-grid living, you will not be disappointed.
Every year, thousands of hikers and backpackers head into the back country and wilderness to enjoy the beauty of nature. If you are one of those happy campers you know the need for a small, lightweight, reliable stove that heats warm nutritious delicious meals time after time. One of the best ways of cooking in the outdoors is with an alcohol burner stove because of their simple, no moving part design and readily available fuel.
So simple, in fact, that there are D.I.Y versions, but if you want a durable, well made, quality burner, with a design that stands the test of time, you cannot choose better than the Esbit Brass. These awesome little stoves have been tried and true, world favorites for decades.
With all its qualities the Esbit Brass Alcohol Burner Camping Stove with Variable Temperature Control is the perfect companion for any outdoor adventure or expedition, whether you are making a short day trip, a long weekend or a week of back country trekking. Kayakers, mountain bikers, as well as any others who want to enjoy nature, will find this little stove a welcome addition to their pack.
Review
Packaging
This alcohol burner will ship in a box just a little bigger than the product dimensions, which are 6.8 x 6 x 2 inches. The product weighs 3.2 oz and when shipped will weigh 4 oz. It will come already put together, including a leak proof rubber seal.
Durability and Design
The Esbit stove is made under German quality assurance systems in high quality, corrosive free brass that can take a few knocks without showing any signs of damage, not that dropping it down the side of a mountain is a recommended test for durability. The actual stove has no moving parts and there are no burners to break or wear out so they are not as susceptible to damage as some other types of cookers.
It is robust enough to cram into a small space in your pack and takes up minimal space. This durability ensures that you won’t find yourself with a broken cooker when you arrive at your remote campsite after 8 hours hiking.
Flame Regulator
The Esbit Alcohol Stove has a flame regulator so you can choose to cook with fully open heat, partly open for simmering or close it to extinguish the flame. The regulator has a unique and practical fold away handle that allows you to adjust the flame without getting your fingers close to the hot burner. Esbit was the first to introduce this design feature.
It essentially will not fail to work so long as you have fuel and it can be placed in a wind sheltered spot. The secure, sealed lid means you can close any unused fuel in the stove rather than decant it back into a fiddle bottle or worse, have to waste.
Fuel for alcohol stoves is relatively easy to find and inexpensive to buy at many universal retailers. It is cheaper than most fuels for alternative stoves. The stove has a low profile so there is less likelihood of accidental tipping over while cooking, although caution should always be taken with any naked flame.
Fuel
The required fuel is relatively lightweight and you only need to pack the amount you need for the estimated meals so no unnecessary weight. Fuel is always on hand; just fill the stove and light it. You don’t need to scramble around looking for dry firewood when it has been raining all day.
Ultralight hikers can buy fuel in larger quantities and decant into suitable smaller bottles to pack. These are advantageous for carrying smaller quantities, but should be unbreakable, leak proof, and the better ones, have pouring measurements and flip-top caps for ease of use.
You can use the Esbit Alcohol Stove with alternative purpose made equipment, for instance the Esbit Pot Stand. The latter is designed for easy placement and removal of the stove, as well as for easy adjustment of the simmer regulator when in use.
Manufacturer Recommendations
For simple, delicious meals, it is best to plan for one pot cooking that is water based. Each meal should take about 20-30 minutes to cook and use about 2/3ounce of fuel with 2 cups of water for two normal servings or one large serving.
Cook meals to a basic recipe with 2 cups of water. Always cover with a lid to be more efficient and bring to the boil. When boiling, stir in the chosen ingredients and bring to boil again with lid. Either turn down to simmer and let the fuel run out. Leave the meal to sit covered for another 5 – 10 minutes.
Use easily transportable foods like rice, small shape pasta, noodles, whole or rolled grains, dehydrated vegetables and fruit, dried meat, fish, and eggs (if you can carry safely). If weight is not so much an issue you can take fresh vegetables, cans of beans, fish, etc. Use first, those ingredients that may deteriorate or break.
All stoves can be dangerous, so a list of precautions:
- Always consider the weather conditions before lighting
- Do not cook on any inflammable surface
- Remove all flammable materials close by
- Have an extinguisher of some description on hand
- Never leave a fire unattended
Value for the Money
This product is generally beloved by those who have used it and they state that this product is definitely worth the money. Moderately priced, you are getting a product that works, and is leak proof. While there are some more pricey, and less pricey, this alcohol burner is worth the price you pay.
As a basic description, the Esbit Alcohol Stove looks like a small metal can with a series of holes around the rim. At first glance it may be easy to think such a simple looking stove should be easy to copy but Esbit stoves have a few extra important features that continue to make it a market leader.
On closer inspection, you will see an inner cylinder wall which is one the reasons the Esbit Alcohol Stove is so efficient and reliable. When filled with suitable fuel, some of the fuel fills that compartment between inner and outer walls. When the fuel is lit, evaporation develops pressure gradients that ensure the flames burn forcefully through those specifically sized and placed perimeter holes for maximum heat and efficiency.
PROS:
- Made from quality, corrosive free brass
- Covered with a secure brass lid fitted with a durable rubber seal
- Compact dimensions -2 x 6 x 6.75 inches
- Lightweight – 0.2 lb
- Has a low profile setup
- Flame regulator for simmering and shut off
- Flame regulator has a folding handle
- Fuel can be carried in the stove
- Manufactured to German design standards
CONS:
- Small, easy to lose
- Can develop cracks on the outside over time that will leak
- Does not match all Esbit stove kits
- Have to remove the Heat Control portion to adjust
- The flame is orange instead of blue
There are various reports that the stove will operate efficiently over many altitudes from sea level up to 12,000 feet, although the higher altitudes may mean colder temperatures do make the stove more difficult to light. Again, however, reviewers have reported using the stove at below freezing levels and it is worth noting that Scandinavian military forces use alcohol stoves all year round when temperatures drop to below -30 F.
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