Long Term Report: Jetboil Personal Cooking System
Date: Oct 4, 2004 Manufacture Information Name: Jetboil Website: http://www.jetboil.com	Product Information Manufacture: Jetboil Model: PCS (Personal Cooking System) Year of Manufacture: 2004 Color: Aluminum & Black Size: N/A MSRP: $79(US) Listed Weight: 14 oz (397 g) Measured Weight: 15.4 oz (436 g)   Individual Component Weights Description Weight Cooking Cup & Cozy 7.4 oz (210 g) Lid 1.1 oz (32 g) Burner 6.0 oz (170 g) Lower Cup Protector 0.9 oz (25 g) 100 g JetBoil Fuel Canister 6.8 oz (193 g)
Photo: Cramer Lake Summit, Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho, USA

Long Term Test Results

As identified in my previous reports, I'm impressed by Jetboil's fuel efficiency.  I've boiled over 35 qts  (35 l) of water through the test period and averaged 0.85 to 0.95 oz (2.4 to 2.7 g) of fuel consumption per 8oz (250 ml)  of water boiled.  After a few trips it became evident that I could conservatively estimate 0.1 oz (2.8 g) of fuel per cup (250 ml) of water.  No more guessing how much fuel to take or if there is enough fuel in a canister.  On average I boil 5 cups (1250 ml) of water per day.  Because I don't filter my cooking water,  I generally use the stove at about 50% output,  thus extending the time required to bring the water to a boil.  Additionally it allows more time for my food to rehydrate, and improves the fuel efficiency as was demonstrated in my Jetboil Initial Report.  I weigh and label all my canisters and know exactly how much fuel is remaining.  Since I know it takes 0.1oz (2.8 g) of fuel per cup I know which used canister is appropriate.

I used 4 canisters of fuel through my testing, 2 Jetboil 3.51 oz (100 g) and 2 GlowMaster 8.1 oz (230 g).  One GlowMaster was Isobutane and the other a Butane/Propane mix.  All performed equally well and worked well when nearly empty.  Both fuel mixtures had similar characteristics of lower pressure/boil times when at or below freezing.  The output/flame was about 50% due to lack of pressure.  For the reader that is not aware, butane and isobutane do not vaporize near freezing, thus propane is added to remedy this.  Propane burns a little hotter, but a pure propane canister is thick and heavier than butane/isobutane mixtures.

Jetboil, is little affected by wind, but can be a little hard to light in higher winds.  I have to shield the base on the windward side with my hand until I got the stove burning, and keep the stove turned up high.

I was concerned about stability of the small 3.51 oz (100 g) canister, but became accustomed to making sure I have a very stable/level base to set the stove on.  Two cups (500 ml) is the recommended fill limit, but I found that 3 cups (750 ml) performs well.  Anything over that, expect it to boil over, and serious stove instability.

I used the Jetboil for all but one summer trip.  That trip was with my wife and she likes pancakes and bacon for breakfast, thus I took my older technology canister stove, titanium pot, and 8" frying pan.  I thought about sticking long tent pegs in the ground and using them to suspend the frying pan above the stove, but decided it wasn't worth the effort.

The Jetboil stove is an ounce (28 g) heavier than my above mentioned older canister stove with titanium pot, but since the Jetboil it is so compact, self storing, and provides an insulated drinking cup, I have no desire to go back to my older stove.  The extra weight is also compensated by the fuel efficiency on extended trips.

Modifications:  I trimmed the nibbles on the plastic bottom protector so I could get it off more readily, trimmed the top lid a little to make it easier to remove, and drilled a new vent in the top lid for when my nose blocks the present vent. 

Summary

Pros:

• Light weight

• Compact and self contained

• Very fuel efficient

• Well insulated cup

• Ease of use

Cons:

• Needs optional 1.3 liter cup/pot in addition to the current ½ liter cup for larger groups that will also accommodate 200 gr fuel canister

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 47

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, mostly 3 day trips with at least one 7 day trip per year.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are light weight solo and the other half with my family.  I own a llama that was purchased when my 3^rd child was 2, some 10 years ago.  This allowed me to continue backpacking as a family activity.  When I’m not with the family/llama I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  In recent years I’ve begun substituting a collie for the llama.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.