Jetboil PCS

Owner Review

16 November 2005

 

Reviewer: Jeremiah Kost 45 year old male 1.80 m (5’ 11”) 68 kg (150 lb) Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA _jeremiahs_mail_“at”_att_“dot”_net_

Background: I have 33 years of backpacking experience in the western United States.  I’m a four-season backpacker, and my trips last from 2 to 30 days.  I do it all from  “ultralight” packing with a tarp to “heavyweight” backpacking.  I do not have a “typical” pack weight because I practice what I call “appropriate” backpacking, meaning that my pack weight is a function of location, season, duration, and intent.  I am also a mountaineer, rock climber, snowshoer, and telemark skier.  I have easy access to Rocky Mountain National Park, seven wilderness areas, National Forest, and foothills, so I get into the backcountry quite often.

Navigation: Product Description Test Environments Review Summary

 

Product:

Jetboil PCS (Personal Cooking System)

Manufacturer:  JetBoil

Url:   http://www.jetboil.com/

Year:  2002

Manufacturer’s stated weight:  425 g (15 oz)

Measured weight:  439 g (15.5 oz)

Manufacturer’s stated dimensions:  104 mm x 180 mm (4.1” x 7.1”)

Measured dimensions:  108 mm x 184 mm (4.25” x 7.25”)

Manufacturer’s stated power output:  1500 W (5100 BTU/hr)

Color:  Black

MSRP:  $79.95  US

 

Description:

The Jetboil PCS is an integrated stove/cooking vessel system that consists of five basic parts: the stove, a cooking vessel, a plastic cup, a plastic lid, and a fuel canister (sold separately).  The stove and cooking vessel lock together for cooking, and the stove cannot be used with an ordinary cooking vessel without a special adapter manufactured by Jetboil and sold separately.

 

The Jetboil utilizes canister-type fuel of the variety that connect with the industry standard EN417 valve specification.  Fuel canisters are available from Jetboil, Snowpeak, and MSR, and all use an isobutane/propane fuel mixture.  Note that only the 100 g (3.5 oz) Jetboil canister and the 110 g (3.9 oz) Snowpeak canister will store inside the cooking vessel, and that Jetboil only recommends the use of their own Jetboil fuel. 

 

The cooking vessel is a tall, narrow, hard-anodized aluminum pot that attaches to the stove by means of a bayonet-type mount and has a heat exchanger welded to its bottom surface.  The cooking vessel wears a removable nylon/neoprene cozy that utilizes a nylon-webbing strap for the grip, and has the appearance of a mug sitting atop a ring-type stand-off.  It also incorporates a plastic lid for the top, and a plastic cup that encloses and protects the mounting system and heat exchanger on the bottom.

 

The cooking vessel’s interior is 95 mm (3.75 in) in diameter by 143 mm (5.6 in) tall, and the exterior is 103 mm (4.1 in) in diameter by 178 mm (7.0 in) tall.  It will hold 1 liter (1 qt) of fluid, but there is a “MAX. SAFE FILL” line at 500 ml (2 cups).  Jetboil compares the size of the stowed system to that of a Nalgene® water bottle.  It is a little shorter and a little wider, and in fact, a 1 liter (1 qt) lexan® Nalgene® will fit easily inside the Jetboil cooking vessel while protruding only 60 mm (2.4 in).  The cooking vessel wearing its cozy weighs 210 g (7.4 oz).  The plastic lid and cup weigh 30 g (1.1 oz) each.

 

It is the built-in heat exchanger that allows the Jetboil PCS to use fuel more efficiently than a system without a heat exchanger by improving the flow of heat energy from the flame to the cooking vessel.  The heat exchanger basically increases the surface area of the bottom of the vessel, but it does so in a compact space that puts the fins in close proximity to the flame.

 

The stove portion of the system screws to the top of a fuel canister like other canister stoves, but looks much larger than other stoves because of the black synthetic frame which supports the other half of the mounting system and provides a three-legged support for the stove when it is removed from the fuel canister.  The stove itself weighs 169 g (6.0 oz), and feels sturdy to the touch.  It incorporates a built-in piezoelectric igniter that is activated by pushing a button.

 

Test Environments:

Test #1:  How long to boil tap water in my kitchen?

 

Given:

Ambient Temperature = 27°C (80°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 19°C (66°F)

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister.

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 2:45 (165 sec)

Water Temperature = 94°C (202°F)

Discussion:

I wonder what the conditions were for the manufacturer’s testing since they claim a two-minute boil time.  I have not been able to find any data for Jetboil’s tests.

 

Test #2:  How long to boil water in my kitchen with the cozy removed?

 

Given:

Ambient Temperature = 27°C (80°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 19°C (66°F)

No lid.

No cozy.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister.

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 2:50 (170 sec)

Water Temperature = 94°C (202°F)

Discussion:

Not much of a difference under windless conditions.

 

Test #3:  How long to boil ice-cold water in my kitchen?

 

Given:

Ambient Temperature = 27°C (80°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 1°C (34°F)

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister.

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 4:14 (254 sec)

Water Temperature = 94°C (202°F)

Discussion:

This time duration is closer to what I have seen in the field.

 

Test #4:  How many times can I boil 500 ml (2 cups) of tap water in my kitchen with a single Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister?

 

Given:

Ambient Temperature = 26°C (79°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister: 110g (3.9 oz) isobutane/propane mixture fuel.

Two test boils then let system return to ambient temperature.

Canister remains continuously attached for duration of test.

Stove ignited by lit butane lighter (stove starts instantly – no fuel waste).

Stove sets on enameled surface of stove (between the coils).

Water quantity in vessel was always 500 ml (2 cups).

Water brought to a rolling boil each time.

Data:

Set A:

Boil #1:    2:47 (167 sec) for water starting at 16°C (61°F)

Boil #2:    2:43 (163 sec) for water starting at 20°C (68°F)

Set B:

Boil #3:    3:01 (181 sec) for water starting at 16°C (60°F)

Boil #4:    3:08 (188 sec) for water starting at 14°C (58°F)

Set C:

Boil #5:    2:55 (175 sec) for water starting at 17°C (63°F)

Boil #6:    3:01 (181 sec) for water starting at 118°C (65°F)

Set D:

Boil #7:    2:56 (176 sec) for water starting at 16°C (60°F)

Boil #8:    3:22 (202 sec) for water starting at 16°C (60°F)

Set E:

Boil #9:    3:01 (181 sec) for water starting at 16°C (60°F)

Boil #10:  3:21 (201 sec) for water starting at 14°C (58°F)

Set F:

Boil #11:  3:05 (185 sec) for water starting at 14°C (58°F)

Boil #12:  3:39 (219 sec) for water starting at 14°C (57°F)

Set G:

Boil #13:  3:17 (197 sec) for water starting at 14°C (57°F)

Boil #14:  3:48 (228 sec) for water starting at 14°C (58°F)

Set H:

Boil #15:  3:18 (198 sec) for water starting at 16°C (60°F)

Boil #16:  3:58 (238 sec) for water starting at 15°C (59°F)

Set I:

Boil #17:  3:30 (210 sec) for water starting at 14°C (57°F)

Boil #18:  4:23 (263 sec) for water starting at 14°C (57°F)

Set J:

Boil #19:  3:46 (226 sec) for water starting at 14°C (57°F)

Last attempt:  Water only reached 90°C before canister ran out of fuel

Find:

500 ml (2 cups) of water brought to a rolling boil 19 times.

A total of 9 liters (9.5 qt) of tap water brought to a rolling boil.

Variations in boil times even for water of same temperature.

Discussion:

Seems like a reasonable number given my field experience with the stove.  Jetboil suggests that for trip planning purposes I should expect 10 liters (10.5 qt) on a single 100g (3.5 oz) Jetboil fuel canister, but that seems a bit optimistic given my 9 liters (9.5 qt) with a 110 g (3.9 oz) Snowpeak fuel canister under rather ideal conditions in my kitchen.  I would have expected a higher yield from my test than Jetboil’s field estimate of 10 liters (10.5 qt) given the extra 10 g (0.4 oz) of fuel, the windless conditions, and the 1524 m (5000 ft) elevation, but of course I have no knowledge of their test parameters.

 

 

 The graph shows that the time required to bring the 500 ml (2 cups) of water to a rolling boil increases with each use of the canister.  I believe this is a result of decreasing vapor pressure within the fuel canister as fuel is consumed with each cooking session.  A decrease in vapor pressure within the fuel canister will result in less fuel output, and therefore less heat output per unit of time.

 

I used two 500 ml (2 cups) boil sets – allowing the system to return to equilibrium with ambient temperature between the sets – because it is typical for me to use the stove this way in the backcountry.  The first water boil might be for a dehydrated meal, and the second for a hot beverage or a companion’s meal.

 

I thought I saw another pattern, so I separated the events into first boil (blue) and second boil (red) groups.  The data within each of the two subgroups have a closer relationship than the data as a whole.  I believe this is a result of the canister being cooler for the second boil (an expanding gas cools its container), which in turn would reduce vapor pressure and fuel output.  So, the second boil times are increased by decreased vapor pressure resulting from both less fuel in the canister and a cooling of the canister.

 

Warming the canister, or keeping the canister warm, (e.g., keeping the canister in an inside jacket pocket when the ambient temperature is low) will increase internal pressure and decrease the time required to heat water.  (Jetboil states:  “Do not place a windscreen or shield around Jetboil.  The fuel canister can overheat and explode.”)

 

Test # 5:  How long to bring 500 ml (2 cups) of ice-cold water to a rolling boil with a partial canister?

 

Given:

Location: My Kitchen

Ambient Temperature = 24°C (75°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 3°C (37°F)

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister 55% full (by weighing).

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 3:54 (234 sec)

Discussion:

I recorded the temperature of the water in 30-second intervals to determine the linear relationship between the water temperature and elapsed time.

 

Test # 6:  How long to bring 500 ml (2 cups) of ice-cold water to a rolling boil with a partial canister and the lid installed?

 

Given:

Location: My Kitchen

Ambient Temperature = 24°C (75°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 3°C (37°F)

Lid installed on cooking vessel

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister 45% full (by weighing).

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 3:42 (222 sec)

Discussion:

Under windless conditions, the lid doesn’t seem to make a significant difference.

 

Test #7:  How long to bring 500 ml (2 cups) of ice-cold water to a rolling boil with a partial canister cooled to a temperature near freezing?

 

Given:

Location: My Kitchen

Ambient Temperature = 24°C (75°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 3°C (37°F)

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister 45% full (by weighing) in a 1°C (34°F) ice water bath.

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 5:58 (358 sec)

Discussion:

This test was to simulate cold ambient conditions.  The ice-cold canister took a couple of extra minutes to get the water to rolling boil.

 

Test #8:  How long to boil water in a non-Jetboil cooking vessel?

 

Given:

Location: My Kitchen

Ambient Temperature = 24°C (75°F)

Wind Speed = 0 m/s (0 mph)

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 15°C (59°F)

Aluminum vessel 130 mm (5.1 in) in diameter by 60 mm (2.4 in) tall.

No lid.

No cozy.

Vessel suspended 19 mm (.75 in) off the top of the burner.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister 100% full.

Find:

Elapsed time to rolling boil = 3:06 (186 sec)

Discussion:

I did not expect this result.  It is not significantly different than when using the Jetboil cooking vessel.

 

 

The first and most significant result I noticed when reviewing this chart is that the stove boiled water just as fast with a non-Jetboil cooking vessel under windless conditions.  The second is the slopes of the lines:  when the canister is at an ambient temperature of about 26°C (79°F) the water is heated at a rate of roughly 0.5°C/second (1°F/second) and when the canister is at an ambient temperature of about 1°C (34°F) then the heating rate is about half of that, or 0.25°C/second (0.5°F/second).  The chart shows that I can improve my boiling time by starting with warmer water and/or by (carefully) keeping the canister warm.  (Jetboil states:  “Do not place a windscreen or shield around Jetboil.  The fuel canister can overheat and explode.”)

 

Test #9:  How long to boil water under windy conditions using an ordinary cooking vessel with the Jetboil stove?

 

Given:

Location: My Kitchen

Ambient Temperature = 23°C (73°F)

Wind Speed = Constant unknown rate simulated with a fan.

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 17°C (63°F)

Aluminum vessel 130 mm (5.1 in) in diameter by 60 mm (2.4 in) tall.

Vessel suspended 19 mm (.75 in) off the top of the Jetboil burner.

No cozy.

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister with only 3 minutes of use (1 boil).

Find:

At 9:00 (540 sec) the water temperature had only reached 54°C when using an ordinary cooking vessel.

Discussion:

The rate of heating was very slow, so at nine minutes I shut the stove off.

 

Test #10:  How long to boil water under windy conditions using the Jetboil PCS?

 

Given:

Location: My Kitchen

Ambient Temperature = 23°C (73°F)

Wind Speed = Constant unknown rate simulated with a fan.

Elevation = 1524 m (5000 ft) Above Sea Level

Water Quantity = 500 ml (2 cups)

Water Temperature = 16°C (61°F)

No lid.

Snowpeak GP-110 fuel canister with only 12 minutes of use.

Find:

The water reached a rolling boil in 3:15 (195 sec).

Discussion:

This time is very similar to the times recorded for windless conditions!

 

 

The simulated wind was a small window fan set at a distance of about 0.8 m (30 in) from the stove.  The movement of wind was strong enough that the stove had to be lit away from the test area and then moved into place with the control valve all the way open.

 

What a significant difference in heating rates!  The Jetboil is performing as if the wind source does not exist.  The heating rate in this test matches the heating rate of the Jetboil tested under windless conditions (slope = 0.4°C/sec for both tests).  The heating rate of the ordinary cooking vessel is four times slower, and even though it looks linear in this range, I suspect that it would turn out to be exponential with an upper limit that would be below the boiling point of water due to heat losses resulting from wind reaching equilibrium with the heat input of the stove.  I say this because toward the end of the test with the ordinary vessel the temperature was only increasing by about 1°C (2°F) every 30 seconds.

 

Discussion of indoor test results:

Initial water temperature will determine the time required to reach a boil and the amount of fuel consumed.  The time required to reach a rolling boil increases as the amount of fuel in the canister decreases.  There is a linear relationship between the water temperature during heating and elapsed time of stove operation.  Cooler ambient temperatures will increase the time required to reach a rolling boil.  The Jetboil demonstrates its advantage under breezy conditions likely to be encountered in the field.  What is the Jetboil advantage?  I think it is a heat exchanger that functions very well as a wind screen, and an insulated cooking vessel. Under field conditions at 1524 m (5000 ft) or above and with ambient temperatures at or below 27°C (80°F), 9 liters (9.5 qt) of boiled water per 110 g (3.9 oz) Snowpeak fuel canister would seem to be an upper limit.

 

 

 

Test #11:  Backcountry trip in the Rocky Mountains at elevations of 2896 to 3078 m (9500 to 10,100 ft) and at ambient temperatures ranging from 0°C to 21°C (32°F to 70°F):

 

A single Snowpeak GP-110 canister lasted for a six-day backcountry trip where I used the stove to heat water for breakfast and supper.  I used the stove in areas protected from the wind.  On this trip I was using treated water (filtered) to cook with so I didn’t have to bring the water to a rolling boil for safety.  I don’t like to use boiling water for hot drinks like tea because it takes too long for the drink to cool for consumption, so I’ll just heat it up until bubbles are beginning to form on the bottom of the vessel.  For commercial dehydrated meals I always use water that has been brought to a rolling boil in order to achieve full reconstitution.  For my homemade dehydrated meals, I don’t quite need a rolling boil.  On this trip I used two commercial dehydrated meals and the rest were of my own making.  I would say that on average I heated about 750 ml (3 cups) of water per meal for a total of 10 hot meals.

 

Test #12:  Backcountry trip to the Rocky Mountains at 3048 m (10,000 ft) elevation and at ambient temperatures ranging from 0°C to 4°C (32°F to 40°F):

 

I used one of my partially full Snowpeak GP-110 canisters for a three-day backcountry trip.  Both mornings about 3 mm (1/8 in) of ice had formed in my water bucket, and on one of the evenings it snowed lightly, so I was able to test the Jetboil PCS at freezing temperatures.  Other than taking a bit longer to get the (untreated) water to a rolling boil, the stove worked fine and I enjoyed hot meals and drinks.  There was next to no wind each time the stove was used.  I made no attempt to warm the canister – which was stored hanging from a tree with my food – before or during use, and I used a frosty log for a table.

 

Test #13:  Backcountry hike in Rocky Mountains 3383 m (11,100 ft) with an ambient temperature of about 7°C (45°F):

 

Used the Jetboil PCS to make a cup of tea while on a hike.  This is the highest elevation that I can recall using the stove, and it worked fine.  A slight breeze was blowing, but I utilized a boulder as a wind block for the stove.

 

Discussion of outdoor results:

I feel confident that I can get five days out of a 110g (3.9 oz) fuel canister, heating water for breakfast and supper, if I treat the water before use.  I’ve done it on at least two occasions at similar elevations and temperatures (e.g., see Test #8).  Near-freezing temperatures don’t seem to be a problem for stove operation, or elevations up to 3383 m (11,100 ft).

 

I believe that the combination of the heat exchanger (which also functions as a wind screen), the neoprene cozy, and the plastic lid works together as a very functional system to maximize heat transfer to the cooking vessel while reducing heat loss under windy conditions.  Not to mention that because the cooking vessel locks to the stove I can move the system around easily as the wind changes direction (or for other reasons) without concern for knocking the cooking vessel off of the stove.

 

Further discussion of these test results:

I ran the Jetboil with the fuel control valve wide open for all these tests.  By doing so, any subjective adjustment of the fuel control valve to achieve “optimum performance” or to maximize the number of boils attainable from a fuel canister has been eliminated.  I tried to use test methods that could be easily repeated by myself or anyone else.  One possible result of this manner of testing is that the Jetboil may be capable of boiling more water per canister than my tests indicate – my tests may be a “worst case scenario”.

 

When I use the Jetboil PCS in the field, I run it with the fuel control valve wide open as well.  Why?  Since my purchase of the stove about three years ago, I have felt that the orifice may be too restrictive.  With the valve wide open there does not seem to be much heat escaping from the heat exchanger.  Additionally, as the fuel control valve is opened, it seems to plateau rather quickly, with any additional opening of the valve having no apparent effect on the flame intensity.  Is there a problem with the design, or not?

 

I’ve come to the conclusion that the Jetboil is well designed for the backcountry.  First of all, the Jetboil’s impressive backcountry performance has won over many of my hiking companions, some to the point of purchasing their own Jetboil.  Second, Jetboil claims a “lower firing rate [that] reduces canister cooling and increases performance” (See:  “Does the Jetboil work in cold weather?” in the FAQ section of the Jetboil site).  Third, with a power output of only 1500 W (5100 BTU/hr), the Jetboil is at the very low end of the canister stove power spectrum.  I believe that the combination of the lower power output of the stove and the integrated cooking vessel with cozy and a heat exchanger that functions well as a windscreen makes for an easy to use and fuel efficient backcountry stove.

 

Further discussion about fuel:

I do not have any experience with Jetboil fuel because I will not buy it.  First, the price of a Jetboil fuel canister is significantly higher in my region.  Second, MSR canisters use the same 80/20 isobutane/propane mixture.  Third, Snowpeak’s fuel is an 85/15 isobutane/propane mixture, which is close enough to Jetboil fuel for me since isobutane and propane release the same amount of energy when burned.  In addition, Snowpeak’s canister holds 10g (0.4 oz) more fuel in a container that is the same size as a Jetboil container.  Fourth, they all use the same industry specified valve connection, the EN417.  How convenient for me.  This makes my stove much more flexible when I know that I have at least three brands of fuel canister to choose from instead of being limited to a proprietary fuel canister connection specific to my particular canister stove.  I believe it is our litigious society that forces manufacturers to say that they can only guarantee the stove when I use their fuel canister.  Finally, I weighed the two empty fuel canisters.  A (borrowed) punctured Jetboil fuel canister weighs the same as a punctured Snowpeak: 100 g (3.5 oz).  This tells me that the two canisters are – for all practical purposes – identical with regard to wall thickness and the ability to transfer heat energy when the liquid fuel is vaporizing.

 

Further discussion about how much water a Jetboil will boil:

From the Jetboil website (FAQ page):

 

“How much water does one canister of fuel boil?

A 100 gram canister of Jetpower fuel boils up to 12 liters of water. For trip planning, count on 10 liters per canister for some extra margin. If you're melting snow, assume 6 liters per canister. It never hurts to have an extra canister of fuel along, and it might make a big difference in comfort and safety.”

 

What I did not find was:  the initial temperature of the water, the ambient temperature, wind conditions, elevation, fuel control valve settings, or whether it was a “rolling boil”.  Without information like this, there is no way to re-create the test and verify results.  From my own experiments I know how important that information is in order to make a judgment of the experiment’s merits.

 

How useful is this information to me?  It doesn’t really mean very much.  I see that under some set of unknown and very ideal conditions that I might be able to boil 12 liters (13 qt), however, I should not expect those same results in the field so let’s hedge to 10 liters (11 qt).  Since I don’t melt snow, but I do use very cold snowmelt water, then I can expect to get somewhere between 6 to 10 liters (6 to 11 qt) of boiling water per Jetboil canister.  And I do get results within that range both in the kitchen and in the field, but will that information alone help me to plan a backcountry outing with one stove or multiple stoves that are sharing fuel canisters?  It’s not quite enough information for me.

 

The bottom line is that knowing some of the conditions of a test allows us to judge the merits of the test, or to extrapolate to another set of conditions.  I feel as if I have a pretty good feel for how much water I can boil based on my test results.  It is also very apparent that the initial water temperature strongly influences how fast the water will reach a boil, and this is something that I need to take into account when determining how much fuel to take into the backcountry.

  

Review:

I’ve been using a Jetboil PCS as my primary stove for the past three years, and I really like the system, but please let me make one thing clear:  I did not purchase this product because of all the claims the manufacturer or users have made.  I bought the Jetboil PCS because I saw value in these particular features:  heat exchanger, compact size & shape, and bayonet mount for the cooking vessel – not because of claims that it is the lightest, fastest, or that it can boil 12 liters (13 qt) of water using a single 100g (3.5 oz) fuel canister.

 

I use my Jetboil for backpacking, hiking, snowshoeing, car camping, and even for making a hot drink in my vehicle (but not while I’m driving or without having a window open for ventilation).  I do not cook in the backcountry the majority of the time, so a simple and convenient source of hot water is appreciated for re-hydrating meals or making beverages.  If I want to cook or go light, then I have other stove systems to choose among.  One 110 g (3.9 oz) Snowpeak fuel canister gets me through a five-day backpack heating water twice a day for breakfast & supper.

 

When using the Jetboil in the backcountry, I usually take a single 110 g (3.9 oz) Snowpeak fuel canister.  If I think that I will need more fuel than a single canister will supply then I will bring two of them because I can stow one in the Jetboil PCS and the other doesn’t take up much volume.  Car camping is a different story.  Since volume and weight are not an issue, I will switch to a 227 g (8 oz) MSR fuel canister to save money and to increase the stability of the Jetboil (larger fuel can has a larger diameter base).

 

As far as Jetboil’s claims with regard to the speed and efficiency of the Jetboil PCS, I would have to say “individual results may vary”.  The two-minute boil time and 12 liters  (13 quarts) of boiling water per canister must be under the most ideal conditions because I have never come close to those numbers in actual use.  In my experience a rolling boil takes about 4 minutes and I can expect about 15 of those per canister, which translates to about 7 liters (7.5 quarts) of boiling water.  So I don’t think of my Jetboil as the fastest or lightest system available, just one of the more efficient and convenient for creating hot water.

 

The plastic cup that fits to the bottom of the cooking vessel is useful for a couple of things.  I often loan that cup out to companions when I make tea for the both of us, and it will keep my own drink hotter longer when placed back onto the cooking vessel after it has been detached from the stove.  I would like to point out that the heat exchanger also works in reverse:  unless it is protected and insulated by the plastic cup when the vessel is removed from the stove, it will transfer the heat of the contents of the vessel to the atmosphere just as effectively as it transfers the heat of the flame to it.  The mounting ring will also conduct heat to any surface it is set on.  So, if I want to keep my hot drink hot, then I make use of the plastic cup, and I put the lid on as well.

 

With regard to stowing the Jetboil PCS, I do two things that make using the system easier and protect it as well.  First, once I attach a fuel canister to the stove, I leave it on for the duration of the trip, or until it is empty, whichever comes first.  This way no fuel is wasted every time the canister is attached or removed, and it keeps the two parts from bouncing against each other during travel since they are solidly locked together.  Second, I cover the fuel canister with a plastic bag to keep rust from staining the cooking vessel and to reduce abrasion due to any movement while in my backpack.  I have seen the bottom of a fuel can rust and stain the cooking vessel it was stored in within a single day.

 

After purchasing the Jetboil I had to make a couple of modifications to it.  The first was to carefully enlarge the bayonet mounting slots so that the stove would connect and lock to the cooking vessel as designed.  The other was to cut the inside tabs out of the bottom cup so that I could get it off the cooking vessel easily.  The manufacturer has redesigned the plastic cup on current version to make it easier to remove.

 

After three years of use, the top lid has a crack in it and the piezoelectric igniter has failed.  I removed the igniter to save a tiny bit of weight and have no plans to replace it since it only lasted slightly longer than the one-year warranty and I carry a butane lighter anyway.  Even when the piezoelectric igniter did work, I often used a butane lighter because I found it more effective.  The piezoelectric often did not ignite the fuel on the first attempt, and when it did finally ignite the fuel, there was a large, noisy flash resulting in singed hair on my hands.  My current method of lighting the Jetboil is to use a butane lighter with a long flame which I direct into the heat exchanger before I open the fuel valve.

 

The synthetic frame that supports the burner, the other half of the locking mechanism, the piezoelectric igniter, and the fuel control valve shows no sign of damage from the heat of the burner.

 

Summary:

The Jetboil PCS is quick and convenient with regard to use and carrying-ability when I just want hot water for a dehydrated meal or a beverage.

 

Positives:

*Heat exchanger excels under breezy conditions.

*Bayonet mounting system makes it easy to use.

*Nalgene® bottle shaped package makes it easy to pack.

 

Negatives:

*Not the lightest system available.

*I would not use it to actually cook food because of its narrow shape.

*Liquid volume is limited to about 500 ml (2 cups).