One of the most popular names in the industry for lightweight backpacking stoves, Jetboil debuted quite a few new products at Outdoor Retailer last week, especially for a company with a very specific product base. With five additions to their lineup of stoves and tools, there is something for everyone. Here’s a preview of their new products, available Spring 2011.
For those interested in saving every ounce of weight possible, the Jetboil Sol will be the go-to backpacking stove. Available in two materials, the ultra-compact stove weighs a scant 10.5 ounces for the aluminum version (Sol Al) and even less (9 ounces) for the titanium model (Sol Ti). Even with the ultralight classification, the Sol will perform in even the toughest conditions. Put to the test in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, the Sol will give you consistent heat down to 15 degree Fahrenheit using its Thermo-Regulate burner technology.
- Weight (System Only): 9 oz. Titanium or 10.5 oz. Aluminum
- Volume: 27 oz. (0.8 Liter)
- Boil Time: 16 oz. (0.5 Liter) = 2 minutes
- Water Boiled: 12 Liters per 100 g Jetpower canister
- Dimensions: 4.1” x 6.5”
The Zip is a no frills stove based on the popular and reliable PCS model stoves, but at a friendlier price point (MSRP $70). The Zip features a 0.8 liter cooking cup with insulating sleeve/cozy, adjustable burner, a lid that transforms into a pour spout and strainer, and a handy cover that double as a measuring cup or bowl.
- Weight: 11.75 oz
- Volume: 27 oz (0.8 Liter)
- Boil Time: 16 oz (1/2 Liter) = 2 minutes
- Water Boiled: 12 Liters per 100g Jetpower can
- Dimensions: 4.1” x 6.5”
The new Sumo is the ultimate add-on to any existing Jetboil stove. Compatible with every Jetboil stove, even the lightweight Sol and Zip models, the Sumo gives you enough room to boil 1 liter of water quickly and efficiently, it will be a staple in many basecamps. Though it seems like it would guzzle fuel to boil water so quickly, it does quite the opposite, matching the efficiency of the Zip and Sol stoves in terms of fuel consumption. Plus, when not in use, it can also double as storage, as it is large enough to house either a large fuel canister and burner base, or a Sol or Zip system for additional cooking options. MSRP $49.95.
For those obsessed with gadgets, the folks at Jetboil have one more product up their sleeve. Trying to find a way to reduce the amount of fuel canisters littering the landfills, they came up with the CrunchIt tool, a $7 tool that allows you to recycle empty fuel cans as tin/steel recyclables. The patent-pending tool vents the canisters, allowing the trace amounts of fuel to evaporate so that the cans can be recycled. There are discussions about starting recycling programs at local outdoor stores, but as of this writing nothing has been confirmed. However, we’ll be sure to post information about this program once in place.
I tested my new Jetboil SOL AL just yesterday in my kitchen.
Starting with cool water, it reached a boil in 1.5 minutes. I have used the old Jetboil for several years, and it generally take at least 2.5 min to boil. This stove is winner!