As somebody who spends many nights within the backcountry yearly, I’ve develop into all too aware of firing up backpacking stoves and consuming out of luggage. It’s a part of the gig if you’d like a sizzling meal at night time or espresso within the morning.
The reality is, although, not all stoves are created equal. Jetboil has at all times stood on the higher finish of issues by way of effectivity and reliability for me, however their system fell brief on bulk. So, after I noticed the Stash, the smallest, most light-weight range they provide, I needed to get my palms on it to try it out.
In brief: In case you are a backpack hunter trying to minimize weight out of your system however fearful about shedding effectivity, the Jetboil Stash will suit your wants. Simply be aware to not knock it over whereas utilizing it.
Light-weight
Quick boil time at 2.5 min. for 16 oz. of water
Grooves in range legs maintain pot from sliding off
Even with grooves within the range legs, there’s nonetheless the potential for this to be knocked over as a result of pot not being secured to the range like different Jetboil fashions
Josh Kirchner
Jetboil Stash Range Evaluation
We examined the Jetboil Stash, the model’s lightest range system, to see the way it performs within the backcountry; (picture/Josh Kirchner)
The Stash is what I’d name an open-flame-designed range. Which means the flame is uncovered on the perimeters to issues like wind, not like different Jetboil fashions. A small, collapsible range screws right into a gas canister, and your pot sits on high. There’s a small flip-out dial to regulate gas output as properly. Fairly easy.
All the things for the Stash rides proper within the 0.8L pot, very like different Jetboil stoves. Inside, you’ll discover a gas canister stabilizer, the range, and a mock gas canister to indicate you the place it goes, which is exclusive. It attaches to the underside aspect of the lid. When all it’s packed up, the deal with of the pot flips up and rides on high of the lid.
All mentioned and finished, the entire system is available in at 7.1 ounces, which is 40% lighter than different 0.8L programs. Not too shabby, particularly as a result of it boils water in 2.5 minutes. Effectively, a minimum of that’s what they promote. I did some testing of my very own.
Options
FluxRing Know-how
The FluxRing design will increase floor space, enhancing warmth switch for sooner, extra environment friendly boil occasions; (picture/Josh Kirchner)
A recognized key characteristic in Jetboil stoves, however nonetheless very related and value mentioning, is their FluxRing Know-how. You’ll discover on the underside of Jetboil pots that there’s virtually a vented-looking ring that traces the underside of it. This range is not any exception right here and is supplied with the FluxRing.
This ring has a higher floor space than the underside of the pot itself, thus heating up your water in a particularly environment friendly means, leading to 2.5-minute boil occasions for 16 ounces of water.
No Slippage
One thing else that basically stood out to me was the no-slip design of the burner legs. Conventional stoves of a comparable fashion usually go away the pot open to slipping off the range when you’re not cautious. The Stash, however, has grooves that the pot sits in, which eliminates slippage.
After all, you would nonetheless knock it over fully, however this can be a much-appreciated small characteristic of the range that won’t solely save time however may save your dinner, too.
Nesting Design
The Jetboil Stash packs the whole lot contained in the pot, retaining the system compact and straightforward to hold; (picture/Josh Kirchner)
In the case of backpack looking, packability is big, and the nesting design of the Jetboil Stash falls proper in keeping with that. All the things that you simply want conveniently suits proper within the pot, prepared for once you want it and stashed for once you don’t. The range, gas canister, and gas stabilizer will all match within the pot with the lid on. I even throw a small piezo ignitor in mine.
My Expertise
The Jetboil Stash impressed with its ultralight weight and compact design, making it a terrific choice for backpack hunters; (picture/Josh Kirchner)
I’ve bought quite a lot of historical past utilizing Jetboil stoves. It was the very first range I ever bought for my backpack looking adventures.
Since then, I’ve used fairly a number of completely different stoves however appear to at all times gravitate proper again to Jetboil. It’s due to the effectivity they supply. I used to be elated to check the Stash, as it’s a barely completely different fashion than I’m used to from Jetboil.
Light-weight and Straightforward Packing
Upon receiving this cooking range, the very very first thing I seen was how extremely light-weight all the system was in comparison with different Jetboil stoves. It was a fraction of the load, shorter in top, and didn’t appear to lack sturdiness.
(Photograph/Josh Kirchner)
One thing else that I actually appreciated was how Jetboil caught to their fashion of having the ability to maintain the whole lot contained in the cup packed away in a single system. The shorter cup top required some considering, and so they landed on attaching the gas canister to the underside of the lid. That is an modern twist on what I’ve come to know so properly about these stoves.
(Photograph/Josh Kirchner)
Earlier than heading into the sphere with the Stash, I wished to try it out, not solely to familiarize myself with this barely new system but in addition to check the boil time. I boiled 16 ounces of water in my yard. The wind was very minimal. And wouldn’t ya know, the boil time that Jetboil advertises right here was spot on to the second at 2.5 minutes.
(Photograph/Josh Kirchner)
Can It Maintain Its Personal within the Wind?
A priority I had strolling into my first backpack hunt with the range was the wind. These extra open-flame-type designs are likely to endure when the wind blows as a result of the flame is totally uncovered. That is not like how different Jetboil stoves are designed. The flame is considerably protected, and they’re extraordinarily environment friendly even within the wind.
After 6 days of looking with the Stash in tow, I used to be actually impressed. The boil time did improve somewhat bit in excessive winds, however I wasn’t ready 10 minutes for water to boil like I’ve with different equally designed stoves. I’m guessing I waited one other minute or two, which does equal extra gas use, so take that into consideration.
In average winds, the range did surprisingly tremendous. All that’s to say, no matter Jetboil has happening right here is working. I’m undecided if it’s the FluxRing, the facility of the range, or possibly each. No matter it’s, the Stash didn’t go away me hungry and pissed off on the mountain.
What’s Improper
Even with grooves for stability, the pot isn’t secured to the range, making it doable to tip over if not cautious; (picture/Josh Kirchner)
The true con right here with the Stash is the truth that regardless that the cup sits in grooves on the range legs, you’ll be able to completely nonetheless knock the range over. Utilizing the gas canister assist will assist, however I opted to not take these with me on my journey.
The cup just isn’t secured to the range like on different Jetboil fashions, so maintain this in thoughts. To be honest, I didn’t knock my cup over as soon as, however whereas utilizing the range, I may see how one would possibly do that by chance.
Closing Ideas
The Jetboil Stash affords an ultralight, packable range choice with quick boil occasions, preferrred for shorter backpacking journeys; (picture/Josh Kirchner)
When the water involves a boil, I’m total actually pleased with the Jetboil Stash range. It’s a implausible ultralight choice for the backpack hunter trying to minimize some weight and open up a bit extra space of their backpack. I’m undecided if I’ll take it on each single journey I’ve.
On longer 8-9-day journeys, I would nonetheless deliver my Jetboil Zip, simply because I do know I can belief the gas effectivity within the wind and be tremendous with a small canister. For the 5-6-day hunts, although, the Stash will seemingly be in my pack.
