As somebody who spends many nights within the backcountry yearly, I’ve change into all too acquainted with firing up backpacking stoves and consuming out of luggage. It’s a part of the gig if you would like a sizzling meal at evening 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 when it comes to effectivity and reliability for me, however their system fell quick on bulk. So, once I noticed the Stash, the smallest, most light-weight range they provide, I needed to get my palms on it to try it out.
Briefly: If you’re a backpack hunter seeking 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.
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Light-weight -
Quick boil time at 2.5 min. for 16 oz. of water -
Grooves in range legs maintain pot from sliding off
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Even with grooves within the range legs, there may be nonetheless the potential for this to be knocked over because of the pot not being secured to the range like different Jetboil fashions
Jetboil Stash Range Evaluation
The Stash is what I’d name an open-flame-designed range. Which means the flame is uncovered on the edges to issues like wind, not like different Jetboil fashions. A small, collapsible range screws right into a gasoline canister, and your pot sits on prime. There’s a small flip-out dial to regulate gasoline output as nicely. Fairly easy.
Every part for the Stash rides proper within the 0.8L pot, very like different Jetboil stoves. Inside, you’ll discover a gasoline canister stabilizer, the range, and a mock gasoline canister to indicate you the place it goes, which is exclusive. It attaches to the underside facet of the lid. When all it’s packed up, the deal with of the pot flips up and rides on prime of the lid.
All stated and performed, the entire system is available in at 7.1 ounces, which is 40% lighter than different 0.8L techniques. Not too shabby, particularly as a result of it boils water in 2.5 minutes. Nicely, not less than that’s what they promote. I did some testing of my very own.
Options
FluxRing Expertise
A identified key characteristic in Jetboil stoves, however nonetheless very related and price mentioning, is their FluxRing Expertise. You’ll discover on the underside of Jetboil pots that there’s nearly a vented-looking ring that strains the underside of it. This range is not any exception right here and is provided with the FluxRing.
This ring has a larger floor space than the underside of the pot itself, thus heating up your water in an especially environment friendly approach, leading to 2.5-minute boil instances for 16 ounces of water.
No Slippage
One thing else that actually 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 for those who’re not cautious. The Stash, then again, has grooves that the pot sits in, which eliminates slippage.
After all, you can nonetheless knock it over completely, 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
In terms of backpack searching, packability is large, and the nesting design of the Jetboil Stash falls proper consistent with that. Every part that you just want conveniently suits proper within the pot, prepared for whenever you want it and stashed for whenever you don’t. The range, gasoline canister, and gasoline stabilizer will all match within the pot with the lid on. I even throw a small piezo ignitor in mine.
My Expertise
I’ve obtained lots of historical past utilizing Jetboil stoves. It was the very first range I ever bought for my backpack searching adventures.
Since then, I’ve used fairly just a few 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 Simple Packing
Upon receiving this cooking range, the very very first thing I observed was how extremely light-weight the complete system was in comparison with different Jetboil stoves. It was a fraction of the burden, shorter in top, and didn’t appear to lack sturdiness.
One thing else that I actually preferred was how Jetboil caught to their fashion of having the ability to maintain all the things contained in the cup packed away in a single system. The shorter cup top required some considering, they usually landed on attaching the gasoline canister to the underside of the lid. That is an modern twist on what I’ve come to know so nicely about these stoves.
Earlier than heading into the sector 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.
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 undergo 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 searching with the Stash in tow, I used to be actually impressed. The boil time did improve a bit of 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 gasoline use, so take that into consideration.
In reasonable winds, the range did surprisingly effective. All that’s to say, no matter Jetboil has occurring right here is working. I’m unsure 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
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 gasoline canister assist will assist, however I opted to not take these with me on my journey.
The cup is just not 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 accidentally.
Closing Ideas
When the water involves a boil, I’m total actually pleased with the Jetboil Stash range. It’s a improbable ultralight possibility for the backpack hunter seeking to minimize some weight and open up a bit extra space of their backpack. I’m unsure if I’ll take it on each single journey I’ve.
On longer 8-9-day journeys, I would nonetheless carry my Jetboil Zip, simply because I do know I can belief the gasoline effectivity within the wind and be effective with a small canister. For the 5-6-day hunts, although, the Stash will seemingly be in my pack.
