Jetboil Flash 1L Fast Boil System – Reviewed & Tested

Over eight days and 100km on the Great Ocean Walk, Editor Amy Fairall carried and tested the new and updated Jetboil Flash, relying on it for hot meals and drinks, in sprinkling rain and coastal winds.

Jetboil is often coveted by Explorers as the superior hiking stove brand, with the recently updated Jetboil Flash 1L Fast Boil System being the top of the range. Although I’ve been the beneficiary of many others’ Jetboiled water, I’ve never owned one myself and wanted to know if the hype is warranted.

Why am I the right person to do this review?

After over half a decade of commitment to my Furno 360 stove and pots, I decided I needed something a little more windproof and less toppleable (if that’s not a word, it should be) on the blowy coastline of the Great Ocean Walk.

Coffee with a view anyone?

Within 48 hours of thinking ‘I should upgrade to a Jetboil’, the opportunity to review one presented itself. Maybe I do believe in manifestation.

As a coffee fiend, dehydrated dinnerer, and packet soup connoisseur, my boiled water needs in the outdoors are multiple and can occur at any hour of the day.

I’ve spent many days shouldering a pack across trails and many nights (somewhat) satiated by a warm dehydrated meal in a cold campsite.

My Furno 360 & me making coffee for the crew <3 | @thetantrap

Quick Specifications

Dimensions: 10.8cm x 19.05cm (packed)
Weight: 371g
Output: 5300 BTU/h / 1.5kW
Fuel: Isobutane/Propane Fuel Mix
Ignition: Rotary
Regulator: No
Boil time: 120 seconds/0.5L
RRP: $269.99 AUD

Performance

Over a few long weekends in April, two mates and I set out for a 100km trek along the Great Ocean Walk. Over eight days, we ate a few too many pre-made hiking meals, an unfortunate amount of Deb dehydrated potato, many coffees, teas, hot chocolates, and miso soups. Essentially, we were boiling water morning, noon, and night and worked our way through 400g of gas.

I love drinks from a sachet or bag

If you didn’t already believe it, let me confirm the claims. The Jetboil Flash boils water insanely quick. Like, almost too quick. It’s the opposite of a watched pot never boils – you need someone paying attention to this thing at all times. Turn your back and it’ll be sending your boiled water up and out the spout in no time.

When I tested the speed of the Jetboil against the Furno 360 in the same protected conditions, the Jetboil Flash boiled 500ml of cold tap water in 2 minutes and 5 seconds, while the Furno 360 boiled 500ml of cold tap water in 2 minutes and 38 seconds, a difference of 33 seconds. However, in wind or colder conditions, I can imagine the time difference between the two would only expand.

The speed of the Jetboil meant that while on the Great Ocean Walk, we used it more than we would’ve used a less-insulated stove, as boiling water for a cheeky cup of soup with lunch took less time than making our wraps.

Lunchtime coffees are a given

For most of our dinners, we had On Track meals, which aren’t dehydrated, but rather ready-made meals that need to sit in boiling water for 3-5 minutes to reheat. I found the 1L capacity of the Jetboil Flash to be handy for this, as the packets could sit deep into the pot without the water overflowing, although not deep enough to put the lid back on. This meant we used a fair amount more gas than we would’ve for dehydrated meals, as the stove was running for at least ten minutes at a time to cycle through all three of our meals.

One factor of the Jetboil that caught me out a few times is the need to light the stove before attaching the pot. It’s pretty easy to fill the pot with water, lock it into the stove compartment, and flick the ignition. The few times I did this, the stove still lit, but after one of these slip-ups, the ignition seemed to give out and a small burn mark was left on the Jetboil Fluxring that helps insulate the heat. I spent 24 hours stressed that I’d broken the dang thing within a few days of use. But thankfully, the next night, it sprang back to life.

Man, that’s one protected flame. Thanks Fluxring

The momentary lapse in function may have also come from a slight dampness around the ignition, as this happened on our wettest night of the trip. Either way, take this as a lesson to ignite the stove first, then lock in the pot, just as Jetboil advises. Oh, and make sure the pot already has water inside! That stove will burn the base of an empty pot mighty quick.

Strangely, although the Jetboil Flash is marketed as a 1L stove, the max fill line inside the pot sits at 500ml, the same as the fill line inside the Jetboil Zip, despite the Zip only being an 800ml pot. Naturally, we filled it above this line, but it certainly shouldn’t be filled more than around ¾ full, as the bubbling and boiling can be quite aggressive and hot water easily spurts out over the top, even through the small mouth of the silicone lid.

That’s one satisfying spout stream

Design

The Jetboil Flash is designed for those wanting to boil water lightning quick. This stove isn’t intended for cooking food inside the provided pot, and the deep and narrow design would make this quite difficult anyway. That’s why the Flash is best kept for multi-day hikes when you’re adding boiling water to dehydrated meals, or reheating meals within the packet inside of the pot.

If you’re after a stove to cook food inside the pot, take a look at the broader cooking range by Jetboil. But if you’re after boiling water, stat, you’re in the right place.

Compared to my humble Furno 360 stove, the Jetboil Flash design and features feel futuristic. Most notably, the heat indicator on the side of the pot that turns orange when the water is heating up and then boiling is invaluable. It means I could safely pour the boiling water without having to open the silicone lid to check how hot it was and risk a steam or water burn.

She’s ready!

The new and improved igniter couldn’t be easier to use. It’s just a turn-and-click ignition, like gas stoves at home or on other larger camp stoves. The large ignition dial feels safer and more user-friendly than the previous version’s separate dial and ignition button. This updated version also features an orange grip with contour design around the base of the stove, making it much easier to grasp when dismantling from the gas canister and pot. It was much nicer than trying to clutch the three, pointy metal prongs of the Furno 360 stove, especially when they’re still running hot!

The contour design on the grip is a nice touch

Although Jetboil stings you on the price, I truly appreciate the thought that went into designing the 100g Jetboil gas canister to fit comfortably inside the Jetboil pot, alongside the stove. It’s incredibly convenient being able to fit all the parts needed into one compact and slimline pot. More than once, I’ve carted my Furno 360 pot up a mountain for sunrise, only to realise I forgot to pack the gas canister. No more missing out on coffees for me.

In truth, I didn’t make much use of the plastic bottom cover that doubles as a measuring cup and potential bowl, but it’s nice to know it’s there in case a bowl or cup is forgotten or lost. I found it to be such a seamless part of the set up that I’d often forget it was even there and almost attempt to attach the pot to the flaming stove, plastic cup still fastened to the base, and risk melting it.

For those keen to use the Jetboil Flash for more than just boiling water, there’s a swag of compatible accessories available to change the stove’s uses; they just need to be purchased separately. If you’re keen to use a frying pan or a percolator on the stove, the Jetboil Pot Support 2.0 is a handy accessory that attaches in place of the supplied pot, allowing you to rest different kitchen equipment above the flame.

Without the additional pot support, the exposed stove isn’t very useful

For those wanting to make coffee in the supplied Jetboil pot, the Jetboil Silicone Coffee Press allows you to make French press-style coffee. And for the adrenaline-seekers amongst us, the Jetboil Hanging Kit 2.0 attaches to the Jetboil Flash system, allowing you to cook and boil water, while suspended… I don’t think I’ll be testing that accessory out anytime soon.

Sustainability

There’s not very much info to find regarding the sustainability of Jetboil as a brand or product.

The Jetboil brand is part of the larger Johnston Outdoors brand family, which has shown some sustainability initiatives, notably co-hosting the ‘Clean Earth Challenge’ with the National Wildlife Foundation, which encourages people to pick up rubbish in the outdoors whenever they can. The page says that the challenge has seen over 10 million pieces of rubbish picked up since 2022, which is a lot! But we know that we’ll be picking up rubbish forever if we don’t stop it at the source.

Luckily, Jetboil also packages many of its products without plastic and with 80% recycled materials.

Beyond this, there’s little info to be found about wider sustainability measures at the companies. However, one website called ‘DitchCarbon’ gave Jetboil a score of 3/100 for its efforts to assist in the reduction of carbon emissions, while other brands in the industry, like Yeti scored 40/100.

Time to lift your game, Jetboil!

Price

Retailing in Australia for $269.99, the Jetboil Flash is an expensive way to get some boiled water. Considering the cost of my Furno 360 stove didn’t tip into the triple digits, the Jetboil Flash isn’t a product I’d suggest for those who are only just getting into the outdoors or multi-day hiking.

However, for those Explorers heading out more regularly, particularly in windy, wet, or cold climates and conditions, the Jetboil Flash reliably delivers.

But if you’re not in a rush, I’d wait for a sale at Wild Earth or Anaconda.

Final Thoughts

The upgraded Jetboil Flash 1L is an intuitive and reliable stove system that boils water lightning quick. Handy features like the enlarged igniter dial and grip zone helped me light the stove without any fuss, while the heat indicator was a useful way to keep an eye on the water before it boiled over.

I found the Jetboil Flash efficient and reliable for all my boiled water needs, and the stove’s uses will only expand with the purchase of a few more Jetboil accessories.

You can’t deny, it’s an aesthetic set up

FAQs Jetboil Flash 1L

What is the difference between the old and new Jetboil Flash?

The old Jetboil was a little heavier, at 427g, while the new version is 371g. The old Jetboil also had a separate dial and igniter button, while the new Jetboil Flash has a twist-and-light igniter in one. The new version also has rubberised grips around the base of the stove and a stronger burner. The lid on the new Jetboil Flash also has a strainer.

According to Jetboil, the old version of the Flash boils 500ml of water in 150 seconds, while the new version boils 500ml of water in 120 seconds.

How much water can you boil in a Jetboil Flash?

The Jetboil Flash pot marks a max fill line of 500ml, however, I’ve boiled water slightly above this line and it’s been fine.

Is Jetboil Flash good for backpacking?

The Jetboil Flash is great for backpacking and multi-day hikes where Explorers intend to eat mostly dehydrated dinners. The Jetboil Flash is best at boiling water rather than using the pot for cooking in, so it’s great for dehydrated meals, coffees, and soups that hikers usually take on backpacking trips.

Can you simmer with Jetboil Flash?

The Jetboil Flash is best for boiling water in the pot to add to a cup, bowl, or meal. However, it can be used to simmer water or food, thanks to the new large dial. However, without a regulator, the gas flow and flame consistency is dependent on the temperature and pressure of gas in the cannister, so it won’t always have a reliable amount of heat.

Still unsure which stove is for you?

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