Over the past decade, developments in camp-stove technology have improved remarkably. Canister stoves were once looked down upon if you spent any time in the mountains or at higher elevations. For years, liquid-fuel stoves were considered the only real option for efficiency and reliability. That also meant you had a stove that had to be primed, took up more space, and had to be lit manually. Liquid-fuel stoves do offer the benefit of being able to use a variety of fuel types, making international travel simpler, but they can be very finicky to light when used in high winds.
Whether using a canister or liquid-fuel stove, the ability to adjust the flame and fuel output has generally been a matter of either on or off. Enter the Jetboil MiniMo and their new simmer control.
The Jetboil MiniMo follows Jetboil’s slogan of fast, compact, and efficient. The new simmer control greatly improves efficiency of previous models and seems to take a new step forward in stove performance. If your only need is to boil water or melt snow, having a flame or fuel control may not be an issue. In that case, super light and fast should be your go to. If you want to actually cook food with your stove, having the ability to control temperature increases the variety of food you can prepare and aids in fuel conservation. The Jetboil MiniMo is a fine mix between light, fast, and versatile.
Features:
Simmer control – This is the standout feature for the camp chef. I recommend getting the pot support to go with the system. If you are car camping or out on the river, throw on the pot support, add a cast-iron skillet, and make up some bacon and eggs without burning them to a crisp.
Metal handles – The large metal handles fold up against the pot body and are large enough to use when wearing ski gloves.
Low spoon angle – The Jetboil MiniMo is shorter and wider than most stoves of the same volume. This creates a lower angle when eating directly out of the pot. If you are just boiling water, this is not a huge concern, but if you want to cook with the pot, it’s very simple to get food to your mouth without making a mess.
Push-button igniter – This thing rocks. This isn’t the igniter on your old gas grill at home. It doesn’t take 15 clicks to get the stove started, and it seems much more robust than previous models. On a recent trip to the Cascades, I stopped to boil some water and have lunch at 9,000 feet. The winds were constantly above 20 mph and gusting up to 40 mph. I put on my belay jacket, threw down my pack to use as a windbreak, and with one click of the igniter, I was on my way to having a GOOD-TO-GO meal. (Try their Thai curry. Yum.)
Insulated drink-through lid and measuring cup – The upgrades on the lid are a huge improvement from Jetboil. The lid fits tightly, but goes on and off hassle-free. There is a small port in the lid that allows you to drink directly from the pot or use it to pour hot water, coffee, or tea. The inside of the pot has graduated markings, so the guessing game is eliminated when you need an exact measurement for your dehydrated meals. Another cool addition to the lid is the fuel-canister stabilizer (included), which snaps into the lid for easy storage.
Burner storage bag – The Jetboil MiniMo comes with a soft storage bag that covers the burner while it’s stored within the pot. The soft bag prevents the non-stick surface of the pot from being scratched and worn down by the burner bouncing around while in your pack.
Specifications:
Colors – Available in Carbon (shown), RealTree, Sapphire, or Yama Purple
Size – 32 oz. / 1.0 L
Boil time – 2 min. 15 sec. per 16 oz. of water. I have found that even in high winds, the flux-ring technology is very efficient and the boil time does not vary much, if at all. The speed in which it boils water has actually caught me by surprise a couple of times.
Water boiled – 12 liters per 100 gram Jetpower can. This is a perfect size for a single overnight trip to the mountains or backpacking. On a recent trip, this was enough fuel for my climbing partner and I to melt snow for refilling our bottles, boil water for cooking, and make coffee in the morning.
Dimensions – 5″ x 6″
Weight – 15.9 oz. / 450 g (this includes the fuel stabilizer)
MSRP – $129.95
Bottom line:
As stated before, the Jetboil MiniMo cooking system is highly versatile. Whether you are climbing in the mountains, backpacking, or car camping with your family, this stove will serve its purpose with speed and efficiency. I have used this stove for the last couple of months and have been very impressed with how little fuel it uses. With a number of available accessories, including a pot support, hanging kit, and coffee press, you are not limited to just a pot and burner.
I love having coffee in the morning, and instant really isn’t my thing. With the coffee press, I am able to bring a small ziplock with some grounds of my choice and have a delicious brew anywhere. If you are new to the camp-stove market, or are looking for an upgrade to your current system, the Jetboil MiniMo is definitely worth checking out.
Look for a full review at the end of the summer.
