Review of the Jetboil Flash

Before I push on with the trip reports on Knoydart and Skye I wanted to get this review up.  Go Outdoors kindly supplied me with a Jetboil Flash from their camping equipment selection to test.

On Friday after we had a superb day on Blaven we headed back to Broadford and then north to the Sligachan campsite.  It is a wonderful place with the serrated Cuillin proud above.  There was just enough breeze to keep the midges away too so that camping was a pleasure.


Anyway, this was our first opportunity to test the stove properly and I was very pleased.  I don't go in for complex camp cooking and for what we needed - basically boiling water for tea and reheat in the bag meals this was superb.  We were particularly impressed by:

• Boil time - seemed like about 2 and a half minutes although I didn't time it (I find those YouTube videos where people time themselves boiling water strangely compelling).  It was fast.
• Cosy - the neoprene cosy around the mug / kettle is excellent allowing a good grip while not worrying about burning your hands
• Electric ignition - the stove starts at the touch of a button and very obviously roars into life.  No faffing with lighters or firesteel needed.
• Integration - I like the way that whole thing packs away so neatly into the mug.
• Heat indicator - there is a plastic section on the side of the mug that turns yellow as the thing approaches a boil - useful as you don't need to take the lid off to check for the progress.

For what we needed it was excellent - boiling water quickly and conveniently.  This was not a backpacking trip but I can see how it would have a lot of benefits in that environment.  For car camping like this I also had another stove for the morning fry up but the Jetboil comes with a stand to convert it into a normal stove to allow you to use other pans.  That will be good to try.


Ok it is not as trendy as a backcountry boiler (which I have ordered) or as environmentally friendly as meths.....but it is solid and fast!

Anyway, an excellent product worth checking out in Go Outdoors camping section in camping accessories