When my sister and I went on the PCT I used a Pocket Rocket and she used the Jet Boil. I was so jealous of her Jet Boil once I saw it in action! The wind screen and the speed of boiling was fantastic. She had no regrets carrying it. I think both stoves are great in their own way but the Jet Boil sure is luxury.
I obtained a jet boil while I was on the PCT because someone just threw it away in a hiker box. At the time I was using the BRS 3000 and it took 14 minutes to boil some water the second time I used it. I could get it down to about 8ish minutes if I was really careful about where I put it but tbh wished I had brought my pocket rocket with me instead. After seeing just how fast the jet boil was I ended up putting it in the next hiker box. Never ended up buying another one...
Gear skeptic did a great video on this. If you're a little patient, you can turn the heat down to low medium, your fuel last at least double what it does at max setting.
@@TheMcspreader Gear Skeptic videos are for people who 1) Already know a lot and are looking to confirm their scientific assumptions, and 2) Desire to learn the reality of gear instead of the utter bollocks you'll get from the vast majority of outdoor TH-camrs...
I use the BSR with a Titanium pot and have enjoyed the simplicity of the system. It also breaks down into a really small size when packing up, which is important for a bikepacking setup. I did buy the orange fuel canister stand at REI for about $5, which does make the system much more stable. If anyone is interested in a Jetboil system, you can currently get one at REI for less than $100.
One of the big benefits of the Jetboil is its wind protection design. Really would've liked to see this indoors test used as a control, with a second test done outside for more real world conditions.
@@the_peefster You probably know, but just in case: with this type of "tower" stove where the burner is on top of the canister, one has to be careful not to fully enclose the canister/stove combination within the windscreen: temperature can rise a lot in that enclosed space and create issues with the system, up to turning the canister into a bomb. Leave plenty of open space (on the lee side) or rig the screen so it only shields the burner. Or get a remote attachment so the canister can be detached from the burner and sit outside the screen. (still needs to be careful.)
I'll never forget the time I was at a dry camp with only a litter and half of water, put 500 ml in my pot to make supper and just as it started boiling my pot tipped off the stove and spilled on the ground. Refilled and had a really dry hike the next day. It took me until about 3 the next day before I reached the next water source.
Love my Jet boil. Yes it might be heavier, it’s great for a weekend trip for me. I like your suggestion with sharing it amongst others at camp, as it cuts cooking time as well as fuel consumption. The smaller lighter ones are intriguing but, I like the stability of the jet boil as well as not needing a pot grabber so that I don’t burn my fingers.
Ive been using my jetboil about 5 years. One of the reasons I prefer it is because I like the fact the fuel, fuel stand, cleaning sponge silicon hot mat/pot holder & pot support all consolidated inside the jetboil pot. Most of my hikes are only 15 to 20 mile hikes so the extra wait isn’t bad. Does seam like overkill on some hikes. I personally haven’t had any major issues with my ignitor.
I liked your conclusion on this one because there really is no one size fits all when it comes to gear like this. You absolutely hit the nail on the head that in a group setting on perhaps a shorter trip, the jetboil feels way more appropriate than say on a week+ trip on technical terrain where something like the BRS wins on weight. I've discovered something similar with down jackets as well where I am in the market for the lightest, most compressible jacket I can find to meet kit requirements on a mountain race where I'm using it as a layer. Many of the reviews on those jackets that are negative seem to come from people that don't have a proper understanding of the jackets use case, expecting it to perform in the cold as well as a much larger and heavier jacket.
the weight is really not much an issue when you consider you have to carry twice as much fuel with the brs stove if you did the week plus trip, then the weight is essentially the same...still have to consider the pot with the brs and the fuel can....the weight different is down to ounces...not much....i have both and the jetboil is exponentially more effective on week or longer trips...as a coffee drinker , adding the plunger to the jetboil is where the weight gets even more even as i dont have to bring a seperate item to make coffee , broken down it fits inside the jetboil pot with the stove, the fuel can ....end of the day, it saves carrying extra fuel, add the french press plunger at literally next to no weight, you get great coffee with out more bulk....the stability is what essentially seals the deal...
@@burnsidebobthorpe All fair points! I guess I was imagining more in the scenario like myself where I might be cold soaking meals and using a heated setup for coffee in the mornings. In which case even if I am using roughly 1.8x more fuel as demonstrated by Miranda, on a 198g canister I'd have to be going for more than 22 days before I ran out. In that time frame I'm usually either done, or would have passed though a place I could pick up more fuel as needed. Like I said originally I think there's a good argument to be made completely depending on the person and the trip needs.
After using both the Jetboil and BRS, I settled on the Soto Windmaster. Great efficiency, decently light, and I can swap to the 3 or 4 prong pot holder as needed.
Maddie of Beer In Beautiful Places had her stove with a pot full of boiling water tip over on her legs while thru hiking the Appalachian Trail last year. Always cook on the ground.
I've had the Jetboil since it came out in the early 2000's. It's my primary cooking system because it just works, and is extremely efficient. The BRS and titanium cup would be a great ultralight option. On backpacking trips I used it for group cooking and it's worked great. Maybe a little heavy for some but the benefits are worth it to me.
I bought the jetboil when they came out, to heat my ration pack meals in the British army, something a small cup and BRS can't do. I too have a BRS and small 500ml pot for freeze dried meals, knowing in the back of my mind the BRS will eat my fuel twice as fast. It's shame people who make jetboil videos don't know how to use them, or what they are for....
I have the Soto Amicus and I love it! It has yet to fail and works well in windy conditions. It also comes with a handy cookset that a fuel canister can fit it. Pricewise it's between the BRS and Jetboil
I have the little $20 stove, which I found for $6.00 at a thrift store. It works perfectly, including the piezo button--every time. The fuel adjustment lever really lets you turn the flame down to several levels of low. I'm really happy with it.
I bought those little BRS stoves off Etsy several years ago for about $6 or $7 apiece. They weren’t called BRS. They were unbranded but it was the same stove. I would give them to friends and family. I love em.
I have the MSR windburner stove. It's heavy, but once you add in a pot, windscreen, and additional fuel for the pocket stove, I still prefer the MSR system.
At my age (74) I must carry less weight on even overnight trips. I use my BRS on low power until the water steams then turn it up. This greatly improves fuel efficiency. The main design fault with BRS is the unnecessarily large gap between the flame and the pot. Another is the lack of a wind shield. I have also heard you can melt the pot stand off them if your pot runs dry while the burner is full on. Titanium pots are really limited to boiling water since as a poor conductor its easy to burn food. I therefore use a light aluminium pot which serves all purposes and improves boiling efficiency. Its cheaper than titanium too yet a similar weight. Everything including BRS, lighter, utensils, pot scrubber and gas bottle packs into my pot. I will only use a jet boil when I can borrow it from someone else in our party. It's way to heavy to be an advantage. Thanks Miranda for encouraging people to think about the pros and cons of jetboil versus BRS. Its been a worthwhile conversation and confirmed to me that for my needs BRS is more than adequate.
I love that you didn't crap out and pick one. I use an alcohol stove, a BRS, a Primus Lite+, or my Blackstone depending on the type of trip and sometimes no stove at all if I'm cooking over a fire. It's all about the trip and needs. Thanks!!
Apples and Oranges comparison. With the JetBoil you are getting a pot, cozy, heat indicator, heat wind screen, heat flux, lid, a stand for the gas canister, even a measuring cup. Plus the JetBoil has accessories, aka, it's a system. I have the French press & pot supporter adapter. As far as the piezo, I have had my JetBoil for 10+ years and it still works. I did have to bend it back down once. With all of that said, for ultralight backpackers, go with the pocket rocket.
I like to play the role of camp dad when camping/backpacking/hiking and ensure that everyone I go with has a good time so i feel comfortable with carrying a little extra weight. After trying some camping stove options, I opted for the SUMO Jet Boil with their Grande Coffee Press last year and I've been in love with it! The best part is I can fit the fuel, coffee press equipment (and coffee), and a small cleaning towel all inside the Jet Boil. It's actually a pretty sick setup.
Ive had the BRS for 4 years and love it. So tiny, I just put the stove inside my pot to store it. It might take a little longer but the weight and price are well worth it.
I bought my first Jetboil almost ten years ago and it was a game changer. I pack a larger flash for the truck and pack a mini for the trail. A couple of times it's been Jetboil to the rescue with other backpackers due to fuel or stove failure.
I'm here because I'm considering a Jetboil over my BRS since my last trip. I needed 2 cans of fuel to last the week (2 people) and with a constant strong wind, it took forever to boil water with the BRS.
Have you considered the soto windmaster or pocketrocket deluxe? Both good in wind, especially the soto, and a $50 savings over the Jetboil. Could be the ticket. But Jetboil is a great stove for many purposes.
Get a windscreen for ur pot diameter & BRS from Flat Cat Gear to save fuel & money. It also protects ur canister from excess heat, the handle never heats up 👍
I have a JB Flash that I’ve had for many years. It’s very reliable and well used. More recently as I hike more I have a BRS and 750 ml titanium pot. My entire cook kit including fuel fits in the pot. I really like this set up. Also have a Trangia. It really just depends on what I’m doing and what I’m cooking.
Thankfully the piezo on my Minimo works fantastic. Never had any issues using it weekly over the past couple years. But I always carry a lighter anyway. Great comparison!
My pick: The cheap burner, plus a knockoff heat-exchanger pot to accelerate the boil, plus 3d-printing my own tripod for the fuel canister for stability. Total outlay $53 plus an hour of print time, and I've got everything except the locking nubbins and the koozie.
I have a snow peak light weight stove with a built in piezo ignition. I have several other lightweight stoves, but that’s always my first choice, and the fuel and stove fit nicely into my pot.
The little handheld stoves can be stabilized somewhat with a base sold separately, similar to what is provided with the jetboil. Also you can bury your fuel canister halfway in sand or dirt or snow. Doesnt secure the pot but helps in general. You can increase fuel efficiency and speed up cook times with a shield, can be shaped out of tin foil and wrap it around the setup. Allow about 4-6in clearance around the fuel and high enough to protect about half your pot. This keeps the heat near your food and keeps flame from going out in the wind.
I’m by no means an ultralight backpacker but I own two Rocket Pocket style stoves and after trying all other stove types, including the JetBoil, I’ll take the pocket stoves any day. I do a lot of mountain travel and these stoves are super easy to pack, take up no space, they are ridiculously dependable - one is almost 25 years old and the other around 10 - and they still boil a litre of water in two minutes. But, they are also versatile, as I also use them canoe tripping. There - for half the price and half the room - i often use the two of them simultaneously, cooking for the entire party. Eg. one pot for rice or veggies, the other for a stew or soup. Or, one pot for coffee or tea while the other one takes care of the bannock. They are tippy, though…
Great and refreshing comparison! Personally, I did my best to get the best of both worlds and so I got the Jetboil Stash combo, and sold away the stove that comes with that combo since its low BTU, has no wind protection and doesn't have a regulator, I kept only the pot which is awesome, it has the heat exchanger fins under it to capture sideways heat from the stove (which makes it super efficient). The stove I use with this pot is the soto windmaster. The combination wasn't my idea, it was found to be the most efficient combination that is currently on the market. Boil time of 1 minute and 40 ish seconds, handles wind extremely well since its the soto windmaster, boils at half the fuel consumption that the windmaster would do on its own, and in super cold weather it has a regulator to make sure you can keep a steady rate of gas output. The Jetboil Stash is the most lightweight pot Jetboil makes, so the combination of it plus the BRS could be an interesting review for ultralighters who want to have roughly double their fuel efficiency yet don't need the windmaster since they aren't in cold weather - maybe it could mean carrying a smaller gas canister since you get double the boils, or carrying only one gas canister instead of two in a group hike. Worth a check for sure.
I like to combine a light weight stove with a pot that has a heat exchanger. The Soto Windmaster and an Olicamp XTS for example. Firemaple also makes pots with a built in heat exchanger. I'm currently experimenting with pairing my BRS_3000T with the Jetboil Stash pot for a great light weight and fast boiling system. The arms of the BRS actually fit into the fins on the Flux ring on the bottom of the Stash pot. It boils quickly and is more stable than any other BRS/pot combo that I have tried.
I've been using the BRS for the last 4 years and it's great BUT it really needs a windshield in windy weather or it will blow out! But you can get pots with built-in heat exchangers which greatly improve its boil time (I use a Fire Maple). Adding the FireMaple pot and a windshield brings the weight and bulk up although still not to jetboil levels. However, I've just gotten a Soto Windmaster which is slightly bigger and heavier but removes the need for a wind shield (or so I hope!) and thus keeps weight close to the BRS. We shall see.
Very helpful, thank you. I am going to do a 100+ mile hike and trying to knock down my weight for the trip. Love my jet boil and its stability, but the weight!
I bought a Snowpeak Gigapower Light Max stove like 15 years ago, not sure they still make them, but it’s a good stove that weight 56.5 grams (so much less than some stoves but much more than a BRS stove). It’s a fine stove that serves its function well. I also use a Redbull can alcohol burner and the whole system for that including a fuel bottle and windscreen/pot stand weighs like 39.5 grams, and I made that whole system from repurposed items, so it was free except my labor. It’s not super efficient, but it’s super lightweight.
I've had my Jet Boil for about 14 years and the igniter has never failed me. I think they went through a phase of poor sourcing, but most of them should be good.
Was doing the JMT with a few friends and while cooking dinner at the outlet of Thousand Island Lake, one of the friends had one of the BRS stoves. It sprung a propane leak at the stove-canister connection and proceeded to ignite blowtorch the canister toward a catastrophic explosion. We flung it into the outlet of the lake to put it out (and recovered it) but I can't, in good conscience, recommend trusting these stoves. You get what you pay for.
I have the Jetboil Minimo and I love it! I keep it in my car for emergencies along with some backpacking meals and it actually saved me one day when my tire blew on my way home one night and I was able to have a bite to eat to keep myself going until help came!
I have the smaller jet boil and I absolutely love it. I love the sturdy ness of it. I don’t need to save the weight that much lol. I love the lid for coffee, I have the coffee press for it , you really can’t beat it.
The little BSR is a phenomenal little stove, BUT! It sucks in the wind unless you have a clip on wind screen (Optimus comes to mind) it consumes a lot of fuel in any breeze you're limited to pot size concentrated heat direction due to the burner size (You will scorch oatmeal🤮) and it actually pretty Honkin loud. Did I mention Size? I actually lost one in high grass one time on a day hike. Took me and my friend like 30+ minutes to find it, but because of that small light size I stash one in my bag in-case my main stove ever fails. Great show..
Loved this one! Im currently staging for my 1st backpacking trip and have tons of Qs about gear. Dont want to spend/buy too much for 2 reasons: 1 - what if i dont like backpacking or cant handle carrying a load up hills. 2 - i know the best way to figure out what's best for me is to USE the gear. That way I will be able to tell what i really prefer. Anyhoo - just my 2 cents
I love my Trangia, its a little heavy, but if you want to move beyond just boiling water or you're cooking for multiple people its great. I've used it on Dartmoor, and here in the PNW. Plus it won't tip over, doesn't use a fuel canister and Heet (or methylated spirits) is readily available. I also have a Trangia triangle but you can't get those over here.
I solo trekked for 4 days through the Wadi Rum desert and used a Trangia the entire time with an Alocs Trangia stand, all of which fits snugly into a 1.1L GSI Soloist which includes a cup/bowl and lid. A 3F-UL windshield also wraps perfectly around the Alocs stand within the bowl circumference, and all of this together allowed me to cook and boil water for 96hrs while only carrying 350ml of methylated spirits on top of the 80ml I started off with in the Trangia. Gas cannisters are for people who never leave the comfort of their well-trodden hiking paths with a store every 50-100km...
The BRS is great for the price. It's the rare exception to the "Light/Cheap/Good...pick two" backpacking gear conundrum. When I got into backpacking I bought two of them along with two Toaks pots for my son and I for about half of what the Jetboil system was going for at the time. That said they are not the most efficient stove on the market, so an argument could be made that for longer hikes something more efficient like the Windmaster is better because you don't have to carry as much fuel. I've recently picked up a Soto Amicus to try that out for a bit and will see how it goes.
I really appreciate these videos you do. I'm getting back into hiking and backpacking and I'm trying to resupply myself with newer stuff and I can't get over the pricing of some of the new gear available right now. It's nice to see the more budget-friendly stuff actually tested out. Thanks!
Great job, thank you. I’m getting one of each. I’ve seen the jet boil at work at elk camp and as you mentioned, it works great with others ready to eat hearty especially after hiking for miles while on the hunt.
Yeah, my jetboil for 15 years is rock solid. I havent used the replacement pietzo yet, or however you spell it lol. My bottom holder plastic rim did break but I dont use it.
I just received my brs 3000t and did a simple inaugural test run. For what it is, it appears to be promising so far! Keep perspective and I think it’ll serve end-users just fine!
I very much love the Jetboil and use it at home during hot summer days too. I find myself not bringing it on longer day hikes due to size and weight. Grabbing an alternative lightweight option for colder day hikes seems a better way to go for me. LMNT is incredible. Totally love it and wouldn’t hike without it. Will add for daily consumption as I make most of my food. What a great video!!
Try using the jetboil piezo while the pot is connected to the burner, it’s safer as you don’t have open flame, and in my experience it will light more reliably in that configuration. Be sure to only do this while you have water in the pot, as you can damage the heat exchanger by firing it without liquid in the pot.
Great comparison and conclusions. I have both a JetBoil Minimo and a BRS setup, and use for different types of trips as you described. However, pro tip, I pair my BRS with the Toaks Light 700ml pot, which is a wider than average diameter at 4 1/2" (115mm), and it just feels much more stable. Love it!
I have the Jetboil Sol titanium edition. Recently, I ordered a Jetboil Stash stove to replace the original stove that came with the my Sol, as the new Stash stove is also titanium. It’s the same style as the BRS, but more robust. I find it a really good upgrade to all titanium, while still keeping the nice flux ring in the picture. It also leaves more room in my Sol’s cup for storage since the new stove is smaller.
For anyone interested in the BRS, consider Walmart’s Ozark Trails 4 in 1 compact stove for only $14.95. Boils 2 cups in about 2.5 minutes and comes with a stand, case and an adapter to use Coleman cylinder tanks. Works great!
Loved this format ! And the medium options are well appreciated !!! Currently preparing for my first backpacking trip, and I'm rewatching all your videos even more than usual 🥰 (and bought a dehydrator haha) Thank you so much for all the comprehensive info xx
I have a jetboil knockoff that cost me 1/3 the price of a jetboil. I got it on amazon... the best part is the press-button ignition works first try every time. I almost never use anything else now. It replaced everything and I've never regretted the little bit of extra space/weight it takes up.
Another suggestion that literally no American TH-camrs ever seem to mention is Alpkit's Kraku stove. It weighs 45g, packs super-tiny, has a (working) piezo, and costs $30. Alpkit are a British company, but I'm 100% certain that they ship to the Americas. They're also super environmentally friendly and put much of their profits back into the environment and other charitable causes. They also have excellent warranties and after-sales service. I've used everything from their tents (British style, double-skinned: we have too much rain for single-skin tents) to their cookware, clothing and bikepacking equipment. All of their gear is comparable in quality to the leading brands, but at a significantly lower cost (including their very own knock-off of the Jetboil!). I'll be using their Kraku stove, titanium pot, merino clothing and other little camping knick-knacks on my PCT hike this year. Highly recommend to check them out.
The Alpkit Kraku is just a copy of this for a little more (both a copy of the Fire Maple Hornet). No working piezo. Edit: and made in China. So, might as well just grab the cheaper BRS that is also lighter, that is now probably the most ubiquitous backpacking stove out there.
@@JimYeats I've owned a BTS and a Kraku and the Kraku is far better build quality. Plus mine has a working piezo and has worked for me for 6 years now 🤷♂️
@@fcboomstick Send us a link then, because I am looking at the release articles for the Alpkit Kraku (it’s actually made for them by Fire Maple) and it doesn’t have a piezo. Nor would the weight be 45g if it did. 45g is the weight of the basic Fire Maple Hornet FMS 300t and the Alpkit Kraku without a piezo. Edit: and I’m not saying the Fire Maple isn’t a better product, or have a higher build quality, but those gains have limited returns when most people are just using the stove to boil water. So most opt for the weight savings of the BRS.
@@JimYeats sorry, yes, you are right, it doesn't have a piezo on the Kraku. I was confusing it with a Campingaz one I sometimes use - too many bloody stoves! Haha. Other than that though, very happy with the Kraku as it has proven to be more efficient than my BRS or my Campingaz (i.e. more cups of tea from a single canister). But really the Kraku was a side thought here: I just wish more TH-camrs would pick up on Alpkit's gear as it's as good or better than half the stuff I see recommended over and over. I don't think I've heard anyone but Paul Messner even mention them on TH-cam - if it wasn't for him I would never have known myself. One thing of theirs I haven't tried but would love to is their Jetboil knock-off (presumably also made by Fire Maple as it looks exactly like theirs?) because it's so much cheaper than Jetboil and has coffee press attachments etc.
For backpacking, I use my BRS with a homemade aluminum foil windscreen and a pot that has heat fins like the Jetboil's. Those two things leveled the play field and I deep sixed my much heavier Jetboil. Both stoves will do the job well - it's just a matter of preference. When conditions dictate otherwise, I use Esbit tabs (super ultra lite) or my 52 year old SEVA 123r (freezing temperatures or if I need to signal orbiting space craft).
starting with a BRS and then upgrading to a Jetboil or an MSR PocketRocket and have the BRS as a backup. Win all around. The BRS is the perfect entrylevel BP stove. Awesome review though.
I split the difference and got a Soto Windmaster a couple years ago. It’s right in between these two in terms of weight, cost, and stability, while being just about as fast and efficient as the Jetboil. So far, the piezo still works too.
Great comparison and conclusion 🙂 I only started camping a few years ago and I've upgraded the tent, the mat, sleeping bag, got a ground sheet, etc but not my cheap own brand stove. Mainly because it came with a lightweight pot, a stand and a small stove. It does exactly what I need it to, admittedly not great in the wind but with a screen, it's all good. The Jetboil just seems too bulky and overkill for what I need.
You’re absolutely correct in your opinion. There’s no “right” answer. Both have a useful use case for backpacking. I will say my typical go to is the JetBoil. It goes on just about every camping adventure I’m on. (It’s the best field coffee maker in the world in my opinion.) My only complaint would be the piezo igniter for it… let’s just say it struggles. I don’t think it’s defective since multiple strikes will get it to spark, but I’ve noticed that depending on humidity, temperature, etc it can be temperamental. I keep my trusty zippo with me just in case, but I feel the frustration.
I have both of those stoves. I use the Jetboil for longer trips or when there is a large group of us. It's sooo fast. I haven't experienced ignition failure except on a few occasions where it took 2 or 3 tries to start it.
I like to use my jet boil in the winter time because the extra efficiency is really useful for melting snow. Otherwise in the summer, I just use my lighter weight stove because I never run out of fuel on a hiking trip.
I have the GSI Pinnacle Stove, and I think it is another great middle ground option that is a bit overlooked. It is $50 regular price, but I found it at Sierra for $28.
You probably know, but just in case: with this type of "tower" stove where the burner is on top of the canister, one has to be careful not to fully enclose the canister/stove combination within the windscreen: temperature can rise a lot in that enclosed space and create issues with the system, up to turning the canister into a bomb. Leave plenty of open space (on the lee side) or rig the screen so it only shields the burner. Or get a remote attachment so the canister can be detached from the burner and sit outside the screen. (still needs to be careful.)
@@DominiqueB IME, that's mostly a theoretical concern, although I agree that it is worthwhile to feel the canister occasionally to be sure that your specific setup doesn't overheat in your specific environment. Heat mostly flows up rather than down (although it is possible to screw it up). Some people use a heat shield between the burner and the canister. I have never found it necessary, but I can see why a company selling a product might include such a thing. In the Winter, a little heat warming the canister is a good thing. Just don't over-do it. A more likely issue is overheating the TOP of the windscreen, which can get hot enough to melt (thin) aluminum.
I've never paid more than $12 for a BRS stove. I have bought about a dozen of them too (I give gear to friends and family) Stove, pot (Toaks 550ml), and lighter (Bic Mini) come out to 106.2g/3.75oz and cost me $40.50. The Jetboil is bulky, heavy, and expensive. Plus you still have to carry a lighter since their piezo is essentially defective by design. So you lug around a broken piezo igniter plus a lighter for no reason. Sure, it boils faster, and uses less fuel but it costs 3 times as much, costs more than 3x as much, and takes up easily 2-3x the space too.
Love my jetboil. My ignitor quit on me while i was out on a hunt without a back up lighter. What worked for me was bending the little wire back into its original spot it was too close the burner. What i realized i was storing the burner incorrectly which in turn was smashing the igniter closed. Now i make sure it is stored correctly and it works everytime now 👍
The Jetboil Stash, which is certainly not cheap at $150, really does check all the boxes: It's lightweight (just over 7 oz), has the same efficient "Fast Boil" system, a stable burner, and a stabilizer stand for the fuel can. It all packs up into the pot, including a spot for a mini lighter under the lid.
I had a canister top heater. I learned to like a generic 30 dollar one that has a steel braid hose. Would I like a jet boil set up for both low equipment and for camping, sure, but pathfinder canteen and cup kit and a Colman grill solve both my needs for now. Though the pathfinder stuff isn’t exactly cheap either. I also don’t fully boil water outside camp meals, coffee and loose tea have different temperatures for best flavor.
Great comparison video and good recommendations! I'm using an original Pocket Rocket from the first year they were available and an aluminum pot from at least 40 years ago when I needed a bigger pot for melting snow on my Svea 123. I guess old habits are hard to break-haha.
I own both, and i aim to use the ultralight setup only on Bivouac Flight adventures (paragliding) during spring/summer, cause I’m bringing with me already 10kg of flying gear. But on long backpacking trips the jetboil will be better if you consider the amount of fuel you need more with the BRS. In windy conditions it is near to unusable, you need windscreen and more fuel, so the weight differences gets smaller..
Totally with ya on when/when not to bring the jetboil. I still have my first generation Jetboil with its long gone pietzo-maybe and its great on short trips, but on longer trips I'll bring my soto. Great comparison Miranda.
pro tip, look to rei's garage sales and their used gear for a jet boil on super sale. they're useful for all sorts of activities, car camping, climbing, etc. but def dont pay full price. the color changing jetboil is my go to but the pocket rocket for example does make a better flame thrower
Thank you for the delicious LMNT blueberry orange tea recipe! This may become my new favorite morning hot drink since the chocolate medly is no longer available. I absolutely loved the chocolate Chai flavor.
I have two different types of jet boils but are similar to each other and they light exactly the same way and I have found when lighting the jet boils they both light every time for me when the pot is on the stove before lighting, they do struggle to light up when exposed outside the pot not being on the stove. That's just the way I have used mine, I put the water in the pot first then put the pot on the stove then light it and that has never failed me. Love your videos
Soto windmaster everytime with toak titanium pot with the jet boil stand nested inside. Fuel efficiency is important & that is why BRS fails, To bee fair I do more than boil water on my windmaster, I can cook feats by adding MSR ceramic skillet & this set up making other campers jealous
Telling my doctor I weigh 81,000 almonds.
😂😂
94,840 almonds here. You made me do math!!
49,895 almonds 😂
Hahahahaha😂😂😂😂 81 000 almonds! Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!!!
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
When my sister and I went on the PCT I used a Pocket Rocket and she used the Jet Boil. I was so jealous of her Jet Boil once I saw it in action! The wind screen and the speed of boiling was fantastic. She had no regrets carrying it. I think both stoves are great in their own way but the Jet Boil sure is luxury.
A jet boil is 1/6 the price of an actual small whirlpool stove. The jet boil is way overpriced. You’re better off buying it on sale or secondhand.
I obtained a jet boil while I was on the PCT because someone just threw it away in a hiker box. At the time I was using the BRS 3000 and it took 14 minutes to boil some water the second time I used it. I could get it down to about 8ish minutes if I was really careful about where I put it but tbh wished I had brought my pocket rocket with me instead. After seeing just how fast the jet boil was I ended up putting it in the next hiker box. Never ended up buying another one...
@@TheAirlock have you taken a Whirlpool stove camping? If you have, you'd know that it boils water slower than a jet boil
Gear skeptic did a great video on this.
If you're a little patient, you can turn the heat down to low medium, your fuel last at least double what it does at max setting.
Was looking for this comment. 100% solid info from him.
@@TheMcspreader Gear Skeptic videos are for people who 1) Already know a lot and are looking to confirm their scientific assumptions, and 2) Desire to learn the reality of gear instead of the utter bollocks you'll get from the vast majority of outdoor TH-camrs...
I use the BSR with a Titanium pot and have enjoyed the simplicity of the system. It also breaks down into a really small size when packing up, which is important for a bikepacking setup. I did buy the orange fuel canister stand at REI for about $5, which does make the system much more stable. If anyone is interested in a Jetboil system, you can currently get one at REI for less than $100.
Introducing, the pietz-sometimes! The pietz-possibly! The pietz-tentially!
It’s Pavlov’s pietzo!!
@@RainerGolden Schrödinger's pietzo
@@JoelBecker72 Oh yes, that is what I meant 😂
pietz-soso
One of the big benefits of the Jetboil is its wind protection design. Really would've liked to see this indoors test used as a control, with a second test done outside for more real world conditions.
I use rhe brs i just carry a windscreen i bought from naturehike, could damn near it in a gale
sooooooo many other channels have already done all those tests and more tho
@@d.2110 So you’re saying this video is unnecessary then?
@@the_peefster You probably know, but just in case: with this type of "tower" stove where the burner is on top of the canister, one has to be careful not to fully enclose the canister/stove combination within the windscreen: temperature can rise a lot in that enclosed space and create issues with the system, up to turning the canister into a bomb. Leave plenty of open space (on the lee side) or rig the screen so it only shields the burner. Or get a remote attachment so the canister can be detached from the burner and sit outside the screen. (still needs to be careful.)
@@DominiqueB my windscreen sits several inches away from the stove
I'll never forget the time I was at a dry camp with only a litter and half of water, put 500 ml in my pot to make supper and just as it started boiling my pot tipped off the stove and spilled on the ground. Refilled and had a really dry hike the next day. It took me until about 3 the next day before I reached the next water source.
I’ve had my original Jetboil for about 20 years. I use it on every camping trip, cold hiking trips, music festivals and every road trip.
I had a Coleman Peak stove for 25+ years before I replaced it. It kicked butt - but it was HEAVY, especially when the fuel tank was full.
Love my Jet boil. Yes it might be heavier, it’s great for a weekend trip for me. I like your suggestion with sharing it amongst others at camp, as it cuts cooking time as well as fuel consumption. The smaller lighter ones are intriguing but, I like the stability of the jet boil as well as not needing a pot grabber so that I don’t burn my fingers.
100%
Ultralight hikers: "What is a stove?"
Ive been using my jetboil about 5 years. One of the reasons I prefer it is because I like the fact the fuel, fuel stand, cleaning sponge silicon hot mat/pot holder & pot support all consolidated inside the jetboil pot. Most of my hikes are only 15 to 20 mile hikes so the extra wait isn’t bad. Does seam like overkill on some hikes.
I personally haven’t had any major issues with my ignitor.
I liked your conclusion on this one because there really is no one size fits all when it comes to gear like this. You absolutely hit the nail on the head that in a group setting on perhaps a shorter trip, the jetboil feels way more appropriate than say on a week+ trip on technical terrain where something like the BRS wins on weight.
I've discovered something similar with down jackets as well where I am in the market for the lightest, most compressible jacket I can find to meet kit requirements on a mountain race where I'm using it as a layer. Many of the reviews on those jackets that are negative seem to come from people that don't have a proper understanding of the jackets use case, expecting it to perform in the cold as well as a much larger and heavier jacket.
the weight is really not much an issue when you consider you have to carry twice as much fuel with the brs stove if you did the week plus trip, then the weight is essentially the same...still have to consider the pot with the brs and the fuel can....the weight different is down to ounces...not much....i have both and the jetboil is exponentially more effective on week or longer trips...as a coffee drinker , adding the plunger to the jetboil is where the weight gets even more even as i dont have to bring a seperate item to make coffee , broken down it fits inside the jetboil pot with the stove, the fuel can ....end of the day, it saves carrying extra fuel, add the french press plunger at literally next to no weight, you get great coffee with out more bulk....the stability is what essentially seals the deal...
@@burnsidebobthorpe All fair points! I guess I was imagining more in the scenario like myself where I might be cold soaking meals and using a heated setup for coffee in the mornings. In which case even if I am using roughly 1.8x more fuel as demonstrated by Miranda, on a 198g canister I'd have to be going for more than 22 days before I ran out. In that time frame I'm usually either done, or would have passed though a place I could pick up more fuel as needed. Like I said originally I think there's a good argument to be made completely depending on the person and the trip needs.
After using both the Jetboil and BRS, I settled on the Soto Windmaster. Great efficiency, decently light, and I can swap to the 3 or 4 prong pot holder as needed.
Maddie of Beer In Beautiful Places had her stove with a pot full of boiling water tip over on her legs while thru hiking the Appalachian Trail last year. Always cook on the ground.
rookie mistake. surprised no one warned her not to do that.
I've had the Jetboil since it came out in the early 2000's. It's my primary cooking system because it just works, and is extremely efficient. The BRS and titanium cup would be a great ultralight option. On backpacking trips I used it for group cooking and it's worked great. Maybe a little heavy for some but the benefits are worth it to me.
I bought the jetboil when they came out, to heat my ration pack meals in the British army, something a small cup and BRS can't do. I too have a BRS and small 500ml pot for freeze dried meals, knowing in the back of my mind the BRS will eat my fuel twice as fast. It's shame people who make jetboil videos don't know how to use them, or what they are for....
Piez-maybe? Piez-Noooooooooooo 😂 BRS for me. Was a great video. Thanks.
I have the Soto Amicus and I love it! It has yet to fail and works well in windy conditions. It also comes with a handy cookset that a fuel canister can fit it. Pricewise it's between the BRS and Jetboil
I'll give this video a thumbs up for the back to the Future references alone let alone the information about the products. :)
I have the little $20 stove, which I found for $6.00 at a thrift store. It works perfectly, including the piezo button--every time. The fuel adjustment lever really lets you turn the flame down to several levels of low. I'm really happy with it.
omg immediately liked for "Mike Tyson is a basketball player"
He a professional pigeon trainer beyond that I know nothing lol
In fairness, he did have a basketball court at his house that had a "Team Tyson" logo painted on it, so he was a basketball player.
@scottplumer3668 I think he also was fairly successful selling frozen chickens in the supper market too 😀
His brother Steven Tyson sings with that band Aerosmith
@@thedirtyknobs yeah everybody knows that.
I bought those little BRS stoves off Etsy several years ago for about $6 or $7 apiece. They weren’t called BRS. They were unbranded but it was the same stove. I would give them to friends and family. I love em.
I don't camp often but I like a Jet Boil system. I only care about boiling water for bag meals. I like how quick and stable they are. 💯✌️🤟🤘
Yeah I have both. BRS for fastpacking jetboil for family hiking trips i even bring the jetboil on car camping trips sometimes
Right! These are two very different stoves for very different use cases.
I have the MSR windburner stove. It's heavy, but once you add in a pot, windscreen, and additional fuel for the pocket stove, I still prefer the MSR system.
I've been using the BRS for years... Never failed me. Works and boil your water... That's it and plenty enough for me.
Jet boil for car/campground camping! BRS for backpacking! I have both and use them in this way. Great review! Thank you!😊
I’ve gone through every type of stove and lately landed on the Soto Windmaster. Yes, it’s expensive but it’s definitely the most effective so far.
At my age (74) I must carry less weight on even overnight trips. I use my BRS on low power until the water steams then turn it up. This greatly improves fuel efficiency. The main design fault with BRS is the unnecessarily large gap between the flame and the pot. Another is the lack of a wind shield. I have also heard you can melt the pot stand off them if your pot runs dry while the burner is full on.
Titanium pots are really limited to boiling water since as a poor conductor its easy to burn food. I therefore use a light aluminium pot which serves all purposes and improves boiling efficiency. Its cheaper than titanium too yet a similar weight. Everything including BRS, lighter, utensils, pot scrubber and gas bottle packs into my pot. I will only use a jet boil when I can borrow it from someone else in our party. It's way to heavy to be an advantage.
Thanks Miranda for encouraging people to think about the pros and cons of jetboil versus BRS. Its been a worthwhile conversation and confirmed to me that for my needs BRS is more than adequate.
I love that you didn't crap out and pick one. I use an alcohol stove, a BRS, a Primus Lite+, or my Blackstone depending on the type of trip and sometimes no stove at all if I'm cooking over a fire. It's all about the trip and needs. Thanks!!
Apples and Oranges comparison. With the JetBoil you are getting a pot, cozy, heat indicator, heat wind screen, heat flux, lid, a stand for the gas canister, even a measuring cup. Plus the JetBoil has accessories, aka, it's a system. I have the French press & pot supporter adapter. As far as the piezo, I have had my JetBoil for 10+ years and it still works. I did have to bend it back down once. With all of that said, for ultralight backpackers, go with the pocket rocket.
I like the jetboil for car camping. Just too bulky and heavy for backpacking. I'll stick to my MSR. Great information, thanks for the demonstration. 😊
Once again, MSR pocket rocket is just awesome. I still have a pocket rocket 1 from about 20 years ago, and it is still hard to beat.
I like to play the role of camp dad when camping/backpacking/hiking and ensure that everyone I go with has a good time so i feel comfortable with carrying a little extra weight. After trying some camping stove options, I opted for the SUMO Jet Boil with their Grande Coffee Press last year and I've been in love with it! The best part is I can fit the fuel, coffee press equipment (and coffee), and a small cleaning towel all inside the Jet Boil. It's actually a pretty sick setup.
Ive had the BRS for 4 years and love it. So tiny, I just put the stove inside my pot to store it. It might take a little longer but the weight and price are well worth it.
I bought my first Jetboil almost ten years ago and it was a game changer. I pack a larger flash for the truck and pack a mini for the trail.
A couple of times it's been Jetboil to the rescue with other backpackers due to fuel or stove failure.
BRS or Pocket Rocket, Toaks 750ml, the support stand, and a wind guard is my go to. Light and cheap.
Mine, too, but I'm seriously thinking about getting the canister stabilizer. I keep the BRS inside my cup/pot so it doesn't get lost
So adds up to the same as a jetboil then,
I'm here because I'm considering a Jetboil over my BRS since my last trip. I needed 2 cans of fuel to last the week (2 people) and with a constant strong wind, it took forever to boil water with the BRS.
Have you considered the soto windmaster or pocketrocket deluxe? Both good in wind, especially the soto, and a $50 savings over the Jetboil. Could be the ticket. But Jetboil is a great stove for many purposes.
Get a windscreen for ur pot diameter & BRS from Flat Cat Gear to save fuel & money. It also protects ur canister from excess heat, the handle never heats up 👍
I have a JB Flash that I’ve had for many years. It’s very reliable and well used. More recently as I hike more I have a BRS and 750 ml titanium pot. My entire cook kit including fuel fits in the pot. I really like this set up. Also have a Trangia. It really just depends on what I’m doing and what I’m cooking.
I use the BRS with a Neoross windscreen. Works like a champ and eliminates the stability issues. Still under 3oz.
Thankfully the piezo on my Minimo works fantastic. Never had any issues using it weekly over the past couple years. But I always carry a lighter anyway. Great comparison!
My pick: The cheap burner, plus a knockoff heat-exchanger pot to accelerate the boil, plus 3d-printing my own tripod for the fuel canister for stability. Total outlay $53 plus an hour of print time, and I've got everything except the locking nubbins and the koozie.
I have a snow peak light weight stove with a built in piezo ignition. I have several other lightweight stoves, but that’s always my first choice, and the fuel and stove fit nicely into my pot.
The little handheld stoves can be stabilized somewhat with a base sold separately, similar to what is provided with the jetboil. Also you can bury your fuel canister halfway in sand or dirt or snow. Doesnt secure the pot but helps in general. You can increase fuel efficiency and speed up cook times with a shield, can be shaped out of tin foil and wrap it around the setup. Allow about 4-6in clearance around the fuel and high enough to protect about half your pot. This keeps the heat near your food and keeps flame from going out in the wind.
I’m by no means an ultralight backpacker but I own two Rocket Pocket style stoves and after trying all other stove types, including the JetBoil, I’ll take the pocket stoves any day.
I do a lot of mountain travel and these stoves are super easy to pack, take up no space, they are ridiculously dependable - one is almost 25 years old and the other around 10 - and they still boil a litre of water in two minutes. But, they are also versatile, as I also use them canoe tripping. There - for half the price and half the room - i often use the two of them simultaneously, cooking for the entire party. Eg. one pot for rice or veggies, the other for a stew or soup. Or, one pot for coffee or tea while the other one takes care of the bannock.
They are tippy, though…
Great and refreshing comparison! Personally, I did my best to get the best of both worlds and so I got the Jetboil Stash combo, and sold away the stove that comes with that combo since its low BTU, has no wind protection and doesn't have a regulator, I kept only the pot which is awesome, it has the heat exchanger fins under it to capture sideways heat from the stove (which makes it super efficient). The stove I use with this pot is the soto windmaster. The combination wasn't my idea, it was found to be the most efficient combination that is currently on the market. Boil time of 1 minute and 40 ish seconds, handles wind extremely well since its the soto windmaster, boils at half the fuel consumption that the windmaster would do on its own, and in super cold weather it has a regulator to make sure you can keep a steady rate of gas output. The Jetboil Stash is the most lightweight pot Jetboil makes, so the combination of it plus the BRS could be an interesting review for ultralighters who want to have roughly double their fuel efficiency yet don't need the windmaster since they aren't in cold weather - maybe it could mean carrying a smaller gas canister since you get double the boils, or carrying only one gas canister instead of two in a group hike. Worth a check for sure.
I like to combine a light weight stove with a pot that has a heat exchanger. The Soto Windmaster and an Olicamp XTS for example. Firemaple also makes pots with a built in heat exchanger. I'm currently experimenting with pairing my BRS_3000T with the Jetboil Stash pot for a great light weight and fast boiling system. The arms of the BRS actually fit into the fins on the Flux ring on the bottom of the Stash pot. It boils quickly and is more stable than any other BRS/pot combo that I have tried.
I've been using the BRS for the last 4 years and it's great BUT it really needs a windshield in windy weather or it will blow out! But you can get pots with built-in heat exchangers which greatly improve its boil time (I use a Fire Maple). Adding the FireMaple pot and a windshield brings the weight and bulk up although still not to jetboil levels. However, I've just gotten a Soto Windmaster which is slightly bigger and heavier but removes the need for a wind shield (or so I hope!) and thus keeps weight close to the BRS. We shall see.
Very helpful, thank you. I am going to do a 100+ mile hike and trying to knock down my weight for the trip. Love my jet boil and its stability, but the weight!
I bought a Snowpeak Gigapower Light Max stove like 15 years ago, not sure they still make them, but it’s a good stove that weight 56.5 grams (so much less than some stoves but much more than a BRS stove). It’s a fine stove that serves its function well. I also use a Redbull can alcohol burner and the whole system for that including a fuel bottle and windscreen/pot stand weighs like 39.5 grams, and I made that whole system from repurposed items, so it was free except my labor. It’s not super efficient, but it’s super lightweight.
Well, this was a delightful first video to see by you. I especially enjoyed the sound effects, you goob! Keep up the good work!
I've had my Jet Boil for about 14 years and the igniter has never failed me. I think they went through a phase of poor sourcing, but most of them should be good.
Was doing the JMT with a few friends and while cooking dinner at the outlet of Thousand Island Lake, one of the friends had one of the BRS stoves. It sprung a propane leak at the stove-canister connection and proceeded to ignite blowtorch the canister toward a catastrophic explosion. We flung it into the outlet of the lake to put it out (and recovered it) but I can't, in good conscience, recommend trusting these stoves. You get what you pay for.
There's a rubber gasket to seal the canister to the stove, and it pays to bring an extra one, tho scary way find out u need one 😮😅
@@danielsingh9415 yes the gasket was still present but broke or got pinched. It was too cooked to tell once we got it out and cooled down.
I have the Jetboil Minimo and I love it! I keep it in my car for emergencies along with some backpacking meals and it actually saved me one day when my tire blew on my way home one night and I was able to have a bite to eat to keep myself going until help came!
I agree with your review 100%, the jet boil style stays in the SUV and the little pack stove is in the pack.
Learn how to use it properly then.
I have the smaller jet boil and I absolutely love it. I love the sturdy ness of it. I don’t need to save the weight that much lol. I love the lid for coffee, I have the coffee press for it , you really can’t beat it.
The little BSR is a phenomenal little stove, BUT!
It sucks in the wind unless you have a clip on wind screen (Optimus comes to mind) it consumes a lot of fuel in any breeze you're limited to pot size concentrated heat direction due to the burner size (You will scorch oatmeal🤮) and it actually pretty Honkin loud.
Did I mention Size?
I actually lost one in high grass one time on a day hike.
Took me and my friend like 30+ minutes to find it, but because of that small light size I stash one in my bag in-case my main stove ever fails.
Great show..
Loved this one! Im currently staging for my 1st backpacking trip and have tons of Qs about gear. Dont want to spend/buy too much for 2 reasons: 1 - what if i dont like backpacking or cant handle carrying a load up hills. 2 - i know the best way to figure out what's best for me is to USE the gear. That way I will be able to tell what i really prefer. Anyhoo - just my 2 cents
I love my Trangia, its a little heavy, but if you want to move beyond just boiling water or you're cooking for multiple people its great.
I've used it on Dartmoor, and here in the PNW.
Plus it won't tip over, doesn't use a fuel canister and Heet (or methylated spirits) is readily available.
I also have a Trangia triangle but you can't get those over here.
I solo trekked for 4 days through the Wadi Rum desert and used a Trangia the entire time with an Alocs Trangia stand, all of which fits snugly into a 1.1L GSI Soloist which includes a cup/bowl and lid. A 3F-UL windshield also wraps perfectly around the Alocs stand within the bowl circumference, and all of this together allowed me to cook and boil water for 96hrs while only carrying 350ml of methylated spirits on top of the 80ml I started off with in the Trangia. Gas cannisters are for people who never leave the comfort of their well-trodden hiking paths with a store every 50-100km...
The BRS is great for the price. It's the rare exception to the "Light/Cheap/Good...pick two" backpacking gear conundrum. When I got into backpacking I bought two of them along with two Toaks pots for my son and I for about half of what the Jetboil system was going for at the time. That said they are not the most efficient stove on the market, so an argument could be made that for longer hikes something more efficient like the Windmaster is better because you don't have to carry as much fuel. I've recently picked up a Soto Amicus to try that out for a bit and will see how it goes.
I really appreciate these videos you do. I'm getting back into hiking and backpacking and I'm trying to resupply myself with newer stuff and I can't get over the pricing of some of the new gear available right now. It's nice to see the more budget-friendly stuff actually tested out. Thanks!
Carried a BRS stove with the cookpot from a Stanley Adventure cook set on my AT thru and it worked just fine and is still working 😁
To fix the piezo ignitor, use a fine grade fingernail file (or sanding paper) to scuff up the wire tip. My replacement burner had the same issue.
Great job, thank you. I’m getting one of each. I’ve seen the jet boil at work at elk camp and as you mentioned, it works great with others ready to eat hearty especially after hiking for miles while on the hunt.
Curious how mine would do, so I tested. Pocket Rocket (original) and OliCamp XTS pot.
100ft elevation, 1:19 to boil, 5 grams fuel use.
Yeah, my jetboil for 15 years is rock solid. I havent used the replacement pietzo yet, or however you spell it lol. My bottom holder plastic rim did break but I dont use it.
I just received my brs 3000t and did a simple inaugural test run. For what it is, it appears to be promising so far! Keep perspective and I think it’ll serve end-users just fine!
I very much love the Jetboil and use it at home during hot summer days too. I find myself not bringing it on longer day hikes due to size and weight. Grabbing an alternative lightweight option for colder day hikes seems a better way to go for me. LMNT is incredible. Totally love it and wouldn’t hike without it. Will add for daily consumption as I make most of my food. What a great video!!
I've used my BRS3000t for over 5500 trail miles! Best stove for backpacking!!!!!!!!!
Try using the jetboil piezo while the pot is connected to the burner, it’s safer as you don’t have open flame, and in my experience it will light more reliably in that configuration. Be sure to only do this while you have water in the pot, as you can damage the heat exchanger by firing it without liquid in the pot.
Great comparison and conclusions. I have both a JetBoil Minimo and a BRS setup, and use for different types of trips as you described. However, pro tip, I pair my BRS with the Toaks Light 700ml pot, which is a wider than average diameter at 4 1/2" (115mm), and it just feels much more stable. Love it!
Yes, the 700 light is an excellent choice for solo use.
I have the Jetboil Sol titanium edition. Recently, I ordered a Jetboil Stash stove to replace the original stove that came with the my Sol, as the new Stash stove is also titanium. It’s the same style as the BRS, but more robust. I find it a really good upgrade to all titanium, while still keeping the nice flux ring in the picture. It also leaves more room in my Sol’s cup for storage since the new stove is smaller.
For anyone interested in the BRS, consider Walmart’s Ozark Trails 4 in 1 compact stove for only $14.95. Boils 2 cups in about 2.5 minutes and comes with a stand, case and an adapter to use Coleman cylinder tanks. Works great!
Loved this format ! And the medium options are well appreciated !!!
Currently preparing for my first backpacking trip, and I'm rewatching all your videos even more than usual 🥰 (and bought a dehydrator haha)
Thank you so much for all the comprehensive info xx
I have a jetboil knockoff that cost me 1/3 the price of a jetboil. I got it on amazon... the best part is the press-button ignition works first try every time. I almost never use anything else now. It replaced everything and I've never regretted the little bit of extra space/weight it takes up.
Another suggestion that literally no American TH-camrs ever seem to mention is Alpkit's Kraku stove. It weighs 45g, packs super-tiny, has a (working) piezo, and costs $30. Alpkit are a British company, but I'm 100% certain that they ship to the Americas. They're also super environmentally friendly and put much of their profits back into the environment and other charitable causes. They also have excellent warranties and after-sales service. I've used everything from their tents (British style, double-skinned: we have too much rain for single-skin tents) to their cookware, clothing and bikepacking equipment. All of their gear is comparable in quality to the leading brands, but at a significantly lower cost (including their very own knock-off of the Jetboil!). I'll be using their Kraku stove, titanium pot, merino clothing and other little camping knick-knacks on my PCT hike this year. Highly recommend to check them out.
Also from the UK and I have a few pieces of Alpkit gear. It's great quality and very well priced.
The Alpkit Kraku is just a copy of this for a little more (both a copy of the Fire Maple Hornet). No working piezo.
Edit: and made in China. So, might as well just grab the cheaper BRS that is also lighter, that is now probably the most ubiquitous backpacking stove out there.
@@JimYeats I've owned a BTS and a Kraku and the Kraku is far better build quality. Plus mine has a working piezo and has worked for me for 6 years now 🤷♂️
@@fcboomstick Send us a link then, because I am looking at the release articles for the Alpkit Kraku (it’s actually made for them by Fire Maple) and it doesn’t have a piezo. Nor would the weight be 45g if it did. 45g is the weight of the basic Fire Maple Hornet FMS 300t and the Alpkit Kraku without a piezo.
Edit: and I’m not saying the Fire Maple isn’t a better product, or have a higher build quality, but those gains have limited returns when most people are just using the stove to boil water. So most opt for the weight savings of the BRS.
@@JimYeats sorry, yes, you are right, it doesn't have a piezo on the Kraku. I was confusing it with a Campingaz one I sometimes use - too many bloody stoves! Haha. Other than that though, very happy with the Kraku as it has proven to be more efficient than my BRS or my Campingaz (i.e. more cups of tea from a single canister). But really the Kraku was a side thought here: I just wish more TH-camrs would pick up on Alpkit's gear as it's as good or better than half the stuff I see recommended over and over. I don't think I've heard anyone but Paul Messner even mention them on TH-cam - if it wasn't for him I would never have known myself. One thing of theirs I haven't tried but would love to is their Jetboil knock-off (presumably also made by Fire Maple as it looks exactly like theirs?) because it's so much cheaper than Jetboil and has coffee press attachments etc.
For backpacking, I use my BRS with a homemade aluminum foil windscreen and a pot that has heat fins like the Jetboil's. Those two things leveled the play field and I deep sixed my much heavier Jetboil. Both stoves will do the job well - it's just a matter of preference. When conditions dictate otherwise, I use Esbit tabs (super ultra lite) or my 52 year old SEVA 123r (freezing temperatures or if I need to signal orbiting space craft).
starting with a BRS and then upgrading to a Jetboil or an MSR PocketRocket and have the BRS as a backup. Win all around. The BRS is the perfect entrylevel BP stove. Awesome review though.
I split the difference and got a Soto Windmaster a couple years ago. It’s right in between these two in terms of weight, cost, and stability, while being just about as fast and efficient as the Jetboil.
So far, the piezo still works too.
Miranda: Mike Tyson is a... basketball player?
Rainer: OHHHH MY GOOOOD
MSR Windburner. I use it everyday, even multiple times for a couple if years straight and still works like day 1.
Great comparison and conclusion 🙂
I only started camping a few years ago and I've upgraded the tent, the mat, sleeping bag, got a ground sheet, etc but not my cheap own brand stove. Mainly because it came with a lightweight pot, a stand and a small stove. It does exactly what I need it to, admittedly not great in the wind but with a screen, it's all good.
The Jetboil just seems too bulky and overkill for what I need.
Soto amicus with pot included are always on sale at REI and are great stoves compact and the price cannot be beat for the kit
You’re absolutely correct in your opinion. There’s no “right” answer. Both have a useful use case for backpacking.
I will say my typical go to is the JetBoil. It goes on just about every camping adventure I’m on. (It’s the best field coffee maker in the world in my opinion.)
My only complaint would be the piezo igniter for it… let’s just say it struggles. I don’t think it’s defective since multiple strikes will get it to spark, but I’ve noticed that depending on humidity, temperature, etc it can be temperamental. I keep my trusty zippo with me just in case, but I feel the frustration.
I have both of those stoves. I use the Jetboil for longer trips or when there is a large group of us. It's sooo fast. I haven't experienced ignition failure except on a few occasions where it took 2 or 3 tries to start it.
That’s amazing!! It seems like some of us just have bad luck 🍀
I've used a Jetboil Flash for the past 3 years ( including a PCT Through hike attempt ), and the Piazzo has only failed once and was quickly fixed.
FireMaple Petrel HX pot is $18 and fits perfectly on the Soto Windmaster for a fraction of a JetBoil's cost.
I like to use my jet boil in the winter time because the extra efficiency is really useful for melting snow. Otherwise in the summer, I just use my lighter weight stove because I never run out of fuel on a hiking trip.
I have the GSI Pinnacle Stove, and I think it is another great middle ground option that is a bit overlooked. It is $50 regular price, but I found it at Sierra for $28.
Also, a foil windscreen makes the BRS almost as efficient as the JetBoil.
You probably know, but just in case: with this type of "tower" stove where the burner is on top of the canister, one has to be careful not to fully enclose the canister/stove combination within the windscreen: temperature can rise a lot in that enclosed space and create issues with the system, up to turning the canister into a bomb. Leave plenty of open space (on the lee side) or rig the screen so it only shields the burner. Or get a remote attachment so the canister can be detached from the burner and sit outside the screen. (still needs to be careful.)
@@DominiqueB IME, that's mostly a theoretical concern, although I agree that it is worthwhile to feel the canister occasionally to be sure that your specific setup doesn't overheat in your specific environment. Heat mostly flows up rather than down (although it is possible to screw it up).
Some people use a heat shield between the burner and the canister. I have never found it necessary, but I can see why a company selling a product might include such a thing.
In the Winter, a little heat warming the canister is a good thing. Just don't over-do it.
A more likely issue is overheating the TOP of the windscreen, which can get hot enough to melt (thin) aluminum.
I've never paid more than $12 for a BRS stove. I have bought about a dozen of them too (I give gear to friends and family) Stove, pot (Toaks 550ml), and lighter (Bic Mini) come out to 106.2g/3.75oz and cost me $40.50. The Jetboil is bulky, heavy, and expensive. Plus you still have to carry a lighter since their piezo is essentially defective by design. So you lug around a broken piezo igniter plus a lighter for no reason. Sure, it boils faster, and uses less fuel but it costs 3 times as much, costs more than 3x as much, and takes up easily 2-3x the space too.
Love my jetboil. My ignitor quit on me while i was out on a hunt without a back up lighter. What worked for me was bending the little wire back into its original spot it was too close the burner. What i realized i was storing the burner incorrectly which in turn was smashing the igniter closed. Now i make sure it is stored correctly and it works everytime now 👍
The Jetboil Stash, which is certainly not cheap at $150, really does check all the boxes: It's lightweight (just over 7 oz), has the same efficient "Fast Boil" system, a stable burner, and a stabilizer stand for the fuel can. It all packs up into the pot, including a spot for a mini lighter under the lid.
I had a canister top heater. I learned to like a generic 30 dollar one that has a steel braid hose. Would I like a jet boil set up for both low equipment and for camping, sure, but pathfinder canteen and cup kit and a Colman grill solve both my needs for now. Though the pathfinder stuff isn’t exactly cheap either. I also don’t fully boil water outside camp meals, coffee and loose tea have different temperatures for best flavor.
Great comparison video and good recommendations! I'm using an original Pocket Rocket from the first year they were available and an aluminum pot from at least 40 years ago when I needed a bigger pot for melting snow on my Svea 123. I guess old habits are hard to break-haha.
I own both, and i aim to use the ultralight setup only on Bivouac Flight adventures (paragliding) during spring/summer, cause I’m bringing with me already 10kg of flying gear. But on long backpacking trips the jetboil will be better if you consider the amount of fuel you need more with the BRS. In windy conditions it is near to unusable, you need windscreen and more fuel, so the weight differences gets smaller..
Totally with ya on when/when not to bring the jetboil. I still have my first generation Jetboil with its long gone pietzo-maybe and its great on short trips, but on longer trips I'll bring my soto. Great comparison Miranda.
pro tip, look to rei's garage sales and their used gear for a jet boil on super sale. they're useful for all sorts of activities, car camping, climbing, etc.
but def dont pay full price. the color changing jetboil is my go to but the pocket rocket for example does make a better flame thrower
Thank you for the delicious LMNT blueberry orange tea recipe! This may become my new favorite morning hot drink since the chocolate medly is no longer available. I absolutely loved the chocolate Chai flavor.
I have two different types of jet boils but are similar to each other and they light exactly the same way and I have found when lighting the jet boils they both light every time for me when the pot is on the stove before lighting, they do struggle to light up when exposed outside the pot not being on the stove. That's just the way I have used mine, I put the water in the pot first then put the pot on the stove then light it and that has never failed me. Love your videos
Soto windmaster everytime with toak titanium pot with the jet boil stand nested inside. Fuel efficiency is important & that is why BRS fails, To bee fair I do more than boil water on my windmaster, I can cook feats by adding MSR ceramic skillet & this set up making other campers jealous