I bought my JetBoil Personal Cooking System because I wanted a backpacking stove that was easy to use, compact, and reliable. I was tired of flames dying out with the slightest breeze. Several of my friends had JetBoils before I decided to buy mine, and after trying theirs and seeing them in use I knew I had to get one!
The beauty of the JetBoil PCS is that all of its parts pack into itself, making it easy to store in your backpack. The mug is insulated, which keeps my hot chocolate nice and warm on cold nights, and it makes it easier to boil water quickly.
On a snow camping trip with friends last year, those of us with JetBoils were the happiest – the flame did not go out with wind gusts, we were able to melt snow quickly and easily, and we had the hottest hot chocolate of anyone in the group. I typically even drink out of the mug while the fuel canister is still attached.
The wise engineers at JetBoil are no longer making the JetBoil Personal Cooking System version of their solo stove, but they now have an even better model called the JetBoil Flash. The main difference is that there is an indicator on the outside of the mug that tells you when the water is boiling. Definitely a nice feature, but I’m more than happy with my JetBoil Personal Cooking System for now!
Most stores are now selling the JetBoil Flash.
A small accessory that is worthwhile buying is the JetBoil Pot Support and Stabilizer. This enables you to convert your JetBoil into a stove that is compatible with any pan. I use mine with my SnowPeak titanium set when I want to use a pot that is bigger than the JetBoil mug, and also I use the Pot Support and Stabilizer when I make my famous backcountry scrambled eggs 🙂
Be sure to check out the quick Hiking Lady videos: How to Use a JetBoil Personal Cooking System!
Hi Viscara,
Thanks for the feedback and info about the danger issue. I wasn’t aware of that, so I appreciate your sharing this with everyone. My main reason for liking the JetBoil PCS so much is the ease of use. I’ve never had any issues, nor have my many friends who also use them. I know the limitations of having the cup/pot system, but the simplicity works for me. To each his/her own 🙂
Happy trails!
I like your blog and info you provide on it. Thats said I would like to say I am not a serious fan of the jetboil systems. For one there is a serious issue and danger with them right now of them over heating and catching fire big time. The heat exchanger on the bottom is made of extremely thin gage metal and have been having issues of catching fire. I seriously think people have been so caught up with the “Whoopie” factor of it boiling 2 cups of water a whole 1 min or 1.5min faster than the competitions stoves that they loose sight of things. Especially what is important like “Relaibility” versatility of use. With Jetboil you locked into there “Pot system” which in itself is very limited to the cup not a pot. Or your forced to use their base camp over kill pot system. Also the system is pricey for what you get. I will stick to my alchy stoves for solo or ultra lite way to go and vintage SVEA123 fuel system that never lets me down no matter the cold or altitude.
I seen so many have problems of the electric ignitor on the jetfoils fail and the stoves being finicky. For the price of one Jetboil I can buy 2 alcohol stoves and 2 very nice pot setups.
These are just my experiences and opinions as we all know everyone has one just like something else everyone has one of. So take it with a grain of salt.