Jetboil Stash Review

The Jetboil Stash uniquely blends performance and durability in a lightweight package, making it a go-to for our review team when needing to boil only water. After weeks of testing, we can confidently say this option is a great choice if you need a capable stove on the lighter side. 

Fuel Efficiency

We gave this crucial metric 25% of the total score of the Jetboil Stash. We tested this metric by weighing a fuel canister before and after boiling .5 liters of water, determining how much fuel was burned per boil. We ultimately carried this test out multiple times to formulate an average. We also spent weeks with the Stash in the field, taking detailed notes along the way regarding its fuel efficiency. This option came in near the top of the chart.

With an average of .15 oz of fuel per boil, the Stash will take your canister of iso-propane very far, whether on a short weekend getaway or a months-long thru-hiking mission with re-supply runs. We logged days of camping in the High Sierra while testing the Stash and were able to stretch an 8 oz can of fuel nearly twice as long as some of the competition. As with any of the options tested, when utilizing the Stash for cooking noodles or sauteing a meal on a pan, its fuel efficiency decreased. At the end of the day, this is an incredible option if fuel efficiency is a priority.

Weight

We gave weight 25% of the total score of the Jetboil Stash since shoppers will need to carry their backpacking stove across a variety of distances. We simply weighed the stove, pot, and lid of each option. For models that don't include a pot or lid, we used a standardized pot and lid for an accurate comparison. Additionally, we took note of each stove's packability, though we didn't include those findings in the overall score. The Stash came in towards the very top of the review in this metric.

The Jetboil Stash weighs an impressive 7.2 ounces, including its pot, stove, and lid. We also were huge fans of its packability, with a wide and shallow .8 liter pot fitting easily into our packs. Unlike some of the competition, the Stash proves you don't have to sacrifice performance to keep the weight down, with excellent scores in other metrics, especially including fuel efficiency. While this option also comes with a plastic fuel canister stand, we didn't feel like we needed it, further lightening our load.

Simmering Ability

We gave this metric 20% of the total score of the Jetboil Stash. We tested this metric by making a standard-sized box of Annie's mac and cheese with each option, taking note of how difficult it was to keep the water simmering while cooking the noodles. While virtually every option required some pot lifting to keep the water from boiling over, some stoves only required a little bit of tending, while others needed their pot to be held above the stove the entire time. The Stash came in about average in this metric.

While the high-powered Jetboil Stash has some degree of simmer adjustability, it's best for chefs wanting to just boil water for dehydrated or freeze-dried meals. When sauteeing veggies or cooking noodles, you'll need to keep a very close eye on the pot, and we'd recommend orienting a few rocks around the stove to serve as a cooking platform to spare your arms, as it can be tiring to keep a pan or pot floating above the Stash. For shoppers needing a stove for more complex cuisines, we'd recommend looking elsewhere, but if you primarily need to boil water, this is the option for you.

Ease Of Use

We gave this option 15% of the total score of the Jetboil Stash. We logged weeks with each stove in the backcountry, taking detailed notes regarding ease of use along the way. Options that scored higher in this metric were more intuitive to use, more friendly to light, and were stable with a weighted pot. The Stash came in above average in this metric.

This stove was effortless to fire up, with a classic screw-on canister attachment and three support arms that hugged the bottom of the included pot. The flame adjustment was also easy, allowing us to quickly turn the stove on or off. With the pot fully loaded with water, we had to ensure the prongs were properly extended and in the most stable position; otherwise, the pot would fall over. We got used to this instability, but we would have liked to see a bit better balance from the Stash. Also, it's a very tight fit to get the stove and an 8 oz fuel can inside while traveling, with the lid often popping open when inside a bag. With a stove system as light as the Stash, it's understandable why Jetboil included a smaller .8 liter pot, but it makes it difficult when cooking certain noodle dishes. Despite a few setbacks, this model is user-friendly for a variety of backpacking trips.

Boil Time

We gave boil time 15% of the total score of the Stash. We simply measured the time it took to boil .5 liters of water and replicated the test to create an average. For each round, we made sure the pot had completely cooled again and used a fresh pot of cool water. We also ensured each test was performed at 5,000ft in elevation and in the same ambient air temperature. The Stash came in towards the front of the pack in the lineup.

The Jetboil Stash boasts an average .5 liter boil time of 2 minutes and 25 seconds, which was plenty quick enough for our backpacking outings. Jetboil struck an excellent balance between fuel conservation and boil time considering the Stash's phenomenal scores in the fuel efficiency metric. When melting snow to make water, we found this option to run a bit slower than some, though it was largely due to the smaller pot slowing things down. 

Should you buy the Jetboil Stash?

The Jetboil Stash is an incredible stove if you're looking to primarily boil water for your backcountry meals. You'll be hard-pressed to find another option that blends a lightweight construction with top-tier fuel efficiency. 

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