JetBoil review

[RedMan]

Hey all,

Just wanted to get some input from anyone who has/had a JetBoil Personal Cooking system.

I have one and will be posting some reviews after I use it in Moab in a few weeks.

[accadacca]

Funny you should mention this. Some nice discussion going in the Backpacking & Camping section. http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2160

[climbinghalfdome]

So its no secret that MSR came out with a copy cat that works better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34EMehx1XHQ
My big question is how did it perform in temperatures below 20 degrees?
In the store dude freezes a canister in a block of ice then fires it right up on a reactor stove. The illusion with this is the coldest the block of ice will ever get is 32 degrees. The ice acted like an insulator.
Any one ever use a reactor in colder temps? At elevation?
http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/reactor.asp
http://filehst.cascadedesigns.com/msr/reactor/reactor_flash.html
None of the info I've seen yet answers the sub 20 degree question.
Kevin

[RedMan]

I don't like the MSR, its too large.

[kris]

So its no secret that MSR came out with a copy cat that works better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34EMehx1XHQ
My big question is how did it perform in temperatures below 20 degrees?
In the store dude freezes a canister in a block of ice then fires it right up on a reactor stove. The illusion with this is the coldest the block of ice will ever get is 32 degrees. The ice acted like an insulator.
Any one ever use a reactor in colder temps? At elevation?
http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/reactor.asp
http://filehst.cascadedesigns.com/msr/reactor/reactor_flash.html
None of the info I've seen yet answers the sub 20 degree question.
Kevin

I just picked up the Reactor. When I give it a test this winter I will post what I find.

I'm not a fan of the overall design of the jetboil myself. I was glad to see other options.

[kris]

I don't like the MSR, its too large.


I have been using the Reactor for a while now. While the initial size seemed a tad cumbersome, the overall performance made me soon forget the size. I usually wait until the other guys get their jet boil setup and the burner fired before I open my reactor. Start to finish I am eating my meals way before the jetboil brings water to a boil. To me time wasted cooking is well, time wasted.

I am also impressed with the reactors ability to sap every last ounce of butane from the canister, with no performance loss from the burner.

I have used the stove everywhere from Salmon Challis Idaho, to snowshoeing up lone peak during the winter and mild weather in the Maze. Overall heating times varied so little I really could not tell a difference.

I fit my canister, burner, large squishy bowel, spork and lighter all within the pot.

I definitely recommend the reactor.

[RedMan]

You must have the turbo version.
This reactor video on Youtube took 3:15 to boil.

[kris]

You must have the turbo version.
This reactor video on Youtube took 3:15 to boil.

I guess so. :roll:

With over 100 days spent each year using various stoves, from my pocket rocket, jet boil, or reactor I feel I can make a accurate assumption on which boils quicker in various environmental factors.

But whatever, your money, your view's. Until you use both in a real situation, I guess your review on them is well, pretty much worthless right?

[RedMan]

You must have the turbo version.
This reactor video on Youtube took 3:15 to boil.

I guess so. :roll:

With over 100 days spent each year using various stoves, from my pocket rocket, jet boil, or reactor I feel I can make a accurate assumption on which boils quicker in various environmental factors.

But whatever, your money, your view's. Until you use both in a real situation, I guess your review on them is well, pretty much worthless right?

Maybe.