JETBOIL ZIP COOKING SYSTEM REVIEW
I’ve been using the Jetboil Zip cooking system for years now and thought I’d share my thoughts on it here. If you’re in the market for a new backpacking stove, read on to learn everything you need to know about the Jetboil Zip!
**I was in no way sponsored or compensated by Jetboil for this review and all opinions are my own.**
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JETBOIL ZIP OVERVIEW
The Jetboil Zip is a small and compact cooking system designed for simple, no-frills, fast boiling. This stove is not designed for simmering gourmet creations in the backcountry. Rather, its claim to fame is its ability to boil a half litre of water in 2.5 minutes (outdone only by the Jetboil Flash model which can do the job in 100 seconds).
For those of us who stumble into camp at the end of the day tired and hungry (and maybe even hangry) that quick boil time is crucial. So, if your backcountry cooking style only requires hot water and you’re looking for something that’s fast and easy to operate, the Zip checks those boxes.
JETBOIL ZIP FEATURES AND SPECS
- 0.8 Litre cooking cup (which has a 0.5L max capacity for boiling – if you fill past this it will sputter and spit out of the lid once it’s boiling)
- Match ignition (ie you have to manually light it with a match or lighter – there is no push-button ignitor)
- Lid with pour spout, strainer, and tab for easy removal
- Bottom cover which doubles as measuring cup/bowl
- Fuel canister stabilizer included with system
- Optional accessories that work with the Zip (sold separately): coffee press, hanging kit, pot support
- Does not have a fuel regulator
- Weight w/o stabilizer = 12oz or 340g
- Each100g fuel canister will boil 12 litres of water with typical use
- Boil time = 2.5 min for .5 L water
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY:
REI | MEC | BACKCOUNTRY | AMAZON
WHERE, WHEN AND HOW I TESTED IT
My first experience with a Jetboil was when we rented a Flash to use on the Chilkoot Trail. It was so handy that a quick-boiling stove immediately made its way onto my gear wish list. I bought my Zip shortly thereafter and have had it for a few years now.
I’ve taken my Jetboil Zip on multiple backpacking trips in Kananaskis Country (both solo and with a group), on a multi-day paddling trip along the South Saskatchewan River, and most recently on a 3-day jaunt on the Sunshine Coast Trail. We also used it for quick morning coffees while road tripping across Western Canada.
My backcountry cooking style tends to rely on just-add-water dehydrated meals and instant coffee while adventuring. By the end of a day on the trail I just want to eat, relax, and enjoy nature. I have no interest in spending hours prepping or cooking meals, so boiling a few pots of water is about the extent of my in-camp cooking routine.
On a typical day in the backcountry I use my Zip to boil water for a warm breakfast and coffee in the morning, to rehydrate a meal for supper, and maybe for a hot chocolate or coffee in the evening. Most often, I’m prepping meals and drinks for two people.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE HONEST
THE GOOD
My favorite things about the Zip are its ease of use, its quick boil time, and its ability to nest for packing.
Setting up the Zip requires only screwing the stove assembly onto the fuel canister and popping the pot onto the stove. Once assembled, all it takes is a quick turn of the knob and a flick of a lighter (or strike of a match) and you’re up and running.
The quick boil time means that boiling a few pots of water is not a big issue and mealtimes are not hours-long affairs. Impromptu evening hot chocolates or a second cup of coffee in the morning are also quick and painless perks.
Packing is a cinch as all the elements and a 100g fuel canister nest within the pot, making it easy to pack and easy to keep all the parts together in one place.
THE BAD
There are only a few little things I don’t like or have had issues with over the years:
The bottom cover is supposed to double as a measuring cup but I find that once you pour hot water into it, it softens and (obviously) gets really hot. This makes it difficult to pick up and pour without burning yourself, so I usually eyeball it and pour directly from the pot itself. Not a huge deal but doesn’t function well for its intended purpose.
The 0.5L max capacity is a little small and I often find myself wishing I could boil more at a time but the trade-off is less weight and space taken up in my bag. Plus, as I mentioned, boiling multiple pots is still quick and easy so it’s not a major problem for one or two people.
I purchased the optional pot stabilizer and used my Zip with a larger pot in order to boil a greater amount of water while backpacking with a group of six people. I found it took considerably longer than I expected it would to boil the water in the larger pot. I suppose the Jetboil-specific cup with its insulating cozy makes a big difference in the boil time. It still worked but I wonder if it wouldn’t have been faster to do a bunch of smaller pots rather than one large one.
The biggest complaints I hear from others regarding the Jetboil are the weight and space they take up and their inability to simmer. There are certainly other smaller and lighter stove options on the market but I don’t mind giving up that space in my bag for the convenience and speed. And, as I mentioned, I don’t require the need for simmering so I don’t find that to be an issue either.
IS IT WORTH YOUR MONEY?
If you are looking for something that is simple and will quickly and efficiently boil water in the backcountry – yes, the Jetboil Zip is worth your money in my opinion. I love mine and I can’t see myself changing up my stove system any time in the near future.
If you’re someone who usually carries a full cook set and likes to DIY gourmet meals in the backcountry, you likely won’t appreciate the Zip’s inability to cook/simmer and wouldn’t want to pack the extra weight of a Jetboil simply for boiling water. I also wouldn’t recommend the Zip for groups larger than 1-2 people, unless you’re willing to spend the extra time boiling multiple pots.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY:
REI | MEC | BACKCOUNTRY | AMAZON
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