Jetboil Minimo Carbon Cooking System

I had the original jetboil PCS when they first came out and it was good until it burst into flames unexpectedly one day.It took me a few years to trust jetboil again but now i have both a Zip and a Minimo.They are good for fast boil and stability but even the minimo isn't a great "cooker", i see it still as a water boiler first and foremost.On reflection i think the zip is a better solution, lighter, more compact and cheaper, for fast boiling, i think the minimo is not as good a design, the gas cylinder barely fits inside, tight enough to scratch the interior of the pot and prevent the lid closing securely, its much more expensive for not a lot more usability.The insulated sleeve is easier to remove on the zip and flash, the minimo is more complicated and you ... MoreI had the original jetboil PCS when they first came out and it was good until it burst into flames unexpectedly one day.It took me a few years to trust jetboil again but now i have both a Zip and a Minimo.They are good for fast boil and stability but even the minimo isn't a great "cooker", i see it still as a water boiler first and foremost.On reflection i think the zip is a better solution, lighter, more compact and cheaper, for fast boiling, i think the minimo is not as good a design, the gas cylinder barely fits inside, tight enough to scratch the interior of the pot and prevent the lid closing securely, its much more expensive for not a lot more usability.The insulated sleeve is easier to remove on the zip and flash, the minimo is more complicated and you have to remove the handles.If i need more capacity i think the flash would be a better unit than the minimo.On paper the minimo doesn't seem a lot bigger or heavier but side by side it looks and feels bulky and heavy compared to the zip.Its ok, well finished but for me its not a great design, i will probably sell my minimo and keep my zip.

A really solid cooking system

I really like the Jetboil Minimo, and would recommend it for most people.Pros:- built in firestarter- great size cook pot- cleans easily- includes adapter for using regular pans- flame is adjustable so you can heat things at lower temperatures- includes a bag for the stove and pan adapter to prevent them from scratching up the inside of the pot- resists winds without needing a separate windscreenCons:- Jetboil fuel can stabilizer legs aren't adjustable and won't fit Coleman fuel cans (this is Coleman's fault but would be nice if the legs had a spring that would allow universal fit)- takes a little bit of effort to remove the cook pot when it's tightened in- can't easily fit a fuel can inside the cook pot; only possible with the 100g fuel cans if you ... MoreI really like the Jetboil Minimo, and would recommend it for most people.Pros:- built in firestarter- great size cook pot- cleans easily- includes adapter for using regular pans- flame is adjustable so you can heat things at lower temperatures- includes a bag for the stove and pan adapter to prevent them from scratching up the inside of the pot- resists winds without needing a separate windscreenCons:- Jetboil fuel can stabilizer legs aren't adjustable and won't fit Coleman fuel cans (this is Coleman's fault but would be nice if the legs had a spring that would allow universal fit)- takes a little bit of effort to remove the cook pot when it's tightened in- can't easily fit a fuel can inside the cook pot; only possible with the 100g fuel cans if you pack the pot support separately- if you get the insulated cozy wet when cleaning, it takes a long time to dry- expensive!I pack this with a folding spork, a half of a sponge, a small lighter and a propane-to-isobutane adapter inside along with the stove bag inside the cook pot. I carry fuel separately. If space is at an absolute premium, you can find a more compact cook system. However if you have the room this is a fast way to boil water and do other cooking tasks as well.

Absurdly Efficient

I was looking to maybe lighten up my pack this summer and the only item really in question was my cook kit. Was looking at Soto Windmaster with a titanium pot to cut down on some ounces but not ability. Just to see what this MiniMo could do I went outside to do a test to see how much fuel it uses up for a typical dehydrated meal water boil. I boiled 1.5 cups with an outside temp of 40 degrees F with a slight wind. It used 4 g of fuel (0.14 oz). That's absurd. Depending on the length of the trip if another stove isn't nearly this efficient any weight gains from a lighter cook kit may be offset by the need to carry more fuel depending on how much you use it. The other factor I am taking into consideration for my personal comparison to keep this over getting something ... MoreI was looking to maybe lighten up my pack this summer and the only item really in question was my cook kit. Was looking at Soto Windmaster with a titanium pot to cut down on some ounces but not ability. Just to see what this MiniMo could do I went outside to do a test to see how much fuel it uses up for a typical dehydrated meal water boil. I boiled 1.5 cups with an outside temp of 40 degrees F with a slight wind. It used 4 g of fuel (0.14 oz). That's absurd. Depending on the length of the trip if another stove isn't nearly this efficient any weight gains from a lighter cook kit may be offset by the need to carry more fuel depending on how much you use it. The other factor I am taking into consideration for my personal comparison to keep this over getting something like the Windmaster is that I feel much safer using this in the vestibule of my tent if it is raining as the flame is more contained while the Soto and a Toaks pot will have the flame pushed out around the pot which just worries me with the flame able to be somewhat closer to the tent material. Finally, I can fit a small fuel canister, the heating element, and a Sea to Summit X-Mug in it using a rubber band strap thing to keep it all closed up because it pushes on the lid a bit.

Best 3 season system

I bought mine 6 yrs ago and and it continues to work flawlessly. I have played with other systems and every time have come back to this. It fires every time, boils ridiculously fast, and you can control the flame to actually cook on it. Everything is all pieced out so you can leave items behind if you don’t need them i.e. I leave the pot holder at home when I don’t need it, and legs and cover as well.. I read a few reviews about bad ignition - sometimes the ignition needle gets squashed or moves in your bag and you need to adjust it so it is set appropriately off of the fuel table. Move it with your fingers and you’re all set. Other reviews talk about not wanting to put the pieces back together for fear of contamination. Carry a small piece of tin foil to set the ... MoreI bought mine 6 yrs ago and and it continues to work flawlessly. I have played with other systems and every time have come back to this. It fires every time, boils ridiculously fast, and you can control the flame to actually cook on it. Everything is all pieced out so you can leave items behind if you don’t need them i.e. I leave the pot holder at home when I don’t need it, and legs and cover as well.. I read a few reviews about bad ignition - sometimes the ignition needle gets squashed or moves in your bag and you need to adjust it so it is set appropriately off of the fuel table. Move it with your fingers and you’re all set. Other reviews talk about not wanting to put the pieces back together for fear of contamination. Carry a small piece of tin foil to set the legs on and then separate that from the cookware. Don’t let operator error and operator stupidity detour you from purchasing one of the best cooking systems out there.

Boils quicker

I was using an msr pocket stove with a small pot set. My friend’s jet boil had boiled her water and she was done eating while I was still waiting for mine to boil 8 minutes later. I splurged on this stove and love how the peizo igniter flashes up and the water boils in about 3 minutes. My only complaint is that it’s bulky and a canister won’t nest inside the pot like with other models. I needed to do a super light overnight trip, and tested this stove against two other pocket stove and titanium pot combinations, and although the minimo was much heavier in weight and bulk, it blew away the competition in quick boiling time. I love the simmering control, and it means if I make pasta it won’t boil over. Worth the extra cost and putting up with the awkward bulkiness in ... MoreI was using an msr pocket stove with a small pot set. My friend’s jet boil had boiled her water and she was done eating while I was still waiting for mine to boil 8 minutes later. I splurged on this stove and love how the peizo igniter flashes up and the water boils in about 3 minutes. My only complaint is that it’s bulky and a canister won’t nest inside the pot like with other models. I needed to do a super light overnight trip, and tested this stove against two other pocket stove and titanium pot combinations, and although the minimo was much heavier in weight and bulk, it blew away the competition in quick boiling time. I love the simmering control, and it means if I make pasta it won’t boil over. Worth the extra cost and putting up with the awkward bulkiness in my pack. I see that there is an even lighter jet boil available now, but because this one is so good there’s no reason to change it up. As mentioned on the specs, it doesn’t function well in extreme winter temperatures. It totally failed me at -25 Celsius.

Great, but not perfect

Heat control works as well as advertised. Cooking pancakes (with Jetboil skillet), pasta, and of course, boiling water, all accomplished perfectly. I do have a couple of small issues with the whole package. First, the bottom "cup" could be a lot more useful. It's essentially a "uni-tasker"- it's only good for holding cold liquids and feels fragile. A silicone cup would have been much more useful and durable. Secondly, the canister stand, the one included in my kit anyway, will not hold a 250g butane canister without risk of breakage. The smaller canisters work without a hiccup, but I prefer the Coleman 250's because they are more economical and available locally. Can't store a canister inside the pot without leaving some of the accessories behind anyway, whish is a ... MoreHeat control works as well as advertised. Cooking pancakes (with Jetboil skillet), pasta, and of course, boiling water, all accomplished perfectly. I do have a couple of small issues with the whole package. First, the bottom "cup" could be a lot more useful. It's essentially a "uni-tasker"- it's only good for holding cold liquids and feels fragile. A silicone cup would have been much more useful and durable. Secondly, the canister stand, the one included in my kit anyway, will not hold a 250g butane canister without risk of breakage. The smaller canisters work without a hiccup, but I prefer the Coleman 250's because they are more economical and available locally. Can't store a canister inside the pot without leaving some of the accessories behind anyway, whish is a common complaint.

Perfect Application

Like all Jetfoil stoves, this one hits the mark cleanly. Quickly boils water, as well as handy for heating other items such as soup. I've cooked everything from mac and cheese to beef smoked sausage in this thing. It works great. The simmer control is unparalleled by any other camping stove.My only complaint is that the rivets holding the handle on aren't covered by the koozie or the handle guards so you have to be careful to avoid burning your knuckle. But any other titanium pot will burn you no matter where you grab it so just know to be careful.

Save weight on fuel

You might look at the 14 oz. weight of this thing and dismiss it outright but hmm, there's more going on here. There are lighter stove/pot combos, no question. I've found, though, that they use about twice as much fuel to do the same job that Jetboils do. That's pretty irrelevant for a 1 to 3 day outing but things start to add up after that. I'm no scientist and can't quantify the fuel savings precisely; my best estimate is that in the real world my Jetboil seems to be using somewhere around 50-60% less fuel than my other stoves for the same number of boils. That can mean carrying just one fuel canister instead of two, and the smallest canister weighs 7 oz. Of course, this thing boils faster as well (and I'd consider it more pleasant to eat out of, compared to the ... MoreYou might look at the 14 oz. weight of this thing and dismiss it outright but hmm, there's more going on here. There are lighter stove/pot combos, no question. I've found, though, that they use about twice as much fuel to do the same job that Jetboils do. That's pretty irrelevant for a 1 to 3 day outing but things start to add up after that. I'm no scientist and can't quantify the fuel savings precisely; my best estimate is that in the real world my Jetboil seems to be using somewhere around 50-60% less fuel than my other stoves for the same number of boils. That can mean carrying just one fuel canister instead of two, and the smallest canister weighs 7 oz. Of course, this thing boils faster as well (and I'd consider it more pleasant to eat out of, compared to the popular .75 liter ti "cup"). Cooking for two people? This set-up makes even more sense given the greater capacity of its pot.

Super fast and efficient backpacking stove

We’ve used the JetBoil MiniMo on one camping trip so far. It heats water to boiling extremely quickly. We have not yet used it for cooking with other pots/pans, but the adjustable flame seems like it will be great for that so we can cook some fresh foods when weight isn’t as much of a concern. It is very lightweight and compact. I chose this over the MightyMo due to size and am happy I did. When feeding two, it is easy enough to boil twice and only takes additional time to pour and refill. Since less water goes into the smaller boiler, it heats in less time. Makes it much more backpack friendly. Having to store the fuel separately is not an issue at all. It’s always easier to find space in my pack for two small items instead of one large one. I would definitely ... MoreWe’ve used the JetBoil MiniMo on one camping trip so far. It heats water to boiling extremely quickly. We have not yet used it for cooking with other pots/pans, but the adjustable flame seems like it will be great for that so we can cook some fresh foods when weight isn’t as much of a concern. It is very lightweight and compact. I chose this over the MightyMo due to size and am happy I did. When feeding two, it is easy enough to boil twice and only takes additional time to pour and refill. Since less water goes into the smaller boiler, it heats in less time. Makes it much more backpack friendly. Having to store the fuel separately is not an issue at all. It’s always easier to find space in my pack for two small items instead of one large one. I would definitely purchase this again.

near-top

The speed of heating a liter of water (the complete kettle holds 1 liter). 1 liter, extracted from the river, the system heated in 5 minutes and 32 seconds! (Note that I tried to follow the recommendations and made the fire not more than average!) This is almost consistent with the data stated on the site of the manufacturer, we can discount the fact that I took the water in hiking conditions, and the river did not meet the parameters of Jetboil tests =)Comfortable and roomy kettle! The width and depth are very good for cooking, and convenient metal handles allow you to skillfully manipulate the wok! Convenient lid with sockets for steam escape and a large "hole" for pouring boiling water into mugs!Compact and lightweight - the entire system is very compact and ... MoreThe speed of heating a liter of water (the complete kettle holds 1 liter). 1 liter, extracted from the river, the system heated in 5 minutes and 32 seconds! (Note that I tried to follow the recommendations and made the fire not more than average!) This is almost consistent with the data stated on the site of the manufacturer, we can discount the fact that I took the water in hiking conditions, and the river did not meet the parameters of Jetboil tests =)Comfortable and roomy kettle! The width and depth are very good for cooking, and convenient metal handles allow you to skillfully manipulate the wok! Convenient lid with sockets for steam escape and a large "hole" for pouring boiling water into mugs!Compact and lightweight - the entire system is very compact and light when camping, about 500 grams! All components stack up well, you can even put a small gas cylinder inside!Low fuel consumption - even if the rated power of the burner is not very high, it does not prevent it from boiling water fast! Oh that radiator on the bottom =)MINUSESStand for stability, it really lacks the wide legs. When camping, you often have to put the burner on "loose" surfaces, the legs sometimes fall through =(Very long stroke of the valve knob at the beginning, you have to twist it a while waiting for gas! But - this may be a problem with my burner, things happen!The pot lid does not always fit tightly and well, sometimes we end up losing precious boiling water when pouring it into another container!Putting the pot in place and fixing it is uncomfortable - first you look for slots, then you try to get the projections on the pot in them, and then do it back ... Of course, I exaggerate a little, but sometimes, when the water is boiling, I want to remove the pot without turning off the gas ... It would be nice if in the future made some "latch" that "pull" and the pot is free! =)