UPDATE 2 – The Winehiker did some research into the much acclaimed JETBOIL stoves. His conclusion:
Until JetBoil and other campstove manufacturers adopt product policies that incorporate zero waste and a more open design approach to fuel type, canister reuse, and fuel distribution systems, I cannot in good conscience buy or endorse their nonrefillable products.
Dropping the eco-ball: camp stove manufacturers – Winehiker
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UPDATE 1 – after a couple of trips with my new Jetboil Personal Cooking System my experience is “thumbs up”. It’s the easiest stove I have ever used.
A couple of cautions though. Do NOT fill the pot above the “fill line”. If it boils over you are in trouble since the pot is physically attached to the stove.
Also, I found it very difficult to find fuel canisters, even in large cities. And since I was flying between destinations I had big problems. You need small canisters with valves made to the EN417 specification. Only JETBOIL and Snowpeak canisters fit, so far as I know.
The JETBOIL website is not exactly up front on this point. Bad JETBOIL.
=== original post July 14, 2006
Upstart JETBOIL took the Backpacker magazine award for best stove in 2006.
I went to order their Group Cooking System with 1.5 Liter Cooking Pot from Amazon. Built-in igniter, 1.5 liter pot, weight 1lb 3oz. Packed size: 7 x 4.5 inches.
Ultra-efficient, it looks great. (Note: it still suffers the same decrease in performance in cold weather as other propane / iso-butane canister stoves. You are advised to keep the fuel in your sleeping bag at night.)
Problem. Amazon will not ship this product to Canada. When I contacted the manufacturer they told me they have not yet found a distributor.
besthike.com 