We’ve come a long way since the days of built-in campground cookers, and backpackers can now carry their cooking system with ease with jetboil zip vs flash.
Jetboil makes some of the top backpacking stoves models around. We’re going to compare two of them in a boiler battle between the Jetboil Flash vs Jetboil Zip.
Table of contents
| Jetboil Zip | Jetboil Flash | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|
 $110.85 Shop Amazon |  $129.94 Shop Amazon | ||
| Weight | 12 oz (345 g) | 13.1 oz (371 g) | Zip is lighter, best for those prioritizing weight savings |
| Fuel Type | Isobutane-propane | Isobutane-propane | Both use the same fuel type, suitable for backpackers who need reliable and easily available fuel |
| Boil Time | 2 minutes 30 sec per 16 oz | 1 minute 40 sec per 16 oz | Flash is faster, best for quick meal prep |
| Volume | 0.8 Liter | 1 Liter | Flash has greater capacity, best for preparing larger meals or multiple servings |
| Fuel Efficiency | 12 Liters per 100g Jetpower Can | 10 Liters per 100g Jetpower Can | Zip is more fuel-efficient, best for long trips with limited fuel access |
| Ignition | Manual igniter | Push-button igniter | Flash has push-button ignition, best for convenience and ease of use |
| Features | FluxRing cooking cup, insulated cozy, drink-through lid, bottom cover doubles as a measuring cup and bowl | FluxRing cooking cup, insulated cozy, drink-through lid, bottom cover doubles as a measuring cup and bowl, thermochromatic color-change heat indicator | Flash has additional heat indicator, best for monitoring heating progress |
| Portability | Compact design, all components pack inside the cup | Compact design, all components pack inside the cup | Both are highly portable with self-contained design |
| Specs | Cooking system includes stove burner and cooking cup, compatible with all Jetboil accessories | Cooking system includes stove burner and cooking cup, compatible with all Jetboil accessories | Both are versatile with accessory compatibility |
Do you need to Cook or Boil?
The first thing you need to understand when making a comparison between the Jetboil stoves is the fact they are boilers, not cooking stoves. Both are unregulated cooking systems, so there is no pressure regulator.
Devices like this are generally considered 3-season cookers which isn’t something you’ll want if you plan to set up camp on the side of a mountain, at higher altitudes. With that in mind, there are a few advantages to this particular brand of camping stove systems which include some cool camping accessories.
What can they do?
While the Zip and Flash can’t cook a 5-course meal out of the box, they can boil water in minutes and provide you with a hot cup of camp coffee or fresh soup.
For occasional hikers, a hot meal can brighten up their day. Unfortunately, it also means you’re limited to dehydrated foods like MREs and liquids unless you plan to carry extra gear.
As these units are little more than simple propane-based cooking systems, the accessories add considerable value (if you don’t mind a little extra weight).
They aren’t included with either device, but you can choose from various accessories like a FluxRing Frying Pan, coffee press, or hanging kit.
Weight and Capacity
Both the Jetboil Flash and Zip are lightweight and compact but this doesn’t compromise performance.
The Zip is the safest of the two at 340 grams without the fuel stabilizer.
It can hold 0.8 liters in the cooking cup and boils 12 liters of liquid per 100-gram Jetpower canister.
This fast boil time is approximately 2 minutes and 30 seconds, but it may vary depending on the conditions. The power is listed as 4500 BTU/h or 0.9 kW.
As for the Jetboil Flash, it’s 31 grams heavier and a bit larger with a 1-liter capacity.
While more powerful than the smaller version at 9000 BTU/h or 2.6 kW, cooking time is reduced.
In terms of operating time, it can achieve 10 liters per 100 grams of fuel, which is a slight decrease.
Both are light in the pack which brings us to the one area that truly separates the two products.
Features
These cookers share more similarities than differences aside from one critical area. It’s the features that separate these two cookers and should help make your buying decision simple.
Weather Conditions
Both stoves perform similarly and are best for three-season backpacking in mild to warm conditions. For cold weather or high-altitude backpacking, a stove with a pressure regulator is often recommended.
Fire Maple Polaris Pressure Regulator Stove… Jetboil Zip
The Zip is a “basic” device suitable for solo backpackers and campers. It has an insulated neoprene cover with a handle and a sip-through lid with a strainer.
You can use the bottom cover as a mixing bowl. It comes with a canister stabilizer, but you need to provide your own fuel and other extras, just like with the Flash.
While the Jetboil Zip is extremely easy to set up and use, there is one drawback. You can adjust the burner, but you will need something on hand to light it with.
The plastic knob for adjusting the burner is too close to the heat source, making it difficult to use with gloves or wet fingers.
There is no ignition system, so you may want to have some waterproof matches handy – an item you ought to carry anyway. Overall, it’s small, mighty and performs as advertised.
Jetboil Flash
It’s not hard to tell the Flash apart from the Zip, based on its design. It has the same comfy cozy on the outside with a handle, but it comes in different colors.
You can choose from options like Carbon, Blue Desert, Matrix, and Wilderness although it’s not the highlight of the Flash. That would be the cooking time and a unique temperature gauge.
If you’ve experienced burning yourself or eating undercooked food, you understand the need for the correct temperature.
The Jetboil Flash has a thermochromatic color-changing heat indicator.
You also don’t need to carry matches with this model, thanks to the button ignitor.
A push-button ignitor system will fire up this boiler in a split second, and the company claims it’s the fastest model yet. While we haven’t put that to the test, the 9000 BTU/h specification speaks for itself.
It’s heavier and bulkier than the Zip, which is great if there are 2-3 of you in your camping party. If you’re out backpacking solo, it’s just a bit on the large side.
The Flash also has the same drink-through lid and is just as safe to use as its slightly smaller sibling.
Our Verdict: Jetboil Zip or Flash?
These compact, portable stoves are ideal for people looking for a quick way to heat food or boil water in the wild. That includes survivalists as well as backpackers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
They are portable – fitting easily into your backpack – although best suited for smaller groups of 1-2 people instead of a larger group.
Of the two cookers, the Jetboil Flash is the superior product.
We appreciate the temperature preview and the matchless push-button ignitor system. Those additional colors are fun, but the Zip is comparable in almost every other aspect. It’s also a little cheaper and gives you a little more fuel efficiency and burn time.
The Flash’s larger heating water capacity isn’t impressive considering the extra weight and bulk. It has better features, but for a solo camper, the additional capacity is unnecessary.
As long as you plan to stick to pasta, soups, and warm beverages, either of these boilers is an excellent choice for the trail. If you need help deciding what to cook on your new unit, be sure to check out the top options for the best freeze-dried backpacking food.
FAQs for Jetboil Zip vs Flash
The Jetboil Zip is more compact and budget-friendly, while the Jetboil Flash boils water faster and includes a heat indicator. The choice depends on your priorities: size and cost, or speed and extra features.
It depends on your needs. If you value speed and convenience, the Flash’s rapid boiling time and heat indicator might be worth the extra bucks. If you’re more budget-conscious and need something more compact, the Zip is a great choice.
Absolutely! Both are versatile for heating various meals, not just water. They’re great for soups, instant meals, and even a quick coffee or tea on the trail. Just remember, they’re best for boiling and simple cooking.
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Last update on 2024-09-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nice review and thank you. Looks like I will be upgrading to a JetBoil⚡️FLASH⚡️.
Amazon here I come!