Campman Outdoor Gear & Apparel

If you’re anything like us, you might be wondering why the Jetboil MiniMo costs more than any other single-person cooking system in their lineup. We aren’t going to lie. We were pretty hesitant about the price difference when we first saw it, but once we took the MiniMo backpacking, all our hesitations boiled away. Our main question when we first started using the MiniMo was, is it worth the extra cost? And between the upgraded temperature regulator, compact cooking cup, and fuel-efficient design, we’re happy to say that the answer is an unequivocal yes.

Usage

The MiniMo is certainly a step up for Jetboil as far as useability is concerned. It’s arguably Jetboil’s most featured-filled cooking system available, equipped with a reliable push button starter, consistent regulator technology, and precise simmering control for doing more than just boiling water. Warm up sauces, sauté some greens, and even cook eggs out of the same easy-to-clean pot.

The MiniMo includes the common accessories associated with all Jetboils like the fuel stabilizer and lid, but it also includes a few accessories that are unique to the MiniMo. Unlike most Jetboil models, the MiniMo also includes a pot support for cooking with a small skillet to add plenty of meal options on all your backpacking trips. Jetboil also redesigned the cooking cup to be both shorter and wider, offering the same 1-liter capacity you know and love, in a more compact, packable design. And the wider construction gives you a better spoon angle as well, making it easier than ever to enjoy your meal straight from the pot — a huge plus for those who hate cleaning dishes in the backcountry.

Additionally, Jetboil made a host of accessories that are sold separately but add a tremendous value to overall useability. Keep the stove off your bivvy by clipping the Jetboil to a fixed anchor with the Hanging Kit. You can take the cowboy out of your coffee with help from the Grande Silicone Coffee Press. And in case you’re hard on your gear, Jetboil makes replacement parts for the MiniMo, from the insulated handles to the cooking cup lid to the decorative (and insulated) cozy.

Efficiency

As if the original Jetboils weren’t efficient enough, the MiniMo improves efficiency to give you more boiled water out of a single gas canister. Jetboil’s Flash Cooking System can boil 10 liters of water with a 100g canister of gas, and the MiniMo produces 12 liters. An extra two liters can make a world of difference when you want a second cup of coffee in the morning.

It's also worth noting that it takes half a minute longer to boil water with the MiniMo than the Flash depending on the weather conditions. Although we can appreciate the lightning-fast boiling times that the Flash offers, we don’t mind waiting a few more seconds for our water to boil. When it’s colder out, we’d also put our money on the MiniMo boiling water better than the Flash solely because of the fuel regulator.

Size

When we first saw the MiniMo we thought it was just a smaller Jetboil. Boy were we wrong. For starters, despite its compact look, it’s not even smaller than the Flash. Like most Jetboil cooking systems, the MiniMo has a single-liter volume suitable for backpacking solo or in a group of two. Jetboil shortened the height and widened the circumference to retain the same volume while enhancing packability for backpackers.

Capacity

Although it’s stouter than most Jetboils, the MiniMo keeps a similar capacity so you can pack the stove and JetPower Fuel canister inside the single-liter mug. The fuel can has to be the smallest size ( 100g/4 fl oz) if you want to pack the stove inside the cup too. For backpackers who want to bring along a bit more fuel, a 230g/8 fl oz canister can still fit inside the cooking cup, just without the stove. Regardless of canister size, there’s little to no room left for stashing coffee grounds or electrolyte tablets like we can with the Flash.

Weight

The MiniMo Cooking System retains an ultralight weight of 14.6 ounces, and while its sub-pound design impresses ultralight backpackers, we were surprised to learn that the MiniMo actually weighs an ounce or two more than other Jetboil stoves. A couple of ounces is no sweat off our backs, but for all the gram-counters out there, it’s worth mentioning that the MiniMo is more Mo than Mini.

Price

At first glance, the MiniMo’s most expensive price tag out of the entire Jetboil collection (excluding the to SUMO which is designed for group cooking) seemed slightly overzealous, but after taking the plethora of features, enhanced efficiency, and updated size into consideration, we think the price tag is worth it. It’s a fair bit more than the traditional Flash Cooking System making it so that you’re essentially paying the extra money for a better temperature regulator, which in our opinion is an absolute necessity if you camp in colder climates.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt about it. The MiniMo is the new standard for Jetboil backpacking cooking systems. It’s more efficient, the size is easier to pack, and it retains the same capacity as the original Jetboil. It’s easier to use, and there’s a massive uptick in cooking options in the pot or on a skillet. You can accessorize the MiniMo for cooking on the climb or making coffee back at camp. Given all these updates, it’s understandable that the MiniMo is more expensive than most Jetboils, and if we’re backpacking anywhere cold it’s certainly worth a few extra bucks.

About the Author

Derek Newman

Born in the Wasatch, Derek has had an affinity for mountain life since day one. He was on skis the year he learned to walk, and as a high school graduation present he gifted himself rock climbing lessons. Nearly two decades later, Derek spends most of his time climbing up and/or skiing down most of the mountains around Salt Lake City, and he's traveled around the world multiple times for the sole purpose of peak exploration. When he isn't a man about camp, he's working in Campman's content marketing crew writing up blogs about backcountry skiing or rock climbing as well as describing products that he's used personally. He's climbed in most climbing shoes, toured on most backcountry skis, and ridden the resort on skis, snowboards, and even some evac sleds.