Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil Review: Redesign Adds Durable Igniter, Other Improvements

For nearly 10 years, the Jetboil Flash has been my go-to camp system. It boils water lightning fast, packs down to a metal pot, and always, always does its job.

Well, except for the push-button igniter. That sucker stopdped working almost immediately. Apparently, I wasn’t alone.

The Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil fixes that problem, plus it adds a host of minor upgrades to an already excellent product.

The latest version adds a ceramic case around the ignition while integrating it into an improved valve control. I tested the new model in the fall during a weekend camping trip in North Carolina hosted by Jetboil.

While long-term testing will be needed to determine its durability, the new igniter looks like just the thing to finally make my BIC lighter unnecessary (though I’ll probably still bring it).

In short: Jetboil’s new generation of stoves looks even more reliable than the previous one, correcting my few complaints about the original design. The igniter is not only sturdier, but the new valve also means you can get the stove going with a simple half-turn of a circular knob. The knob replaces the wire valve of my original Jetboil, and has actual guidelines to indicate the level of gas you’re using, just like your kitchen stove at home.

Several other minor but needed improvements — like the heat-resistant grips and sturdier locking mechanism — represent a worthy redesign of this already sweet camp stove.

Compare the Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil with the best backpacking stoves.

Jetboil Flash Review: A Reliable Camping Partner

I bought my first Jetboil Flash so long ago that I barely remember the details.

I’m pretty sure I got my first one at Boulder’s Neptune Mountaineering around 2017 while visiting Colorado for some camping and 14er hiking. The employee helping me had just finished an intense, 3-week wilderness survival course in Utah and told me the Jetboil was his top recommendation for a reliable camping stove.

That turned out to be one of the best gear recommendations I’ve ever received. (It wouldn’t be until years later that I’d join GearJunkie, where this bad boy consistently makes our list of the best backpacking stoves.)

This packable, easy-to-use camp stove system quickly became my first choice. Larger and heavier than my MSR pocket rocket, but lighter than a full-blown cooking setup, the Jetboil finds a solid middle ground. If you’re like me, and are less interested in cooking than doing cool outdoors stuff, the Jetboil is a great option.

You can boil water in less than 2 minutes, pour it into whatever powdery pouch of backpacking food you have handy, and get on with your day. Putting the stove together and packing it back down feels not only easy but also kind of fun. The new upgrade elevates that experience.

Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil: More Improvements

So, I was clearly already a fan of this stove. However, as soon as I started using the new Flash 1.0L Fast Boil, I was pleased to see improvements to my small gripes over the years.

That starts with the heat-resistant grips added to the sides of the burner, which locks into the bottom of the pot. The whole point of the Jetboil, in my opinion, is making it as easy as possible to put the system together, boil some water, pour it in a pouch, and then pack it back down.

Since that happens in minutes, the stove is often still hot, making it a careful dance with your fingers to avoid getting singed. That’s solved by the rubbery, heat-resistant grip zone added to the base of the burner.

It also helps me avoid knocking the contraption over while connecting or disconnecting the pot, burner, and fuel canister.

Other additions, though small, comprise a whole that’s a significant improvement over its predecessor. The locking mechanism that holds the burner to the pot now has three dimples instead of two, for a bit of extra security. (I do think it’s a bit more difficult to lock into place with three instead of two, but I may just need some practice.)

There’s also a thinner, longer handle strap that I prefer over the previous version and actual measuring lines on the plastic cup that clicks into the bottom of the pot. (To be fair, I also lost this piece almost immediately after getting my OG Jetboil, so it’s far from necessary.)

Beyond these changes, the updated Flash 1.0L Fast Boil will be very familiar to hikers or campers who have used the brand. It uses the same familiar insulated pot, and the jet-like burning sound will perk up your ears if your partner fires up the coffee in the morning.

This stove should become a mainstay of trails, much as its predecessors have become iconic. We’ll update this review with more testing, but for now, I’d say this is one great camp stove for those who want a simple, fast way to boil water. And at least from initial testing, you shouldn’t have to rely on a lighter to fire it up.

The Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil reviewed here costs $130 and is available now in four colors.