Review - JetBoil Flash Stove and Java Coffee Set

February 22, 2019

My JetBoil MiniMo Cooking System has accompanied me on more adventures than I can count—it is a compact and efficient gas cooking set-up. The release of the new super-fast boil JetBoil Flash with integrated Java coffee press looked to be the perfect secondary solution for shorter trips—where I wanted fresh coffee on the go, with a super portable stove.

The JetBoil Flash Stove uses JetBoil's patented FluxRing technology to deliver an incredibly fast boil time of less than 100 seconds for a full fill of 500 millilitres. The flux technology works by minimising heat loss from the burner and transmitting the maximum amount of energy into the cup.

The FluxRing cup screws directly onto the base burner unit and is insulated by a neoprene jacket with inbuilt heat indicator. The cup cosy also has an integrated webbing handle strap.

Each JetBoil Flash comes with a support stand for the propane gas cartridge, and a heatproof plastic lid. The cover that pops onto the base of the unit for protection can also double-up as a neat little bowl.

If you choose the JetBoil Flash Java Set, then you get a neat coffee filter press that integrates into the lid of the unit and acts like a French Press coffee maker. The press can be disassembled and stored within the cup alongside the pot stand, burner, and gas cartridge—to provide maximum portability.

It is worth noting that the total capacity of the unit is 1 litre, but that would be with the cup brim-full, which is not recommended unless you are slow cooking a meal and do not risk boiling the contents over the top of the cup.

Testing Verdict

I have taken the JetBoil Flash on several winter walks and kayaking adventures; brewing up a warming cup of coffee on deserted beaches and hill-sides.

As with my previous experience of the JetBoil MiniMo, the JetBoil Flash is well made and does deliver a super-fast boil.

The neoprene sleeve is effective at insulating the contents, and the heat indicator is useful if you do not want the water boiling, but just hot (once it is boiling it is obvious anyway, from the noise and bubbles).

Using the stand is simple, and stabilises the unit; that is necessary, as it can become a bit jumpy once it gets to a full rolling boil. The lid is helpful at trapping valuable heat, and the sipping hole (like on a takeaway coffee cup) allows you to keep your beverage warmer for longer—nice for those cold mornings.

The coffee press part of the Java kit is simple to assemble, and despite feeling a little flimsy and loose fitting in the mug, it does an impressive job of pushing the grounds down to the base of the mug and keeping them there while you sip on your brew.

My only slight criticism of the JetBoil design is that if you are drinking from the mug without the lid fitted then you inevitably have lip contact with the neoprene sleeve; that tends to feel a little odd, and a little unhygienic on multi-day trips. Of course, you can easily overcome this by using a separate mug for serving or using the lid if you intend to drink straight from the JetBoil cup.

Overall, the JetBoil Flash Java Kit is a great portable single person stove. It brews a good cup of fresh coffee in no time at all and is also the fastest system I have found for boiling water for freeze dried meals. A great companion for winter hikes, bikes, and all other kind of adventures.

>> Read more — 'Adventure Coffee - Brewing in the Wild' <<