Fuel use with Jetboil

by **Freebird134** » 07 06, 2012 • [Post 1]

Anyone have experience with fuel consumption with a jetboil? I have the Jetboil Ti. It seems really efficient, but I'm having a hard time estimating how much fuel to take: 2 guys using it to boil (at most) coffee (1c water each) and dinner (2c water each) daily for 8 days. We might be out longer, but 8 days will be the longest before returning to the truck, where I can grab a fresh canister.

How how many and what sized fuel canisters would you recommend?

by **foxvalley** » 07 06, 2012 • [Post 2]

A lot depends on what your cookin,and your elevation. If your up higher, takes longer for water to boil. My jetboil boils water very fast,I use it with the french press to make GOOD coffee, and when I spike camp. The canisters I use fit in the jetboil(small ones) It's your call, but maybe 4 small ones.? I pack down 3 the first week,and play it by ear the second. I have a different setup for cooking.

by **Freebird134** » 07 06, 2012 • [Post 3]

Yeah, I know elevation matters. As does water temperature. I'm just looking for a ball park idea--i'll error on the side of caution anyways and take some extra. but we don't have a base camp, so everything is carried all the time--so I don't want to pack too much extra.

by **POk3s** » 07 06, 2012 • [Post 4]

I think you would use up two....so bring 3 with you and keep more at the truck. But I would say no less then three if you're going to be boiling water 2 times a day for 8 days.

by **Freebird134** » 07 06, 2012 • [Post 5]

Two of the small ones? They make at least 3 sizes I think

by **POk3s** » 07 06, 2012 • [Post 6]

Oh....well i don't know what size I have. All mine have been the same size.

by **dotman** » 07 07, 2012 • [Post 7]

Well I use a pocket rocket so yours probably is more fuel efficent. I can go 7-8 days with 2-3 boils a day on an 8oz fuel can, so for 10 days you would want a minimum of 2 8oz cans and then maybe a 4oz can just incase.

by **Freebird134** » 07 07, 2012 • [Post 8]

Thanks dotman. They actually make a 16oz can too. But it might be easier to pack 2 8oz cans.

by **mlauber** » 07 07, 2012 • [Post 9]

I use a Jet Boil religiously & while I will be the first to tell you to be conservative when using I have found three of the small cans will allow me to cook oatmeal, & coffee water for breakfast, & enough water for a Mounatin House meal & evening coffee for about 10 days.

I always carry more than I need, but this is one area that I have whittled down for my use.

I am usually at about 9-10K on elevation.

Hope this helps!

by **Freebird134** » 07 09, 2012 • [Post 10]

thanks mlauber. That's helpful!!!

by **2OArchery** » 07 09, 2012 • [Post 11]

Water boils faster at higher altitudes. Lower temperature, so cooking may take a little longer, but it boils faster at higher altitude.

by **WindedBowhunter** » 07 11, 2012 • [Post 12]

I use 1 8oz can in 7-8 days with 2-3 boils a day, so for 10 days you may bring 2 8oz. As others have stated, it depends on elevation, wind and temps. I may even have a 3rd can in the truck at the trailhead. If you plan on some winds, bring some aluminum foil with you to make a wind brake. It the temps dip below freezing, you can tape a hand warmer to the bottom of the can of fuel or throw the can in the bottom of your sleeping bag when you sleep. I have used this method successfully to temps down around 10*F

by **Freebird134** » 07 20, 2012 • [Post 13]

I just stumbled upon this thread: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... d_id=59878

Looks like guys are consistently saying about 12L of water per 100g fuel (small canister). That's a max estimate. One person reported people seeing more like 6g fuel per 500ml. Between the 2 of us we'll need about 1l water each day, which would be 12g fuel/day. I'll round that up to 15g to be safe

So 8 days of cooking x 15g/d = 120g fuel total. So I think we will be ok with 2 100g canisters (the small, 3.5oz canisters).

by **slim9300** » 07 20, 2012 • [Post 14]

Two 110g canisters is what you need but you won't hardly use the second one. One 110g SnowPeak canister lasts about 10 days of boiling 1 cup of water in the morning and two every night along with a few single cup boils after dinner for a dessert. That's at 7,500 ft. And yes, the 110g canister will fit in your Jetboil just like the 100g.

by **dotman** » 07 21, 2012 • [Post 15]

Freebird134 wrote:I just stumbled upon this thread: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... d_id=59878

Looks like guys are consistently saying about 12L of water per 100g fuel (small canister). That's a max estimate. One person reported people seeing more like 6g fuel per 500ml. Between the 2 of us we'll need about 1l water each day, which would be 12g fuel/day. I'll round that up to 15g to be safe So 8 days of cooking x 15g/d = 120g fuel total. So I think we will be ok with 2 100g canisters (the small, 3.5oz canisters).

There is roughly 34oz per liter. 2 mountain house meals alone will take 32oz, coffee 16oz and breakfast 8-10oz forthe two of you. So roughly 56-58oz per day which is almost 2L a day so more like 20-24g per day. Remember 1 cup equals 8 fluid oz. 1 mountain house takes 2cups, 1cup coffee and 1cup for breakfast for each person.

So for a minimum of 8 days you are looking at 160-192g for two people, take one 8oz 227g and then a small

But then again I hate running out of fuel which is why I pack 1 8oz for myself

by **Freebird134** » 07 21, 2012 • [Post 16]

Dotman, we don't do warm breakfasts and coffee won't be every day. So we can get by with less than you, I think.

Slim, what's the advantage of taking 2 110g bottles over 2 100g bottles (since 2 100g's are prob more than enough)?

by **Freebird134** » 07 21, 2012 • [Post 17]

Slim: do you prefer snow peak over jet boil brand for any particular reason?

by **WindedBowhunter** » 07 23, 2012 • [Post 18]

slim9300 & Freebird134 These are my "go to" fuels for my Jetboil stoves. I use the Jetfuel during warmer months, the SnowPeak in the colder temps in single digits. The SnowPeak fuel has more Propane which allows ignition at colder temps. The real issue is the pressure in the can at colder temps degrades.

If you toss the can of fuel in your sleeping bag or set it on a handwarmer in your boot this should mitigate some cold weather fuel issues. Not to mention warm your boot up!

by **slim9300** » 07 23, 2012 • [Post 19]

Freebird134 wrote:Dotman, we don't do warm breakfasts and coffee won't be every day. So we can get by with less than you, I think.

Slim, what's the advantage of taking 2 110g bottles over 2 100g bottles (since 2 100g's are prob more than enough)?

110g canisters seem like they are the same size and fit in the Jetboil just like the 100g. The advantage is that they are the same price as the Jetboil fuel or less and you get 10% more fuel. It also means you have 10% more burn time just in case.

And yes. I far prefer the SnowPeak fuel over the JetBoil brand for the reason mentioned above.