qwertydude's blog

The flame wars are on! Literally. Shortly after I posted a comment on a Facebook backpacker forum about reducing the overall pack weight in my backpack with the purchase of an Evernew alcohol stove, I was challenged that my alcohol cooking set would actually weigh more than a Jetboil if I were to include the amount of alcohol required for a 5-day trip. Game on!

I was able to borrow a friend’s Jetboil and set about to determine the veracity of the challenge. Deck conditions were sunny with a slight breeze and temps in the low 50’s.

Isobutane consumption: I didn’t have a scale to measure the before and after weights. Jetboil’s website, however, said that using “the rule of 6”, a 100gr canister should provide 30mins of burn. Given that it took 2.5mins to boil 16oz of water, ten “boils” would equal 22.5mins and provide me with some “reserve”. The total weight of a canister and fuel according to Jetboil = 10oz.

Alcohol consumption: 1.5oz of alcohol was required to boil 16oz of water. Multiply times ten equates to 15oz of alcohol required for my trip. Allowing for an equivalent amount of “reserve” from the Jetboil, the amount of alcohol carried equates to 20oz. For argument’s sake, a sturdy plastic 20oz bottle weighs 2oz.

I’m shocked! I would not have believed that the weight of the Evernew would be more than the Jetfoil. Certainly there could be some variables in play – but no significant ones that I can see. I did use a windscreen for the Evernew.

Comments re Evernew:

• The alcohol continues to burn after water is boiled. There isn’t a way to “shut it off”. Perhaps there’s a safe way to smother it with a lid dropped onto the burner.
• No temp control.
• Need to figure out the amount of fuel required to the amount of water to boil.
• Easy and simple – no “parts” to break.
• Light and compact.
• Pot handle did not get hot.
• Ti cools off quickly once flame is out.
• Requires a wind screen for best efficiency.
• Able to burn wood of required 

Comments re Jetboil:

• This thing puts out some serious heat!
• Able to regulate heat output
• No windshield used. Not sure it would have helped all that much given the proximity of the heat source and the articulated Ti heat diffuser (heat sink) which obviously spreads out the heat.
• No match required – a push button spark to ignite
• Not able to determine the amount of fuel used or remaining in canister.

Okay – what about costs – both initial purchase and subsequent fuel?

Conclusion:

Overall, then, there a 6oz weight difference – with the Evernew being heavier. Also, the Jetboil has a significantly higher heat-output along with temperature control. Fuel cost is a little higher for the Jetboil. Although I haven’t measured the amount of “pack-volume”  required – I suspect the Evernew, even with the alcohol bottle, is a little smaller. Take it for what it’s worth. And athough your ‘mileage may differ’, at least now I can say with confidence that I feel strongly ‘both ways’ – but may be leaning towards the Jetboil for my next trip.