Jetboil Helios turns stove technology on its head

Amazing: nearly 1.5 liters of water hitting a hard, rolling boil in just 2 minutes, 45 seconds.

The new Jetboil Helios backpacking stove has set a lofty standard for the outdoor industry: fast, efficient cooking using standard compressed-gas fuel canisters. Unlike traditional canister stoves, the Helios uses the compressed fuel in its liquid form, rather than as an evaporated gas. As a result, the stove burns the fuel more efficiently and more completely.

In order to draw the compressed isobutane fuel out of the canisters in a liquid state, the Helios requires the canister to be upside down, and an enclosed canister support enables that. Since the liquid form of the fuel is heavier than gas, when the canister is inverted the liquid easily flows into the fuel line and to the stove burner.

Though the Helios is billed as a three-season backpackers' stove, it can be used as a winter cooker, too. Isobutane fuel doesn't vaporize well at cold temperatures, so the traditional setup of drawing fuel vapor from the top of a canister doesn't work in winter. Turning the canister upside down, though, lets the liquid fuel flow to the stove, even when used in temperatures below zero.

The Helios includes a wind screen that secures to the burner, and a 2-liter pot with the attached FluxRing — a corrugated strip that circles the bottom of the pan, helping to spread and hold the stove's heat across the full width of the pan bottom to increase heating efficiency. The cover that protects the FluxRing on the base of the pot doubles as a shallow bowl for dining. The stove, canister support and fuel line all fit within the pot, and a secure lid keeps it all together. Unfortunately, there is no room for a fuel canister within the pot with the stove, so you'll need to pack that separately.

With a 110-gram canister (i.e., a "small" canister), the Helios system weighs just over 2 pounds, which isn't excessive, but it is significantly heavier than some ultralight cooking systems. If all you plan to do is boil water, you might want to look for something lighter. But if you want an efficient stove that will quickly boil enough water for three or four hikers as well as simmer meals at low flame for long periods, the Helios is a great option. It sells for $149.95. See www.jetboil.com.

— Dan A. Nelson,

special to The Seattle Times

Freelancer Dan A. Nelson, of Puyallup, is a regular contributor to Backpacker magazine and an author of outdoor guides with The Mountaineers Books. For the purpose of review, gear manufacturers lend products, which are returned after a typical use of four to six weeks. There is no payment from manufacturers, and they have no control over the content of reviews. Contact Dan with gear-related questions at gearguy@adventuresnw.net.