Jetboil MicroMo Cooking System Review:
What This Technology Gives A Hiker

By Diane Spicer

Welcome to this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review.

Hiking For Her does gear reviews like these because it's important to put great hiking gear into your hands, the stuff that really does the job on the trail.

The most important thing to me in hiking gear as the years roll by?

Safety.

As in being prepared to be surprised by weather, trail conditions, animal encounters, and unforeseen events.

And that's why I agreed to write this unpaid Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review.

Because being prepared is something we can all agree on as hikers.

Having a fast way to warm up surface water or to melt snow is crucial for keeping your core temperature steady in the face of being exposed overnight to fluctuating conditions.

Of course, there are other reasons to carry a cooking system like this Jetboil, and they will be covered in this review.

It's because I'm guessing that you think like I do as a hiker.

You want high performance from your technology, and are willing to invest in it.

You 

I'll give you a few scenarios that have happened to me over my decades of hiking, just to get you thinking about why I wrote this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review.

Disclosures in this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review

Hiking For Her received a Jetboil MicroMo in exchange for an unpaid, unbiased review based on testing the system in the field.

The fuel canister, not included with the MicroMo, was purchased with my own money for the purpose of testing the unit on hikes.

All opinions belong to Hiking For Her.

There is no affiliate relationship between the Jetboil company and Hiking For Her. 

If you purchase any Jetboil products through the Amazon Jetboil link or the REI Co-op Jetboil link in this review, HFH receives a small commission while you pay nothing extra. It's a much appreciated way to support this ad free hiking site.

What's being discussed in this
Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review?

The word "Jetboil" is synonymous with heating water up fast and getting on with your hiking business.

This particular Jetboil is an integrated cooking system designed for backpackers, for reasons you will soon understand.

There is an entire line of systems for those kicking back at a campsite after a day hike, or backcountry hikers who need a lightweight, reliable way to get hot food into tired bodies.

• See them at the Jetboil site.

Jetboil MicroMo specifications

The MicroMo's technical specifications, which were not verified by HFH, include:

• 12 oz | 340 g without fuel canister (not included; 7 oz for 100g) or fuel stabilizers attached (plastic, included)
• Gas mixture: butane/propane
• 6000 BTU/h / 1.75 kW power output
• Regulator valve for incremental fuel flow
• Capacity just shy of 1 liter: 0.8L capacity
• 2m 15sec per 0.5 liter (avg. over life of JetPower can)
• 12 liters boiled per 100 g Jetpower canister 
• Packed dimensions: 4.1 in x 6.25 in | 10.4 cm x 15.9 cm
• Minimum storage temperature: -40F/-40C
• Minimum usage temperature: 0F/-20C

Once again, without the numbers

Let's summarize all these specs without numbers, using the words backpackers love to hear:

• Lightweight
• Small footprint with nesting parts
• Powerful output 
• Fast boil times
• Efficient use of fuel 
• Straightforward set up and usage
• Useful in nearly all hiking conditions
• Insulated cozy on cooking cup
• Drink through lid with spout, strainer
• Included: fuel canister support, pot support, triple purpose bottom cup (measuring cup, bowl, stove protector)

What does the MicroMo offer you as a hiker?

Lots of reasons to carry this piece of technology, as we just noted.

But look a little deeper at what this cooking system offers you in terms of features:

• Convenience, as in a push button ignition and half the fuel consumption of other stoves
• Efficiency, as in a versatile one-pot system
• Safety, as in knowing you can get a hot beverage into an injured hiker in just a few minutes
• Peace of mind, as in carrying technology that will make an unexpected night in the woods more manageable, a big consideration when hiking with kids or those with health conditions; also important to reassure those left at home
• Versatility, as in a regulator valve to allow incremental control over the flow of fuel (simmer, slow roll, boil) and a pot support if you choose to use your own cooking vessels (frying pan, etc.)

Based on long trail experience, here are two scenarios when carrying this Jetboil makes sense.

Scenario #1

You've planned for a long day hike in high summer, great weather and plenty of daylight to explore a particular loop trail you've had your eye on.

Just about half way through the 12 mile hike, your hiking buddy twists an ankle.

Badly.

Because you didn't get an early start at the trailhead, it's already mid-afternoon.

The weather has decided to build some dark cumulus clouds and there's a bit of a breeze picking up.

In other words, it's gonna rain on your unhappy little parade.

No cell signal, either, and you're not carrying an InReach device.

You have a decision to make: Stay with the injured person and wait out the weather until you can hike out for some help tomorrow, or leave the person and try to get help today.

Either way, a Jetboil is going to be useful to hydrate, feed and comfort you and/or your hiking buddy. It's easy to use, meaning even someone in a fair bit of discomfort can operate it.

Scenario #2

You love snowshoeing, and you're not afraid to go it alone when no one else has time to accompany you.

One reason for your confidence in solo snowshoeing is that the trails you use are summer trails that have pretty good markings, trail junctions and wooden bridges over streams.

Today you decide to tackle a trail with a fair bit of steep uphill so you can gain a vantage point over the deep valley you started in. 

It's hard work because you're breaking trail most of the way, so you're sweating and tired when you finally break out of the trees and enjoy your viewpoint.

Now you're feeling cold (time to pull on more layers) and really hungry. Cold snack bars just aren't going to give you the fuel you need to make your way back down the elevation drop of about 1000 feet.

Time to fire up the Jetboil! A hot beverage, maybe some soup or noodles, and you'll be ready to make your way safetly back to the trailhead.

Jetboil MicroMo cooking system performance in trail conditions 

Here's where it gets real.

Why carry technology that doesn't perform well or give you the results you desire on a hike?

I'm assuming the questions you may be asking as you read this review were compatible with mine.

Did the Jetboil MicroMo cooking system heat water as fast as promised?

Remember the spec? 

2m 15sec to bring 0.5 liter of water to a boil.

The caveat, of course, is that ambient temperature, altitude, starting temperature of the water, and weather conditions are going to mess with this result.

I tested the MicroMo in early winter conditions, with soggy ground and misty morning temperatures in the 40s (Fahrenheit) at around 400 feet altitude. I started with cold surface water.

Was this Jetboil cooking system stable?

By that, I mean tippy or easy to knock over.

Sometimes a lit stove can be forgotten in the rush of kitchen chores, and you want to place your cooking system out of the way of harm while still being handy.

Also, recall that plastic fuel canister stabilizers are included with the MicroMo, a much better option than propping up the stove with rocks.

I purposely chose uneven ground to test the system, knowing it would perform even better on a flat surface such as a picnic table at a campground.

Did the push button ignition work reliably?

Here I have to admit a bias deeply embedded after numerous "fails" on backpacking trips: fear of flimsy or overdesigned technology.

In other words, do we really need push button ignition?

And if it fails, can we use this cooking system anyway?

Excellent questions, my virtual hiking friend.

My answers 

Was there a learning curve to using this cooking system?

That depends on how familiar you are with backpacking stoves in general, I suppose.

If you're just starting out, Jetboil offers videos and lots of tips on their website. It's up to you to familiarize yourself with the system before you venture out into the wilds. 

An important thing to know is that the control valve closes in the clockwise direction.

If you're comfortable with the idea of fuel canister backpacking stoves, this system is ridiculously easy to get up and running.

Of course, cold hands and poor weather conditions (snow squalls, freezing rain, you know the stuff Mother Nature loves to dish out) will slow you down regardless of your familiarity with the technology.

What I liked best about the MicroMo

This system put hot water into my cup fast without a lot of fuss.

The insulated cozy on the cooking cup allows me to have a second cup of hot tea without firing up the stove again.

Simplicity, if you need one word to sum up what I liked best in this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review.

Things to note in this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review

I wouldn't be doing my job of a thorough hiking gear review if I didn't point out what can go wrong with this technology.

Or when it should not be relied upon.

There are several things I want to bring to your attention, so let's go through them.

This cooking system is best for certain types of hiking

This cooking system is designed for making small, fast meals or boiling water in a hurry for a hot beverage, first aid, or filling a water bottle for a long cold night in your sleeping bag.

It might also be your backup water treatment plan (a rolling boil in 2 minutes + another minute guarantees you a supply of drinkable water).

In other words, it is a great choice for a backpacking trip, or a minimalist car camping trip.

It's especially useful for solo hikers, those who go fast and light and want to make the most of every hour of daylight (no elaborate meals or extended meal prep). Be sure to leave the metal pot support at home to save a bit of weight.

Would a dayhiker carry this cooking system? 

• My personal response: I will, in spring, fall and winter conditions. It's a margin of safety I feel good about.

Because it's the smallest cooking system Jetboil offers, this is not the system you want if you're planning to cook meals for yourself plus several other hikers on every day of your trip.

• However, there are compatible accessories that increase the versatility of this system, including a coffee press, hanging kit, utensils, a skillet and a cooking pot.
• I'd also recommend a long handled spork to make your meal tasks easier.

Don't overload the cooking cup

Yes, the specifications say you can boil 0.8L in one go.

But you shouldn't try to do that.

Instead, fill the cup about half way.

That prevents a pouring hazard.

It also avoids maxing out the ability of the lid to withstand the torrent of water exiting the cup.

Windy condition tips

Back in the day, we carried a beat up corrugated metal strip to shape as a windscreen for our backpacking stoves.

Jetboil recommends NOT using a windscreen to avoid overheating the fuel canister (i.e. setting you up for an explosive event).

But help this little cooking system out a bit. Pick a sheltered spot with a natural windbreak: downed log pile, boulders, natural depression...

Just not too close to your tent, piles of packs and clothing, or combustible natural materials (dried grasses, downed limbs, etc.). Play it safe with a distance of at least 4 feet.

Keep your wits about you

Be sure to light the stove before you attach the filled cooking pot to the burner. A simple rotation should lock it into place.

Then adjust the flame, fit the lid, and wait for a few minutes.

Dispensing boiling water from the cooking cup is something you should do mindfully and carefully.

The risk of burning your hand, or someone's hand holding a cup under the stream of water, is real.

The flexible handle on the cup is a compact, lightweight textured fabric loop. That means you'll have to take off bulky gloves in order to get two or three fingers into it to control your pour rate.

This will take a bit of practice. I practiced using cold water and the cup I carry when I hike, just to get muscle memory working for me.

Note: The lid does not have a death grip on the cooking unit, so when you're pouring know that the lid may disengage before you're ready. Slow, steady pouring is the best approach.

The influence of weather conditions

Windy, cold conditions?

It might take longer to get that stove fired up and the water boiling.

If you're out in temperatures below 20 degrees F (-6 degrees C), the ignition button may not be reliable. Put a lighter into your emergency kit to cover this scenario.

• Heck, in conditions this cold, carry a backup plan for heating your water (a lighter, fire starter and some type of dry fuel maybe).

Durability

That's top of mind for me when I'm using gear that directly relates to my safety and comfort.

How will this technology perform over the months and years that I bring it along on my hikes?

Obviously I can't answer that in this initial Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review.

But I will update here as needed, and keep an eye on product reviews and redesigns to get a complete picture on the durability angle.

Fuel logs

The worst part of these canister type stoves is the guesswork about how much fuel is left.

Should I bring an extra (more weight and cost), or hope for the best (potentially cold meals)?

That's where your trail journal comes in handy.

Or at the very least, your fuel log: how many minutes the stove burned OR how much liquid was boiled. 

Recall that the company states that 12 liters can be boiled per 100 g Jetpower canister. That's a lot of water if you're a solo hiker, unless you're out hiking in all seasons.

On the other hand, if you're in a small group of hikers who enjoy hot breakfast and dinner each day, plus hot beverages mid-day and after dinner, it's easy to go through a fuel canister and not realize it.

Keeping a log beats guesswork any day in my book (small joke, sorry).

And here's a cheat: Jetboil created a fuel gauge so you can check the fuel level of any Jetboil canister (100-gram, 230-gram, and 450-gram) before your hike. It's inexpensive and might save a lot of headaches down the trail.

You can also use it to "gauge" what your fuel consumption patterns are (another plug for your hiking log book), making plans for next time that much easier.

Because it's compatible with all isobutane/propane backpacking fuel canisters, this little fuel gauge might be a great stocking stuffer or little gift to yourself!

You already know this: Test the system first!

If you're planning a long backpacking trip and want to make sure you have enough fuel, but not extra weight, why not do a test of the cooking system at home?

You can use a "weigh the canister before and after" method.

Or you can use a "how many boils can I get out of one canister" method.

The issue here is that your cooking technique is different from mine.

You might like a boiling hot beverage after a hot dinner, and I skip it so I don't have to visit the trees at midnight.

You gently simmer noodles while you relax, but I dump a cup of boiling water into my food packet and it's all good.

Or maybe you are planning to boil water as a purification method (to kill surface water viruses), and I'm bringing a filter instead.

See what I mean?

Test this cooking system for the conditions and cooking techniques you'll be using, and bring the appropriate number of fuel canisters dialed in to your unique plans.

An extra one never hurt anything, being featherweight and small.

A safety reminder

It's tempting to use this cooking system inside your tent in foul weather.

The fuel combustion produces carbon monoxide, a colorless odorless gas that can build up quickly in a confined space.

Also, an open flame, hot metal and boiling water in your home away from home?

Just say no.

Price point

Talk to a dozen hikers, get at least a dozen opinions on which is the "best" backpacking stove.

So I'm just one voice in many, giving you my opinion of the value inherent in this stove for the price point.

Here's how it goes for me.

There are only a few things that REALLY matter to me on a hike or backpacking trip.

One of those is a hot meal, or at least a hot beverage, when I'm cranky and tired.

So I'm willing to invest in technology to get that hot bowl or cup of goodness into my hands, fast.

This Jetboil is around $170 US at the time of writing this review, but we all know how prices swing wildly so take that number as a ballpark estimate.

The system requires fuel canister(s), and if you buy the Jetboil brand, that will run around $6 per canister. Hiking For Her did not test compatibility of other brands of fuel canisters with this system.

Is that too expensive? I'll let you decide for your own hiking style.

Final thoughts in this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system review

The Jetboil technology is straightforward, the system is stable when assembled, the fuel canisters are readily available, inexpensive and lightweight, and it didn't take up a lot of space in my backpack.

Here's the bottom line for me: I know that I can put this system together quickly, regardless of weather conditions and in less than ideal terrain (rocky alpine slopes, drenched dripping forest canopy, you name it) and have hot food or beverages in my body within 10 minutes.

Playing it safe, every time

Maybe you've guessed that technology plays a big role in my survival kit.

I rely on well designed, foolproof and lightweight gear to give me a margin of safety, even if (hopefully) I never have to use it.

This Jetboil backpacking cooking system will be used for cold weather hiking and snowshoeing, and will travel in my backpack year round along with a few packets of freeze dried food & some fuel to give me peace of mind.

I don't mind the weight and the bulk (minimal compared to a full water bottle), because they will be priceless in certain scenarios (see a few examples above).

And here's one more: a disaster scenario at home. This little system will keeping hot water flowing until power is restored or I run out of fuel canisters.

So let me leave you with this.

Jetboil has been around a long time. The company puts thought into their designs, based on what a hiker is looking for in a cooking system. They test their products, and stand behind them.

I have no hesitation recommending this Jetboil MicroMo cooking system to hikers anywhere in the world.

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Jetboil MicroMo Cooking System Review