Jetboil MiniMo vs MicroMo

Jetboil was founded back in 2001 when they produced their first stove and revolutionized the world of portable stoves. Since then, the use of innovative methods has enabled Jetboil to produce some of the best gas-fueled portable stoves in the world, and Jetboil has gained a solid reputation in the backpacking and camping communities.

These days, Jetboil manufactures a whole range of stoves. Although they’re all designed to be dependable, lightweight, and boil rapidly, each of their stoves have a unique set of features that sets them apart from others.

Here, we’re going to look at two members of the ‘mo family’ – the first family of backcountry cooking stoves manufactured by Jetboil. The Jetboil MiniMo and the Jetboil MicroMo are both fantastic options for outdoor cooking, but we’re going to take a closer look at what makes each of them so special so that you can decide which one is best suited to your outdoor cooking needs.

So, without further ado, here is the Jetboil MiniMo vs Micromo, enjoy!

Integrated Stove System

Firstly, when we talk about integrated stove systems, we mean an all-in-one stove set that contains a burner, a heat exchanger, plus a pot. For anyone that’s majorly into outdoor cooking, we’d certainly recommend an integrated stove system rather than a standalone stove.

The MiniMo and MicroMo are both integrated stove systems that come with the stove itself, a fuel canister stabilizer, a cooking cup, and a bottom cover that can be used as a bowl – everything you need for cooking on the go! The bottom cover even has markings up the side, so you can use it for measuring precise quantities – perfect for any aspiring chefs out there.

Although most aspects of the two systems are identical, a major difference is the size of the cooking pot. The MiniMo has a 1L capacity whereas the MicroMo can hold just 0.8L. If you’re keen to shed as much weight as possible, then opting for the smaller pot will lose you 2.6 oz of weight.

However, if you’ll be cooking for more than one person, you’ll probably be happy to take on the extra weight and have more space in your pot.

Another difference is the shape of the pot itself – the shape of the MiniMo pot is shorter and broader to accommodate a lower spoon angle, which is great for cooking and eating in the cold. Plus, the MiniMo pot has metal handles on the side so you can maneuver your pot securely.

Overall, it all comes down to a choice of weight versus volume. Personally, as a foodie, I would rather take the extra weight and be able to dole out bigger portions, plus I like a broader pot, but it really is a matter of personal preference.

Boil Time And Fuel Efficiency

One of the major selling points of both the MiniMo and MicroMo cooking systems is the impressive boiling time – in just2min 15s you can boil half a liter of water. This might not be as fast as the Jetboil Flash, but it’s not far behind either, and it’s way faster than most camping stoves on the market.

Fuel efficiency is also key to a stove’s performance – you don’t want to find yourself running out of gas after a couple of coffees after all. Fortunately, these stoves are both highly efficient, with a 100g can of fuel providing enough power to heat up 12L of water.

This is largely due to the FluxRing Technology, which maximizes the surface area of the bottom of the pot so that you get as much heat from your flame as possible. These two stoves are identical in terms of boil time and fuel efficiency so, whichever one you go for, you can be sure that you’ll be able to fire up your drinks and meals days on end without running out of gas.

Portability

How portable a stove plays a huge part in deciding whether you want to take it with you on the trail or not. There are loads of non-integrated stoves advertised as ultra-lightweight on the market and, although these are great for whipping up a quick cup of tea, if cooking is your thing, we wouldn’t recommend them.

The lightness often goes hand-in-hand with a lack of stability, and you don’t want your pots wobbling all over the place. Plus, you’ll have to pack a pot and other bits and bobs for cooking anyway, which will add to the weight and be bulky in your bag.

Although the MiniMo and the MicroMo aren’t the lightest options out there, they are super stable and you do get the entire cooking set for the weight. Another bonus of integrated systems is that they’re built to go together, which means you can easily store your stove and other bits and pieces inside the pot itself for easy transportation.

Weighing in at 2.6 oz less than the MiniMo, the MicroMo sneaks into first place when it comes to portability, so if weight is a top priority for you then bear this in mind.

Ignition And Flame Control

The MiniMo and MicroMo both feature a super easy-to-use push-button ignitor, which means you can say goodbye to fumbling around with matches or a lighter in the wind (yay). They’re durable too, unlike similar ignitions in cheaper models, and will operate even in temperatures as low as 20 degrees F – sometimes it really is a case of you getting what you pay for.

They also offer fantastic flame control, and the small heat increments open up a world of cooking opportunities – whoever thought you’d be able to simmer and sauté halfway up a mountainside? With identical specifications, there’s no clear winner in this category, but you can be sure that both stoves are capable of producing gourmet meals even in the most remote locations.

Stability

We mentioned before that ultra-light stoves tend to be less stable than slightly heavier stoves because the extra weight helps to keep them centered, but that’s not the only reason. The fact that the cooking pots included in both the MiniMo and MicroMo sets are part of an integrated kit means they’re built to work with those particular stoves, which minimizes how much wobbling you’ll get.

However, these stoves are also very steady when used with non-Jetboil crockery, thanks to the fuel canister stabilizers that clip onto the fuel cans, increasing the amount of contact they have with the floor and providing extra support.

Overall, the MiniMo is slightly steadier than the MicroMo thanks to the extra weight and the shorter, broader pot that is less likely to wobble, but there really isn’t much in it.

Appearance

Appearance might not be the biggest factor in determining your choice of stove, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t count for anything. Your stove is going to be at your side through thick and thin out there on the trail, so you may as well go for one that you like to look at.

The overall look of the Jetboil MiniMo and MicroMo is pretty similar – small and solid. However, the MicroMo is taller and slimmer, giving it a slightly more elegant look, while the MiniMo is shorter and broader, giving it a sturdier feel.

The insulated cozy surrounding the cooking pot is available in a range of cool color schemes for the MiniMo, personally, we love the orange, but only red or black for the MicroMo. It’s a fine line, but we reckon the color choice is enough to swing it in favor of the MiniMo for us.

Value For Money

The Jetboil MiniMo and the Jetboil MicroMo might not be the cheapest stove systems out there, but we think that they’re worth every penny.

For the price not only do you get a super durable and reliable camping stove, but also a cooking pot wrapped in an insulating cozy (with a lid), a secondary bowl/measuring cup, and fuel canister stabilizers. Plus, all of this packs away inside the pot forming one snug little package for your backpack.

Jetboil is renowned for their skill in producing integrated cooking systems and, in the unlucky event that you do run into problems with your stove, all of their products are covered by a 1-year warranty for that added peace of mind.

Both stoves offer very similar features at very similar prices… but if you really can’t decide which one to go for, the MicroMo is a couple of bucks cheaper.

Final Thoughts

So, we’ve looked at what’s included in these Jetboil cooking sets and we’ve explored some key performance considerations.

But what is it that really sets these two cooking systems apart from one another? The answer is, in truth, very little!

Both offer fantastic performance in terms of boil time, fuel efficiency, and simmer control, so no meal will be off-limits no matter where you are. But you don’t have to be an experienced chef to love these stoves, they’re great for beginners too. The push-button ignition makes lighting up your stove as easy as can be, and the fuel canister stabilizers minimize those pesky wobbles.

The main difference is the cooking pot itself – do you want something lighter or something you can cram a bit more food into (and has metal handles so you can scoff it all the faster)? We know we’d always go for the option with more food… so we’d end up going for the MiniMo, but many of you will be looking to shed extra weight, in which case you should definitely go for the MicroMo.

We do love the range of colors available for the MiniMo, and it’s shame these aren’t available for the MicroMo. However, we prefer the overall ‘look’ of the MicroMo, thanks to its slim shape giving it a sleek feel.

Overall, both stoves offer great value for money, and, whichever one you go for, you’ll be able to rustle up some impressive meals in the wilderness. Plus, you’ll be able to boil water in no time, and you won’t have to worry about your gear letting you down – so what are you waiting for?!