When temperatures drop, a steaming hot beverage is essential, especially while camping, and the Camp Chef Stryker outperforms the Jetboil Flash every time. This off-brand camp stove is better than a Jetboil for hot coffee in the great outdoors.
Why the Stryker beats the Jetboil
The Stryker boils half a liter of water in 1 minute and 37 seconds, similar to or faster than a Jetboil depending on conditions. It uses propane, which is cheaper and easier to find than the isobutane canisters that Jetboil requires. Propane contains more energy per pound and works at lower temperatures, down to -43F.
Unlike the Jetboil, the Stryker includes a tab on the lid for easier lifting and a spring-loaded handle for easier pouring. It also has a stabilizer ring that prevents tipping, which the Jetboil lacks.
Fuel flexibility and efficiency
The older Stryker 150 uses only propane, but the newer Stryker 200 includes an adapter for either fuel. The Stryker uses just 5 grams of propane to heat two cups of water, meaning you could make 90 packages of ramen from a single 1lb propane cylinder.
Propane canisters can be refilled from a grill cylinder using an inexpensive adapter, and a certified refillable version costs $22. The Stryker weighs 1.2lb compared to the Jetboil Flash's 0.9lb, but the extra weight is worth it for the performance.
Versatile use beyond camping
The Stryker is not just for camping; it can be used for mac and cheese on a road trip, coffee at the park with an Aeropress, or tea during a blackout. It is so efficient that it has been used to heat water for washing camp dishes.
The Stryker's integrated design, with corrugated metal fins on the pot base, captures heat that would otherwise be wasted, making it faster than a home gas stove.
