Titanium JetBoil Sol – CAUTION

[Orion]

I would think something so potentially dangerous needs a wider margin for error built in?

Three foot flames sounds pretty nasty. But the scenario where the whole enchilada blows up like a bomb is just speculation.
Lightweight gear tends to increase your risk. Is a stove that turns into a fireball really worse than a tarp/tent that fails in foul weather?
Personally, I'd take the former.

[Nuts]

I would think something so potentially dangerous needs a wider margin for error built in?

Three foot flames sounds pretty nasty. But the scenario where the whole enchilada blows up like a bomb is just speculation.
Lightweight gear tends to increase your risk. Is a stove that turns into a fireball really worse than a tarp/tent that fails in foul weather?
Personally, I'd take the former.

I'd take a bivy but yes, nothing certain, iv'e just seen some close calls around stoves.

[farkewie]

This happened to mine on second use...

Pretty sure it was my fault though, I was bringing rice to the boil so had high power, then forgot to stir it so it created a seal with burnt rice an the liquid could not get down to the bottom.

Did yours "just" melt or did you actually get a really big flame?

HJ

Pretty sure it just melted. Got so hot the plastic base on the burner melted too.

[hikin_jim]

Pretty sure it just melted. Got so hot the plastic base on the burner melted too.

OK, thanks. I don't suppose you have any photos of the damage?

HJ

[hikin_jim]

Based on feedback, conferring with others, and further analysis, I've re-written the blog post. Basically, I think caution is still advised, but the consequences of a problem are likely to be limited to damage to the heat exchanger.

Here's a link if you'd like to have a look: Titanium JetBoil Sol -- Caution -- REVISED.

HJ

[photohiker]

I agree with Phil and think you should contact Jetboil. I know it's not your stove that has had the problem, but you are a knowledgeable stove tester with lots of experience. What's the worst they are going to do? Brush you off?

This is the crux of the problem imo:

I looked over at my jetboil and all I saw was this massive flame. The flames were probably three feet in the air. I ran over and dumped the last of my water on it

This is a FAST stove. It beggars belief that anyone would set it running and then wander off somewhere nearby.
Basically, this does not sound like a believable normal use failure situation.

[hikin_jim]

I agree with Phil and think you should contact Jetboil. I know it's not your stove that has had the problem, but you are a knowledgeable stove tester with lots of experience. What's the worst they are going to do? Brush you off?

Thank you for that encouragement. I'm a little hesitant since I don't have anything concrete, and I've never touched a Sol Ti in my life (well, in the store, but that doesn't count).

QUESTION TO ANY AND ALL: Does anyone have a copy of the instructions for the titanium version of the JetBoil Sol Ti? If so, is there any way I can get a scan? I downloaded some instructions from the JetBoil site, but I'm not sure it they're identical to what is packaged with the titanium version, and my lousy antique computer makes it really tough to read them.

I've seen some references that perhaps JetBoil has said "water only." I can't see anything to that effect on the JetBoil site, but if there is such an advisory, then there's no point in contacting JetBoil. If the instructions say "water only" and people do something else, that's not a product issue, that's a misuse issue.

If however, there is no such proviso, then it may be worth my contacting JetBoil. People may need to be warned in the instructions that burnt food may result in a ruined heat exchanger.

HJ

[photohiker]

I've got the Ti instructions Jim. Stand by.

[hikin_jim]

I've got the Ti instructions Jim. Stand by.

hikin dot jim3 at gmail dot com is one way that you could get them to me. There is no "G" in "hikin". Much appreciated in whatever form.

HJ

[photohiker]

The first orange one appears to be Ti specific:


These are marked Sol, Sol Ti on the front page:




If you need better, I can scan properly to pdf but the phone does an acceptable quick job...

[hikin_jim]

The first orange one appears to be Ti specific:

Michael,

Thank you so much. That orange sheet is just what I wanted and just what I lacked. It appears that JetBoil has in fact given adequate notice to people of what may happen.

Would you mind if I used that "orange" one on my blog?

HJ

[photohiker]

The first orange one appears to be Ti specific:

Michael,

Thank you so much. That orange sheet is just what I wanted and just what I lacked. It appears that JetBoil has in fact given adequate notice to people of what may happen.

Would you mind if I used that "orange" one on my blog?

HJ

Hey, go for it. It's just an image of a Jetboil document, I have no rights over it at all, but I give them to you anyway.

[hikin_jim]

Hey, go for it. It's just an image of a Jetboil document, I have no rights over it at all, but I give them to you anyway.

A publicly available document, but I thank you VERY much none the less.

HJ

[Macca81]

Looks to me like every single person that has reported a 'problem' has come across this only after doing something that the instructions specify that you do not do? eg: leave unattended, use on high heat when not appropriate, etc etc

[Orion]

Hikin' Jim, nice job following this up.


Out of curiosity I looked up the instruction sheet that came with my top mount canister stove.
It is also filled with numerous warnings, both written and illustrated.
Here are two of my favorites:


(No huffing)


(Don't let the baby play with the fuel)

[Azza]

Looks to me like every single person that has reported a 'problem' has come across this only after doing something that the instructions specify that you do not do? eg: leave unattended, use on high heat when not appropriate, etc etc

Hit the nail on the head... I was impatient and turn it up too high when re-hydrating my dinner and I paid the price.
It was only afterwards that I read the instructions properly.

[etrangere]

I agree with Phil and think you should contact Jetboil. I know it's not your stove that has had the problem, but you are a knowledgeable stove tester with lots of experience. What's the worst they are going to do? Brush you off?

This is the crux of the problem imo:

I looked over at my jetboil and all I saw was this massive flame. The flames were probably three feet in the air. I ran over and dumped the last of my water on it

This is a FAST stove. It beggars belief that anyone would set it running and then wander off somewhere nearby.
Basically, this does not sound like a believable normal use failure situation.

Photohiker has def hit the nail on the head with his comment. I have a Jetboil Ti and have twice boiled it over when full of coffee grinds when using it with the coffee press. It can go from no discernable bubbles to boiling over in a split second. Very very messy, but in saying that I have totally submersed the whole stove in water to clean it off and it works fine after a quick shake off. Its not a stove to divert your attention from at all.

[hikin_jim]

(No huffing)


(Don't let the baby play with the fuel)

Oh, fine. Spoil all the fun, why don't you?

HJ