Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Review
A camp cooking Stove that’s portable without compromising cook power
Four full turns of flame control enable precise simmering to rapid boiling.
November 5th, 2025
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Our verdict
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp is an innovative camp cooking system, made for those who love gear, love to cook, and are looking for more portability without compromising on cook power. The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System is a two-burner, clamshell-style stove that we enjoyed using this summer—frequently turning to this one even though we own other camping stoves. Even with a unique design, it is still user friendly with a clever system designed for additional cooking attachments to make a comprehensive camp kitchen.
The Jetboil Genesis has a smaller weight and footprint than most traditional, briefcase-style camp stoves and is entirely self contained, meaning that the stove, burner, cook pot, fuel regulator, a frying pan, and the windscreen all fit within the included Jetboil carrying case, which looks similar in design and size as a bowling ball bag, but is cylindrical in shape.
We took this system all over southern and central Idaho, Wyoming, and southern Montana, where I cooked a variety of meals in mild and rougher weather, including (brief description of rains/winds/temps) . Hovering around $450 when not on sale, the Genesis is an expensive system, but those who care to invest in portability, creative design, and decent cooking power will find an ideal fit with the Genesis Basecamp System.
Planning a trip? Make sure your camp setup is complete by checking out our Camping Gear Checklist.
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Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Specifications
Burners: Dual 10,000 BTU regulated burners
Boil Time: 3 minutes 15 seconds (1L water)
Weight: 9 lbs 1.6 oz (complete system)
Packed Dimensions: 10.3" x 7.2"
Open Dimensions: 20.5" x 9.8"
Fuel: 16.4 oz propane canisters
Temperature Range: Regulated performance to 20°F (-6°C)
Included: 5L FluxPot, 10" ceramic fry pan, windscreen, regulator, carry bag
Features: JetLink port, precise flame control, nesting design
Price: $450
Comparison table
| CAMPING STOVE | MSRP* | FUEL TYPE | BURNERS | HEAT OUTPUT (per burner) | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System | $450 | Propane | 2 | 10,000 BTU | 10.3" x 7.2" | 9 lbs, 2 oz |
| Snow Peak Home and Camp Burner | $130 | Butane | 1 | 8,333 BTU | 13.6" x 11.8" x 4.7" | 3 lbs |
| Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camp Stove | $275 | Propane | 2 | 12,000 BTU | 22.0" x 13.2" x 3.7" | 14 lbs, 12.8 oz |
| GSI Outdoors Selkirk 540+ Camp Stove | $180 | Propane | 2 | 14,000 BTU | 21.4" x 12.9" x 3.8" | 10 lbs |
| GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Pro 2 Burner Stove | $200 | Propane | 2 | 11,000 BTU | 20.0" x 12.4" x 1.4" | 11 lbs |
Who is it for?
Anyone looking for portable and self-contained camp cooking
Campers who want a home-like cook performance
Campers seeking to build onto an expandable system
Camp cookers who prefer a regulated dual-burner performance
Campers who enjoy fun, unique, and functional piece of gear
What we liked
Excellent portability
Intuitive and easy to use
Simmer power and consistent flame
What could be better
Windscreen is not intuitive and is too short
Expensive
How we tested
Compact design perfect for van life and overlanding adventures.
The Jetboil Genesis was tested in a variety of environments from early to late summer in the Mountain West. The Genesis is rated for consistent performance down to 20°F, so we did not test it in colder weather and would not consider it a reliable cook source during winter evenings in southern Idaho where we live, where nights dip into the teens.
We had two testers use the Genesis throughout the summer–one being myself , a fairly good home chef and an experienced outdoor cook, and the other being my partner, who is not always comfortable with cooking at home or at camp.
We looked at several key factors in the Jetboil: ease of setup and use, portability, and cook power. For cook power, we tested both low and high heat settings, examining how well the Jetboil simmered water and cooked eggs at a low temperature, and how well it seared and finished a steak on high heat for a short amount of time.
With portability, we carried the Jetboil Genesis on short and long-term camping trips, carrying it and using it throughout the day as we lived out of the car and tent on a week-long camping trip through Wyoming in late August. We cooked at least a dozen sunny side up and scrambled eggs, made several pounds of fajitas and a few steaks, sauteed vegetables, freshly caught trout, and more.
We used the Genesis under the cover of our Forester’s tailgate in downpours, during nightly thunder and wind storms in the high elevations of Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains, and on low 40°F mornings for coffee.
Performance in the field
Cooking power
At 10,000 BTUs per burner, the power relative to the price tag of the Jetboil Genesis, at least on paper, is not as competitive as many stoves with even more BTUs that are even lower in price, like the GSI Selkirk 540+. Despite this, in practice the cooking power has felt consistent and strong, even when cooking a large portion of ramen in the 5L FlexPot.
On mornings where we needed a rapid boil of water the Genesis held a powerful flame. That same powerful flame can also be easily moved to a simmer that has an even and low flame that makes for great sauces.
With a boil time of approximately 3 minutes and 15 seconds for 1L of water and 10,000 BTUs per burner, the Jetboil isn’t the most powerful stove on the market, but it does offer decent output that is provides a consistent flame that doesn’t burn too hot, an issue I run in frequently with other stoves I’ve used over the years. The Genesis can simmer water low and slow, and in practice it can make perfectly cooked sunny side up eggs: done on the bottom, runny on the top.
If you’re looking to grill on your camping trips, check out our Best Portable Camping Grills guide.
10-inch ceramic-coated fry pan provides excellent nonstick performance.
Portability
Space efficiency for a dual-burner stove is often limited due to the design of the stove, but with the Genesis Basecamp’s clamshell shape and small footprint, the portability is unmatched.
We have used the Genesis Basecamp in many different places across many different trips this summer, and it was by far the easiest to transport and carry among other stoves that we have used and tested. The handle is easy and comfortable to carry even when juggling other items, and we were thankful for the overall lightness of the stove during longer walks to hike-in campsites.
Without the Genesis Basecamp, we might have opted for our backpacking stove. Having the ability to cook without being tied to the car or campsite is a fun option for those who are willing to carry a relatively light stove so that they can cook robust meals in more remote settings.
Convenient carry bag with regulator storage makes transport effortless
Ease of Use and Set-up Time
With the exception of the windscreen, the Jetboil Genesis was extremely easy to use right out of the case. It was intuitive, with easy labels for the JetLink port.
I pulled it out of the bag, opened up the rubber straps to unfold the stove, connected the fuel line to the propane, and turned the burner dials while pressing the auto-ignition letter, which stands out bright and red and difficult to miss. I am guilty of often not reading instructions and relying on touch and intuition when it comes to gear I’m fairly familiar with already, like a camp stove, and the Genesis was easy enough to use without the instructions. With them, setup would have been even easier, so the stove is ideal for those who prefer to prepare and those who like to approach things more casually.
The fuel regulator port is located at the back as it is with most standard stoves, but it could be set up fairly quickly especially if connected before resting the stove on the cooking surface. The trickiest part of the setup is the windscreen, which took some repeated instruction manual reviews and a little finessing to secure the plastic tabs into the slots.
Versatility
With the expandable JetLink port integrated into the stove, it’s easy to make meals both large and small, from coffee to tea to more complex and multi-step cooking options. Being able to sauté and soften onions and bell peppers in one pan, while cranking up the other burner to a high heat setting for quickly cooking thin carne asada, is what makes the Jetboil Genesis such a high quality cooking tool. For my partner, who mostly cooks breakfast meals, the responsive flame made for crispy bacon cooked low and slow and for the most perfect we’ve had while camping.
Durability
Overall, the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System is made from materials that feel like they will last long enough to justify the price tag. Some customer reviews report melted pot lids and handles, but we have not encountered these issues in our testing. I was initially nervous about the plastic pot and skillet lid, but it has been used multiple times without incident. Be aware of the potential for these issues as you consider this purchase.
The rest of the construction is beefy, with thick rubber straps that feel nearly impossible to snap or break even in colder weather. We have even dropped the Genesis when it was securely closed, and the stove opened and closed without incident and showed no long term scuffs.
Features
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp is a premium integrated camp stove. Photo by Sam Schild
Innovative nesting and portability design
The ability to pack into itself, with a sauce pan and frying pan included, is a rare asset not seen in many, if any, other camping stoves, especially of this size and power. The carrying bag sports a sizable pocket for the fuel adapter and can also easily fit a small spatula or sponge without being too large or loose so the fuel adapter doesn’t rattle as the case is being transported.
The system is low profile, and easy to set up and pack away, especially once you understand the best method for putting the windscreen back in. The dual burners unfold with 10.5 inches between them, a generous size for a stove that folds like a clamshell back into itself. The 5L FluxPot holds the Jetboil Genesis easily, with the 10”. ceramic coated frying pan sitting neatly on top of the stove body and the FluxPot’s lid.
We love the compact 10.3" x 7.2" packed size, which fits easily in the back of our Subaru and our truck bed on trips where every inch counts, as we often travel with a large dog, kayak, and paddle boards. We spend our camping trips being entirely self-contained and generally do not stay in developed campgrounds, so having a system that has a small footprint has been efficient and helpful.
Dual 10,000 BTU regulated performance
Innovative nesting design allows entire system to pack into single carry bag.
Each of the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp’s burner sports 10,000 BTUs, placing it around the middle in terms of camp stoves—while it is not the most powerful stove it is certainly not the least powerful, with burners that provide continuous flame control for precision simmering to rapid boiling and high heat. It takes four full turns to experience the spectrum of flame control, with medium high heat fairly easy to find and can be maintained easily.
The ignition system is a bright red lever that protrudes far enough away from the body of the stove that it is easy to locate and ignite, which is helpful as the design of the stove can make it difficult to access the bottom of the stove while it sits on a flat surface. Even during windy conditions in the field, the ignition lever never failed to start the stove. I enjoyed the ability to easily use one burner without the other risking getting warm from ambient heat.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp complete system set-up for outdoor cooking.
FluxRing technology and cookware integration
One of the key features of every Jetboil system is the integrated FluxRing heat exchanger. The 5L FluxPot is made with FluxRing, making boil time quick even when 1L of water is displaced across the large, 5L pot. Within close to 3 minutes in the field water was at a boil, with the coiled design of the FluxRing technology increasing the surface area of the pot and reducing boil time.
The cookware, which is designed specifically for Genesis burner compatibility for the Basecamp two-burner system and the HalfGen (Jetboil’s single burner iteration of the Genesis), heats evenly and efficiently. The strainer lid, which is made of plastic, is designed with included holes for straining liquid and easily fits the pot and the pan. Some reviews mention that their pot lids melted on the edges, though we rarely used the lid and did not experience any melting or overheating when we did.
JetLink expandability system
Another unique element of the Jetboil Genesis, among many other unique elements, is the expandability system, which allows one to connect compatible Jetboil stoves to the Genesis Basecamp via the JetLink port. The port, which is clearly marked on the side of the stove, creates the opportunity for extra cooking surfaces and accessories, such as the Luna Satellite Burner. The Luna Satellite Burner shares a fuel source with the Genesis, but is controlled independently with its own push button ignitor and simmer control, making it a useful accessory that allows for individualized cooking.
The ability to warm water for coffee while cooking food on the larger two burners is an efficient and helpful option to have. The system inherently allows for customization of cooking outputs as one adds smaller burners such as the Luna and/or larger burners such as the HalfGen or even another Basecamp two-burner system. As families grow and trips with friends become frequent, the Genesis Basecamp System’s versatility allows for one to cook for a crowd or just for two.
Windscreen
The only thing I did not love about the Genesis was the windscreen, which is also the only difficult element of the Genesis during set- up. We wish the attachment were slightly taller but in the field it still performed well even in windy conditions. The screen itself is low profile and thin, securing into the built in slots at the bottom of the stove with a fair amount of finessing.
With the windscreen, referring to the instructions was absolutely necessary as set-up is not intuitive, and the screen kept popping out of the small slots at the base of the stove where the screen slides into to connect. The plastic tabs on the screen do not comfortably sit in the slots, and it felt like we were going to break it. The windscreen is also shorter than I would like, reaching just the top of the frying pan when installed. While it does shield the burners themselves, which is the most important aspect, I do wish it stood slightly higher than the surface of the burner as well instead of being level with it.
Weather protection and durability
The Genesis is regulated for reliable operation down to 20 degrees, usable for much of the day during the winter in many regions. The construction of the rest of the stove body is durable and solid without feeling overly heavy, with rugged steel construction handles that were comfortable in hand and made for easy carrying around the campsite. The design of the stove makes for easier cooking on non-flat surfaces such as boulders and rocks, and we never observed any scuffs or wear on the stove body after cooking on rocks.
We dislike the drip trays on many stoves, which are often hard to reach. With at least an inch of space between the burner and the drip tray, one has to only squeeze the side of the grate to remove it from the stove for consistent maintenance cleanings.
Premium integrated accessories
The included carrying bag is not only small and easy to carry, it’s also attractive, and withstood the dirt it was frequently exposed to. Other premium integrated accessories include the windscreen, which folds conveniently along the edge of the inside of the case along with the skillet and saucepan Jetboil provides.
All pieces of the Jetboil system, from the bag’s sturdy construction to the included pots and the comfortable carrying strap, are constructed with materials and design that is made for long lasting performance and usability. Although the price of the Jetboil Genesis is higher than other two burner stoves, the integrated accessories justify the higher cost of the stove.
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp vs. similar stoves
It’s difficult to compare the Jeboil Genesis Basecamp to other two-burner camping stoves because it is so unique in design and features. With the key elements of portability, self containment, and an available expandable system in mind there is almost no other comparison to traditional, clamshell style, camping stoves. The Genesis lives in a space between the camping stoves we grew up with and backpacking stoves we take on our overnight trips. If one was really determined and on a shorter hike, a Genesis could very likely be packed out on a backpacking trip, but it wouldn’t be suitable on longer treks where its slightly over 9lb weight would be distracting.
The Genesis does compare in BTU output for each burner, as the 10,000 BTUs is neither exceptionally high nor excessively low when compared to other stoves. The Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 is slightly higher in BTU output and also comes with accessories that set it apart from other stoves, even though its shape is more traditional. The Coleman PEAK is a similar low profile two burner that also has 10,000 BTUs per burner. When looking at purely BTUs, the Genesis is outshone by less expensive stoves with stronger outputs. In practice the 10,000 BTUs per burner feels strong though, so it is important to consider real life performance to specifications.
Should I buy the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp?
Buy if you enjoy using gear that is creative and unique with extra features and intelligent design elements, are a creative cook who can feed a large or small group, or you camp cooking priorities are portability and self containment. You should also consider this stove if you’re interested in investing in the JetBoil system and family of products and the $450 price fits in your budget.
Skip if: you are looking for an exceptionally high cook power/BTUs, your camp cooking style is more traditional and straightforward, you don’t need to cook for larger groups or don’t plan to make meals requiring more than two cooking surfaces, or you’re looking for a more financially-accessible stove.
Where to buy the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp?
The Jetboil Genesis Basecamp stove is a popular gear item, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Similar products
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camping Stove
Price: $275
Weight: 14 lbs 12.8 oz
Boil time: 9 minutes during testing
Burners: 2
Fuel type: Propane
Packed dimensions: 22.0" x 13.2" x 3.7"
The Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 is a beefy stove, made for those who want versatility in their cooking but aren’t needing portability. Like the Genesis, the Cascade comes with its own useful and unique accessories: an included cast iron griddle and grill plate. These accessories make for great cooking, especially for those who enjoy using cast iron in their meals as meat and vegetables crisp and sauté perfectly on the cook surfaces.
The Cascade itself isn’t wildly heavy and can be carried fairly easily from car to campsite, but the accessories are extremely heavy since they are cast iron, and the carrying bag they come in does not provide support so carrying them can feel clunky and heavy. We enjoy the Cascade 3-in-1 and the versatility it offers in terms of cooking options, but it will not be our most used camping stove due to the size and weight.
Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 Camping Stove
Price: $180
Weight: 10 lbs
Boil time: 9 minutes during testing
Burners: 2
Fuel type: Propane
Packed dimensions: 21.4 in x 12.9 in x 3.8
The Selkirk 540+ from GSI Outdoors is an attractive and generally reliable stove. We have had one for years and it has been our main cooking source on car camping trips. The stove is light enough for easy carrying with a handle that feels good in hand. I generally find the Selkirk 540+ to run hot on all but the lowest setting, which is hard to find on the dial and too easy to turn off.
Eventually, the ignition button went out on ours, so although the stove is still functional it requires a long lighter to ignite the propane coming out of the burners—which is not a safe or reliable method of starting a stove.
The Selkirk does have its admirers, and although it lacks the precision I prefer in cooking in terms of heat output, it can be cleaned without too much effort and the windscreen is superior.
GSI Selkirk 540+
Price: $200
Weight: 11.7 lbs
Boil time: 11 min during testing
Burners: 2
Fuel type: Propane
Packed dimensions: 20 in x 12.4 in x 1.4 in
The GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 is a sleek and relatively light stove that is attractive but easily outperformed by the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System. The Pinnacle Pro 2 sits at a more affordable price and it has withstood testing this summer, but I found the stove body to get overly hot when cooking. The stove sits high above the table or cooking surface, but the ambient heat still feels strong even when the stove is on medium. This is likely due to the thinness of the stove, which appears more like a large laptop when folded up than a camp stove. The boil time for the Pinnacle Pro 2 was also the slowest of stoves we’ve tested this year.
GSI Pinnacle Pro 2 Burner Stove
Why you should trust us / About the author
I am an educator and curriculum developer who has spent much of my professional career in the outdoors with youth, especially in camp and outdoor education settings. This work has brought me to cooking, specifically teaching young people how to cook and feed themselves using a campfire, cooking stoves, and other methods.
For several years I worked as the “Cooking Specialist” at the summer camp where I began my career, making gourmet meals with young people using only camping stoves, fire pits, solar ovens, and no-cook methods. I have fed groups of thirty off of camp stoves and have taken countless camping trips where I am the sole cook.
An amateur home cook and baker, I love finding recipes and bringing them to the campsite and I firmly believe that (almost) anything can be cooked outdoors with enough persistence and creativity.
You can read all of Gabi’s articles on their author page.
