Camping Panda
Whether you’re car camping or backpacking, a kettle is an indispensable item in your outdoor cooking kit. This versatile gear can help you boil unsafe water before drinking it, brew coffee or tea, and even cook instant noodles or soups.
It can even be an ideal replacement for a pot when you’re camping alone or with a smaller group. With this in mind, let’s find out which are the best camping kettles around.
Time to Boil
Is it quick to boil water?
Handle
Is it heat resistant?
Washing
Is it easy to clean?
Wear
Is it scratch resistant?
Portability
Is it easy to carry?
Usability
Is it easy to use?
Lifespan
Is it build for years to come?
Durability
Is it sturdy enough?
11
Hours Researched
12
Products Evaluated
2k
Reviews Considered
3
Sources Researched
In-between a kettle and a pot, the BioLite KettlePot could be your best bet for seamless camping. It is ideal for car camping, serving up to four people. Made from stainless steel, it’s also scratch-resistant and durable.
Perfect to use as a soup pot or kettle, it comes with a removable high-temp top with spout, as well as a bowl. The thin walls also conduct the heat properly, allowing you to boil water in around 5 minutes. Lightweight, easy to carry, and super-versatile, this is the best camping kettle for most purposes.
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Smaller and lighter than the BioLite, the Snow Peak Kettle No. 1 is a great choice for those who like to travel light. Similar to the kettle above, it’s made from high-grade stainless steel, and is extremely versatile.
It is designed to use on a camp stove or over a campfire, coming with both folding handles and a hook bail. A convenient lid traps in heat, bringing water to a boil faster. Furthermore, it has a straight shape, allowing you to use the kettle as a pot, too. We also like the attractive price tag and overall, this camping kettle brings true value for money.
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If you’re looking for the ultimate camping kettle and don’t mind dropping some cash, then go for the Jetboil Flash. This cooking system consists of a cooking cup that doubles as a kettle and a stove designed to use with the Jetboil fuel canisters.
The kettle is made from hard anodized aluminum, providing outstanding heat conductivity. With a capacity of 1 liter, it is perfect for 2-3 people. The cup is compatible with a French press from the brand, while the stove base is detachable and suitable to use with 5-inch camping pots and skillets. Easy to use and carry, it’s perfect for both car camping and backpacking.
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REDCAMP has made it to our list with this aluminum outdoor camping kettle designed with small groups in mind. A capacity of 1.4 liters makes it perfect for gangs of up to 4 people. Ultra-light and easy to carry, it’s an excellent choice for all kinds of outdoor adventures.
We particularly like the threaded bottom, a design that enhances heat efficiency. It can boil water in just 3-4 minutes, so you can sterilize your drinking water or brew hot drinks effortlessly. Ideal to use on both camp stoves or over a campfire, this outdoor camping kettle also comes at a price that won’t break the bank.
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The Docooler camping kettle is similar to the REDCAMP, in that it’s also made from aluminum and has excellent heat conductivity. However, it has a smaller capacity and is a bit heavier, making it a more suitable choice for those who like to explore the outdoors on their own or with their better half.
Like the REDCAMP, it comes with a threaded bottom and folding handle. A thick, rubber grip prevents scalding, and we also like the oversized plastic knob on the lid. The kettle resists scratches and corrosion, and comes with a convenient carrying pouch, for easy storage and transport.
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Barbeqa impresses with a camping kettle and bowls set designed with backpackers in mind. The unit is ideal for 1-2 people, compact, and relatively light. It even comes with a mesh pouch, for easier storage and transport.
Volume measurements on the side make it very easy to brew a perfect cowboy coffee. Ideal for much more than boiling water, the kettle doubles as a pot and comes with two food serving bowls. Made from quality stainless steel, the set is scratch and corrosion resistant. All in all, excellent value for money.
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The SilverAnt kettle is similar to the REDCAMP in terms of capacity and weight, but it’s a bit bigger and more durable. Indeed, it’s made of titanium, a resistant material that withstands shocks, scratches, as well as corrosion and rust.
Titanium is also healthier than aluminum, and boasts excellent thermal conductivity features. The kettle comes with a hook bail that also doubles as a handle and that is covered in paracord for easier gripping. Although expensive, the kettle is worth every dime.
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Esbit is one of the most popular brands of outdoor cookware, and their hard anodized aluminum water kettle truly stands out from the crowd. Small dimensions yet generous capacity make it a great choice for groups up to 4 people.
We like the built-in heat exchanger that promotes efficiency, while the really low weight also make it perfect for backpacking. Like most kettles, this model comes with a convenient lid and doubles as a pot. Compatible with all 6-inch stoves, it’s a great choice if you want an affordable yet durable product.
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The GSI Outdoors Convex Kettle looks more like a small pot, but it’s an excellent choice if you need a kettle for a larger gang. With a capacity of 2.8 liters, it can sterilize water or provide enough coffee for up to 6-8 people.
Its quality is excellent, but we don’t like that it doesn’t have a spout. Pouring water without dripping could be challenging, but apart from that, we truly like this kettle. All in all, a great choice if you’re looking for a multi-use pot.
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Snow Peak makes its second entry on our list with this stainless steel upright kettle. In terms of quality, it’s similar with our best value, but innovative features translate into a higher price tag.
Suitable for groups up to 6 people, it impresses with a hinged lid as well as a smaller lid over the spout. While pouring, the spout lid blocks the main one, preventing it from opening. The kettle features both a handle and a hook bail, for versatile camp stove or campfire use. You can also expect it to stay as new for a long time. On the expensive side, but well worth the investment.
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Your camping kettle will be your lifesaver on cold nights and mornings during your outdoor camping trips. It can be a bit perplexing as to how to choose your camping kettle. Read on below to see what factors should you be considering when choosing your camping kettle.
There are a lot of material possibilities your camping kettle can be made off. It is important to consider this together with what type of fire are you going to expose your kettle to. Is it a campfire or from a stove? Commonly used materials for camping kettles are silicone, aluminum and stainless steel.
Size or your kettle’s capacity is a significant factor to consider. If you will be camping regularly with your family, it is a smart choice to pick a kettle with a large capacity like the GSI Outdoors Convex Kettle, boasting of its 2.8L capacity perfect for large group camping.
If you will be backpacking alone, we recommend the BioLite KettlePot Outdoor Pot and Kettle. It is multipurpose as it serves both as a pot or a kettle suitable for soups or brewing coffee. Though considerably light at 16.4 oz, it can boil water enough at 1.5 L capacity for four people, perfect for backpacking.
Another consideration when backpacking is portability. Wide mouthed kettles are sometimes preferred by backpackers since you will be able to fit a number of other gears inside the kettle while inside the backpacking bag. We chose the Barbeqa Camping Kettle Set. This lightweight set at 1.4 lb comes with two bowls which you can fit inside the kettle during the hike.
With the kettle size, another consideration is the boiling time. Kettle that has a wider base and less height like the Docooler Camping Kettle, can boil water faster at 3 minutes boiling time and thus save you fuel.
Keep in mind that if you are prone to use a campfire, the handles can get very hot during use. You might want to choose a material that can withstand heat safe enough for handling. If you are not comfortable with the handle of your kettle, it will make the pouring difficult and dangerous too.
Metal handles are sturdy but they then tend to be very hot while in use. This can be mitigated if the handle has an option to be upright or away from the body while heating. Some kettle have insulation grip to cover the metal usually made from silicone.
It is best to avoid handles made from plastic, though they are lightweight they can break easily when not handled properly especially in rugged settings. Also plastic cannot be exposed to fire or high temperature as they can melt.
Thickness of the handle is also a consideration. Too thick can be uncomfortable when in use and can pack weight to your kettle. Too thin handles can be dangerous as to the possibility of slipping in your hands. Look for a kettle that has handles with the right thickness and preferably with a grip as support like the Esbit Hard Anodized Aluminum Water Kettle.
You would want a handle that is attached securely to the body of your kettle. The handle is one part of your kettle that will be overused. Check the material and compare if it is the same material as the body.
Check your handles if they are easily folded or are removable. Removable handles are best for flexibility in storage while foldable handles can save space and make a compact alternative for when backpacking.
Last, kettle handles should be able to provide you support when pouring.
Best if your chosen kettle has both overhead and side handles for ease and versatility in use like the Snow Peak Stainless Steel Upright Kettle.
One last consideration for choosing your camping kettle is the lid. Lids play a great role in your kettle’s boiling time. Tight-fitting lids speed up your heating time thus promoting greater fuel efficiency. The lids are also a great safety measure for your kettle. They prevent accidental spills and protect you from steam of boiling water. The REDCAMP Outdoor Camping Kettle has a shark fin handle on the lid that ensures it will be kept in place and protects you from scalding.
Ensure that your kettle’s lid is fit. Loose-fitting lids are hazardous. Consider as well the handles of your lid like you consider the make of your kettle’s handle. Recommended are kettle’s that have lids with grip as protection.We really like the make of SilverAnt Titanium Ultralight Kettle; it uses paracord as grip for both the handle and the lid! The paracords not only protect you from the heat but can also be used for emergencies.
If you want to use an electric kettle while camping, you should get one with 12V DC adapter you can plug in your vehicle’s cigarette lighter or invest in a small power generator. If you choose the latter, camping power generator options include gas-fueled or solar powered models.
It depends on whether you have a camp stove or not. If you have a camp stove, light it and use the kettle just as you would at home. Otherwise, build a fire base with twigs, barks, and dry grass, place the kettle on the fire base, then light it up. When the water boils, use an oven mitt to lift the kettle, set it aside to allow the water to settle. You can them pour the water in your cup or let it cool out before using it.
Yes, you can. However, campfire smoke can easily stain its exterior. Furthermore, kettles designed for home use are usually heavier than a camping kettle. If you don’t mind it, then you can use whatever kettle you like while you’re exploring the outdoors.
An easy way to clean a camping kettle is with a vinegar solution. Dilute 2 tablespoons of vinegar in a cup of water, pour in the kettle, and let it sit overnight. Rinse with clean water. The exterior can be cleaned with a baking soda paste to remove any smoke stains.
The best camping kettle is a multipurpose one, such as the BioLite KettlePot. This kettle doubles as a soup or stew pot and even comes with a bowl, it’s relatively light and easy to carry. If you’re on a lower budget, a classic design kettle such as the Snow Peak No 1. Kettle could help you save a buck while still serving its purpose brilliantly.
