No camping trip is really complete without using the best camping kettle we can find for our needs and budget.
I love using all sorts of kitchen appliances at home and I love cooking for my family but camping in remote areas is a favorite way to reconnect with nature for me and my boyfriend.
And there’s absolutely nothing like having hot water in just a few minutes for everything we need.
Whether you want to make a quick tea to warm up at night, a delicious coffee to start off the day, to cook some instant soups, some instant ramen noodles, or you just need some water for your personal hygiene or for washing the dishes, getting the best camping kettle is absolutely essential.
We can’t go camping without having some hot water for our use in just a few minutes. Hopefully, choosing the right kettle for your trips will be just as quick.
Table of Contents
Best Camping Kettle Reviews
The Bisgear Camping Kettle Stove Mess Kit is certainly a top favorite, although I wonder why it’s not more popular. For a price under $50 we get an entire kit that pretty much offers everything we might need for boiling water, drinking delicious drinks, and cooking some fast meals when camping. Besides cookware (kettle, frying pan, pot), we also get cups, plates, and cutlery. And, impressively, we also get a camping stove.
For those who don’t mind the smaller size, 24 ounces, the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set – Kettle with 2 Ceramic Cups is a cheap set that is absolutely perfect for 2 coffees or 2 teas and for boiling small amounts of water very quickly.
The GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Tea Kettle is the classic model, the design that springs to most people’s minds when we think of the word kettle. It’s sold for a decent price considering the entire stainless steel construction. Overall, it’s a great option if the 1 quart size is what you look for and the kit from Bisgear is not what you need.
For those who are interested in folding or collapsible kettles, my top pick is the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle. Most collapsible models will have a good share of negative reviews but I believe that the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle might be one of the best in this category.
While I admit that I’m not the biggest fan of electric kettles for camping, I’m pretty sure that there will be people who will prefer this option. In this category, the Jettle Electric Kettle is the best although there are some negative reviews to take into account. Also, the price is pretty expensive and the 15oz capacity is really small.
1. Bisgear Camping Kettle Stove Mess Kit: Overall the Best Camping Kettle Kit
Even though it might not be as popular as some other models, the Bisgear Camping Kettle Stove Mess Kit is certainly at the top of my list.
However, I am aware that it might not be the perfect pick as the best camping kettle for absolutely everyone.
There are plenty of alternatives below, like the GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Tea Kettle, which is a classic. Or the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set – Kettle with 2 Ceramic Cups, which is amazing and one of the cheapest options.
Components
Since this is a kit, we’re actually talking about a lot of components for the Bisgear Camping Kettle Stove Mess Kit.
We get the following, for a very decent price:
- camping stove – you don’t have to buy an additional stove because this kit already includes one, which is awesome but you can still make a fire if you want, but we need to buy the canister to cook with, it’s compatible with any 7/16 thread single butane/butane-propane mixed fuel canister
- pot 6.8 x 3.6 inches – it’s great for cooking quick meals, like pasta, stews, and whatever you want
- frying pan 7.1 x 1.7 inches – if you want to fry up some things or make some pancakes when you’re camping, now you can
- 0.8L kettle – the 27 oz capacity, a bit over 3 cups, is not the biggest but the kettle is awesome, the handle is great, everything is nicely made
- 2 stainless steel plates
- 2 x 8oz stainless steel cups to enjoy a coffee or tea
- folding stainless steel spoon, spork, and knife, two of each
- net bag for storage
- carabiner, which is small
Features
The whole kit is lightweight and it will be perfect even for those who travel light.
It is made of the highest quality non-toxic anodized aluminum. That’s for the cooking tools.
The tools for eating and drinking are made of stainless steel.
Of course, the set is perfect for 2 people since it comes with 2 of each for eating and drinking. The kettle, the pot, and the frying pan are also the perfect size for 2 people.
However, I want to remind people that this is not a non-stick set, meaning that the frying pan is not non-stick. If you use it to fry up things, you need to use oil, otherwise food will stick.
Otherwise, the kettle and the pot are awesome and water boils really fast. There’s really nothing to complain about any of the pieces.
All in all, the Bisgear Camping Kettle Stove Mess Kit consists of 16 pieces that collapse into small bundles for easy control and storage. It’s a great choice if you want a complete set, you only need to buy fuel for the stove.
2. Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set – Kettle with 2 Ceramic Cups
This one is on the smaller side but it can work beautifully for two people.
We get a 24 oz capacity for the kettle, which pretty much looks like a big metal cup.
Hidden inside, we’ll find two cups. These are called nesting insulated cups and they look amazing.
For a price around $20, we can get a 24 oz stainless steel coffee/cooking pot with a handle for boiling water. And then we serve our drinks in the two insulated cups that can be stacked inside the kettle.
It’s a compact little thing that is wonderful for those who want to make a quick tea or coffee. The stainless steel kettle is also big enough to boil water for some instant soups or ramen. And there’s plenty of space inside for 4 eggs, that’s for sure.
I must also admit that I especially love the nesting insulated cups because it means that we don’t have to worry about buying separate cups and these can be nestled inside our awesome stainless steel coffee/cooking pot with a handle.
Features
The Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set – Kettle with 2 Ceramic Cups is perfect for outdoor cooking for hot meals, coffee, tea or for boiling water.
The kettle is a pot, looking like a big cup with a handle, made of 18/8 stainless steel.
The locking handle extends for stable cooking. But it folds over the lid to save space, which is a great touch.
On the kettle, we also get markings up to 20 oz. It has a 24 oz capacity overall but the markings only go up to 20 oz, which is totally fine.
And there’s a vented top to let steam escape or strain liquid.
Inside the pot we find 2 10oz (295mL) tumblers.
They’re insulated, double-wall vacuum insulation, made of plastic, and they’re perfect both for hot and cold beverages. Their size is big enough to serve some hot soups, as well. Of course, they’re BPA-free.
The entire Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set – Kettle with 2 Ceramic Cups, which consists of 3 durable pieces is also lightweight, you won’t even feel it in the backpack.
3. GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Tea Kettle
When we say the word kettle, the GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel Tea Kettle sports the classic design that comes to our minds.
The difference is that this one is made for the outdoors. And it’s a top pick for the best camping kettle.
Plus, the price around $30 or a bit under is quite good. It’s not exactly cheap but these are the prices we should expect for good quality.
Features
GSI describes it as being lightweight and compact but also rugged.
It’s made of stainless steel, ultra-durable Glacier stainless steel for unrivaled durability and even heat distribution.
I know that aluminum and titanium are lighter metals but I definitely love stainless steel for my cookware because it can last a long time.
However, I should warn you that stainless steel can rust. Dry it if you can or let the lid off until it dries in the air.
The 1 quart size is awesome. It is equivalent to 4 cups capacity. I would say that it’s best for 2-3 people.
It has a short spout. And a handle that folds close to the kettle for storage but it locks into an upright position for easy use while cooking. However, be careful not to burn yourself.
Of course, you can also use it at home when you’re not camping.
It measures 6.3 x 5.9 x 3.5 inches and it weighs 9.3 ounces.
4. Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle: Best Collapsible Camping Kettle
If you were to buy a folding or collapsible model for outdoors, then the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle is the one I recommend as the best camping kettle.
Generally, collapsible kettles can come with a lot of negative reviews that speak of low quality and a variety of problems.
The Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle indeed manages to be the exception, at least from my point of view. But it’s an exception that comes with a pretty hefty price, it’s about the most expensive recommendation that I made for this article.
Features
Let me mention a major thing that I love.
I love the fact that we can choose between the 1.3L and the 2L capacity.
I love that we can choose a bigger capacity and, since this is a collapsible kettle, neither will take up much space in our backpack.
The 1.3 L (44 oz) one is equivalent to almost 5.5 cups. That’s a lot and amazing.
We also get to choose between two colors: lime and sand. And it weighs 6.5 oz, it’s incredibly light and it folds like a stack of a few pancakes.
The 2 L (74oz) kettle comes in navy and is equivalent to almost 8.5 cups. It’s great if you travel as a family or if you want to boil a larger amount of water in one go. It weighs only 10.5 ounces.
The base is made of hard anodized aluminum. It conducts heat evenly and water will boil quite quickly, although it will take a few good minutes if we get the 2 L kettle almost full. Don’t fill it up completely because water expands when it’s heated.
The body is made of food-grade, heat-resistant silicone. This is the part that expands and collapses as we like.
All in all, the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle doesn’t only offer us the possibility to choose from 2 big sizes but it also makes camping kettles that collapse and end up taking up as much space as a t-shirt.
5. Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot with Bail Handle
The Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot with Bail Handle is incredibly popular and it’s one of those products that barely has any negative reviews.
The 750mL capacity, which is the equivalent of about 25 oz or about 3 cups, is not that big but it’s great for 1 or 2 people.
I should also mention that despite the smaller size, the Toaks Titanium 750ml Pot with Bail Handle is not exactly cheap.
But it’s made entirely of titanium with no coating.
And it weighs just 3.9 oz, which is incredible. It’s so lightweight that it’s hard to come across anything better.
We can also fit a lot of things inside from the same brand, like their cups, wood stove, 4 oz gas canister, water bottle, etc.
6. Jettle Electric Kettle, 15oz
My last recommendation for the best camping kettle is something different, it’s an electric kettle.
Some people might love it but I’m sure that others will prefer to boil water the old fashion way, over a fire or over a small camping stove.
I’m not the biggest fan of this electric kettle from Jettle because I don’t want to worry too much about electricity when I’m camping. But everyone has their own style.
I should warn you that there is a good amount of negative reviews that you should check out.
There are also a lot of happy users and that’s why I decided that, if you were to buy an electric model, the Jettle Electric Kettle is among the best.
Features
It has a 450mL capacity. It’s tiny and it’s basically big enough for just one person but the manufacturer describes it as bigger than most of their competitors.
I love the design, it looks really great and it measures 3.3 x 3.3 x 9.8 inches. It will fit anywhere.
What I love is that we get 12 heat settings. We can adjust the temperature from 100 degrees F to 212 degrees F up to 100 degrees C.
We can heat in precise 5 degrees heating increments.
That’s an impressive number of settings and it’s a top feature for this model.
It will boil water in less than 5 minutes.
There’s a built-in auto steam valve.
It’s also leak proof.
And there’s an auto shut off feature. When the water reaches the designated temperature, it automatically shuts off and maintains the boiled liquid at the desired temperature.
The power cord length measures 35 inches.
Best camping kettle buying guide
Some people might be wondering if we can bring a kettle camping?
The answer is that we can and we absolutely should, it’s an essential part of our equipment. It’s versatile and easy to use and we always need hot water for various existential reasons, even when we’re spending our days outdoors reconnecting with nature.
A kettle that is sturdy, lightweight, and has a good capacity while not taking up much space in our baggage would be quite the perfect tool to use outdoors.
It’s also one of the most important tools we always need to have with us.
While most of us will carry some water jugs with us when we’re going camping, boiling water means that we can acquire drinking water by boiling it to kill off the bacteria and germs. That will be extremely helpful if we’re camping into areas without a freshwater spigot.
Let’s see what we should keep in mind when we’re looking for the best camping kettle. It’s all very easy.
Material
Kettles that are intended to be used outdoors are made from metal alloys.
One very important feature is that most of us are going to be looking for lightweight tools since we have so many things to carry when we’re camping.
The metals used are stainless steel, aluminum or titanium.
Aluminum is a perfect choice for lightweight gear. It also conducts heat very well. Plus, those made of aluminum can be quite cheap options for the best camping kettle.
Stainless steel can last a lifetime and we often use stainless steel cookware in our homes due to its durability and even non-stick features.
However, stainless steel kettles can be a bit heavier. It won’t be a problem for those who don’t mind carrying heavy gear. It will certainly last a lifetime but stainless steel is heavier than aluminum or titanium.
Titanium kettles are also a good option for those who don’t like aluminum. It’s a good metal that doesn’t affect the taste of our food.
They’re made from metal because we need our water to boil really quickly. And that’s exactly how it’s going to be. You won’t need to wait around the fire for too long, you’ll see steam coming out in a couple of minutes.
Folding or collapsible camping kettles
A separate category is represented by kettles who usually have a metal base, stainless steel/hard anodized aluminum, and a food grade silicone body.
Just as the name suggests, collapsible models can be folded flat so they will occupy just a tiny space in our backpack.
I will admit that I’m not a huge fan of the collapsible type but they can certainly serve a purpose.
They’re also not as popular as the ones made entirely of metal and a lot of collapsible kettles come with a good share of negative reviews so make sure to check a few of those if this is the type you’re interested in.
The exception to most folding kettles that I don’t like much at all is the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle, which I like quite a bit. However, it’s a bit pricey.
Electric kettle for camping
For those who absolutely don’t want to use a camping gas stove or make a fire every time they want to boil water, there’s another option: choosing an electric model as the best camping kettle.
I am not a big fan of using an electric kettle when camping because I actually love using either my gas stove or making a fire. Usually, making a fire wins because I just enjoy the process and watching the fire burn.
Now, how do you power an electric camping kettle?
There are multiple ways to do it, some of you might even travel with portable solar panels, who knows.
We can also use a gas generator, a portable battery, portable power station, the car battery or solar panels for camping.
Nowadays, we can even buy lithium-ion cordless coffee makers. Makita makes one, if we want to carry that thing with us when we’re going camping, which I certainly wouldn’t. But it’s interesting to see how much some things have changed since we were kids or teenagers.
Size
Another thing to pay attention to is which size would be best for you and whomever you’re traveling with.
Usually, camping kettles will have a 4-6 cups capacity. These are pretty much the standard ones, the 1 quart ones, and their size is big enough for most people if they camp alone or in groups of two.
But we can also come across smaller kettles, like 24 oz models. Or 15 oz electric models.
Price
The most complex but certainly not the most expensive is the Bisgear Camping Kettle Stove Mess Kit.
It’s a complete kit for those who want to buy everything in the same set without spending too much money at all.
I would say that we could be expecting to spend around $20-$30. We could say that that’s the average price range. A large majority of options are not that expensive.
An exception could be the Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle, which is a collapsible model that costs around $50-$60. However, not many would have prices in the $50 price range.
Another exception in the $50 price range is the Jettle Electric Kettle.
Among the cheapest, is the Stanley Adventure Camp Cook Set – Kettle with 2 Ceramic Cups, a tiny set that I love.
Why we need a good kettle for outdoors
Having a tool that allows us to boil water in a very short amount of time by just making a small fire is crucial when camping.
It’s amazing for making hot beverages in a couple of minutes. For boiling water to kill off germs and bacteria and obtain safe and potable water.
And for cooking a variety of dried, quick meals that need hot water to be done in a few minutes, for washing the dishes, and for our personal hygiene, as well.
There’s nothing better than making a quick coffee without missing any coffee machine when you’re away from home. Or enjoying a hot tea on chilly mornings or evenings. And I love instant soup and ramen just as much.
Plus, we can use it to boil eggs. If you want to boil eggs, you won’t need much water, you just need to cover the eggs with cold water 1-2 inches above the eggs. You can boil quite a good amount in one go.
How to use a camping kettle
The whole purpose of this tool is that it’s very easy to use by even total beginners.
I think you get how the entire process goes.
If you are using an electric kettle, then you don’t need to do anything other than pour as much water as you intend to use and then provide a source of electricity for your appliance. That’s it, it’s the simplest model to use but I don’t enjoy relying on electricity when I’m out camping.
Make a fire/use gas stove
First, we need a small fire, just big enough to cover the bottom of our kettle. Make sure to surround your fire pit with big rocks to prevent the fire from spreading. Although, if you make a small one and you’re around watching it, there’s not going to be any problems.
If you’re using a fire to boil water, you’ll also need some sort of metal support for your kettle. Just make sure that the metal support is stable so that the kettle doesn’t topple over.
You can even use a sturdy grill grate and balance it on some rocks. I recommend one made of cast iron, those are solid. Then, simply place the kettle on the grill grate and it’s going to be sitting right on top of the flames.
Or you can make a support for the kettle just from rocks. But that would work better if we have a bigger pot with a bigger base so that the rocks can form a big enough space so that the fire can have breathing space to burn.
Or some might prefer using a gas stove, which is awesome if you don’t want to make a fire every time you want to boil water. It’s certainly easier to travel with a small gas stove for camping. They’re pretty cheap so you should consider getting one, they last quite a while.
We might also come across sets that include a kettle, a pot, a pan, and a gas stove.
Add water
Once the fire is going, we can pour our water in. Of course, if we’re using a small gas stove, there’s no need for any additional preparations. We just turn the stove on, place the kettle on and add water.
If you need a full kettle, I wouldn’t recommend filling it to the very top because water expands when heated and it might overflow in just a couple of minutes. Just leave a bit of space in the chamber for the water to expand.
Another thing is that I don’t recommend just boiling a bit of water because the upper part of the body can overheat if there’s not enough water in the chamber. Fill it at least a bit over half every time to avoid any complications.
Also, make sure not to burn yourself. That metal body will get hot quickly so handle it with a care.
All in all, using one when camping is just as easy as picking the best camping kettle, I wish you only the best of adventures.
