When you are about to head out somewhere new, you better make sure you are prepared to take on anything that comes your way. Packing your bags to the brim, for example, maybe an unconscious way you try to protect yourself against the unknown.
However, in the process of preparing for everything, you shouldn’t miss the most important thing you’ll need to survive in the great outdoors – a means to prepare your food. In that regard, a kettle is one of the most essential parts of an outdoor cooking kit. You can not boil water or make tea without it. Besides, how else are you going to make it through the morning? Not having tea? Like most people, we’re willing to bet that that might not be an option for you.
Well, fortunately, you do not have to worry about it because we have prepared a list of the best camping kettles in the market.
The Best Electric, Classic and Lightweight Camping Kettles
We will go through this list in three sections. The first one will be about the best electric camping kettles. Then we will move on to the classic stove-top/open-fire kettles. And lastly, we will look at the best lightweight camping kettles.
1. Quest 1L Cordless Electric Kettle
Quest is an English manufacturer, and we count their electric kettles among the best. This little model has a plastic body, weighs around half a kilogram and should not take much space.
It has a convenient, transparent water level indicator, so you never go over the 1L cap. Mentioning capacity, this kettle should fill up a couple of mugs in the morning. It is also easy to clean and has a washable filter.
And what is great about this electric camping kettle is that all the electricity it needs is 0.85 kW. So you do not need to worry about overloads or power trips.
Since it is a cordless model, you do not need to worry about the cord getting snagged with the kettle’s body when pouring. It also makes carrying around this kettle easy compared to corded kettles. As for safety features, it has an automatic safety cut and manual override to make sure nothing goes over the brim.
Boiling water should not take long, and you might get done boiling a litre of water in around 5 minutes. So you can just sit back and relax while your kettle boils silently in the background.
Overall, this is an excellent choice for small groups of campers with access to mains power. However, if there are more than a couple of you going camping, we would suggest scrolling down to the Quest 1.7L cordless kettle review.
- Lightweight (0.6 kg)
- Not power-hungry
- Cordless
- Easy to clean
- Removable and washable filter
- Might take a minute to boil when full
2. Russell Hobbs 0.8L Electric Kettle 24191
Russel Hobbs is an established name in a couple of different industries, especially in the UK. They do not just make kettles but also irons and other appliances. Russel Hobbs started, and has continued, as innovators. They came up with the first-ever kettle with the ‘keep warm’ feature. Then came the first-ever automatic electric kettle, the K1, and then the industry-leading Montana kettle.
But even though the manufacturer is brilliant, we have to look at the product. So, turning over to the Russel Hobbs electric kettle, it is a compact little kettle with a metallic base and a glass body with a water level indicator given in cups. It can boil up to 0.8 litres or 3 cups of water which should be enough for a couple of campers.
However, it does draw more power than the Quest 1L Electric Kettle, our pick for the best electric kettle for small caravans. At 2.2 kW, you should be careful with anything else on the system that could trip or overload the power supply.
But that said, with this much power requirement, you should get water boiled fast. And when you are boiling around 250 ml (about one cup) of water, it should save 60% more power than when you boil a whole jug which is excellent if you plan on a solo trip into the wilderness.
- Compact
- Glass build
- Power-efficient when boiling a single cup
- LED light
- Washable
- Power-hungry
3. Kampa Squash Electric Kettle ME0531
Kampa is one of the fastest-growing outdoor product brands in the UK. Founded in 2006, it was acquired by the Domestic Group in a £50 million deal which should give you an idea of Kampa’s potential. They make different types of outdoor products, and their awnings seem particularly successful. However, they also seem to make great camping kettles.
The Kampa squash kettle has a stainless-steel base with a collapsible silicone body on top. When folded, it should go from 17.5 x 13 x 17.5 cm to 17.5 x 13 x 13 cm. Being collapsible is an excellent feature if you plan on carrying this in a rucksack or if you are short on space.
As for capacity, it can boil a full litre of water, and it can do it fast, i.e., in around 3-4 minutes. And it does not take much power to boil, so at about 1 kW, being too cautious of power troubles should not be necessary.
And when it does boil, it has a cut-off feature and something akin to a keep-warm feature that should help if you nod off in the early morning while waiting for your tea.
Word to the wise, however, never leave it plugged in with water inside because even though the safety kicks in, it can take a minute. So in that minute or so, the water might start boiling out. Similarly, since this kettle starts boiling over again when the water gets cold, you might lose some ml as it boils away.
And lastly, since it has a silicone body, it might need a good rinse or five for the smell and the taste to disappear.
- Foldable
- Holds about 4 cups
- Boils a litre in around 5 minutes
- Low power consumption
- Reboils if water gets cold
- Will need to be washed five or six times before use
- Cannot be left on with water inside.
4. Quest 1.7L Cordless Electric Kettle
Our second Quest electric kettle is aimed at people looking for a larger capacity. So this kettle can boil up to 6 cups with room to spare. And what is surprising about it is that it barely takes more power than the smaller model. At 1kw, this kettle should not worry you with power problems. However, naturally, it may take a little longer to boil if you fill it all up.
As for the build quality, being an electric kettle, it is made of high-quality plastic, and it weighs around 0.7 kg. So it can take a few jabs but do not consider this a very rugged kettle since it is a lightweight kettle. The design is sleek, and it is cordless, so when the water has boiled, you can detach it from the base and carry the kettle around and pour the water easily.
For safety measures, this kettle has a manual override and an automatic safety cut-off in case you want to take the water off midway or if it boils too much. However, we have seen complaints about the automatic shut-off button. So we would recommend checking it on arrival and not leaving it plugged in for too long. Also, avoid dry-frying or putting it on the element/base when the kettle is empty.
And lastly, there is a filter on it as well, which is washable, so if you need to clean it, you should be able to do so quite easily.
- Large capacity
- Cordless
- Automatic safety cut-off
- Low wattage (1 kW)
- Lightweight (0.7 kg)
- Automatic shut-off is suspect
- Might take a bit to boil
5. Pykal 2.8L Stainless Steel Whistling Kettle
Launched in 2020, this satin-polished, mirror-finished stainless steel kettle just looks so neat. In fact, it seems like one of those old silver platters that you would imagine seeing your face in. The mirror finish is complimented well with this kettle’s functionality.
The base has five layers of metal which makes this kettle quick heating and hob-friendly. Speaking of hobs, this kettle is compatible with all sorts of heating methods, be it induction, stove-top or fire.
Since this is a more traditional design, it can hold around 3 litres of water. That should be enough to serve a group of campers. Speaking of which, we should note that this is not an open-fire kettle even though you can use it as one. We recommend using a camping stove if you have one instead.
And when you are out camping, you do not need to worry about getting your hand burned on the handle because this kettle comes with the iCool handle technology that helps keep the handle cool. The whistling peaks around 90°C. And when you want to pour, you can use the spill-free push button to open the spout. The lid is a good fit as well, so overall, spills should not worry you too much with this kettle.
Lastly, it comes with a one-year warranty and two ‘premium’ infusers. Furthermore, customers have given good feedback on the customer services, so if anything comes up, you should be in good hands.
- Extra-Large capacity
- Cool handle
- Extra thick surgical stainless steel
- Polished Satin finish
- Spill-free pour button
- One year full replacement warranty
- Looks may not last
- Not great for open fires
6. VONSHEF 2.2L Whistling Kettle
Vonshef is the kitchen appliances range of VonHaus. Based in Manchester, they offer free delivery to all mainland UK locations. And they also include a two-year warranty on all VonShef products to sweeten the deal.
Their whistling kettle looks just as vintage as the Pykal. The build might be a bit slimmer, though. As for the capacity, you can boil around 2.2 litre of water in this kettle. Boiling a full kettle should only take around three and a half minutes. And when the water boils, the whistle signifies the time to pour.
For pouring, there is silicon covering on the handle and the lid. However, the spout cover is metal, and there is no push button to open it. So it would help if you were careful not to open the cover (which will have to be done by hand) when it is too hot. We recommend using a tissue or a napkin to uncover the spout when it is hot. However, the silicone covering on the handle and the lid should help handle the kettle when hot.
You can use the Vonshef kettle on a stove or an induction hob, thanks to the stainless steel bottom. However, we should mention that you should be cautious of the flames reaching around the sides, especially if you buy this kettle in black. The paint on the black model might start peeling off in a month or two. And since flames can damage the paint, we recommend using this kettle on an induction hob instead of harsh flames.
- Two-year warranty
- Vintage look
- Full kettle might only take 3-4 minutes to boil
- Prone to losing its looks quickly
7. Sea to Summit X-Pot Kettle
Sea to Summit is an award-winning global brand based in Perth, Australia. They are known for manufacturing lightweight camping and travelling equipment, among other things. But they really shine with their collapsible camping cookware. The X-Pot is an example of this.
This is a frisbee design collapsible kettle with an anodised aluminium base and food-grade, BPA-free silicone sides. The base is suitable for spreading heat evenly, while the silicone sides give this kettle the ability to go from 9 to 3.5 cm in height while the diameter is about 15 cm. Overall, it only weighs around 200 grams.
It can hold about 1.3 litres, but the maximum boiling capacity is around 0.8 litres. But when it comes to boiling, you should know that this kettle is explicitly meant for water and not general cooking. Furthermore, this is nowhere near an open-fire kettle, and you will need an element for heat. And make sure that the flames never go over the sides and stay under 150°C since this is silicone we are talking about.
As for the handles, the carrying arms are made of polymer, and the translucent lid has a silicone tab to lift it when the water has boiled.
So to sum it up, this is a great little kettle for light campers who carry camping stoves. And to add to the convenience of a tiny folded kettle, you can also buy collapsible ‘X cups’ (also from Sea to Summit) to fit inside the kettle when it is folded.
- Weighs around200 g
- Takes very little space
- Can pack two foldable cups inside
- Translucent lid
- Silicone smell and taste might take a bit to wash out
- Can not be put in a dishwasher
8. Hi-Gear 2L Whistling Kettle
While some of the other kettles from Hi-Gear are collapsible, this is a very simple aluminium kettle. Though their other kettles are portable because of their foldability, this one is portable because of its weight.
The spout and the lid opening handle are made from plastic, while the rest of the body is made from aluminium which is great for cutting weight. And the handle should be heat-resistant, which is good for holding the kettle when it is hot.
As for the capacity, this is a large capacity kettle at 2 litres, so it should easily cater to a group of campers. The spout serves as both the water inlet and the outlet, adding to the simplicity of the kettle. However, if you have a bigger tap, it might be a hassle to fit the incoming stream into the spout when filling up the kettle.
We recommend using this kettle on gas stoves and not on campfires. Because of the materials used in the spout and the handle, exposure to flames may melt or damage them, even though the handle should be heat-resistant. This could make the spout leak and spill water around or damage the handle.
But at this kind of price, we think this kettle offers great value. It is simple, lightweight and has good capacity. Just be sure not to leave it on an open fire or otherwise damage the spout or the handle.
- Lightweight aluminium body
- Lid-opening lever
- Great value
- Spout and handle may melt
9. Kelly 1.6L ‘Base Camp’ Kettle
We imagine every routine camper must know about the Kelly kettle. It’s an iconic and somewhat legendary kettle from the 19th century, used by Irish fishermen. But by now, it has spread far and wide, used by people on the English mountainsides to the arid plains of the Sahara. Due to its unique design, it boils water much faster and gives you functionality like no other.
The ‘Base Camp’ model is the bigger variant of the Kelly kettle. It is made of stainless steel and can hold about 1.6 litres of water. The chimney sits on top of the firebase, and the smoke goes out the top. An opening on the side of the head is meant as the water intake for the space between the double walls.
Though this kettle has no modern bells and whistles, i.e., there is no whistling when the water has boiled or double handles for when you go to pour, if you know how to use it, it will get the job done. And it will get it done fast. Since the surface area should be much larger than you get with a classic design kettle, the water boils ultra-fast.
Not impressed yet? Well, not only can you boil water using this kettle, but you can also cook your food on top of the chimney or the firebase.
If you get the complete Kelly Kettle kit, you can simply use the pot base to heat a pot on top of the chimney while boiling water simultaneously. Alternatively, if you are not boiling any water, you can remove the chimney altogether and use the firebase with a grill on top to cook your food.
And last but certainly not least, the firebase makes any stoves or elements unnecessary. All you need is some tinder, twigs, pinecones or anything to burn, and you have yourself a fire. Just do not forget to bring a lighter or a match because not all of us can go all Bear Grylls and make a fire out of scratch.
Finally, since you are not burning any gas, this kettle saves you gas money as well as being eco-friendly.
- Unique chimney design
- Burns natural fuel such as twigs and pinecones, etc.
- Boils water and cooks food simultaneously
- Boils water fast
- Extremely rugged and durable
- A bit chunky at 1.2 kgs
- Might need a separate bag
10. MSR Titan Camping Kettle
MSR is a dedicated outdoors gear manufacturing company based in the US. Some of their best, most durable, and established products may include the Titan Pot and the Titan kettle. And the name, ‘Titan’, fits because these things last so very long. People can end up owning one of these for decades.
But what makes the Titan kettle so unique? Well, as the name might suggest, it is made of Titanium which has the best strength to density ratio of any metal in the periodic table. Now, that does make this kettle a little expensive but ask people who have used it, and they would say it is worth buying again, even if they first bought it for a much lower price years ago.
This camping kettle is not meant for large groups since it only has a capacity of around 0.85 litres. And that should be enough for a couple of people for boiling water as well as cooking. Oh, and since this is such a rugged kettle, it should work well with open fires. However, if you are looking for more capacity, go with something like the iBasingo Titanium kettle with 1.7 Litres of capacity. But even though the Titan is small, its shape makes it easy to store other things in it, like a fuel container or an element with foldable cups and sporks.
Overall, this is one of the most rugged lightweight kettles you can get, which can also double as a little cooking pot.
- Extremely light (118 g) yet very durable
- Can store items
- Suitable for cooking as well
- Simple and easy to handle
- Handle lock is great for preventing spills
- Lid fits well
- Small capacity (0.85 Litre)
- No handle protection
11. iBasingo Titanium Kettle Ti3096D
Going from the simple to the sleek, this kettle is a bit different from the Titan kettle. Firstly, at around 15 cm x 11 cm and 1.4 litres of capacity, it is bigger so it can support a larger group of campers. And since it is a bit large and does not have much that could melt out of shape, we recommend this kettle for open fires. There are many other additional features as well, which we will get into.
The first thing to notice is that this kettle is also built with titanium which makes it very lightweight at around 210 g. You can use it to store items when you are travelling like cups and cutlery.
When it comes time to pour, you can rest assured that you will not get burned using this kettle since it has anti-scalding rope both on the handle and the lid. As for the spout, it has a filter, so if you are making tea with whole dried leaves and not a tea infuser, you may not need an external filter.
- Anti-scalding handle and lid tab
- Spout filter
- Suitable for open fires as well as hobs
- Can store things
- Might lose its looks quick
12. Ridgemonkey 1.1L Square Camping Kettle
Ridgemonkey is an English manufacturer with many different types of products, focused primarily on fishing equipment. One of the things you might notice with them is that they like to take their own angle on shapes. See what we did there?
Be it a sandwich maker, a mug, or a camping stove; they like to be square. And that is what they have done with this kettle as well.
The RidgeMonkey kettle looks like something an edgy soldier would use. It’s neat, looks rugged, and great to use, yet it is also innovative and divergent at the same time. Since the body is made from anodised aluminium, it is also lightweight. So it weighs just around 400 g.
As for the space it takes up, it is 15cm x 15cm x 9cm, and counting the fact that the handles are foldable, you can tuck this kettle away very easily in a rucksack or the drawstring carry bag that comes with it. And if you are wondering how much water it boils, the capacity is 1.1 litres which should be more than enough for four full cups. Mentioning boiling, RidgeMonkey claims that due to the increased surface area, this kettle can boil water faster with their Quad Connect Stove. So if you are looking to buy a complete camping kit, you can also have RidgeMonkey in mind.
Anyway, once the water is boiled, another feature that separates this kettle from the pack is its cool touch double handles. Ditching the often-wobbly and somewhat unstable single handle design, this kettle has two that can fold in when you are packing and fold out for pouring when required.
Overall, we consider this as one of the best camping kettles for both stoves and open fires.
- Lightweight and compact
- Durable
- Comfortable double handle
- Works for both open fires and stoves
- Less capacity
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a Camping Kettle
Alright, so now that we are done with the reviews, let’s talk a little about what it is that you should look for when choosing a camping kettle. We should mention that the best camping kettle will not be the same for everyone. While some people may look for kettles that save space, others might be more interested in faster boiling times.
Whatever your priorities might be, here are some general aspects of a camping kettle you should look into before buying it.
Heating Method
There are many ways you can heat a kettle when you are outdoors. There’s the good old campfire, where everybody is sitting around and chatting. If you want to buy a kettle that can take on open fires, make sure it is a sturdy one (like the Pykal Stainless Steel Kettle or the iBasingo Titanium kettle). Because often enough, kettles can get damaged or lose their looks badly when exposed to open flames.
But campfires are not the only way of heating your kettle. Electric kettles have also made their way into the outdoors. And if you are travelling on a motorhome, campervan, or otherwise have access to mains on a camping site. You can plug in the kettle and brew up your tea, smoke and hassle-free.
Similarly, you can also use camping stoves. They come in all sorts of sizes to make sure everybody can take along a size that suits them and their packing space. For preventing rapid ageing in some kettles, like the Vonshef whistling kettle, we recommend keeping the flame temperature under 150°C, if possible.
Boiling Time
Since we mention the heating method, we should also say a few words about the boiling time. Different ways to heat kettles can mean that water may not boil simultaneously for each method. For example, if you are using a campfire to boil your water and you are using an enamelled kettle, it might take a while for the water to boil.
On the other hand, if you have a stainless steel kettle with a powerful camping stove, your tea might get ready a lot faster. Similarly, if you have an electric kettle that requires more than 2 kW of electricity to run, it may also boil water fast.
Boiling times may also be different for kettles made from other metals. So a stainless steel kettle might boil water quicker than a titanium kettle, even though the titanium kettle might seem lighter and thinner.
Build Quality
It is imperative to choose sturdy equipment when you are venturing outdoors. Rucksacks do not usually have too much protection for what is inside, and the mountainside is not a safe place for fragile things. So having durable built quality is a must for any kettle.
The strongest classic kettles out there are made from stainless steel, aluminium and titanium. On the other hand, electric kettles are often made with glass or plastic bodies with metallic bases since using metal for the whole body might pose an electrocution hazard.
When choosing a stove-top or bushcraft kettle, different metals can make some notable differences. For example, a kettle made out of stainless steel might be very durable, but it might also be a bit bulky.
On the other hand, metals like aluminium and titanium offer great strength as well as lightweightedness. But a titanium kettle may not be as inexpensive as a stainless steel kettle and also may not spread heat as fast.
Although anodised aluminium might be great for kitchenware, there are concerns about aluminium being linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. So, for ensuring your health and safety, aluminium is anodised, which means a layer of oxide is coated on the aluminium itself, so it does not leach into the water. As a little tip, you should keep an eye out for checking whether the aluminium or the silicone used in a kettle are food-grade or not.
Lastly, foldable or collapsible kettles are usually made of silicone. Silicone makes kettles collapsible and can withstand high temperatures. But one complaint that you might have is the initial smell and taste of tea with a silicone kettle. So we recommend always rinsing or boiling a couple of drain-away batches of water before you actually start using a collapsible kettle.
Safety Features
Worrying about hot water spilling on your hands is not a pleasant feeling. Neither is having your clothes drenched in hot tea. So to make sure that you will not run into any problems, keep an eye out for kettles with wobbly lids or that otherwise pose a spill hazard. Similarly, avoid kettles with poor build quality, like low-quality plastic spouts or handles that might buckle under pressure and melt away.
Similarly, kettles having coloured lids and nylon coated handles to alert and protect anybody from touching them when hot are preferable. Some kettles also have push-buttons or lid opening levers, so you do not have to touch the hot spout when you pour hot water.
As for electric kettles, features like automatic safety cut-offs, manual override and temperature indicators should be better for safety.
Capacity
The typical camping kettle should have around 1 litre of capacity. So the standard capacity should be more than enough for filling up a couple of cups. But there are kettles with capacities both exceeding and less than the typical. So watch out for kettles that might be too small for your group or too big for comfort.
If you want a kettle with a large capacity but do not have room for it, collapsible kettles like the Sea to Summit X-Pot might be the option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best camping kettle for an open fire?
The best camping kettle for a camping fire on this list is the iBasingo Titanium kettle. It is lightweight and yet very durable. Since the only parts that can get damaged (the anti-scalding rope covers on the handle and the lid) are on the top of the kettle, this kettle should withstand a raging campfire.
However, we also think that the RidgeMonkey kettle is a great bushcraft kettle. As we mentioned in the review, it both looks sleek and is functional. The unique dimensions of this kettle may take up less space in a rucksack. And once you have it on top of a fire, the handles should be great for stability when the kettle is hot or difficult to hold.
But between the iBasingo and the RidgeMonkey kettles, one notable difference is capacity. If you have to decide between the two, this could be the deciding factor. So, where the iBasingo holds around 1.7 Litres of water, the RidgeMonkey can only take around 1.1 Litres.
2. What is the best camping kettle for a gas stove?
Gas stoves are among the most typical heat sources when you are out camping. And for such stoves, we recommend the Pykal stainless steel kettle. It has extra thick surgical grade stainless steel walls which make it durable, and since it comes with a mirror finish instead of a coat of paint, you do not need to worry about irreparable damage.
However, it will gather soot over time, so you can give it a good scrub once in a while. Besides that, the spout-opening push-button and the iCool handle should help when the heat from the stove makes the kettle hot and dangerous.
3. What is the best portable camping kettle?
Saving packing space when you can is always a good idea when you are heading outdoors. And few kettles do it as well as the Sea to Summit collapsible kettle. It can go from 9 cm in height to about 3.5 when folded. What’s more, you can buy a couple of X cups to go with it so you can save even more space.
4. Are enamelled kettles good for camping?
While some prefer a sleeker, more robust look, we can not look over those that have a taste for the traditional enamel kettles. While you can use enamelled kettles while camping, we suggest thinking twice and considering two things.
Firstly, enamelled kettles may not conduct heat as well as metallic kettles. So if you are planning on using an enamel kettle on the fire, boiling water may take more time.
Secondly, enamelled kitchenware is not as safe nor as durable as the typical stainless steel kettle. This poses risks to both the kettle and to you.
As for the kettle, it can get damaged or discolour from direct flame. But as for you, there are health concerns regarding some kettles, especially since these kettles can leak lead and cadmium. Both of these are harmful heavy metals and a hazard to your health.
5. Do 12V electric kettles work?
Well, they do, and they do not. Here’s what we mean: if you have about half an hour to wait for a litre of water to get boiled, go ahead and get one of these ultra-low-wattage kettles. Besides mains power, they will work with your car charging port as well, so it is a convenient option.
But if you do not have that sort of time on your hands and have access to mains, e.g. on a campsite or your campervan, then it is just a no-brainer to go ahead and buy one of the regular 240V kettles like the Quest 1.7 Litre electric kettle which only takes 1 kW of electricity to boil your water. And it does so much quicker than a 12V kettle would.
Conclusion
There are many different types of camping kettles out there, and which kettle is the best might not be the same for everyone. Everyone has different needs, and you should go with the kettle that checks your boxes.
If you are short on space, you can get a foldable kettle like the Sea to Summit X-Pot kettle. And if you are travelling in a campervan or a motorhome, getting an electric kettle like the Quest 1.7L electric kettle could be great, both for camping and when you are not travelling. Even if you want to boil and cook using the same kettle, the Kelly Kettle has your back.
In short, whether you are a lone wolf or travelling with a group, whether you cook on a stove or an open fire, you can get a kettle that gets the job done. So we hope this list helps you choose the best camping kettle and if you are in doubt, do not forget to refer to our buying guide.