I’m sure we can all agree that it’s worth giving up some home comforts every now and again heading out on a camping trip and soaking up the sights and breathing in that sweet fresh air.
At A Glance: Our Top Camping Kettles
But that doesn’t mean that you have to give up all your creature comforts… if there’s one bit of kitchen gear that can make all the difference to your camping trip, it has to be a kettle. Waking up in the morning and sipping on a hot drink as you take in your surroundings really is one magical start to the day.
What’s more, a cup of tea or coffee can really help to take the edge off if you’re camping in cold weather, not to mention how a hot cup of cocoa around the fire at night can help to send the kids off to the land of nod. Plus, even a small kettle can help with your meal planning – there are plenty of ‘just-add water’ snacks out there (like porridge pots and pot noodles).
A good camping kettle should be strong enough to stand up to life in the great outdoors yet compact enough that you can take it with you on your adventures. Plus, what size you go for will depend on how many people you’re camping with. Clearly, there are a lot of things to think about before buying a camping kettle, so we’ve put together this list of the best ones currently on the market to help you out – enjoy!
My Favorite
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Runner Up
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Best Allrounder
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Best Budget
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Large Camping Kettle
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Stainless Steel Camping Kettle
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The MSR Pika Teapot is currently my favorite camping kettle. I mainly use it in our campervan as a daily kettle but have also taken it backpacking.
It is super light and compact and is made of very scratch-resistant and durable anodized Aluminum. The only non-metal part is the lid, which is a simple plastic lid that slots into the top with ease.
The MSR Pika is not a huge kettle at only 1 liter (34 fluid ounces) so it would suit two people at a time maximum I find. It boils super fast, as the walls and base are thin, which also helps with the weight at 5.2 oz.
Are there any downsides that I have noticed over the last year or two of using it? Sure. The handle gets hot even if you keep it straight up (although that helps a lot). So, you should always grab it with a cloth or something. The spout is good for pouring, but it does not whistle, which is something I love on kettles (can’t win them all!).
Would I buy it again. Yes, it’s simple, durable, fast to boil and easy to pack. What else do you need? Oh, and it’s not overly price for an MSR product.
5.2 ounces
5.2 ounces
We’re starting our list of the best camping kettles off strong with the Alocs Camping Kettle.
With a capacity of 1.3 L, this camping kettle is excellent for small groups of campers (2-4 people) or to boil water for cooking. Yet despite this large capacity, it weighs in at less than half a pound thanks to its durable anodized aluminum construction. This material is also scratch- and corrosion-resistant, making it rugged enough to withstand many trips into the wilderness.
Our favorite thing about this camping tea kettle, however, is that it’s been designed to maximize heat efficiency. This means you won’t have to hang around for ages waiting for that much-need hot beverage on chilly nights, and it’ll also save you fuel if you’re using it with a camping stove (like my favorite the Primus Kinjia), saving you money in the long run.
Despite this, you don’t need to worry about burning your hand when you use it – the handle has been coated with silicone that not only dissipates heat but is also non-stick to prevent any spillage. It’s also brightly colored so campers will spot it a mile off and know to steer clear. Another safety feature that we love is the fin design of the lid, which means hot water is less likely to spill over the sides.
The bottom of the kettle extends downwards to form a windshield around the flame of the stove, which means you’ll be able to use this camping tea kettle even in blustery conditions. And, when you’re done, simply pop the kettle in the included mesh bag for easy transport and storage at home.
Overall, this kettle offers an excellent weight-to-capacity ratio, has tonnes of safety features, and can stand up to life in the great outdoors… what more could d you want in a camping kettle?
If you’re looking for a kettle that can be used in small groups, yet is portable too, you should definitely check out the Docooler Camping Kettle.
With a capacity of 1.1 L, you might expect this camping tea kettle to be cumbersome to pack. Fortunately, the slim design, combined with a collapsible handle and mesh storage bag, makes this camping kettle super easy to store, even in packs with limited space. Plus, if you decide 1.1 L just isn’t quite right, it comes in various other sizes too.
It’s also incredibly lightweight, but its aluminum construction means that it’s durable too – and if that wasn’t enough, it’s oxidized inside and out for added strength. The handle has been coated with rubber for ease of handling, but it’s black so won’t alert campers to the fact there are hot items present.
Overall, this portable camping kettle offers an excellent combination of durability, capacity, and packability – oh, and this tea kettle is very reasonably priced too.
Looking for an affordable camping kettle that won’t let you down? Then look no further than the Overmont Camping Kettle.
Constructed from hard-anodized aluminum for excellent durability and resistance to corrosion, this outdoor camping kettle was built for life in the outdoors. The handle is coated in plastic to keep your hands cool, and we like that it’s brightly colored to alert fellow campers to the hazards of the stove.
What’s more, the handle is collapsible and the camping kettle comes with a storage bag included, making transporting it a breeze. We love that the lid knob is raised nice and high, so you can use this kettle even with gloves on, and the lip and spout are elevated to reduce spillage – but watch out for the lid as it is prone to shifting around sometimes. Plus, you’ll get hot water in as little as 5 minutes.
We’ve focused on the 0.8L model, but there’s also a 1.2 L version if you want to boil water for more people. It’s slightly heavier than more expensive models, but it’s by no means ridiculously heavy and, for the price, you won’t get much better.
If saving space is the name of the game, then you’re going to love the TOPOKO Collapsible Camping Kettle.
The main bulk of the camping tea kettle is constructed from silicone, which means that it can be collapsed right the way down the base, leaving you with a tiny item you can pop in any bag. Don’t worry, unlike many other similar models, the materials are entirely BPA-free.
Just make sure that, whatever you do, you don’t let the collapsible silicone part of the kettle get too close to the flame (so it’s definitely not suitable for use with an open fire).
With a 1.2 L capacity, this kettle can be used in small groups, and it’s available in bright blue or green so everyone will know to mind out for the kettle. The handle and lid are joined, and we absolutely love that there’s a lid-locking feature to stop pesky spillages.
It might not last you as long as an aluminum or steel tea kettle, and it’s slightly heavier than we expected too, but if you want something with teenie dimensions, then this is one of the best kettles out there.
Anyone for a cup of tea? The Fire-Maple Tea Kettle is a must-have for any tea-lovers out there thanks to the tea filter that comes included.
This large camping kettle allows for boiling water of up to 1.5Â L, which is enough to make tea for medium-sized groups of campers (although there’s a 0.8 L model available too). It’s constructed of super-strong materials, with an aluminum body and a steel handle that’s coated in nylon to protect your hands – don’t worry though, despite being large and sturdy, the weight has been kept to a minimum (0.7 lbs).
The handle and lid knob are both brightly colored for safety reasons, and the knob can be raised for easy use even when wearing gloves. We absolutely love the heat-exchanger design that results in rapid boiling times, so no one needs to sit around waiting for ages (a watched kettle never boils, after all) – plus, you’ll save yourself some fuel too.
The elevated lip and sput reduce spillage, but the lid does tend to wobble slightly so watch out for that. Otherwise, this is an excellent camping kettle for brewing up those morning cups of tea for your fellow campers.
We’re sticking with the coffee theme to bring you another excellent way to make sure you get your caffeine fix in the great outdoors, the COLETTI Bozeman Coffee Pot.
Unlike the GSI Outdoors Enamelware Kettle, we doubt you’d use this pot for anything other than coffee… but what it does, it does well. Designed exclusively for coffee brewing, this device guarantees great-tasting coffee for all – it can make up to 12 cups at a time. Plus, it even comes with filters included.
The glass top lets you peek at how much coffee has been brewed, and we love how tightly it connect to the body – you don’t have to worry about the lid toppling off at all. What’s more, it’s made entirely from stainless steel, making it super durable.
The wooden handle adds a touch of elegance and ensures you won’t burn your fingers, and the overall appearance is very pleasing. It is, however, the heaviest time on our list, so it’s probably only a good choice for vehicle-based campers.
While this isn’t strictly speaking a camping kettle, if all you want a kettle for is that morning cup of coffee, then why not cut out the middle man and invest in one of these?
Last, but by no means least, on our list of the best camping kettles is the Snow Peak Men’s Kettle (ladies, don’t let the name put you off – it can definitely be used by everyone!)
The smaller capacity (0.9 L) of this tea kettle makes this an excellent choice for camping duos, and the stainless steel construction makes this one sturdy kettle. The lack of aluminum may have added to the weight slightly, but it’s still fairly light – plus, the small dimensions make it very packable on the space-saving front.
The dual top and side handle means that you can maneuver this like a traditional pouring kettle or treat it more like a saucepan, and both handles fold back against the main body to reduce bulk. The handles are colored tough, so watch out if there are kids running around who might not spot a kettle – it does, however, give the compact kettle a sleek appearance overall.
It’s reasonably priced too, and it makes a great option for pairs looking for a rugged yet compact way to rustle up cups of tea in the great outdoors.
So, there you have it, our list of the best camping kettles around – but what is it you should really be keeping an eye on when you’re shopping around?
Camping kettles need to be lightweight and durable, which is why most of them are made from stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium. These materials can handle some bumps and scrapes, are cleaned easily, and can be treated to stand up to rust and corrosion. They’re also lightweight, although the thickness of the materials and overall design of the camp kettle will also contribute.
Portability is key if you’re heading out on a backpacking adventure, and it mainly comes down to the size and weight of the kettle, so check these out before you buy anything. If you’re really concerned about space, then keep an eye out for collapsible kettles and ones with handles that fold away.
This will depend on how many people you’re camping with and what you’re using your camping kettle for. If you’re camping solo and just want some hot drinks, you can get away with a compact kettle with quite a small capacity. However, if you’ll be camping in larger groups, or cooking with your camp kettle, then a larger size will probably suit you best.
Using a kettle around a busy campsite, or when there are children around (or even clumsy adults), can be dangerous. Although no camp kettle is entirely risk-free, some are certainly better than others when it comes to safety. One thing to think about is how securely the lid sits on the body – if it’s loose, you might spill hot water when you’re pouring.
Some kettles also feature raised lips, which is a great way to reduce spillages. One of the most basic safety features is a dash of color on your camping kettle – this means that people are more likely to remember that it’s there, even if they spot it out of the corner of their eye. Finally, the handle. Make sure that it won’t be hot to the touch, and you don’t want a wobbly one either.
Still struggling to decide which camping kettle is right for you? Here are our top three to help you on your way:
For anyone on a budget looking for a camping kettle, we definitely recommend the Overmont Camping Kettle.
It features a slim, packable design, a raised knob for easy use with gloves, and an elevated lip to stop pesky spillages. What’s more, it’s constructed from durable materials and can boil water in no time – what more could you ask for at this price?
My best camping tea kettle has to be the MSR Tika Camping Kettle. Not only is it incredibly lightweight but it’s also super slim and boils in a flash (to near enough :>).
It’s constructed from durable anodized Aluminum, offers fantastic value for money, and will last you almost a lifetime… so there really is no excuse!
But what’s our next favorite camping kettle? It’s the Alocs Camping Kettle of course! This camping kettle is jam-packed full of features that we love including an integrated windshield to keep your flame alight, a fin-shaped lid to stop spillages, and a heat-dissipating non-slip handle.
On top of that, it’s super durable yet has remained lightweight despite its decent capacity – what’s not to love?!