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The best camping kettle for hot beverages on the road

  • The best space-saving camping kettles
  • Take tea into the hills and moors
  • Lightweight yet robust models picked

Written by Ryan Gilmore Updated: 17 May 2024

A camping kettle should be one of the first additions to your camping cookware collection. Who doesn’t want to enjoy a nice warm drink on holiday? We Brits will quite happily enjoy a boiling-hot mug of stewed tea leaves in the Medetaraian sun, so enjoying a mug on a cloudy bank holiday trek to Scarborough is a given. The British Army even has kettles fitted to its tanks (called boiling vessels), so the thought of a campervan holiday going ahead without a camping kettle is simply wrong.

While the average campervan will offer considerably more storage for camping cooking utensils than a hiking backpack, space can still be a premium, especially if you have an older, car-based campervan, so the kettle needs to be small.

Best camping kettle at a glance:

Best camping kettle for a campervan (Editor’s choice): Fire-Maple Tea Kettle – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best dual-purpose kettle: BioLite Kettlepot – Buy now from Go Outdoors
Best collapsible kettle: Sea To Summit Lightweight X-Pot Collapsible Camping Kettle – Buy now from Amazon UK

A good camping kettle also shouldn’t be electric as there’s no guarantee you’ll have an electrical hook up, and boiling water can very quickly empty a leisure battery. 12V options should be avoided on the grounds that you’ll need a long weekend to boil a single litre of water with one.

So, once you’ve got your cooking utensils and camping cutlery sorted out, have a look at the best stove-top camping kettles that won’t eat up valuable space but will allow for the mass consumption of builders, chamomile, Earl Grey or any other tea you can think of. They can even be used to make coffee.

Best camping kettles

Best camping kettle for a campervan (Editor's choice)
Price: $27.95
Lightweight, well-priced and practical, this kettle from Fire-Maple nabs our top pick for campervan kettles. Made from anodised aluminium and featuring a sturdy handle, it’s a quality design. Available in two sizes (0.7 or 1.3 litres), it’s a versatile bit of kit and should be more than capable of surviving a summer holiday. It also comes with a mesh carry bag if you decide to take it hiking.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Lid fit could be better
Best dual-purpose kettle
Short on space but can’t give up the cuppa? Combine a kettle and a cooking pot into one really small and lightweight product to make the most of your space. The Biolite Kettlepot has a spout to pour drinks and a stainless steel pot that can be used for both cooking and boiling water. It also features a sturdy handle and has a 1.5-litre capacity. There’s even an optional coffee attachment that turns the Kettlepot into a cafetière capable of making six cups of hot java at once.

Pros

  • Dual use
  • Good nesting design

Cons

  • Plastic lid
Best collapsible kettle
Price: $57.75
Taking space-saving to the extreme, this Sea To Summit Lightweight X-Pot Collapsible Camping Kettle has a fairly standard anodised aluminium base but makes use of silicon for the body, which allows the entire thing to fold flat when not in use. With a litre capacity and a removable lid, this little product can be used as a cooking pot.

Tested 2022 – “The first sign of just how small this kettle is when it was delivered via letterbox, I can honestly say I own thicker magazines than this. It’s a quality piece of engineering, and the only drawback is that those silicon sides won’t survive a naked flame on them.”

Pros

  • Space saving
  • Anodised aluminium base for even heat spread

Cons

  • Lid fit/quality could be improved
Best classic camping kettle
Price: $24.13
The perfect way to accessorise a classic camper, the traditional whistling kettle will probably remind you of your grandparents or camping trips as a child. This example from Milestone is made from aluminium, features a useful spout and handle and offers a generous two-litre capacity.

Finished here in a very ’70s shade of orange, this kettle is also available in a more timeless stainless steel finish. It may not be very high-tech, but it is a stylish and rather homely choice for a camping holiday.

Pros

  • Generous capacity
  • Retro design

Cons

  • Handle can get hot
Best kettle for a solo campers mug of tea
The body of the Redcamp 0.8 litre kettle is made from hard anodized aluminium, which makes it tougher and more scratch and scuff-resistant to the wear and tear it'll receive on the road. This is the newest version of the kettle, which has an uprated silicone-coated fold-down handle for better heat insulation and prevention of burns. The short spout is better for storage and gives improved pouring with less spillage.

Pros

  • Perfect size for one
  • Notch on the handle to prevent slippage

Cons

  • No whistle

What to look for in a camping kettle:

If you are considering buying or replacing a camping kettle, what should you look for? We consulted the experts, who have some suggestions for what you should consider before making your purchase.

Material: Look for kettles made from lightweight and durable materials such as aluminium or stainless steel. These materials are ideal for camping as they are resistant to rust and can withstand outdoor conditions.

Capacity: Consider the number of people you’ll be camping with. If it’s just for personal use, a smaller kettle may suffice. For group camping, you might need a larger-capacity kettle to prepare enough hot water for everyone.

Size and Weight: A camping kettle should be compact and lightweight for easy transportation. Look for kettles that can be easily packed into your camping gear without taking up too much space or adding excessive weight.

Heat Source Compatibility: Check that the kettle is suitable for the type of stove you’ll be using. Some kettles are designed for open flames, while others work better on camp stoves,portable gas burners or even camping induction hobs.

Efficiency: Consider the time it takes for the kettle to boil water. Faster boiling times can be advantageous, especially in colder weather when a hot drink is particularly appreciated.

Handles: Look for heat-resistant handles that stay cool during use.

Ease of Use: A well-designed lid and spout can make it easier to pour hot water without spills. Some kettles have a whistle to indicate when the water is boiling, which can be useful.

Ease of Cleaning: Consider how easy it is to clean the kettle. Removable lids and wide openings can make cleaning a simpler task.

Nested Design: Some camping kettles have a nested design, which means they can be packed inside other cookware, saving space.

Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.

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