The 5 Best Camping Kettles For Coffee/Tea Over A Campfire

by Jason | Last Updated:   October 8th, 2022
The 5 Best Camping Kettles For Coffee/Tea Over A Campfire
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If you’re anything like me, the thought of going without a cup of tea or coffee for a few days isn’t even worth thinking about. 

During cold mornings nothing gives you more of a pick-me-up than a hot cuppa. But making a coffee outdoors isn’t easy.

To help make your life easier, I wanted to introduce you to the best camping kettle. By the end of the article, you’ll know what to look for and how to use them safely.

But first, let’s take a quick look at the five best camping kettles: 

IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…

Reviewing The 5 Best Camping Kettles

TOPOKO Collapsible Camping Kettle

The standout feature of the camping kettle is its foldable nature. One of the biggest problems with camping kettles is they take up a lot of room. Being able to collapse the kettle makes it extremely easy to pack away and store. 

They also included a built-in lock mechanism that secures the lid onto the kettle. The feature helps you secure the liquids safely and more effectively. The sealed lid also helps to keep the dirt outside of the kettle.

It’s a very durable camping kettle; in fact, the company claims it’s almost indestructible. You can pretty much do anything with the kettle, and it won’t cause any damage.

Overall it’s a great camping kettle with incredible capabilities. You have 42 fl oz worth of capacity, and it’s super lightweight.

Pros
  • The collapsible design saves you a lot of space in your backpack, making it easier to transport. 
  • The locking lid makes it safer when you’re heating the water. If someone knocks it over, the boiling water won’t go flying.
  • They use brightly colored designs so people can see the camping kettle clearly.
Cons
  • Due to the silicone material, you can’t use it with an open fire. Although the silicone is heat-treated, it can still burn.
  • The handle felt very awkward and didn’t feel like it supported the weight of the kettle when it was full. 

Alocs Camping Kettle

The high-quality camping kettle is made with anodized Aluminum and has a simple Chinese-style look to it.  The material is food-grade and passes FDA testing, and is corrosion-resistant.

Another great thing about its aluminum material is it transfers heat quickly and efficiently. In other words, you can get the kettle boiling in no more than 5-minutes.

Because the camping kettle is made entirely of Aluminum, they needed to make it safe to handle. And this is why they used a woven rope around the handle and added an anti-scald lid clip, so you don’t burn your fingers.

The kettle can hold 44 fl oz of water, perfect for at least 2-4 people to share. The great thing is its small size doesn’t pose any extra burden on your backpack.

Pros
  • It’s made with super-resilient materials, it’s doesn’t scratch, it doesn’t rust, and it’s very difficult to damage.
  • The woven handle was a great touch; it made it very easy to remove the kettle from the fire without burning your hands.
  • Considering it’s made with metal, the camping kettle is very lightweight, making it easy to travel with.
Cons
  • It can be a little bit rattly when you’re traveling with it. 
  • A few claimed the coating would swell and showed signs of deformation after being heated.

Bulin Camping Kettle

One of the most incredible things about this camping kettle is how great it is at conducting heat. The company specially designed the bottom of the kettle to be super thermally conductive and evenly distributes the heat for maximum efficiency.

Thanks to this design, the company claims that you can save time because it heats up 30% faster than any other cookware. Basically, you can get a steaming hot cup of coffee in about 3 minutes.

The camping kettle is very compact, which makes it easier to travel with and pack away. But the good thing is it still holds plenty of water for you to share around with your friends.

To ensure the durability of your camping kettle, they designed it with hard-anodized Aluminum. Thanks to the robust design, it is corrosion-resistants, rust-free, and extremely hard to damage. 

Pros
  • The specially designed bottom is excellent for conducting heat.
  • It’s a great size, so you have no problems transporting the kettle in your backpack.
  • The windproof design makes the kettle far more efficient at heating the water.
Cons
  • The bottom of the camping kettle is too large for small camping stoves.
  • Some people reported the handle comes off pretty easily.

Widesea Camping Kettle

The camping kettle is made with Aluminum and features insulated plastic around the handle to protect your hands from burns. It also features a compact design but can still hold 6.72 fl oz of water.

Thanks to the compact design, it makes it very easy to fit the camping kettle in your backpack. And if you can’t find the space, it comes with a traveling bag, so you don’t have to put a burden on your backpack.

The kettle is made with a robust anodized aluminum compound and has excellent craftsmanship. The strong design provides some reassurance the camping stove will last for life. 

They designed the spout of the kettle to smoothly pour water without the kettle dripping. To help you pour the water, they included a convenient handle that features insulated plastic to protect you from the heat.

Pros
  • The small size makes it very easy to transport without taking up too much room.
  • Super lightweight and excellent quality, so it feels like it won’t break.
  • The spout is very well designed, so it’s effortless to pour the water.
Cons
  • If you tip the kettle too far when pouring the water, the lid can fall off.
  • When it’s full, you need to use two hands to pour the water safely.

Overmont Camping Kettle

To make your camping kettle easier to transport, they included a varying bag, which means you don’t have to worry about finding extra space in your backpack. They also designed it to be lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about it being too heavy.

The kettle is made with lightweight Aluminum, which doesn’t contain any extra chemicals, which can be found in other brands.

Not only is does the anodized Aluminum reduce the weight, but it also conducts heat very efficiently. From start to finish, it only takes around 3-5 minutes to make your cup of coffee.

To help avoid scolding yourself; the handle is insulated with heat-resistant plastic. They also use a continental spout which allows the steam to exit so you don’t scald yourself.

Pros
  • The water comes to a boil exceptionally quickly, so you don’t have to wait for a long time to get your tea.
  • The mesh storage bag comes in very handy if you can’t find space for it in your backpack.
  • The raised knob made it easier to lift even if you had gloves on.
Cons
  • The lid wobbles when it’s boiling and rattles when you carry it.
  • Some people felt it didn’t hold enough water inside the kettle.

Our Top Choice


I’ve given you a list of the five best camping kettles on the market to help guide you in the right direction. If you like the look of any of them, make sure you click on the link to find out more information. 

But if you’re still struggling, let me give you my favorite option. For me, the best option is the Bulin Camping Kettle. It performed very well and boils rapidly; the one issue I found is it doesn’t work well with small camping stoves.

If you’re looking for more cooking equipment, why not check out our best camping cookware

How To Choose The Best Camping Kettle

Choosing the best camping tea kettles for you might seem like a challenging task. There are just so many to choose from.

This makes finding the one that serves your needs the best quite challenging. So, instead of worrying about it, check out this quick buyers guide:

Kettle Design

Ideally, you’re looking for a short and stumpy kettle to make it easier to transport. But it’s not just the size you need to think about. 

You should also be looking at how the spout is designed, what the handle is like, and what materials it’s made with. 

Materials

Okay, when it comes to materials, you have quite a few options, and some of them are better than others. In this section, I’m going to talk you through some of the materials they use and what they’re suitable for:

  • Stainless Steel: The material makes a great kettle, but it’s cumbersome, making it poor for traveling. The good thing about stainless steel is it holds up to flame a lot better.
  • Anodized Aluminum: It has to be the most commonly used material for camping these days. It’s lightweight, strong, and conducts heat very efficiently. 
  • Titanium: It’s the lightest material and very durable. The problem is, the kettles are usually relatively thin, which doesn’t spread the heat evenly.
  • Silicone: One of the good things about silicone kettles is they can collapse, which makes them easy to transport. The bad side is if they catch a flame, it can make the silicone melt.
  • Cast Iron: Originally, they were outstanding but super heavy, which is why you won’t find cast iron camping kettles anymore.

As you can see, you have quite a few options too, and it’s up to you to decide which one works best for you. 

Handle Materials

You’ll find that most kettles use the same material in the handle as they do for the overall design. Most of the time, they wrap the metal in a different material to insulate it. 

Here are a few of the options you’ll find:

  • Plastic: Some companies use insulated plastic to protect your hands. The problem is it can melt if a naked flame hits it.
  • Nylon: You’ll find it’s quite a common material to use, but it does have a low melting point.
  • Silicone: You’ll find this is the most common material in camping kettle handles. It doesn’t melt very easily, and it’s strong. 

Durability Of The Material

You need to look at reviews to see how strong the camping kettle is. If it’s in your backpack, there’s a chance that it will take a bit of beating. 

After a long trip waling, the last thing you need is a broken or dented kettle; it really puts a damper on the day.

Lightweight

It’s not just durability you need to watch out for. You also need to take into account how heavy the camping kettle is. Chances are your backpack is already pretty heavy, so adding extra weight is not advisable. 

Portability

The best camping tea kettle is the one that is easiest to transport. Remember, when you’re camping, you usually have a lot of gear with you. To ensure you don’t take up any much-needed room, you need to check out the size.

Some camping kettles even come with a caring bag so you can attach the kettle to the outside of your backpack.

Capacity

If you’re camping by yourself, you don’t need a camping kettle with a high capacity. But when you’re camping with other people, you might want to look for a kettle that can supply everyone’s needs in one go.

Safety

Using a camping kettle can be dangerous, which is why you need to look at how safe the kettle is. When looking at camping kettles, make sure you check to see if the lid connects securely to ensure you don’t hurt yourself.

Heat Source

Not all camping kettles can use any heat source, so it’s vital to think about how you plan on boiling the water before you purchase one.

If you want to play is safe, get one suitable for a campfire; most of the time, you won’t have any issues using different heat sources.

Environmentally Safe

The last thing you might want to consider is how environmentally safe the camping kettle is. This will help you avoid toxic substances like BPA, which can cause you and the environment harm.  

Why You Should Bring A Camping Kettle To Your Next Adventure

If you’re a tea or coffee lover, there are a few reasons you’ll need your camping kettle beside you. And even if you don’t like hot beverages, there are still reasons you should take a camping kettle with you on your journeys.

Let’s take a look at a few:

They Are Durable 

Camping kettles are incredibly durable due to them being reinforced with Aluminum. Not only is this material lightweight, but it’s also very strong, making it ideal for transportation. 

Thanks to the durable nature of camping kettles, you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged when you’re transporting them.

Environmentally Safe

One of the great things about choosing the correct camping gear is you don’t have to worry about harming the environment or yourself.

Camping kettles don’t have BPA (Bisphenol A) inside, which reduces the number of toxins you and the environment consumes.

BPA can cause extreme damage to your health due to the harmful chemical. It’s known to cause:

  • Cancer
  • Hormone issue
  • Congenital disabilities 
  • And much more

The next time you go camping, you can rest assured you’re not consuming the harmful BPA material. 

Easy To Use

Using camping kettles helps you boil water quicker and more efficiently than ordinary pots and pans. Not only does it make it easier to boil water, but they also easier to use.

A decent camping kettle will have a non-reactive and non-slip surface, making cleaning and maintaining the kettle much easier.

And to make things better:

The handles are usually heat resistant, which means you don’t have to worry about burning your finger when you pick it up. 

And thanks to the handles folding, you don’t have to worry about it taking up too much room in your backpack.

They Have Multiple Uses

The most common misconception with camping kettles is you can only use them to boil water, but that’s not always the case.

You can also use them to heat food and even cook in them. That means you can reduce the amount of stuff you bring with you when you have a camping kettle to hand.

Of course, it all depends on what food you want to cook. For example, you couldn’t cook a steak, but you could make a stew or soup.   

What Metal Should Your Camping Kettle Be Made From?

Kettles that don’t use electricity to boil water need to be built to a different standard. Due to the kettle being used on open flames, a metal base is a minimum required.

More often than not, the entire kettle will be crafted with metal, which gives a lot of protection from naked flames.

But, what metal is the best for camping kettles?

You’ll find most kettles will use stainless steel on the base due to how resilient the material is. So, what about the rest of the kettle? 

When it comes to the rest of the kettle, you have three clear-cut winners when it comes to design materials.

Stainless Steel – It’s by far the heaviest material that can be used for a kettle. But the good thing is the material is it can survive many drops of knocks without damage. 

Aluminum –  Many people like to go for Aluminum because the material is lighter and very strong. Because the material is so lightweight, it makes it easy to carry in your backpack without adding too much weight.

One thing to note is Aluminum has been linked to degenerative brain conditions in high doses.

For this reason, it’s essential to look for anodized aluminum kettles. It means it has had electrolytically coated with an oxide layer that separates from water from the metal.

Titanium – If you’re looking for an alternative to Aluminum, then titanium is a great option. The material is very strong and lightweight but also costly. 

For some people, titanium is their go option due to the material being so strong. 

Staying Safe While Using Your Camping Kettle

By now, you’re probably aware of the benefits camping kettles can bring to your overnight experience. The problem is, you should be careful when you’re using them, especially when your kids are around.

In this section, I want to take some time to explain some of the precautions you should take to ensure you don’t hurt yourself or anyone else.

  • You should always avoid filling the kettle to the top. As the water gets hotter, it will start to expand, leading to it overflowing or spitting out.
  • If the kettle is empty, never put it on an open flame. You should also never let the boil dry to avoid damaging the kettle. Basically, use the mark guides to show you how much water you should put in your kettle.
  • If the kettle is on the heat, never hold on to the handle. Even with the heat-resistant handle, they can still get out. Avoid burning yourself at all costs.
  • If you’re with your children, keep them away from the kettle. For some reason, kids loving touching stuff, they shouldn’t. Make sure they stay a few meters away at all times.
  • Do not touch the outside of the kettle or the base after or while it’s on the heat. YOU WILL burn your hands quite severely. 
  • You can use the excess water to put out the fire once you’ve finished ensuring the fire doesn’t spread.
  • Make sure you give plenty of time for the kettle to cool down completely before storing it away in your backpack.

Following these simple steps can help you and your friends stay safe when using your camping kettle. Some of the stuff mentioned here may sound like common sense, but it’s essential you follow them if you don’t want someone to get hurt.

Can You Use A Normal Kettle For Camping?

There are times where you can bring a traditional kettle with you, so yes, there are times where you can use an electric kettle.

This will mainly be if you’re camping in a caravan or motor home because you have a power supply available to you.

The problem is, kettles can overload your supply due to them using so much power.

The thing is:

A kettle designed to be used on a fire or gas stove is far more efficient and reliable when camping.

And that’s why I’d always go camping with a kettle that’s designed for the job. Camping kettles don’t need electricity; they’re smaller and usually a lot lighter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Boil A Kettle In A Tent?

If you’re not using electricity, then it’s not a great idea to boil the kettle in your tent. Tents can melt pretty easily, and sometimes they can catch on fire. If you’re using a naked flame, make sure it’s well away from your tent.

Are Collapsible Kettles Safe?

Collapsible kettles are made with food-grade silicone which is FDA approved, which makes it safe for boiling water. The problem is, the silicone can melt when hit with a naked flame, which can make it pretty unsafe.

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Hey, my name's Jason, and before I was a writer, I worked as an outdoor activity instructor where I took groups kayaking and camping. Now I use my personal experiences to share tips and tricks I've learned over the years. For as long as I can remember, I've been passionate about the outdoors, and now I want to share that passion with my readers.