The Gear Junkie Scoop: Backcountry Boiler Camp Stove
Fire. Air. Wood. Water. Those are the essential ingredients for the Backcountry Boiler, an esoteric stove-type product called "the world's first ultralight chimney kettle." It is made in Pittsburgh, and the stove is marketed to ultra-light backpackers and other wilderness types in need of hot water in the backcountry with little fuss.
Add some kindling under the Backcountry Boiler, strike a match, and wait for the water inside to bubble and steam. Within a few minutes -- as little as five minutes for a couple cups -- water goes from cold to bubbling hot, a batch of boiling liquid ready to make tea or rehydrate a backpacking meal.
The Backcountry Boiler (www.theboilerwerks.com) costs $100, but for the time being the product is sold out. The company, a one-man shop owned and operated by Devin Montgomery, made its first run of the current anodized aluminum boiler this spring, and the supply in full (about 250 units) quickly went out the door. (Montgomery said a second batch will be available "soon"; preoders begin next week.)
What makes the product popular is its simplicity. The unit combines the function of a stove and a cooking pot into one -- and it also eliminates the dependency on gas or other liquid fuel. Dry grass, pine needles, sticks, and birch bark are among the ad hoc items found in the forest that can power this stove.
All around the fire inside is metal surface area with water on the other side of a thin wall. Heat transfer through the aluminum easily converts the water from lukewarm to extra hot.
I tested a Backcountry Boiler out this month to mostly happy results. The product is fairly small and light -- a little bigger than a 1-liter Nalgene bottle, and about 8 ounces in weight. The body is a hard anodized aluminum, and the stove comes with a silicone cork to seal the water hole shut when needed. A neoprene sleeve serves as a heat guard, letting you handle the boiler even as the water bubbles inside.
My test started with a failure. The first kindling I found -- some seemingly-dry maple twigs and dead leaves -- did not burn hot enough. They puffed and smoked, but did not generate the required heat. Birch bark and pine twigs did the trick instead. Once stocked with the correct fuel type, flames licked and roared inside the boiler stove, and within a few minutes (about 7 minutes total) I had hot, steaming water to make coffee in the woods.
For ultra-light backpackers, the Backcountry Boiler could be a great tool. Its simple and no-fuss design -- add the sticks, light a match, and wait -- truly works well. It is small and light. Overall, the Boiler is a worthy product and one of the neatest new things I've seen for backcountry camping this year.
--Stephen Regenold is founder and editor of www.gearjunkie.com. Connect with Regenold at Facebook.com/TheGearJunkie or on Twitter via @TheGearJunkie.
Comments
It is an excellent piece of equipment, I love mine! Here's a video of it - after all, a video says more than a thousand words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4t4rg2ESvs
Flag ThisIf REI was smart they would sell these things. Awesome product!
Flag ThisNot as nice as the mKettle, which I have been using for almost a year now. And is available last I checked! www.campsaver.com
Flag ThisThanks for the review, Stephen! I'm glad you liked it! Thanks Hendrik and Steve! Sue - the mkettle is a knockoff (this used to be called the Montgomery Kettle) and it hasn't been around for a year. I posted my first prototype online in 2009.
Flag ThisGot an mkettle last Xmas. Love it, thanks but no thanks.
Flag ThisThose in the "Light weight" hiker community have been following this item's development since 2007. "mKettle" not only stole Devin's idea and exact design (although heavier) but part of it's original name (Montgomery Kettle) as well. Probably to confuse buyers into thinking they were buying Devin's kettle. I've seen both and the BCB is superior. See it on You tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Ztghrhkls&feature=feedlik_more
Flag ThisSince 2007? I hope you were not holding your breath to get one?
Flag This@sue - you claim the mKettle is much nicer than the Backcountry Boiler - how can that be, since the mKettle is a carbon-copy ripoff of the BCB, but twice as heavy because it's not made with the precision and care of the BCB. I smell a mkettle shill.
Flag ThisCongrats Devin for having your product reviewed by The Gear Junkie! I'm glad to see the proper design rise to the top, and not that knock-off mKettle.
Flag ThisI own and use an MKettle. Be assured it is well made and works ever time. I use it with my white box stove and carry alcohol. It has a guarantee and I am happy with it. I am not sure what all this fuss is about. Is this stove even available? There is talk of 2.0 version? What is wrong with 1.0? Should we wait until 3.0, 4.0? E. Burton, CT
Flag ThisI'm just going to straight up say it...the people that support the mkettle are idiots, and clearly disconnected from the lightweight hiking community. Sue clearly has no clue what shes talking about, as the mkettle has not been out for a year. James, sorry you don't believe in innovation and refinement...i'm sure you're happy with AOL 1.0 as well. Why anyone would buy an mkettle is beyond me. The mkettle is made overseas, heavier, less fuel efficient, and the product of unethical business tactics. Support your local economy and buy the original real deal. Buy a BackcountryBoiler. The proof is in the pudding (and all over the internet for that matter)
Flag This* Edit: Sorry, I meant to say "FatherofTwo," not James
Flag ThisTo all mKettle supporters, click the link below, realize your wrong, STFU, then please proceed and purchase your own BackcountryBoiler. Thanks http://vimeo.com/22483882
Flag ThisThe video is produced by a guy who is promoting a product. I looked at the mkettle site with endorsements from Ryan Jordan, Backpacker Magazine, Sea Kayaker Magazine, + others US guys. Just bought one, thanks. And it is getting delivered this week. Can't wait!
Flag This@ Frank, Hendrik is promoting a product??? Are you sure about that. Last time I checked, he runs a blog about backpacking in Finland, and he happened to compare two kettles he already owns. Pretty objective in my opinion. And Ryan Jordan does not endorse the mKettle. He realized it was a ripoff of the backcountryboiler and subsequently dropped the mkettle from his website shop. Guess what he stocked in its place? Yeah, a backcountryboiler. Yeah, now you've made yourself look like a mKettle troll. nice job!
Flag Thisfor the record, Darren, the creator of the mKettle had the audacity to call up Devon Montgomery (the maker of the BCB) during the BCB's prototyping phase. Under the guise of a potential customer, Devin asked about all the specs, measurements, details of the backcountry boiler. Through his shady and deceitful inquiries, he gathered enough data to attempt to reverse engineer the backcountryboiler. This is the reason why the two look so similar. However, Darren and the mKettle clearly failed. The mkettle is heavier, flimsier (not anodized aluminum), and less efficient-- a true testament to Devin's lack of ingenuity. Everyone on backpackinglight.com knows this. Devin hasn't responded to any of the inquiries about his unethical business practices. He's a leech from the other side of the pond. He should keep his sales to the UK. The BackcountryBoiler is an original product made right here in Pittsburgh, PA. Support the local economy, and Devin Montgomery's hard work (over 2 years of prototyping) and not some leech overseas. I'm quit suspicious of all the comments posted by mKettle supporters and can't help but to think the are Darren himself, or his close minions. You can pre-order a BCB: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1763800459/backcountry-boiler-hot-water-from-found-fuel
Flag ThisI MIXED UP SOME NAMES ON THE LAST POST. READ THIS ONE INSTEAD For the record, Darren, the creator of the mKettle had the audacity to call up Devin Montgomery (the maker of the BCB) during the BCB's prototyping phase. Under the guise of a potential customer, Darren asked about all the specs, measurements, details of the backcountry boiler. Through his shady and deceitful inquiries, he gathered enough data to attempt to reverse engineer the backcountryboiler. This is the reason why the two look so similar. However, Darren and the mKettle clearly failed. The mkettle is heavier, flimsier (not anodized aluminum), and less efficient-- a true testament to Darren's lack of ingenuity. Everyone on backpackinglight.com knows this. Darren hasn't responded to any of the inquiries about his unethical business practices. He's a leech from the other side of the pond. He should keep his sales to the UK. The BackcountryBoiler is an original product made right here in Pittsburgh, PA. Support the local economy, and Devin Montgomery's hard work (over 2 years of prototyping) and not some leech overseas. I'm quit suspicious of all the comments posted by mKettle supporters and can't help but to think the are Darren himself, or his close minions. You can pre-order a BCB: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1763800459/backcountry-boiler-hot-water-from-found-fuel
Flag ThisLast Time I checked, a free market economy is a good thing, so is a little competition. This usually sparks innovation, reduces cost and increases quality. All of which is good for the consumer. Also, I've noticed loyalty doesn't last long in this demographic when something better comes along. Not sure what the fuss is about. And by the looks of it, the BCB is a superior product. This childish bickering is annoying.
Flag ThisThis guy and kettle are disappointing. What a waste of time waiting for a burred up homemade kettle. :(
Flag ThisThe camp stoves of trendy styles and new attributes are very different from the one that were used in earlier times. The one that appears in this page is extremely good i think and it will offer a great convenience of cooking to the travelers
Flag ThisAs if you can buy a backwater boiler! I've given up trying to buy one and oredered a "heavy" mkettle that I can actually use this spring.
Flag ThisAs if you can buy a backwater boiler! I've given up trying to buy one and oredered a "heavy" mkettle that I can actually use this spring.
Flag This