BioLite CampStove KettlePot

I never understood why Biolite stove have such a huge following given the stove and kettle is so heavy and bulky and there are other ways to carry extra battery power—until now. These stoves take the principle of gasification then turbo charge it! This review is for the kettle as I used it with a Biolite 1 and this is now obsolete.

I bought the kettle along with a Biolite 1 as a bundle with a view to using it on hikes with my Forest School to boil a significant quantity of water for hot drinks and to charge a phone in the event of an emergency. Given its weight and bulk I would not really consider it for backpacking unless it was with a group.

The kettle is made from quality stainless steel (a big plus for me because I do not like cooking with aluminium and its associated health risks) and has a generous 1.5l (6 cup) capacity which makes it a great choice for groups. It is designed to sit snugly on top of the stove to maximise efficiency. The base of the Biolite kettle has a honeycomb heat shield to concentrate flames and block wind.

Given its height and being full to capacity, I thought there might be an issue with stability, but the wide legs of the stove meant it seemed stable enough on flat and even ground. The kettle has a pair of large handles with silicon protection which worked well when I needed to remove the kettle to add more fuel. The lid has a spout for easy pouring and a handle for removing it from the kettle. It allows you to see what you are cooking to some degree.  A silicone gasket seals it to the kettle for efficiency and safety.

If it did topple over the sealed lid would prevent the contents from spilling everywhere and cause a serious injury (a huge concern for my Forest School work). I fired the Biolite Stove 1 up with a few pinecones and wine bottle corks. Once it was up to temperature, I turned the fan up to high and it practically turned into a blast furnace. I had 1.5l of water at a rolling boil in under 15 minutes—very impressive. It is also possible to turn the kettle into a CoffeePress using the attachment (£12.95).

That said, there is no escaping the fact it is considerably heavier and bulkier than other kettle pots. It takes up a huge amount of space in a backpack and at £45 it has a hefty price tag too. Finally, it is only really compatible with the Biolite stove. I imagine it would work on other stoves, but not so efficiently.

Overall this is a great addition to the Biolite Stove setup if large quantities of boiling water are needed safely and more quickly compared to other wood burning stoves including all of the gasifiers I have used. It is better suited to group use and/or a more permanent site as it is too heavy and bulky to be carried day after day over long distances.  

Background

I bought this used (though the kettle was new) along with a Biolite 1 stove. I used it in my garden as a test run for use at my Forest School.

The BioLite KettlePot is the must-have cooking accessory for backpackers or traditional campers. Along with the BioLite stove, the KettlePot allows users to quickly cook many types of backcountry meals while also keeping small electronics charged.

The BioLite KettlePot is a must have accessory when combined with the already awesome BioLite Stove. The unique ability to store the stove inside of the KettlePot makes packing out this cooking system very convenient and still relatively lightweight when compared to traditional cooksets and fuel stoves. 

The KettlePot mounts nicely on top of the BioLite Stove and creates an efficient cooking experience while also being able to charge electronics. The only drawback is that the stove must have constant attention in order to keep wood fuel in supply and therefore the KettlePot does get in the way somewhat.

I purchased the KettlePot from REI using annual dividends and I am very happy with the purchase. Highly doubt I'll ever be returning voluntarily to traditional cook systems after seeing what the BioLite stove and accessories are capable of.

I received my KettlePot in the post yesterday. The top rolled rim was split in 6 places, making the product unserviceable. It has been returned by return of post today. This is supposed to double up as a hard protective case for the BioLite stove, so far it didn't even make the post without breaking, buyer beware.

As above, I haven't even been able to try it. It failed to negotiate Royal Mail. I have sent off for a replacement. Hopefully I got a sub standard one that slipped the net.

I have got a stove and grill that work great, so I will wait for the next installment. However, anyone expecting a bullet proof hard case for their stove, be careful>>>