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Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive

Gear Review: Ultra Light Kettle Co. mKettle

A cool way to boil and carry water, all in one package.

by: Joe Flowers

1 2 3

1 2 3

1 2 3

Gear
Stove

The Specs:
Weight: 14 oz. (without water)
Water capacity: 18 oz.
Price: $82
mKettle.com

There are countless backpacker meals that require the simple task of boiling water, and many hikers haul stoves for this reason alone. The new mKettle by UK-based Ultra Light Kettle Company features a cool way to carry and boil water in the same container.

This “chimney” kettle design uses an opening through the middle to carry heat throughout the entire “inside” of the aluminum canteen. The odd canteen has a funneled hole, from top to bottom. Think of it as a long, vertical metal donut with a hole (See photo 2 and 3 above); the yummy part of the donut holds water.

First you make a tiny camp fire in the supplied fire base. (See photo 1 above.) The fire blasts up through the middle. The water is isolated and heated throughout the length of the kettle, and the flames come out the top.

The fuel can be anything from simple twigs to solid fuel bars (we tested wet-fire tinder) and alcohol burners (there’s a hole on the side of the fire base for easy lighting). The twig burning method was incredibly fun during a three-day trip on the Santee River in South Carolina. I found that using a higher number of smaller sticks and twigs provided better results than going from small to large twigs, as it kept a consistent flame. The website states that it can take up to 10 minutes to get the 18 oz. of water boiling, and I averaged about 8 minutes at the beginning. (Compare this to 4 minutes and 9 seconds with a MSR Pocket Rocket on full blast, no wind.) Once you figure it out, it becomes easy to have water boiling in six minutes; the quickest we managed was 5 minutes 38 seconds using sticks.

The mKettle comes with a removable neoprene liner around the outside that did not burn or smolder, and helps insulate the kettle and keeps fingers from getting burned when picking up the hot kettle. A rubber stopper prevents spillage during transport and in camp, but do not use it when boiling water as you may have a missile! (Another cool part is that the stove base flips up inside the middle, and you can store your fire-making materials in there when not in use.) Bring a camp cup and bowl though, as the small hole does not make the kettle suitable for anything other than water. Small-mouth aside, many backpackers that enjoy unique camping gear, like my friend Bob in upstate New York, enjoy this chimney style kettle due to the small size and ease of use.

Update: 10-26-11 Also, check out Joe's review of the Boilerwerks Backcountry Boiler. another chimney kettle model.

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READERS COMMENTS

MKettle, boilerworks et al - ALL use the basic design from Kelly - OVER 100 years old!! & IRISH.

So stop yapping about rip off design .. EVERYONE of the manufacturers is "STEALING" from the Kelly original.

I'd buy it just on the basis of being BRITISH n not American as through history the USA has "borrowed" other nations ideas n passed em off as thiers ...
Posted: May 08, 2012 Ned Lud

I would love to buy the backcountry boiler instead of the mkettle but I am really tired of scouring the net looking for a way to purchase it. If you are going to complain about getting ripped off you might want to look into product availability.
Posted: Mar 13, 2012 St

I like mine a lot. Got it for xmas. It does what it says on the tin. Fun to use too. Also works well with Trangia alcohol cup. Bay Area Bum.
Posted: Feb 18, 2012 Jeremy

Krazy kool! This mkettle works like a charm every time. Fits in my backpack. :) Thanks BP mag. Picked mine up from campsaver.com
Posted: Jan 21, 2012 Henry Thomas

I love mine. The mkettle works great, although my wife is bored with it by now, but I don't care and I love using it. Time and time again. Quick, simple and works. Just make sure your leaves and sticks are dry. Thank you for the post.
Posted: Jul 13, 2011 John Fitzhugh

Would have been nice if Backpacker had done its homework and reviewed the original version--the Backcountry Boiler designed by Devin Montgomery. The mKettle is a blatant ripoff in both design and name. The "good" folks behind mKettle are simply lying thieves.
Posted: May 29, 2011 JL

Wow. Just got an mkettle for myself and one for my husband. Works really well, not sure if there is enough capacity for hydrating meals, but should be. We will test it on our AT thruhike this spring. Thanks for letting us know on this gem.
Blueridgemts, VA
Posted: Mar 15, 2011 BlueridgeMts hiker

Ryan Jordan states (On this Link: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=38591&startat=40)

"..At any rate, I haven't received a response from the mKettle manufacturer about the extent to which Devin's design influenced theirs, so I decided to hold off on ordering it because it would just be a little weird to bring this "exact-looking" product in and then have to explain all about it, "parallel development" why I supported a company that might of ripped off a design without attribution, etc."

"..FYI the photo and quote on the mKettle website was used without my permission."
Posted: Mar 13, 2011

I don't know about the history on this item.

It is interesting that Ryan Jordan seems to endorse it (one of the founders of BPL) and their website has one of his pictures on it.

It seems one is heavier and cheaper. Not sure which is more durable etc.
Posted: Mar 09, 2011 dayhiker9

A bit harsh Mike. The short version is that the Backcountry Boiler was previously known as the Montgomery Kettle. When another guy copied Devin's design (exactly, but heavier) he probably coined the name mKettle to confuse buyers-possibly believing "mkettle" meant Montgomery Kettle. They are not the same beast. Hopefully backpacker will print something on this along with Devin's cool design story.
Posted: Mar 05, 2011 Joe

"Ttgirl" you are a Backpacker idiot. Read history here (This is what "mKettle" used to steal Devin's design--and used this name to confuse people like you): http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=7456&disable_pagination=1
Now read a little more here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=38591

The original one and also the better/lighter one is the Backcountry Boiler. YouTube Backcountry Boiler to see it in use.

Posted: Mar 04, 2011 Mike

I just googled the backcountry boiler. It was formerly known as the Montgomery kettle made by devin Montgomery. Could this be why it's now called the mKettle?! Calm down guys, not every big company is out to steal another man's idea...
Posted: Mar 03, 2011 Ttgirl

Like so many reviews, the manufacturer was probably looking to get some free publicity (or was it paid for?). Guess they got more than they bargained for but thats bound to happen when you swipe an idea in a community as tight the backpacking community. And shame on you BP Mag!
Posted: Mar 02, 2011 Mystech

Nice review. But as many has mentioned, seems like a poor rip off of another mans idea.
Backpacker has always been (at least for the last 20 years or more) a way for outdoor companies to sell stuff. I was a subscriber back when it was a beautiful magazine, one of the best. Sadly all were lost in a basement flood. But back then it wasn't about the commercial aspect, but the joy of it. I can understand reviewing this stove. And it looks like a great stove. But credit should have been given to others that have paved the way for this.
I would buy the backcountry boiler without a second thought. USA ingenuity at its finest.
Posted: Mar 02, 2011 bobfnbw

get a backcountry boiler instead its lighter and credit goes where credit is due
Posted: Mar 01, 2011 mtmnmark

Just got one of these today. Can't wait to use on the next hike (below tree line). Not so good for boiling snow, but looks perfect for hydrating my food packs, etc. Great review. Thanks.
Redmond, WA
Posted: Mar 01, 2011 Petra

Thanks everyone. I will wait for the Boilerwerks
Posted: Mar 01, 2011 Jens

Thanks everyone. I will wait for the Boilerworks
Posted: Mar 01, 2011 Jens

I have been using the "Kelly Kettle" for over 10 years, works great. This mKettle is just a copy of this.
Check out the site http://www.kellykettle.com/
Posted: Mar 01, 2011 Patrick Harrison