5/26/13

Gizmag's YouTube Channel

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

Follow Gizmag on Twitter Explore Gizmag Subscribe Search

Help us keep Gizmag reader-friendly

Inteliscope turns your iPhone into a tactical gun sight

Solar Impulse breaks own record for farthest solar-powered flight

Toxic shock syndrome can't hide from fluorescent medical dressing

Full-scale X-Wing replica touches down as world's largest Lego model

Garage-built Bailey Blade XTR sports car coming to SEMA

MORE TOP STORIES

OUTDOORS

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

By Bridget Borgobello May 22, 2013 18 Comments 5 Pictures

Recent popular articles in Outdoors

Sections
Features Reviews Aircraft Architecture

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

Around The Home Automotive Bicycles Children Computers

Blow me down: Windcatcher inflation system amplifies lung power

Digital Cameras Electronics Environment Games Good Thinking Health and Wellbeing Holiday Destinations

Developed by British engineer James Bentham, the Solar Kettle can boil water simply by using sunlight Image Gallery (5 images) Developed by British engineer James Bentham, the Solar Kettle can boil water simply by using sunlight. The portable thermos-like product uses a special thermal technology to boil water without the need for any power input, thus making it ideal for camping, picnics and outdoor activities.

Recon Instruments introduces sporty, Google Glass-like sunglasses

Home Entertainment Inventors and Remarkable People Laptops Marine Medical

Adaia taps BMW for adventure smartphone design

Military Mobile Technology Motorcycles Music Outdoors

View all
Gizmag's top ten camping gadgets

Pets Robotics Science Space

The Solar Kettle features a thermal vacuum tube which absorbs and

Sports

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

1/8

5/26/13

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

Telecommunications Urban Transport Fire tinder, flint, fish hook, and fishing line are all tucked into the KODIAK survival wristband Wearable Electronics

converts the suns rays into heat. Two exterior reflectors open out to maximize the amount of solar energy obtained, enabling the water inside to boil without the need for any further energy supply. The kettle also comes with an built-in stand so that it can be positioned to face the sun, along with a thermometer located on the lid, which allows the user to monitor the temperature of the contents. Similar to other insulated products, the Solar Kettles exterior remains cool to touch, even when the contents are at the boiling point, reducing the risk of burns to the user. It can also be used to store hot water for long periods of time. Weighing 1.2 kilograms (2.6 lb) when empty, the Solar Kettle is light enough to carry in a backpack but is considerably heavier than your average thermos (mine weighs 300 grams/0.65 lb). The kettle can hold 500 ml (17 oz) of water, which will take approximately two hours to boil from cold. This timing can vary depending on the amount of sun available, and further reduced if the water has been previously heated.

Moby1 expedition trailers take camping off-road

A multi-functional tablet built for backcountry survival

Glad Tent doubles as a giant garbage bag

Nitecore "Tiny Monster" flashlight belts out 3,500 lumens

In survival situations, the kettle can be used to sterilize river water or snow and purify it for drinking. It can also desalinate sea water to produced clean water that is safe to drink. In everyday situations, the Solar Kettle can be used to boil enough water to make three cups of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soup and even a boiled egg or two. The video below demonstrates a couple of campers boiling two cups of tea and an egg with the Solar Kettle. UK company Contemporary Energy is currently taking online orders for the Solar Kettle, which is priced at approximately US$53. Source: Contemporary Energy Ltd

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

2/8

5/26/13

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

Share
211
Like

29
Tw eet

22

14

5
Share

About the Author

Bridget is an experienced freelance writer, presenter and performer with a keen eye for innovative design and a passion for green technology. Australian born, Bridget currently resides in Rome and when not scribbling for Gizmag, she spends her time developing new web series content and independent cinema. All articles by Bridget Borgobello

Tags
Camping Kettles Solar Powered Thermal

18 Comments
And on a cloudy day, it won't boil at all. Rubbish! Jon A.
22nd May, 2013 @ 11:39 am PDT

@Jon A. And on a rainy day my socks will get wet! Bryant Drake
22nd May, 2013 @ 02:20 pm PDT

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

3/8

5/26/13

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

I think that is really cool and green. I think it would be very useful for times when the power is out. I think it would be also very good for camping or trips. BigWarpGuy
22nd May, 2013 @ 02:25 pm PDT

Given the high weight, tiny capacity, and long heating time it is not even remotely practical. Slowburn
22nd May, 2013 @ 03:40 pm PDT

it takes an electric kettle 2 minutes to boil that much water with 2000 watts, so if you had a bike powered electric generator it would take 20 minutes on slow pedal speed, or 10 going like a crazy guy. so in 2 hours 120 minutes, it's about... 30 watts... a 30 watts thin film solar panel is about 30 pounds, and it's alot more versatile, and same as a couple of a2 sheets of paper. and it's also lighter. interesting. Antony Innit
22nd May, 2013 @ 05:08 pm PDT

Designed by a British engineer, it should generally have a good chance of working in sunnier climes! I wonder though, if filled right up for use on a very sunny day, is there any risk of steam pressure expelling contents when opened? Or is there an 'over-pressure' valve incorporated? I agree it seems a bit heavy for hikers though, they are usually worrying about every little gram. The Skud
22nd May, 2013 @ 08:26 pm PDT

Great design concept. But, 500 ml in 2 hours is too little and too long. And this is solar powered so you will have to be stationary for 2 hours. Self defeating. Nantha
23rd May, 2013 @ 12:18 am PDT

I am planning a climb up an 8000 meter mountain this summer. I was thinking that this might be a good solution to the drudgery of having to spend half the day melting ice for drinking. NOT Obviously, this guy got an engineering degree without having learned anything about engineering. If this device covered a MUCH larger area with something light like mylar, it might actually have some potential. As it is, it is an embarrassing failure. mashimisha
23rd May, 2013 @ 03:14 am PDT

I think it's a great idea. I'd love to see how efficient it is and if it could
www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67 4/8

5/26/13

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

be integrated into solar hot water for the home. Humans are very wasteful with energy, I'd love to see more environmentally friendly solutions like this. Obviously this wouldn't suit all climates, and latitudes but there are many in which this would work extremely well. Australian
23rd May, 2013 @ 04:49 am PDT

Interesting title but dissapointing product. I mean, my respect for the designer but two hours for boiling point it is too much time for an emergency. Well, probably in my my country with a 34 celsius average temperature work faster, or in africa. CaLopez2012
23rd May, 2013 @ 07:52 am PDT

Another great British invention that needs the Japanese to perfect it & the Chinese to copy it for half the price. Glen Aldridge
23rd May, 2013 @ 08:15 am PDT

This is a brilliant fundamental idea badly in need of a redesign! It needs more mirror surface and that surface needs to be shaped in an ellipse. Timothy Damien Rohde
23rd May, 2013 @ 09:39 am PDT

This is not an especially new idea, just a limited implementation of someone else's great idea. Some years ago I saw several variations of this where the solar concentrator was rather like an umbrella and since it had a much larger reflector the cooking time measured in minutes not hours. This would be greatly improved with a collapsible mylar reflector modelled either like an umbrella, or a trough mirror, etc. There are many ways to do this none of which are particularly novel but are still great solutions. And, yup, the Chinese will steal & reverse engineer this and find some place to make it at slave labour rates & conditions whereupon it will be shipped to stores where local retail serfs will be paid squat to put stuff on shelves. StWils
23rd May, 2013 @ 09:52 am PDT

I have to agree with the other comments, to little volume and to slow to heat it up, its just not practical. I think the design is very simple, 2 reflectors and a vacuum tube to contain the heat? I think the idea of a solar kettle is good but it needs to be made out of more technologically advanced materials that are light weight that reflect more(or the same) amount of light. Need more light reflecting areas that could expand, like a lightweight reflective material that could roll up. Nathaneal Blemings
23rd May, 2013 @ 10:22 am PDT

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

5/8

5/26/13

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

I saw the product at a show at a world festival here LA and was impressed. For us, it makes perfect sense with the weather we have. They did tell us that is works with clouds in sky, although I'd like to verify that. All in all, it's a great entrepreneur's product and I wish them well. 33Nick
23rd May, 2013 @ 11:23 am PDT

I think it is a great idea, just ordered one, and I'm thinking of hanging it in my office window that faces the morning sun.. get to office and hot water is ready to make tea or coffee. Rodger Evans
23rd May, 2013 @ 12:28 pm PDT

Two hours til coffee when camping? No thanks, I'll build a fire. Suspicious Chihuahua
23rd May, 2013 @ 12:47 pm PDT

As others said - too little water and too much time to be practical yet. If they hooked that thing up to batteries to keep batteries charged (and maybe added a wind up battery charger as well) and then used a battery assist to speed it up that might make it more practical. kidsandliz
23rd May, 2013 @ 01:47 pm PDT

Post a Comment
Login with your gizmag account: Email
Log In

Or Login with Facebook:

Password

Register here Forgotten your password?

Log In

Related Articles
Dual chamber Eco Kettle boils only what you need
30th June, 2009

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

6/8

5/26/13
9th September, 2010

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

Eco Switch kettle stays off the boil Tefal Quick Cup: hot tea in seconds
13th February, 2008

The SeaKettle life raft will make drinking water from the sea
1st August, 2010

Compact4All kitchen appliance is everything you need for breakfast Electrolux Sunny solar water front 5th October, 2012 loader
4th June, 2008

Looking for something? Search our 22,717 articles

Search

Most Popular Articles

Today Last week All time Together at last an RC car and a quadcopter Under the microscope: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC One Like the Galaxy S4, HTC One is getting its own "Google Edition" Hennessey turns Ford F-150 Raptor into rugged VelociRaptor SUV CurvACE gives robots a bug's eye view iPhone biosensor does the work of a $50,000 lab-based machine Smartphone Comparison Guide 2013 The best jailbreak apps in Cydia Mataerial 3D printer builds gravitydefying structures directly onto walls Full-scale X-Wing replica touches down as world's largest Lego model

Most Commented Articles

Today Last week All time Subscribe to Gizmag's Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays (18) OX: the flat-pack truck designed for developing nations (18) Europe joins race to store energy at the bottom of the ocean (16) Did Xbox One just make the longrumored Apple TV set irrelevant? (15) HTCs Bizarro World: where the maker of the best smartphone gasps for air (13) Single Handed Barber promises an easier DIY do (13) Together at last an RC car and a quadcopter (12) Blow me down: Windcatcher inflation system amplifies lung power (12) F-35B makes first vertical takeoff (12) X-47B makes first touch-and-go landings on carrier (9)

Email Newsletter
Enter Your Email Address ... Subscribe

Follow Gizmag on

Twitter

Subscribe to Gizmag's

YouTube channel
Subscribe to Gizmag's

RSS feed

Follow Gizmag on

Stumbleupon

Follow Gizmag on

Google Plus

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

7/8

5/26/13

Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

All content copyright Gizmag 2003 - 2013

Top

Home

About

Contact

Privacy

Terms & Conditions

Advertise

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67

8/8