10 Best Kettles for Camping: The Perfect Camp Tea Kettle

Camping Kettles are an essential item in any camping kitchen set up. From quick breakfasts of instant oatmeal, to re-hydrating backpacking meals, to making that essential cup of coffee on a cold morning in the forest, a camp kettle is a must-have for any camping family or solo camper.

It’s faster and easier to use a tea kettle to boil water than a pan on the stove top. Further, many camping kettles are made of stainless steel, allowing them to be used directly on a campfire. Camping kettles come in various shapes and sizes, from options with a short spout to wide spout designs.

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Essential Features for Camping Kettles

When I’m looking for a camping kettle I’m typically looking for something that can boil water quickly, is versatile, and will work for our whole family.

For our family, that looks like:

• Stainless steel design. I prefer a stainless steel kettle, so we have the option to safely use it on a campfire if we need to.
• A short water spout with a good lid featuring a wide opening. A short spout means less room for storage, and a wide opening at the lid makes filling the kettle with water easier.
• Large enough to accommodate water for the whole family. Often my kids will wake up hungry. Keeping packets of instant oatmeal makes for a quick and easy breakfast for my children while I get my first cup of coffee going. Our camping kettle can do both, so my kids get past their hangry moment and I can get that vital first cup of coffee!
• Something quiet. I don’t need my tea kettle to whistle while I’m camping. In fact, I’d prefer it doesn’t, especially when I want a cup of herbal tea around the campfire before bed.
• An easily packable and storable design. While we haven’t started backpacking as a family of four (yet!), we do prefer something that will store easily in our camping kitchen box for our car camp trips.

This article breaks down the best camping kettles based on your needs. Choose the following categories to find your perfect camping kettle. Some kettles can fit in several categories, so you may see some repeated favorites on the list!

Best Overall Camping Kettle

GSI Outdoors Glacier- This classic kettle is the same design my husband bought for me for Christmas over ten years ago! It’s still going strong in our house, and I love how ultralightweight (at only 9 oz.) and versatile this little kettle is. With a simple stainless steel design throughout, you don’t have to worry about silicone breaking down over time. Plus it works well on gas stoves, pocket rockets, and directly on the campfire. Unfortunately, REI no longer sells this classic model.

Best Camping Kettles for Car Camping

Car camping gives you the luxury to choose camping gear that fits your needs without worrying about weight or size in your backpack. It also gives families or anyone new to camping a more approachable way to camp in the great outdoors.

The following tea kettles are versatile, still lightweight options, and will provide hot water when you need it most! They’re the perfect choice for those keeping their base camp near the car.

GSI Halulite 1.8 Quart Tea Kettle – The GSI Halulite kettle features aluminum and alloy construction, making it a durable option for families. Its 1.8 liter capacity means you have plenty of hot water for the whole family. At only 8.7 ounces, this can also make a lightweight option for families looking for a backpacking tea kettle.

OXO Camp Stove Kettle –This kettle features retractable silicone handles, making it easy to store. Add in that it holds over one liter of water, this camp kettle is a perfect fit for car camping families who plan to use their kettle on camp stoves. Despite its stainless steel build, this kettle is not for use on open flames.

Best Camping Kettles for Backpacking

Choosing a camping kettle for backpacking means you’re more likely to choose one that is lightweight and compact, making it easy to store in your backpack. All these options fit the bill, coming in at less than 1 lb. Some can also be used directly on an open fire. Since they are smaller, they are better suited for solo use, or if you are willing to refill them as needed. An added benefit of using a kettle for backpacking is if you are eating lightweight, prepackaged freeze-dried meals you can forgo a cooking pot, making your camp kitchen even more minimalist.

Sea to Summit Detour Stainless Steel Collapsible Kettle – This lightweight and compact tea kettle collapses for easy storage during backpacking trips. It also features food-grade silicone on the lid for a secure fit, and at only 15 ounces, it’s a great option for anyone hitting the trail.

GSI Outdoors Glacier- This classic kettle is the same design my husband bought for me for Christmas over ten years ago! It’s still going strong in our house, and I love how ultralightweight (at only 9 oz.) and versatile this little kettle is. With a simple stainless steel design throughout, you don’t have to worry about silicone breaking down over time. Plus it works well on gas stoves, pocket rockets, and directly on the campfire. Unfortunately, REI no longer sells this classic model.

GSI Outdoors Halulite 1 Qt. Kettle – The design for the Halulite is similar to the Glacier, except it’s made from hard-anodized alloy to distribute heat evenly and quickly. It also features silicone wrapped handles for a comfortable grip. At only 5.8 ounces, it’s one of the lightest weight tea kettles on the market!

Best Camping Kettles for Families

Depending on your family’s size, you may be more interested in choosing a kettle that can hold more cups of water than some of the other options on this list. These kettles hold enough water for large groups, and work well with larger gas burner camp stoves.

GSI Halulite 1.8 Quart Tea Kettle – The GSI Halulite kettle features aluminum and alloy construction, making it a durable option for families. Its 1.8 liter capacity means you have plenty of hot water for the whole family. At only 8.7 ounces, this can also make a lightweight option for families looking for a backpacking tea kettle.

GSI Outdoor Percolator 8 Cup – This classic design is the perfect kettle for families looking for a versatile kettle. With an enamaled exterior, and stainless steel core, it works to maximize heat distribution for that perfect cup of coffee! Remove the percolator (like I prefer, because I’m a pour over girl) and it makes a spacious kettle for the whole family.

Odoland 4L Camping Kettle Set- This kettle set comes with an enormous 4L kettle and four stainless steel mugs, perfect for the family to enjoy a hot beverage or instant oatmeal together.

OXO Camp Stove Kettle –This kettle features retractable silicone handles, making it easy to store. Add in that it holds over one liter of water, this camp kettle is a perfect fit for car camping families who plan to use their kettle on camp stoves. Despite its stainless steel build, this kettle is not for use on open flames.

Best Camping Kettles for Campfires

When choosing a camp kettle for use over an open flame, choose one with stainless steel construction that works well on a fire base. Why use stainless steel over an open flame? Stainless steel is highly fire resistant, corrosion resistant, as well as durable. This allows it to withstand high heat and flame exposure. Further, because of its durability, stainless steel is a great choice for all weather conditions and works as an efficient heat exchanger, heating up the perfect hot beverages quickly.

You may choose to cook over a campfire if you’re wanting to go with a minimalist camping setup, or it may be as simple as already having a fire going and wanting to utilize it for more than just warmth.

GSI Outdoors Glacier- This classic kettle is the same design my husband bought for me for Christmas over ten years ago! It’s still going strong in our house, and I love how ultralightweight (at only 9 oz.) and versatile this little kettle is. With a simple stainless steel design throughout, you don’t have to worry about silicone breaking down over time. Plus it works well on gas stoves, pocket rockets, and directly on the campfire. Unfortunately, REI no longer sells this classic model.

Fire Maple Antarcti – This lightweight, stainless steel camping kettle comes in sizes ranging from 1 liter to 1.5 liters, allowing you to choose the best fit for your water capacity needs. All are made from stainless steel and are ideal for using on an open flame.

Best Camping Kettles for Coffee Drinkers

If you’re anything like me, you’re going to wish you could pack your coffee maker with you on a camping trip. I’ll admit, I am addicted to coffee, and camping can go from a great time spent with family to an intolerable headache quickly if I don’t have my morning coffee fix. prefer using my kettle and a pour-over for my camp coffee, but here are some other options if you prefer a design more similar to a coffee pot.

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Steel 6 Cup Percolator – Unlike the option below, this percolator features a stainless steel exterior, along with silicone handles to stay cool. It also features an attached hinge to prevent the lid from going missing.

GSI Outdoors Percolator 8 Cup – This classic design is the perfect kettle for families looking for a versatile kettle. With an enamaled exterior, and stainless steel core, it works to maximize heat distribution for that perfect cup of coffee! Remove the percolator (like I prefer, because I’m a pour over girl) and it makes a spacious kettle for the whole family.

Odoland 4L Camping Kettle Set- This kettle set comes with an enormous 4L kettle and four stainless steel mugs, perfect for the family to enjoy a hot beverages from coffee to tea. Unlike the other options on this list, this kettle doesn’t include a percolator, so be sure to pack your favorite pour-over or French press!

Can I use an electric kettle for camping?

An electric kettle will require electricity. If you are planning your camping trip at a full hookup site in your camper, and if you have room to bring one along, sure! Electric kettles heat water more quickly than nonelectric kettles.

If you are choosing more primitive camping, or don’t have the additional space to bring a bulky electric kettle that most likely includes a base, then choose one of the excellent camping kettle options from this list. Even if you are choosing an electric kettle for your camper, you may want to include a small camping kettle in your emergency preparedness kits. If you lose power, having a kettle that can work over a campfire will bring your family peace of mind.

The Best Camping Kettle

Whether you’re camping on your own or camping with the whole family, look for a camp kettle that can be used on either a gas stove or a campfire. Choose one that can hold enough water for your needs and made of durable materials to last for years to come.

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