Collapsible kettles are great for backpacking, as they let you bring a decent-sized container for boiling water at a fraction of the size. Like any cookware, though, you’ll still need a stove to heat water in it, making it just as much work as any traditional kettle. The Voyager Kettle, a new collapsible container, offers something different.
A collapsible electric kettle, it contains an integrated heating element that allows you to boil water straight out of the device. Instead of requiring a stove, all it require is a power source, so you can boil water in a quicker, cleaner, and faster manner, no matter where you are. We know, it’s not an adequate replacement for backpackers who don’t carry hefty batteries along, but it should make a functional solution for many other folks.
The Voyager Kettle can collapse down to the size of a bowl, making it easy to squeeze into a backpack or duffel, whether you’re hiking to a stream, car camping in the mountain, or locking yourself up in a lakeside cabin to finally finish that novel you’ve been working on all year. When collapsed, it measures just 9.25 x 8 x 2 inches (width x depth x height), all while taking full shape as a 20-ounce electric kettle that measures 9.25 x 8 x 6 inches. At the bottom of the kettle sits a digital screen that shows the temperature of the heating element in real-time, with buttons allowing you to raise or lower the heat with just a single push. It remembers your settings, by the way, and will immediately return to the last previous temperature every time you turn on the heating elements.
A food-grade silicone body ensures you can use it to boil water, coffee, or tea in a completely safe manner, all while being able to keep its contents hot for up to 30 minutes (make sure to keep the lid on the entire time). That way, you don’t have to drink all that coffee immediately – you can sip on a 10oz cup right now and enjoy another hot cup 20 minutes later.
The Voyager Kettle has an ergonomic handle with a silicone grip for pouring out its contents comfortably, while a gooseneck spout ensures a slow and precise pour, so you don’t accidentally spill any of the good stuff. Both elements are designed to flip down when the kettle is collapsed, by the way, which further helps streamline its dimensions during transport. That small size makes it ideal for bringing along when you’re traveling, as it allows you to be able to easily boil coffee or tea, regardless of whichever three-star hotel, two-bit motel, or other random accommodation you end up in.
It uses a 1000-watt heating element, which can be powered from a standard outlet with either 110- or 220-volts, so you can use it, regardless of what country you end up in. However, that also means you’ll need a portable battery that can power small appliances, in case you’re ever thinking of bringing this to your outdoor adventures.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for the Voyager Kettle. You can reserve a unit for pledges starting at $109.