Boilerwerk's Backcountry Boiler (User Pics)

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
Super Mod
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
45,835
Had this up in Becker, but I thought a few folks here would enjoy as well.
My long-awaited Backcountry Boiler (Supreme) finally arrived last week.
Took it out yesterday for its second burn and grabbed some pics in the process.

Boiler in its sack.

P1040527.jpg


Out for show.

P1040528.jpg


I took all of a minute grabbing this handful of sticks out of my yard. More than enough fuel for a burn.

P1040529.jpg


Used the 2 to prepare some fatwood shavings for a clean ignition.

P1040530.jpg


P1040531.jpg


Loaded up the chimney with a few sticks.

P1040533.jpg


Initial burn.

P1040536.jpg


P1040535.jpg


Burn from above.

P1040540.jpg


Within 4.5 minutes, I had bubbles. Within 6.5 minutes, I had a rolling boil that was actually boiling over.

P1040541.jpg


The remnants.

P1040544.jpg


The residue.

P1040545.jpg



I'm exceptionally pleased with performance.
With a little fatwood and a handful of found fuel, you can get 2 cups of cold water to boil in under 5 minutes.
The stopper functions well, so you can carry in your water for a hot drink on a hike.

I'm still getting the inside of the boiler clean though. The vessel contained some metal shavings from the etching process, and the directions called for hot water rinses and a dump of the first boil.
However, as you can see in some of the pics, little shavings are floating to the surface even on the second boil. Third boil (later)? Not so much.
Still, I'm going to give it 5 or 6 more burns and examine the water in a clear glass at that point, just to be sure I'm not getting any extra minerals.

Great product. It was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait.
I'm also supposed to have a "Firefelt" on the way.
Basically a fireproof fabric you can soak in denatured alcohol and use whenever no sticks or twigs are handy.

Devin Montgomery designed this aluminum stove based on some really old chimney kettle models. He took extant design and tweaked it nicely for a backpacking stove.
It all started in an old Backpacking Light thread back in 2009. You can read about his design here here: http://www.theboilerwerks.com/about/
Sadly, a British individual ripped off his exact design, only changing the material, and started putting out the "mKettle" (even the name is a rip-off of Devin's last name) in stainless.
 
Nice water boiler. I have one of the first generation ones with the loose stopper. As you noted if filled too full it boils over and tries to put out the fire. I found it a little hard to start the fire unless you start it in the bottom pan first, then set the water container on top.
 
Nice piece of kit!

I picked up the large kelly kettle from lee valley marked down with a dent in it three years ago and it is fun and functional.
At 4 in the morning before fishing, tea and oatmeal water is ready in 3 to 5 minutes with the chip bucket I keep by the chopping block for kettle fuel.

I cheat a little lighting them that early in the morning.....1 page of crumpled newspaper in bottom and just toss some chips/kindling in the top and light.
The firebase on the kelly fits a 1litre gsi kettle perfectly, the coals keep the teapot hot for 5 to 10 minutes for steeping. Does yours fit as well?

Have fun
 
might as well use the double post

Did not notice how small it was on first look, very cool. How big is it compared to a 1 litre bottle, could you take a pic with one beside it? My 1.5 litre kelly is too big for anything but car camping but that little boiler would be awesome for serious backpacking. What does it weigh with all the bells and whistles?
 
Brad "the butcher";10725277 said:
might as well use the double post

Did not notice how small it was on first look, very cool. How big is it compared to a 1 litre bottle, could you take a pic with one beside it? My 1.5 litre kelly is too big for anything but car camping but that little boiler would be awesome for serious backpacking. What does it weigh with all the bells and whistles?

Had to search a little bit, but more info and stats can be found here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1763800459/backcountry-boiler-hot-water-from-found-fuel

9.5 oz with all the accessories.

I've got the smallest(Trekker) Kelly kettle with the kit, it's a cool idea, and boils water hella fast once it's burning, but it's kinda bulky, and a bit finicky with the cork and chain, and handles. This seems a bit more refined, not to mention quite a bit lighter. Thanks for the pics.
 
so, this fire felt thing.

i think i know what this material is, and well, we give it away, in square meter sizes for "fire performers" to put out fires, and stuff. it will, if soaked in fuel, eventually, someday, burn, but not well :)

it's REALLLLLLLLLLY cheap. hunting down a proper soure for it, in case anyone wants to know where to basically buy YARDS of it.
 
also, this boiler, looks like a "dirty bird" but seems effective. fun!
 
so, this fire felt thing.

i think i know what this material is, and well, we give it away, in square meter sizes for "fire performers" to put out fires, and stuff. it will, if soaked in fuel, eventually, someday, burn, but not well :)

it's REALLLLLLLLLLY cheap. hunting down a proper soure for it, in case anyone wants to know where to basically buy YARDS of it.


Dude calls it "carbonized rayon felt": http://www.theboilerwerks.com/2011/...-alternative-fuel-for-the-backcountry-boiler/
 
Back
Top