Text and photo by Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi, Senior Field Instructor and Lightweight Backpacking Pro at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
As a tinkerer of gear, I get really excited when someone decides to build something they want that doesn’t exist. In the case of engineer Devin Montgomery, that something was a wood-fired boiler small and light enough to take backpacking in an ultralight style. For people cooking one-pot meals, “just add water” meals, or “boil in a bag” food, the ability to travel without fuel is an unquestionable advantage in the field. The Backcountry Boiler is an efficient, eco-friendly (it burns renewable fuels!) stove system that evolves the lightweight kit to the next level.
The Backcountry Boiler is elegant in design and function. It allows a backpacker to travel without lugging petrochemical-based fuels by burning natural renewable fuels they find along the way. Weighing in at 8.8 ounces, the boiler is heavier than some alcohol stoves but is comparable to many other wood burners. But unlike other wood burners, the boiler can also be used as a water bottle with the included stopper!
The boiler functions on the simple chimney effect. A small fire is built in the burner base using tinder. It’s easier to light the fire and then place the boiler on the base. Be sure that the stopper is not plugging the water fill hole, or the vessel could explode.
The Backcountry Boiler proves to be surprisingly fast. Boiling two cups (16oz./500ml) of water multiple times per day over six days on a NOLS Lightweight Backpacking Course, I consistently had boil times of five minutes or less at altitudes between 8,000-10,000 feet, often using frigid water. This volume of water is ideal for “boil in a bag” type meals.
It’s important to note that the boiler doesn’t actually boil your food in the boiler its self, but boils the water to be added to your dehydrated meal in either a bag designed for this, or another container, perhaps your titanium mug.
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Posted by: David Ng | February 26, 2012 at 02:22 AM
Awesome product. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: [email protected] | January 19, 2012 at 09:50 AM
thanks for the sharing
Posted by: phần mềm nhân sự | January 09, 2012 at 09:44 PM
This is really a good idea. Can you tell me where to get this in India? http://www.jobsonacruiseship.org
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 05, 2012 at 11:31 PM
Back when I was in the Army, we made do with bunsen-burner-esque field kitchens, none of this fancy stuff with boilers 'n stuff. My opinion is, the more high-tech or advanced or cool it is, the more likely it is to break down when you need it the most. ;) Also, I like to travel lightly.
Then again, it IS nice to have something that is eco-friendly. We only have one Earth after all. Might have to keep my eyes peeled for a mini-version. :D
Posted by: Henrik Strömblad | January 05, 2012 at 11:07 AM
The Backcountry Boiler is a whole new concept for me. but I like it all together. And yes its eco friendly too! http://delhitoshimla.net/
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 03, 2012 at 12:40 PM
Thank you for making this site very interesting! Keep going! You're doing very well!
Posted by: maldives honeymoon packages | January 03, 2012 at 08:27 AM
Wow, this looks like a very clever little cooker that checks-off all the right boxes.
Posted by: Bronson Harrington | January 03, 2012 at 05:46 AM
i like the idea of this boiler I donno I how much effective it is still idea is great.http://kalkatoshimla.com/
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 02, 2012 at 04:16 AM
No more gas, thet's the right way :)
Posted by: Žogi | January 02, 2012 at 04:12 AM
Forget mkettle. They ripped off Devin Montgomerry's design. Google it to read the discussion threads.
Posted by: Sparky Millikin | January 01, 2012 at 07:03 PM
Forget boilerworks get a mkettle ;-) mkettle.com/iwantmymkettle
Posted by: H Tabe | December 31, 2011 at 11:26 AM
This post is interesting teaching travellers and adventurers to become eco friendly. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Dresses | December 30, 2011 at 07:51 PM
This is a great idea and eco-friendly invention.
Posted by: Jezreel Ricafort | December 30, 2011 at 07:49 PM