Precisely designed and manufactured, and based on simple thermodynamic principles, the Backcountry Boiler represents an utterly sensible way to make hot meals and drinks in the outdoors. In contrast to complicated contraptions that run on fossil fuels or electric fans, it's simple, light, and operates on fuels available everywhere: paper, cardboard, pine cones, twigs. It also brings back the joy of a natural fire in a way that is much more responsible than having an open campfire.

Model Information

The Backcountry Boiler and Hard Anodized Backcountry Boiler both include a silicone stopper, neoprene sleeve, and silicone-impregnated stuff sack in addition to the metal water vessel and fire base. The Backcountry Boiler Raw only includes the metal water vessel and fire base.

10 reasons to really really like it

1. Light: roughly the same size and weight as a wide-mouth water bottle

2. Versatile: can operate on virtually anything flammable (so no fuel to carry, but also unlimited hot water. It's basically like perpetual motion.)

3. Fast: depending on fuel and operator skill, it can boil 2 cups in under 5 minutes

4. Frugal: no more fuel bottles or canisters to buy

5. Delicious: not only makes hot drinks, but also a wide array of boil-only meals

6. Quenching: can be used as a canteen to carry water

7. Sanitary: creates potable water through boiling

8. Hard Core: works in almost any weather - protected combustion chamber dries wet fuel and uses wind to burn hotter

9. Low Impact: burns efficiently so it requires little kindling and leaves little ash

10. Awesome: seriously. Once this thing gets going, it's like the Bellows of Hades.

Specs

• Weight, bare metal: approx. 6.5 oz
• Weight, with all accessories (Backcountry Boiler and Hard Anodized Backcountry Boiler only): 8 oz
• Pack displacement: approx. 90 ci, roughly the size of a wide-mouth water bottle
• Capacity, absolute: 23 oz, recommended max boiling: 16 oz
• Boiling time, with dry fuel: 4 - 8 minutes from striking a match (improves with practice)
• Fuel used to boil 16 oz with dry wood: approx. 1.5 oz, a small handful
  
  

Warranty

The Backcountry Boiler vessel carries a lifetime warranty against leaks.

Origin

Designed in Pittsburgh. Made in the USA.

FAQ

What's the difference between the Backcountry Boiler and the Hard Anodized Backcountry Boiler?

The hard anodizing on the anodized Boiler gives it a slightly darker, incredibly tough finish that keeps it looking nicer for longer.

I ordered the Hard Anodized Boiler, but it's not as dark as other hard anodized parts I have. Why is this?

Unless it's either dyed or very thick, hard anodizing is naturally light gray. Unlike hard anodized cookware you might have, the Boiler is designed to be light. Because the layer of aluminum oxide created by anodizing consumes some of the base material and is very hard, but not very strong, a particularly thick layer of anodizing would compromise its strength. This would be bad. Fun fact: because of its micropourous surface, a new anodized Boiler will feel slightly sticky.

It's a bit tricky to insert the stopper into the Boiler's spout. Why is this?

If you've ever had a water bladder or bottle leak in your pack during a cold overnight hike, you know that it ruins your life. The stopper fits in the spout very tightly to prevent there from being virtually any chance of it leaking. If you fill the Boiler up with water, insert the stopper, turn it upside down and shake like hell, you'll see what I mean.

When the fire bowl nests inside the chimney for storage, there's a gap between the bottom of the water vessel and the lip of the firebowl. Why is this?

It starts with the way the Boiler is used. Because the wood you will burn in it creates sticky creosote, there needs to be a degree of horizontal freedom between the water vessel and the fire bowl to reduce the likelihood of them sticking together. This means that when the firebowl is inverted and nested in the chimney, there will also be some freedom where they meet. Originally, I made that freedom horizontal, so the Boiler looked nice in my design program and on the shelf. But after I and other users found that this could lead to the parts rattling against each other in the pack, I changed that freedom to vertical. This creates the gap you see, but also makes the Boiler much quieter in your pack.