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By Bridget Bor gob elloMay 22, 2013

18 Comm ent s5 Pictur es

Solar Kettle boils water usingthe Sun's rays

Developed by British engineer James Bentham, the Solar Kettle can boilwater simply by using sunlight

Image Gallery (5 images)

Developed by British engineer James Bentham, the Solar Kettle can boilwater simply by using sunlight. The portable thermos-like product uses aspecial thermal technology to boil water without the need for any powerinput, thus making it ideal for camping, picnics and outdoor activities.

The Solar Kettle features a thermal vacuum tube which absorbs and

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5/26/13 Solar Kettle boils water using the Sun's rays

www.gizmag.com/solar-kettle/27594/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=b3278aa19d -UA-2235360-4&utm_medi um=email&utm_term=0_65b67 2/8

converts the suns rays into heat. Two exterior reflectors open out tomaximize the amount of solar energy obtained, enabling the water inside toboil without the need for any further energy supply. The kettle also comeswith an built-in stand so that it can be positioned to face the sun, along witha thermometer located on the lid, which allows the user to monitor thetemperature of the contents.

Similar to other insulated products, the Solar Kettles exterior remains coolto touch, even when the contents are at the boiling point, reducing the riskof burns to the user. It can also be used to store hot water for long periods

of time.Weighing 1.2 kilograms (2.6 lb) when empty, the Solar Kettle is light enoughto carry in a backpack but is considerably heavier than your averagethermos (mine weighs 300 grams/0.65 lb). The kettle can hold 500 ml (17oz) of water, which will take approximately two hours to boil from cold. Thistiming can vary depending on the amount of sun available, and furtherreduced if the water has been previously heated.

In survival situations, the kettle can be used to sterilize river water or snowand purify it for drinking. It can also desalinate sea water to produced cleanwater that is safe to drink.

In everyday situations, the Solar Kettle can be used to boil enough water tomake three cups of tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soup and even a boiledegg or two. The video below demonstrates a couple of campers boiling twocups of tea and an egg with the Solar Kettle.

UK company Contemporary Energy is currently taking online orders for theSolar Kettle, which is priced at approximately US$53.

Source: Contemporary Energy Ltd

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I think that is really cool and green. I think it would be very useful fortimes when the power is out. I think it would be also very good forcamping or trips.

BigWarpGuy 22nd May, 2013 @ 02:25 pm PDT

Given the high weight, tiny capacity, and long heating time it is noteven remotely practical.

Slowburn22nd May, 2013 @ 03:40 pm PDT

it takes an electric kettle 2 minutes to boil that much water with 2000watts, so if you had a bike powered electric generator it would take20 minutes on slow pedal speed, or 10 going like a crazy guy. so in 2hours 120 minutes, it's about... 30 watts...

a 30 watts thin film solar panel is about 30 pounds, and it's alot moreversatile, and same as a couple of a2 sheets of paper. and it's alsolighter.

interesting.

Antony Innit22nd May, 2013 @ 05:08 pm PDT

Designed by a British engineer, it should generally have a goodchance of working in sunnier climes! I wonder though, if filled right upfor use on a very sunny day, is there any risk of steam pressureexpelling contents when opened? Or is there an 'over-pressure' valveincorporated? I agree it seems a bit heavy for hikers though, they areusually worrying about every little gram.

The Skud22nd May, 2013 @ 08:26 pm PDT

Great design concept. But, 500 ml in 2 hours is too little and too long.And this is solar powered so you will have to be stationary for 2 hours.Self defeating.

Nantha23rd May, 2013 @ 12:18 am PDT

I am planning a climb up an 8000 meter mountain this summer. I wasthinking that this might be a good solution to the drudgery of havingto spend half the day melting ice for drinking.

NOT

Obviously, this guy got an engineering degree without having learnedanything about engineering. If this device covered a MUCH largerarea with something light like mylar, it might actually have somepotential. As it is, it is an embarrassing failure.

mashimisha23rd May, 2013 @ 03:14 am PDT

I think it's a great idea. I'd love to see how efficient it is and if it could


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be integrated into solar hot water for the home. Humans are verywasteful with energy, I'd love to see more environmentally friendlysolutions like this. Obviously this wouldn't suit all climates, andlatitudes but there are many in which this would work extremely well.

Australian23rd May, 2013 @ 04:49 am PDT

Interesting title but dissapointing product. I mean, my respect for thedesigner but two hours for boiling point it is too much time for anemergency. Well, probably in my my country with a 34 celsiusaverage temperature work faster, or in africa.

CaLopez201223rd May, 2013 @ 07:52 am PDT

Another great British invention that needs the Japanese to perfect it &the Chinese to copy it for half the price.

Glen Aldridge23rd May, 2013 @ 08:15 am PDT

This is a brilliant fundamental idea badly in need of a redesign! Itneeds more mirror surface and that surface needs to be shaped in anellipse.

Timothy Damien Rohde23rd May, 2013 @ 09:39 am PDT

This is not an especially new idea, just a limited implementation of someone else's great idea. Some years ago I saw several variations of this where the solar concentrator was rather like an umbrella andsince it had a much larger reflector the cooking time measured inminutes not hours.

This would be greatly improved with a collapsible mylar reflectormodelled either like an umbrella, or a trough mirror, etc. There aremany ways to do this none of which are particularly novel but are stillgreat solutions.

And, yup, the Chinese will steal & reverse engineer this and find someplace to make it at slave labour rates & conditions whereupon it willbe shipped to stores where local retail serfs wil l be paid squat to putstuff on shelves.

StWils23rd May, 2013 @ 09:52 am PDT

I have to agree with the other comments, to little volume and to slowto heat it up, its just not practical. I think the design is very simple, 2reflectors and a vacuum tube to contain the heat?

I think the idea of a solar kettle is good but it needs to be made out of more technologically advanced materials that are light weight thatreflect more(or the same) amount of light.

Need more light reflecting areas that could expand, like a lightweightreflective material that could roll up.

Nathaneal Blemings23rd May, 2013 @ 10:22 am PDT


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I saw the product at a show at a world festival here LA and wasimpressed. For us, it makes perfect sense with the weather we have.They did tell us that is works with clouds in sky, although I'd like toverify that. All in all, it's a great entrepreneur's product and I wishthem well.

33Nick23rd May, 2013 @ 11:23 am PDT

I think it is a great idea, just ordered one, and I'm thinking of hangingit in my office window that faces the morning sun.. get to office andhot water is ready to make tea or coffee.

Rodger Evans23rd May, 2013 @ 12:28 pm PDT

Two hours til coffee when camping? No thanks, I'll build a fire.

Suspicious Chihuahua23rd May, 2013 @ 12:47 pm PDT

As others said - too little water and too much time to be practical yet.

If they hooked that thing up to batteries to keep batteries charged(and maybe added a wind up battery charger as well) and then used abattery assist to speed it up that might make it more practical.

kidsandliz23rd May, 2013 @ 01:47 pm PDT

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