The Kettle is coming !

Quote from Devin;

"…this is a BOILER! :)"

I beg to differ!

This is THE BOILER!

I picked mine up today at the post office, opened the package, unwrapped it, and just that there in my car admiring my new Boiler…Pretty cool!

Congratulations Devin. I'm really happy for you, this must feel really awesome.

Number 31 had its inaugural run today. Wow this thing is cool. I boiled 16 oz in a moderate wind in 4.5 minutes to a small simmer and 6 minutes to boil over. I did it twice and got similar results on both, so the times are the average. And that is from the time I started the lighter to boil.

One thing I noticed is that I don't want to break the twigs over the boiler, I had a lot of bark and particles falling into the water. Also, small fuel works better than large fuel. I think the boil over mark of 6 minutes is a little too long becuase I was using a mix of small and large fuel and the small fuel burned off at the 4 minute mark, so I had to reload and I lost some heat.

The cone and fire bowl is getting a nice layer of ash and crust on it, mostly burning off the spinning lube and anodizing residue. I'm thinking this will be like nice cast iron, gotta get it seasoned just right.

I have rinsed it out about 5 times now (without soap) and there is still some particles in the water chamber. I'll try soap, if that doesn't work I'll stick a hose in there and blast it out.

Again, thanks for this awesome product. I wish you the best of luck.

Mike #31

Backcountry Boiler

Pros
*Potentially unlimited fuel supply (you can keep on cooking even after your food has run out), becomes more weight-efficient the longer you go between resupplies
*Fun ambiance of having a mini "campfire"
*Supporting the local businessman and getting a highly polished, well-executed product

Cons
*Potentially no (wet, limited) fuel supply
*Possibly illegal (in areas where open fires are illegal)
*Pre-cooking fuel gathering
*Requires constant attention to keep the fire going
*No versatility (you can only boil water)
*Limited volume
*Relatively large, constant weight (9 ounces)
*Bulkier package (Nalgene-sized)
*Potential for catastrophic failure (crushed or cracked boiler)
*Very high cost = $110

Alcohol (Super Cat) Stove

Pros
*Diminishing weight: 0.3 oz (Stove) + 0.2 oz (Windscreen) + 4 oz (Typical Pot/MSR Titan Kettle) = 4.5 ounces + Fuel (typically 1 oz/day)
*Versatility (you have a pot, and can boil water and cook in that pot)
*Volume only limited by pot size
*Zero pre-cooking labor
*Zero monitoring required while cooking
*Tiny package
*Use without restrictions in campfire-limited areas
*Low potential for catastrophic failure
*Support the local businessman: yourself
*Very low cost = $0.47 plus cost of pot. But then again you already have a sexy Ti pot.

Cons
*Must bring fuel; potential for loss of fuel or miscalculation
*Higher initial weight – depending on trip duration (alcohol stove would typically be LIGHTER for a 5 day or less trip, or for the last five days of any duration trip)

So it was hard for me to resist drinking the koolaid because the stove has that cool factor (everyone loves machined aluminum… and the # on the stove… that means it was custom-made just for you, right?) and Devin is a clever, talented guy. But then I created this list and I just can't figure out the group-think here. Feel free to explain (if you can do so without emotional bias or calling for public lynching).

Sincerely,
"Not quite understanding all the hype" #000

Thanks anonymous!

We all thought of everything in your post already. Sorry you went to all the trouble : )

I still want a backcountry boiler!!

Yeah, "anonymous," or "jsj42" gets the Most Pointless, Crappy, Troll-tastic post of the year.

Good job. Remind us again, all the great things you've accomplished here at BPL?

BTW….Devin, congrats on seeing this through and accomplishing your goals!

Yeah, I wonder about this cult as well… but what intrigues me much more is how is a person able to post as "BPL Guest"???

Alright alright, it's making sense now.

> what intrigues me much more is how is a person able to post as "BPL Guest"???
We have Staff, Life Members, Members, Guests (registered but not a paying subscriber) and unregistered readers. You can't post as an unregistered reader, but all the others can post.

Cheers

So let me get this straight. You post a somewhat fair pros/cons of the boiler, but title your post with language sure to draw emotion (creepy, cult, really?), finish it with a smarmy graph on koolaid and groupthink, and then bleat at the end that folks should respond without emotional bias.

How completely disingenuous of you. And rather transparent, really. When you mature a bit you might learn subtlety.

But anyway, on to your list for the Boiler.

Cons
*Potentially no (wet, limited) fuel supply – Always this potential with any stove, as you state in the cons for alcohol stoves. Canisters can run out. Alcohol containers can be inadvertently punctured. If you've got a knife, much easier to get fuel that'll burn for the Boiler than for canister or alcohol stoves if your initial source of fuel disappears.

*Possibly illegal (in areas where open fires are illegal) – I don't see where this is any different than having any kind of stove. The cooking fire is contained to a cooking vessel. It's not like it's a campfire, regardless of one of your listed pros. I simply think you're wrong on this one, but am certainly willing to be educated by supportable fact, not supposition.

*Pre-cooking fuel gathering – Maybe 2-3 minutes. I just don't see this as a con in any way for the vast majority of people, just a statement of fact. If you personally find it a chore, then I can see where it would be a con to you.

*Requires constant attention to keep the fire going – You are simply quite wrong here. I've loaded up a production version and brought water to a boil without adding any additional fuel at all. Additionally, even if you did have to add fuel, you wouldn't need to add any til near the end of heating time, hardly 'constant attention.' And finally, I don't know of many people who put their food on any stove and then wander off for a bit. Not saying some don't, but that's usually a time when folks are gathered together cooking their meals and chatting about the day.

*No versatility (you can only boil water) – In theory, I guess, this is correct. But that's all I do (boil water), so it's certainly not a con for me. If someone liked to actually cook meals, they wouldn't be looking at this stove. This is like saying that a 'con' for a 1 person shelter is that it only accommodates one person. But further, I'd disagree with the premise. With a lightweight screen to suspend a separate pot above the Boiler, I believe you could actually boil water in the Boiler and cook a meal in a pot on top of the Boiler at the same time. I'll have to try this to see if it works. If it does then, actually, it's got much more versatility than a single alcohol stove.

*Limited volume – True. But plenty of volume for 1 or 2 people. And since I don't need any more volume than it has (and have never used more volume at one sitting than it has), then this is not a con for me or many other backpackers.

*Relatively large, constant weight (9 ounces) – No argument there.

*Bulkier package (Nalgene-sized) – This is actually no more bulky than my current setup.

*Potential for catastrophic failure (crushed or cracked boiler) – This potential exists for any stove. Inadvertently step on your alcohol stove and see what happens.

*Very high cost = $110 – Expensive, yes, can't argue with that one either.

I, personally, have no problem with your pros/cons exercise. I rather enjoyed it. But your title and last graph were simply childish, immature and intentional poking at the group so you could then stand back with mouth agape and shoulders shrugged accusing everyone of emotional bias. As I said up top, disingenuous, and pretty transparent.

Once again, I suspect there is a good chance that this guest is actually a member, registering as a guest, to post with anonymity. Someone with a bone to pick. He may have some valid points but the fact that he feels the need to hide, kind of takes away from that. Whatever.
I received my boiler as well, but have not used it yet. It looks very well made and I appreciate the details and extras that Devin has included in the package. Thanks.

Mike – I'm glad you like it, but I'm sorry about the residue on the inside. With how behind everything was, I didn't have the time to properly wash and dry all 200+. I'm going to work with the shop to have less junk get in there in the first place. Your tips are correct, and I'm hoping to create a place where users can share best practices with each other.

jsj42 – So there are a lot of people who are really enthusiastic about the Boiler (full disclosure – I am too :) ), and I think it does boil down (pardon the pun) to interest in both the object itself and the way in which it was designed and prototyped (by some dude – me). Its sounds like you're convinced on the coolness of the process (for more, start with the first post of my blog if you haven't already), but that you're unconvinced with the object.

I think the following list sums up what I think is so cool about the Boiler:

1. Light – Roughly the same size and only a bit heavier than a wide-mouthed 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. Frugal – never pay for fuel again
4. Fast – depending on fuel and operator skill, it can boil 2 cups of water in under 5 minutes
5. Delicious – Makes hot drinks, rehydrates backpacking meals (yum)
6. Quenching – Can be used as a canteen to carry water when not in use
7. Sanitary – Creates potable water through boiling
8. Hard Core – Works in almost any weather – moderate wind actually makes it 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.

Many of your concerns seem to center around the use of wood as fuel. Using wood to boil water isn't the "set and forget" of an alcohol stove, but it can be an incredibly versatile way of heating water. Many of those who use fire don't see it as "work," but rather as building a skill and more thoroughly enjoying the whole hiking experience (which is, after all, "work" in itself). Incidentally, you can use some alcohol stoves in the Boiler if you want to or need to for any reason. With the right one, it can even be quite efficient.

As far as "just boiling" goes. True that, but boiling is all I (and many) ever do or would want to do on the trail.

Size – it is just a bit larger than a titanium pot, but it also can be used as a canteen. The inside of the chimney can also be used to store fire-starting supplies. So size is really only a problem if it's left vacant during the day, and this space isn't. The same is true of weight – when fuel is factored in, the difference is negligible for short trip. Wood has a distinct advantage for longer trips.

Cost – there's not much in it when you figure in the cost of the Ti pot, which you don't need if you use the Boiler. Use freezer bags, or something really sweet like a Kupilka. Like weight, over time using wood gets a big advantage as it's free.

Catastrophic failure – Just use and pack it the right way and it won't fail.

So there are a lot of practical advantages that the Boiler has going for it, but I wouldn't discount the value of "cool." If something not only works really well, but is also really cool, why not be pumped about it?

Lastly, I do agree that someone should be able to ask questions about and even challenge a piece of gear "without emotional bias or calling for public lynching," but you also didn't have to player-hate by starting the post with "Kinda creepy cult-like boiler folks?" ;)

Edit: Thanks Katharina!

Ooh ooh ooh, did somebody say cult??? A Creeeeeepy cult? Can I join??????
You can call me Fanboy063, OK? I love rituals! OK? OK? OK? What'll we do now?

Really. Come on.

Choose whatever stove floats your boat, but don't get snarky because some of us are excited about a new stove to play with. Your Pros/Cons list can be applied to any stove comparison. Nothing new there.

@Doug: Indeed a hardware cloth ring set on top of the BCB allows you to put another pot on top for additional cooking. Medicineman did just that in this vid he posted yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B8-7dGDbmk

Personally, I see a pan with scrambled adventure eggs in it, but to each their own.

All Hail Devin, our cult leader.

The purveyor of all things boiled!

I just love a good cult

>Mike – I'm glad you like it, but I'm sorry about the residue on the inside. With how >behind everything was, I didn't have the time to properly wash and dry all 200+. I'm >going to work with the shop to have less junk get in there in the first place. Your >tips are correct, and I'm hoping to create a place where users can share best >practices with each other.

Devin – no worries at all. I should have washed the whole unit with soap before I used it and everything would have been way too cool for a guy like me. But I was too eager to try it out. #31 has character now.

Another tip. Since the water chamber has a very limited opening there isn't a lot of air movement. So drying the chamber out after washing is a little difficult (still wet after 12 hours of dry time). I stuck an air tube from a fish tank bubbler into the water chamber and forced some air up there. I let that go for about an hour and everything was dry.

I like this cult by the way… When is the next meeting?

Mike

"Indeed a hardware cloth ring set on top of the BCB allows you to put another pot on top for additional cooking. Medicineman did just that in this vid he posted yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B8-7dGDbmk"

Cool! Thanks for that link Brian!

And do we have to wear kilts in this cult?

I don't think a kilt should be required for the cult, but any of the high priestesses that want to wear a mini kilt should be encouraged.

Crap, too many cults. I am already a member of the BCB cult but would have looked pretty funny showing up to the meeting with my BackCountry Blanket from Nunatak and everyone else holding on to Machined aluminum. Guess it is time for BPL to start a cult registry so we won't run into this kind of problem in the future.

Rich (I do prefer cults that have fire involved though…..)

I wrote earlier, "What intrigues me much more is how is a person able to post as "BPL Guest"???

Roger responded, "We have Staff, Life Members, Members, Guests (registered but not a paying subscriber) and unregistered readers. You can't post as an unregistered reader, but all the others can post."

I remember the days before I paid my first annual subscription — when I posted with my own name and handle — everything except the coveted red "M" (and now "MLife"). Never knew there was a separate category called Guests.

"Awesome – seriously. Once this thing gets going, it’s like the bellows of Hades"
An accurate description of the idester clip.

Some unknown guest is having an attack of sour grapes.
I missed the whole kilt-connection but it's all in fun and all related to a great boiler.
I didn't order one this time will jump at the second chance.
Great work Devon! Really, the best part of the whole process was being able to watch the whole process.
Great community! I'll be signing up soon.

You can call us "Boilerites".

One thing I didn't see mentioned is SIMPLICITY. Only 3 parts counting the stopper. No need to do math before you hit the trail to try to figure out how much fuel you will need, how long it will last etc. No worries about running out.

I am still a relative newb here but simplicity seems to be something people here strive towards.

As far as having to "babysit" it while it cooks, I enjoy "active cooking". What else do you need to do for those 5 minutes in the woods? Check your email?

One thing I didn't see mentioned is SIMPLICITY. Only 3 parts counting the stopper. No need to do math before you hit the trail to try to figure out how much fuel you will need, how long it will last etc. No worries about running out.

That's why I want one.

How much will my cooking gear weigh for a 3-day trip: 8 ounces
How much for a 7-day trip: 8 ounces

It makes resupplying on a long trek simpler too since it's one less thing to look for in an unfamiliar trail town.

How much of a chore is it to clean out the soot and all after each use?

You don't. Just put it back in the stuff sack. That's one of the reasons I bought one.

>How much will my cooking gear weigh for a 3-day trip: 8 ounces
>How much for a 7-day trip: 8 ounces

I take your point. But I'm curious (because I'm considering getting a boiler in the next production run), is that accurate?

What do you need in addition to the BCB in order to prepare a meal? Just a pot and cozy I suppose, right?

Boil water in the boiler, pour the water in the pot, put pot in the cozy and let the meal rehydrate.

Am I missing anything?

Aside from being cool, I wonder how you first adopters plan on using the BCB.

And what are the changes that will be made in the next production run?