Although it might be a little challenging to make yourself a cup of hot water as you’re settling into your van on the side of the road, electric kettles made for camping are easy to find. They often come fully equipped with cords and plugs that you can use for AC and DC power sources. With the suitable model, you’ll also get intense heat so that your water comes out crisp without having to boil it several times. With these kettles, convenience is one of their many benefits.
With a bit of planning and some good luck, you’ll find that camping in your vehicle is pretty comfortable. Check out some of the best quality electric kettles we’ve reviewed to make sure you’re choosing the right one for your van life needs.
There are not many electric kettles worth more than $70-$100 – most will cost you more like $50 or more. Here is our list of the best-priced ones:
- Outback PowerFoil 30 Cup Portable Electric Kettle
- Primus EK3 Electric Kettle
- Double Kettlebell Handle Stainless Steel Tea Kettle with Lid and Cup
- Farberware FCP280B Specialty Series Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle(Bonavita BV382510V 1.7L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle)
- The Coleman RoadTrip XLS
- The HICAA Portable Electric Kettle
- The Stok Portable Electric Kettle
- The Triphook Portable Electric Kettle
- The Coleman Outdoor Kitchen 3.0
All of them have got very positive customer reviews. There are many more kettles, but these are the best-reviewed and most popular ones, at least according to Amazon. Their prices vary from $50 to $100.
Using a kettle in van life is pretty straightforward – you plug it into your car/truck’s power supply, add water and use it for boiling water or cooking. You’ll want to stay away from the cheaper $20 kettles, as these are usually useless for anything but coffee and tea. It’s best to pick up a bit more expensive if you want something more than just good enough for some hot beverages. Of course, there are always exceptions.
The best electric kettle for van life is something you’d use for boiling water for noodles, ramen, or any other hot food. It should be:
- Reliable
- Portable and lightweight(preferably with a handle)
- Easy to use(add water and start the boiling process) The kettle must have all of these particular features. Otherwise, it would be best to think twice before buying it.
Outback PowerFoil 30 Cup Portable Electric Kettle
It’s the best-priced (around $70) and most popular electric kettle in the market, and for a good reason. It has a reasonable number of positive customer reviews on Amazon. Most people like it because it performs its tasks well and is pretty reliable, yet it is not too complicated to use. Also, it’s easy to store and transport with its small (30 oz.) capacity. That has made it a great choice if you’re looking to buy a small electric kettle for van life.
It is pretty versatile, suitable for all kinds of beverages, soups, and stews. You can use it for heating water in most appliances (like a microwave or electric pressure cooker), as well as in other places (like a camper, RV, or boat).
Primus EK3 Electric Kettle
It is the best-rated electric kettle that costs more than $100. It’s also our choice for the best electric kettle for van life because we’ve read so many good things about it. It’s trendy because it’s easy to use and versatile. It is a reliable, durable electric kettle that will keep working for many years.
It has an impressive number of positive customer reviews on Amazon. Most customers have been satisfied with its performance, but like most products, there are always people out there who had problems in one way or another.
Double Kettlebell Handle Stainless Steel Tea Kettle with Lid and Cup
The kettlebell handle on this kettle is a unique design, making it pretty comfortable to hold. It’s also quite durable with excellent heat resistance. Most customers seem to agree that this electric kettle does everything it should do well and has improved their lives within the kitchen.
This kettlebell from Double Kettlebell is perfect for both the home and the van. That is due to its small size and lightweight. It has a capacity of about 1 liter and weighs a little more than 2 pounds. That means that you can take it anywhere to you like, even if you have to move a lot.
Farberware FCP280B Specialty Series Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle (Bonavita BV382510V 1.7L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle)
It is a new kind of kettle that’s very different from the others on this list. First, it doesn’t have a classic gooseneck but a digital thermometer with an LCD. You can choose the temperature you want that way, and it will heat your water to that degree.
The kettle also has a 1.7-liter capacity, so you can fit more than one person’s meal in it and boil a large amount of water at once. That makes it very efficient for use at home and on camping trips or RV outings.
The Coleman RoadTrip XLS
The Coleman RoadTrip XLS is a lightweight, simple coffee maker for camping. It comes with 12 cups, and You can use it with either AC power or DC power. This electric kettle also has a removable water tank for convenience purposes and an onboard whistle that indicates when water is boiling. Its rectangular design and removable water tank make it great for van life. You can plug it into a car cigarette lighter or connect it to one of the available AC amps when camping.
The HICAA Portable Electric Kettle
For an electric kettle that’s more compact than most, check out the HICAA Portable Electric Kettle. It measures 3.5-by-3.5 by 6.5 inches and weighs under three pounds. It has a two-liter removable water tank, and it’s small enough to bring along on your travels. It comes with a strap that fits snugly over the pot’s handle for convenient hanging when not using it.
The Stok Portable Electric Kettle
If you need to make hot water for multiple people, the Stok Portable Electric Kettle might be a good option. It comes with six cups, and it’s easy to use. This electric kettle has a locking lid that prevents splashing while you pour out the water from the pot. It measures 3-by-3 by 9 inches so that it won’t take up too much space during your travels.
The Triphook Portable Electric Kettle
For a kettle for van life with an eye to safety, check out the Triphook Portable Electric Kettle. It comes with a stainless steel mesh filter that prevents rust and kerosene from building inside the kettle. The wire mesh also prevents dirt and debris from accumulating on the heating element. It’s easy to run and clean and has a simple and compact design suitable for any camper van.
The Coleman Outdoor Kitchen 3.0
The Coleman Outdoor Kitchen 3.0 is an essential part of any cooking set-up for van life. It has three removable pots with an adjustable thermostat that provides optimal heat in each pot for excellent food presentation and even cooking. It also features a magnetic lid rack system that holds its components securely to prevent spillage during use. You can also benefit from five cups included in the unit that can make up to 12 cups of hot water at a time. The Coleman Outdoor Kitchen 3.0 is designed to go all-out in making the best meals for your adventures. It’s perfect for camping, RVing, or, yes, even van life!
How to Use Kettles for Van Living
Whether you’re living in a car, on the road, or in an RV, you’ll need a way to heat water and cook food when you’re out of your vehicle. Luckily, they aren’t that difficult to figure out. You choose the suitable kettle for your requirements and the right accessories to make life easier.
If you plan to park overnight with your camper, or even for the weekend, and you’re at a campground with hookups for electricity and water, this is very easy. You’ll need a fundamental kettle to heat water and keep it hot (electric kettles are usually only suitable for one mug of tea or one bowl of ramen). If you have a microwave in your vehicle, you can also heat water in it – make sure it’s not plugged into the power supply while the vehicle is off.
If you have no electricity on-site or want to cook using a camp stove, you’ll need to use much more equipment. A large, two-person camping stove is an option, but it could be challenging to carry around while camping and impractical if you’re only going for a day trip. Instead, some people prefer to use small camp stoves – these are usually considered much easier to carry around for extended periods.
Buying Guide
An electric kettle for van life is essential if you’re traveling with a group of people. You should invest in a device that will boil water quickly and efficiently. It’s essential to boil water quickly if you want to cook in your van or RV. You’ll also need a kettle that’s easy to carry around when you’re on the move; the design should also looks good and blend to your van interior layout, so people will notice it when visit you.
Electric Kettle Capacity
If you want to heat a large amount of water at once, make sure that you get the most appropriate kettle. When it comes to camping, this isn’t so essential as the others are more or less used in daily life (for making coffee or tea).
However, if you want to cook a meal for multiple people in your van, you’ll need to get a large kettle. The perfect electric kettle for van life will boil up to two liters of water at once. That’s what makes it ideal for cooking meals and serving coffee or tea for multiple people.
If you want to heat hot water for more people, consider getting a kettle that’s 2-liters or more significant; they’ll be able to produce more hot water at the same time as a smaller kettle would.
Quality
Ensure that the model you purchase will last a long time. Look for an electric kettle that’s made of stainless steel. A stainless steel appliance is made to last, and it’s even more durable when it comes to electric kettles. They won’t rust if you buy a quality model, and they’ll withstand use over time.
Wattage
The wattage dictates the pace at which the water heats in an electric kettle. If you want your water to boil quickly, you’ll need a high-wattage kettle. That will heat it rapidly in the 30 minutes to an hour. However, you’ll also pay more for a high-wattage electric kettle – around $25, on average.
If you prefer your water to heat slowly, consider purchasing a lower wattage or amp model. They can heat water at a slower pace, taking up to two hours or more. That might not be the fastest, but it will still have you covered.
Pay attention to the kettle’s size if you want your water to heat quickly. If you’re buying a 2-liter electric kettle, it will heat water much quicker than a 1-liter model would.
Capacity
You also need to consider capacity. A 2-liter electric kettle could sometimes boil up to four cups of water at once. To make your water boil faster, consider getting a model with a bigger capacity.
You’ll also need to take into account the design of the kettle. It is easier to clean some models than others. You’ll need to get one that’s dishwasher safe, and it should have a removable water container. You also want the travel kettle that is lightweight; this will make it easier to carry around.
If you buy the best travel kettle for van life, you’ll be able to heat water for your group. It’s an essential tool if you’re traveling or living in a van. Electric kettles are easy to clean and maintain. All you need is hot water, and you can get started on a tasty meal or drink!