4Patriots Sun Kettle XL: Portable Solar Water Heater For Hunting & Emergencies - 33.8 oz Capacity

Test8:15am hazy: Air 61 degrees F; Water 60 degrees F9:00am clearing: Air 68 degrees; Water 100 degrees9:30am sunny: Air 72 degrees; Water 135 degrees10:15am sunny: Air 75 degrees; Water 180 degrees10:45am sunny; Air 76 degrees; Water 212 degrees

I just received my Sun Kettle XL yesterday and decided to give it a try today. I live in Phoenix so your results may vary from mine.Data:Location: PhoenixMonth: AugustWeather: 95 degrees, sunny not a cloud in the skyTest Time: Started at 12:15pmStarting Water Temp (from faucet): 80 degreesWater Volume: 32 ounces12:15pm - 80 degrees12:45pm - 140 degrees1:15pm - 178 degrees1:45pm - 210 degrees (test stopped)Notes:- Each time when I checked the temperature I checked & adjusted the position of the Sun Kettle.- At the end of the test I checked the water temperature with an instant read thermometer. The Sun Kettle registered 210, the instant read registered 204.After ending the test I resealed the kettle and closed the reflectors. I then left the kettle outside, but not in direct sun. After 2 hours I measured the water temperature with my instant read thermometer and it registered 186 degrees.Conclusions- While I didn't see the water boil I know it was very hot. Hot enough to make instant foods like coffee, hot chocolate, oatmeal or mac & cheese, etc.- The sealed kettle kept the water very hot even after 2 hours.- The kettle, in what I can only imagine as close to ideal circumstances, heated water to the boiling point in about 1.5 hours.- I'm fairly confident if I had more time the water would have boiled.If these are typical results then I'd say I'm very happy with the Sun Kettle XL.If my results vary in the future I'll update this review.

I have used this 4Patriots Solar Kettle many times, out camping and at home to heat water for tea only, since I received it on March 8th. It does a great job of heating up water, provided it's sunny. However, one time, after being out in the sun on a hot day, for an extended period of time, the bottom fell out while carrying it by the handle, spewing hot water in many directions, including on my pants.I had purchased the Asurion 2 Year Sporting Goods Protection Plan. I wasn't able to file a claim online, due to the Brand name of 4Patriots not being listed, but I was able to file a claim by phone. The Asurion representative was extremely helpful and kind and processed my claim right away.When I proceeded to return the solar kettle, I then discovered that the top was very much attached to the rest of the kettle. I couldn't get it to separate from the bottom. It appears that, once cooled to room temperature, the top became very secured to the bottom. I am thinking of using a strong tape and a piece of rope as a secondary handle, taping the ends of the rope to each of the closed sides. That way, if the top becomes loose while carrying it by the original handle, I will have the secondary handle that should prevent the bottom from falling out. I'll just have to make sure that the tape I use doesn't become compromised in the heat of the sun. I may just carry the solar kettle by grasping it around the sides, after closing it up.I want to continue to support products that use the sun, as I have for many years. I have to say this solar kettle is impressive, especially since the inside glass didn't break when the bottom separated from the top and hit the concrete patio floor. Guess I'm a "solar kettle is half full" kind of person.Update: I used a piece of rope plus white duct tape, covered by black electric tape for aesthetic purposes to tape the rope "handle" to the sides of the sun kettle, then taped the rope to the handle, and added the photos to this review.Final Update: I attached 2 small binder clips to the base of the sun kettle, attached white rope, then used 2 more small binder clips to attach the rope to the original handle. Now I don't need to be concerned about the tape I used in the first safety design improvement becoming compromised in the heat of the sun and the hot summer temperatures. Photos with the white rope show the final improvements.

Clever piece of equipment. Love that it uses solar power and heats up the water fast. Good to keep for an emergency or just camping/ hiking. I am happy with this purchase.

Ordered the bigger XL model from an amazon seller (which one is not important) and it was packed and delivered by amazon. The Interior product box was damaged with several puncture holes.The exterior amazon box did not look damaged however there were no packing materials (other than one piece of brown paper) to protect an obviously fragile product. The glass parts of the unit were shattered to tiny bits. Got a refund after I jumped through enough circus level loops to choke an elephant. I plan to try a different maker next time; besides I would rather have a solar oven that can do more than just boil water.

The media could not be loaded. I knew it would take more than the standard hour in our current central PA USA weather. It snowed last night and warmed up to 40 degrees this afternoon, so I set my timer and gave this an honest first test. At 2 hours and 20 minutes, it hit 150 deg F so I set my "safe water timer" for 20 minutes so that the water inside would be "safe" to drink, had it not come from my tap.At 2 hrs and 45 minutes, it reached a little over 180 deg F. It's 44 deg F outside and not all of the snow has melted from my deck. Success! The water was steaming hot when I carefully opened the top (see video). Hopefully when we use this camping later this year, it will be 40 deg F minimum. I do know that we'll have safe hot drinking water! Now I need to get the smaller sized ones for our emergency bags.

Just received them and can't wait to try them. Am so glad somebody invented these.

Heats up water pretty quickly. Under sunny skies works well.

Works as advertised. Also holds heat for a long period of time when solar wings are retracted.