A solar kettle small enough to be carried on a bicycle in place of a water bottle, offers the prospect of a cup of freshly-brewed tea on every ride. Just as long as the sun comes out.
The solar kettle looks like a conventional thermos, but uses fold-out reflectors to harness energy.
In Britain, our national obsession with tea means we down as estimated 165 million cups a day – a habit that consumes a considerable amount of electricity.
The solar kettle requires sunlight to boil water, but even in dull weather it can be used to pre-heat the water to 55-60°C and offers obvious advantages over a conventional thermos.
The solar kettle costs £35 to buy, weighs about one kilo and holds a pint of water.
Very few things beat a good cup of tea, but a comprehensive cycle insurance lets you relax in the knowledge your bike is in safe hands. Cycle insurance from the ETA covers against theft (new-for-old and no depreciation over time) accidental damage and vandalism (including at race events) plus £5m third party cover plus masses of other benefits in one comprehensive policy.
Amoeba
The trouble with portable solar devices in the UK is our unpredictable weather. A great idea, except in the UK when our intermittent Summer will probably mean it will hardly ever work. probably great in continental Europe, and many other places.
I have a solar-powered kettle, it uses stored solar-power (a hand-full of twigs) and works whatever the weather, wind, rain or shine. It also holds about a pint. Boils in a few minutes, it’s really quick!
There are a number of these commercial designs, all based upon the same principle, a broadly cylindrical kettle, with coaxial chimney and a firebox beneath. A search for ‘volcano kettle’ will bring up a variety of brands. It is essential to keep the firebox off the ground, since it gets very hot and will scorch vegetation, or bare soil, leaving a fire-scar. I use a small home made wire stand made from one-inch wire-mesh that keeps the firebox one inch / 2.5 cm off the ground, which cures the problem entirely. The only disadvantage is that the volcano kettle isn’t suitable for use in areas where there is a risk of fire from naked flames. I implore everyone who uses such a stove to protect the ground, the environment and take great care to use theirs only where it is safe and legal to do so.
Fire-scars last for months. Fire-scars are illegal, environmentally irresponsible, unsightly, and antisocial, please don’t cause them!
Ideal for use on the beach.
Mary
Tea isn’t so important to us* – and all that bother even for a volcano Might as well just have your drink in a vacuum flask, prepared at home.
* there’s nothing wrong with cold water.
Amoeba
Mary,
It’s true there’s nothing wrong with cold water, in-fact potable water is by far the heathiest drink. Whereas many people like those fizzy drinks that so-often contain fructose syrup, (AKA ‘High Fructose Corn Syrup’, the important part is the ‘fuctose’). It’s important to realise that fructose can only be metabolised by the liver and results in fat deposits. Research has found such drinks are heavily linked to obesity. As indeed are the so-called low-calorie versions of fizzy drinks, but I’m unsure of the mechanism.
So-called ‘energy drinks’ (which contain fructose) are problematic for non-atheletes, which means almost everyone, although their marketing dishonestly targets the much wider & far more lucrative youth market, .
I always carry water, the volcano is for specific trips. Clearly, the volcano or the solar equivalent are not for lightweight cyclists, but at least they are refillable and given supplies of tea can provide an effectively unlimited supply of boiling water for refreshing beverages and soup.