I CAN’T REMEMBER the last backpacking trip I made without my iPhone, and while I sometimes carry an extra charging battery, I usually just keep my iPhone use to a minimum. For longer trips or heavy smartphone users, look to The PowerPot X, a cool portable generator that turns heat into electricity, available now via a Kickstarter project.
Basically it’s a lightweight cook pot with “encapsulated thermoelectric modules” glued to the bottom that produces electricity via a flame-resistant cable to a dual-USB charger port. You heat the bottom of the pot, presumably while boiling water for a meal, and you can charge your smartphone at the same time. Because this version can deliver 10 watts, it’s also powerful enough to charge an iPad.
The PowerPot X is a must-have for survival enthusiasts and backpackers who love using their iPhones on the trail . . . especially if they use GPS mapping apps, which can suck batteries dry.
This particular Kickstarter campaign lets you snag one of the first units available — slated for May 2014 — but you better act fast: Your window of opportunity ends January 15 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. After that, you’ll have to wait until the unit eventually makes it into regular retail production.
In the meantime, if you can’t wait, the first-generation PowerPot V, which produces 5 watts of electricity instead of 10, is available now in a sweet PowerPot V Backpacker Bundle at Amazon.com.
Want an alternative option? Try the BioLite CampStove 2, which not only can charge a smartphone or similar device vis USB, but heat your food through sticks and twigs you find along the trail. Learn more in our guide to the best camping stoves.