Backpacking pot charges USB while you cook.

[Don]

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1203647021/the-powerpot

The PowerPot transforms the heat from cooking into electricity with no moving parts. This is done using a technology called thermoelectric power generation. Thermoelectric technology was discovered in the early 1800’s, but found no consumer application in power generation due to the relatively high power needs of the devices in use at the time. However, times have changed. Today, nearly everyone uses microelectronics-based devices (smart phones, mp3 players, GPS units, etc.) which consume less than 5 watts of power.



Found via http://www.geekosystem.com/powerpot-usb-charger/

 

[Nick]

Nice!!

 

[wes242]

Now I can charge the GOPRO while shooting a Timelapse of me cooking! SWEET!
Although I know it won't charge and record at the same time...

 

[Deadeye008]

Looks pretty cool. The only issue I see with it is when I'm cooking in the backcountry my stove is usually on for only 5-10 mins at a time. The 5w pot will generate about 500ma per hour so it would require about 3 hours to fully charge your average cellphone/GPS device. I guess you could start a fire and sit the pot on it filled with water and it would charge your device but you'd have to leave it there for a few hours...

 

[Don]

Yeah, I don't tend to cook very long either, but I think it's a unique idea and I'll definitely be interested to read reviews once this thing comes out.

 

[Nick]

Yeah, the charging time wouldn't make sense for regular backpacking trips. But imagine if you were out on a trail for weeks or months. Could be very valuable. It would be well worth it to keep a pot on the fire for a while to get things charged up in that situation.

 

[Deadeye008]

Yeah, the charging time wouldn't make sense for regular backpacking trips. But imagine if you were out on a trail for weeks or months. Could be very valuable. It would be well worth it to keep a pot on the fire for a while to get things charged up in that situation.

True, would also be handy in an emergency situation where residential power was knocked out.