4Patriots Sun Kettle vs. SunLabs SK-V4 (Solar Water Heater)

[@dhj1182]

It's kind of disappointing neither reach the boiling point, my interest is to purify stream water, not just heat for tea or instant coffee. Thanks for the testing, though, interesting to watch.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Well in the video the skv4 got to 212 F which is boiling.

[@pikespeakgold]

To be safe to drink, water only needs to get to 150 F for about 6 minutes. This is called water pasteurization.

[@yahuahcansaveusthroughyahu5176]

Yes I read at 160 degrees for 30 minutes or 185 degrees few minutes but all should research on own.

[@danielkutcher5704]

Check out the Kelly Kettle as an emergency water boiler. Any dry, natural fuel will get you boiling water in minutes. Good review and comparison.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Thanks! Yes, I'll check it out!

[@Mapleaple]

The best thing to boil water via solar was a large fresnel lens pointed at a titanium pot or a stainless steel on. Can get things to boil around 5 minutes. 2 cups worth of water.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Wow 5 minutes is impressive!

[@darrellmerino]

Great practical test. Perfect review in considering a purchase. Thanks

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Glad it was helpful!

[@frontier9142]

You know either one of those you could set the angle to the Sun by just putting a rock or a limb under the stainless steel angle rods

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

That would probably work too. I just wouldn't want to search around for different size rocks and limbs all the time. Lol

[@PTFO]

Also, the price of the sun kettle is substantially lower that the SK V4. The 4PSK XL is about $99. It is near twice the capacity of the 4PSK.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

True that. I know the SKV4's have been sold out for a while.

[@kindracasey3914]

Thanks for the comparison video. I was thinking about ordering a sun kettle. I'll be ordering the sk-b4. Happy holidays!

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

You bet! Glad I was able to help you decide!

[@keithfillinger3182]

I just bought a 4 Patriots Sun Kettle a couple months ago. I live in Wisconsin and have been testing it in my yard in varying conditions. I think the only real difference in performance between the two models is the elevating stand which allows better placement into the sun. You should do another video and reverse the roles or omit the stand on the other model to see if there truly is a difference in performance.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Well there are actually lots of upgrades to the SK-V4 beside just the vertical stand. The ability to add or remove water without removing the lid, anti burn handle, more efficient heating tube etc. Sun Kettle is a great product but I just like the upgrades the sk v4 has. It really does heat up way faster. I tested the two of them two days ago in 58 degrees with mild wind and sunshine. The sun kettle never got to boiling even after five hours. The sk v4 got to boiling in 2 hours 25 minutes. On Thursday I am going to do a third test on both units without using the vertical rod on the sk v4. So I'll see if it heats any faster with just the upgraded tube alone. I will follow up with my results!

[@johnnybigglesworth9842]

@@JMGENTERPRISES I've been searching all over on line for the SK-V4 kettle. Where are these sold at? They seem to be quite rare.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@johnnybigglesworth9842 - I've seen them on a few websites but see they are sold out. I know there are some on Etsy. www.etsy.com/listing/1130251023/sunlabs-sk-v4-solar-water-heater-sun

[@karenbuckner1959]

Location and angle of the sun really makes a difference. With my AA Sun Oven, I increase the height angle and turn it periodically to keep it at right angle to the sun. Huge heat difference. I like the extra features you showed with the sk. We've been considering a Sun Kettle and purposely watch your review. Thanks!

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Thanks for sharing! Hope the video helped!

[@mikebenoit6648]

Thanks for your video it helps me with getting the right Solar Sun Kettle

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Happy I could help!

[@lacha608]

Opening the Patriot every half hour and letting the cold air in probably slowed it down quite a bit. A fairer test would have been just waiting until the sk4 reached boiling and then checking the temp of the patriot. There are a lot of complaints about the sk4s arriving broken or defective, but it's hard to know when reviews are legit.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I hear ya.

[@sanskritmantra1113]

i dont think its a fair comparison you never opened the skv4 but everytime you opened the sun kettle and it was open about a minute so you kept not only letting the heat out but you stopped the heating process as it was open a good comparison would be to leave both for a couple hours dont check before and then take the top off the skv4 as long as you took the cap off the sunkettle that would give you a valid comparison just a thought

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I hear what you're saying. However, the Sun Kettle does not have a temp gauge and you must make sure not to run it dry. In the instructions, it states to check every 30 minutes or so for a safety precaution. From my further testing, I have come to the conclusion the SK-V4 is about 200% faster in bringing water to boil than the Sun Kettle.

[@sanskritmantra1113]

@@JMGENTERPRISES their new xl has a tehermometer in the top like the other and it boiled water in only a acouple hours in rhode island cool weather not cold

[@jordanbwaugh7142]

Camp stakes are more useful to hold more items than normal (corners same way middle opposite way remember small and glass to heat small weight small swing or light foot tamp). Each company Sun Dial! On stakes use electrical if not coated

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good tips!

[@crusherfl4464]

First off, good video, but wanted to point out a couple of things I think would make this a fairer compare. I am not sure how secure that rubber seal for the thermometer would be if I would be packing water in a backpack. I mean if something were to hit it in your pack and it had hot water in it, you may have some issues. This would be a good thing to try out. I also don't think it was a fair comparison with the elevation. It is not like you couldn't put a few rocks under the 4 Patriots one to make it an equal comparison. If you were to be in the field with either and know that elevation is better and you had lost that little steel rod, I am sure you would angle it. Lastly, opening the 4 patriot one so many times is a bit unfair, especially since it is well known it will take at least 2 hours to boil (maybe longer where you are).

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good points. I haven't tried carrying the SK-V4 in a backpack but the seal on the thermometer is pretty tight. I can turn it upside down and shake it and nothing comes out. I know I couldn't have angled the sun kettle higher using rocks, wood etc. But I wanted the test to just be them stock ("off the showroom floor) so to speak. The only reason I opened the sun kettle so many times is there is no way of knowing what the temp is and you never want to overboil these things or there is a risk of them exploding.

[@johnnybigglesworth9842]

That was a pretty good review. I have two 4 Patriots kettles that have never been used, as of yet. Now I'm questioning whether or not to pick up a couple of the SK-V4 kettles. Common sense tells me ...."What are you waiting for?"

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I have one SK-V4. They are quite impressive. Just an upgraded version of the Sun Kettle.

[@kftc1980]

The price you quoted ($99) is for the larger XL model. The standard size sun kettle is $67 (June 2022).

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I didn't know they lowered the price of the standard version. I would still recommend the SK-V4 for all the additional features.

[@kftc1980]

@@JMGENTERPRISES I suggest you say “our SK-V4.” If it is truly superior you might as well embrace that and be clear about that. Giving the impression that you are a third party reviewer will undermine that.

[@jtlanden9771]

@@kftc1980 I got the same impression.

[@catharsis77]

@@JMGENTERPRISES XL has 2x the water and a thermometer and you can always find someway to tilt it without a metal rod to forget.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@catharsis77 nice! The SK model probably still heats faster

[@GTRnissan2012]

Interesting. I’ll stick with fire. 2 hours to boil water?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Yeah its more a survivalist thing. Fire will always be faster. Lol

[@bobkoncius7381]

I found a few things that can help the patriot. Smaller oppening, hood to let less steam out, thermostat up top and a styrofoam brick to raise it following the sun. Was your leak cause by pressure diischarge? Both not do bad I feel the foam brick will show greatest improvements. Ty good test

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good ideas! Yeah the leak could be caused by pressure.

[@jordanbwaugh7142]

Guy anything that is over threaded is our own darn fault. Now I haven't used my 4Patriot Xl does have thermometer built in now stepping away from digression. Everything that threads to itself if you go opposite way 2 pops it seats flawless if not you didn't put it on correctly won't screw effortless. Live on Cape Cod ones from Yarmouth yeah tornado area of Cape been here since 1985 turns out they were right. Never would've thought 17.3 miles further in way different. However if thermometer is that easy to lift pressure may shoot it off.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I haven't had any issues with the thermometer popping off but I hear what youre saying.

[@56awhitaker]

Hmmm. My 4Patriots Sun Kettle is 4+ years old. It is as it was delivered. The solar tube is RED inside AND outside. If I were going to depend on something to boil water I would buy 1 or more Kelly Kettles. Not trying to be rude.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Sorry I don't understand what you are getting at? "It was as it was delivered"?

[@showcasecharlie11]

If the handle comes off, slide a section of fuel/rubber hose over it to make a handle to protect you from heat.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good to know. Thanks for the tip.

[@vadadofthr3357]

It actually seems a little disappointing to see how long they take to heat 16 oz of water. You better not be in a hurry.... I was going to purchase one but it doesnt seem like its worth the effort. My sun oven heats significantly faster than that I think.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Yeah, these take a bit of time but for survival purposes, I am glad to have a few of them. My buddy has a Sun Oven and likes it. I think it's just a little big to be carrying around. Especially because you can't fit it in a back pack.

[@PTFO]

Put them both out. Wait for the SK V4 to reach boiling and then open the 4P and check the temp. You mess it over each time you open it and bleed off pressure, and allow it to cool as you gauge the temp. Or use a touchless thermometer to read the temp. of the pressure relief valve, red part, at the top of the 4P. At the same time you read the temp on the SK V4.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I hear ya

[@givemefaithfarm]

It would have been a more accurate fair test if they had both been at the same angle. Otherwise, how can you tell if the tube color had any advantage? I wish I'd seen this review before buying the sun kettle. They give you the impression you can have boiling water in minutes which is garbage. Also, you didn't mention whether the SK-V4 had real mirrors. The sun kettle has cheap flimsy reflective stickers. Overall, I'm not impressed with either model. More than 2 hours to boil 16 oz. of water? Not worth it at all.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I had them pointed in pretty much the same direction. The vertical adjustment rod on the SK4V really does help cause obviously it heated the water WAY faster. Probably has something to do with the new tube design. Yeah, they do take some time to boil water but these are more for emergency use and not daily use. I would recommend bringing a small propane tank and burner if you really want to boil water fast.

[@rolandoperez8054]

The Patriot sun kettle now has a thermometer

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I'll have to check that out. Sounds like the copied someone. Haha

[@catharsis77]

@@JMGENTERPRISES Sounds like this product copied the Sun Kettle in the first place.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@catharsis77 yeah I think they just improved upon their design

[@OWK000]

You can just buy the vacuum glass tubes places and lay the tube on something reflective or stand up on its side to boil water. You will have to figure out something for a tray. The overbilt DIY guy on KZbin has some good tray building ideas if you ignore the rest of his crazy. You can also just shove stuff in there with aluminum foil and pour it out a again. $99 is reasonable, but these are very small and can break easily.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah I think many people including myself would much rather just buy it ready to go. Don't really have the time or patience to build one myself. But perhaps others would!! 🙂

[@OWK000]

@@JMGENTERPRISES Its really not much to build. It's so hot in the desert anyway, you barely need reflectors. Too much function will just burn food. It's a choice, anyway. Or why not have both.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@OWK000 - I hear ya!

[@johnlewisbrooks]

I have a rocket stove under a 55 gallon metal barrel. Nopers for no sun kettle lol.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Wow 55 gallon! Huge!

[@allioakley3372]

Thank you so much. Wonderful job✌️😊

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

You bet! Hope it was helpful 😀

[@dianeksims5944]

not sure there is a 2" gap between the water and top in the 4Patriot kettle

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

It seems like there always is on mine. Maybe they changed it.

[@tazvt]

The main issue that I noticed and would like to know how the two thermometers compare to each other. Ideally they should be the same but without verification the temps can't be completely trusted

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Possilbly. But either way the SK heats up WAY faster

[@mikebenoit6648]

Hot Water tank has metal tubes in them run copper pipes to the Hot Water Tank

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good to know. Thanks for sharing.

[@francostacy7675]

1. So the lids on both of them cross thread just as easily ? 2 the wider stance…it looks like the width is the same but the depth was different. However depth wouldn’t have much impact on lateral stability. Been nice if you had measured the width. 3. Would have been nice if you had showed us the temp of both water before you started. You may think or know it’s the same start temp but we don’t know and good testing confirms data. 4. The 4 patriots directions does it mention the tilt relative to the sun? Because it’s apparent the sun was not at an optimal angle. 5. I’m sure the 4 patriots directions don’t tell you to keep opening the lid which would impact speed of it heating . The temp of the water should have been measured with the same thermometer to remove that variable. you said you used the 4 patriots many times but later guessed it would take 4 hours or more to boil water. You should know if the heating time was typical for that day or did your your 30 minute lid opening, the variable thermometers, Lack of optimal sun angle or no verification of starting temp impact the tests 6. It appears the SK that boiled did not pour well at that top hole probably because of no vent or air movement in a small hole. That was boiling water you were spilling 7. You didn’t list the advantages of 4 patriots. I think the SK has the advantage and weakness of the thermometer. The SK is more likely to leak if you don’t press it in hard enough. The chance of losing the thermometer then severely limiting the function of that unit. Also with a glass gage that detached there was no discussion or testing for durability. Did not mention the following Cost Durability warranty Manufacturing origin Weight …these would be important to consumers especially if this is device for emergencies or while bugging out or backpacking or camping

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Wow what a thorough comment! Haha. Yeah by no means the most in depth comparison. Just wanted to point out the highlights of the SK. If you end up ordering both, please do a review and send me the link!

[@raymondmilas6370]

4 patriots could be prompted up as needed, with worrying about losing post then lifting it up

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Probably but the SK-V4 with it's adjustment rod makes it a lot quicker and easier.

[@nu8150]

Care to outline the price differential? I'm seeing the buyer pays more for the "Solar for Dummies" kettle...

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I think the regular sun kettle is $99 and the SK-V4 is $129.95 last time I looked.

[@jameshall7539]

you didn't properly adjust the sun kettle with the sun angle

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I felt like they were both angled the same

[@thimjohnson2003]

I thought I bought 2 skv4 but didn't confirm my email and missed out so gotta wait cause I don't want just 1

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I know they have them available still on Etsy.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Both models available here - SunLabs SK-V4 - www.etsy.com/listing/1130251023 4Patriots Sun Kettle - 4patriots.com/products/sun-kettle-xl

[@Rareenergy]

Why do you pretend like this isn't your product?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Yes, it is an amazing product!

[@albertbeauchesne2882]

Nice catch. Should've known.

[@albertbeauchesne2882]

Lost my purchase just for being sneaky.

[@SirChronDonIII]

Question: If the glass gets a scratch is it still safe to use?

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

Good question. I do not know the exact answer but I would think as long as the glass is not broken, you will be fine.

[@littleme3597]

My finger tells me how hot it is! Lips. lol Don't need any thermostat. I have mine for emergency use.

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

You put your finger and lips in 200 degree water! You sound tough! I think for the rest of us, thermometer is better. Lol

[@mikebenoit6648]

Hi this Messenge is for Joe Hanson hi I have an idea that makes sense solar Sun heating system for the house

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

I think you have to tag your friend or he won't get your message.

[@mikebenoit6648]

Can you please pass this along to him for me

[@mikebenoit6648]

I feel bad for Senior citizens that have Oil 1 of our clients paid $400 for Oil heat

[@mikebenoit6648]

Buthead Biden and his Trolls have got to go Brother

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

@@mikebenoit6648 - Word!

[@lawrenceagnew1634]

Waste of money

[@JMGENTERPRISES]

What is? The sun kettle?