Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I bought this item to recharge a cell phone, headlamp, and a UV light for water sterilization. My main use would be on extended backpacking trips of 5-10 days. As much as I wanted this product to work, it simply did not do its job. I have just returned from a week long trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where I got to try out this seemingly amazing device. I first tried it out on my stove at home to be sure it functioned before taking it out on a long trip. Upon placing it on the hot gas stove, the green indicator light immediately glowed green signifying it was ready to charge my device. I plugged in my Motorola Droid Razr Maxx and it showed that it was taking a charge. Great! Now off to the woods. The directions state that the PowerPot can be used on a stove or a campfire to boil water and charge your device. First test was on a camp stove. I use a MSR Pocket Rocket with isopropane fuel. It again indicated it was charging my phone. Unfortunately, backpackers do not have limitless fuel when backpacking so after the 7-8 minutes it took to boil the water for my supper I unplugged my device and checked the battery level. No change. Not unexpected after only charging for 8 minutes. Next test, the important one, campfire. So I created a substantial fire loaded with hot coals and proceeded to place the PowerPot into the flames. I placed it on two wet birch logs with hot coals underneath. I was able to get about 90% of the bottom element in direct contact with the coals. The green indicator light showed up in about 10 seconds and we were ready to charge. I plugged in my phone and watched. Two and a half hours of watching and maneuvering. No change. My battery stayed @ 40%. I rotated the pot to always be in the hottest part of the fire. I tried direct flame and indirect flame. I always made sure the pot was full of water and that the green light was on. This was NO easy task. Maintaining a fire and collecting wood in the wilderness is not easy and dealing with this pot was a major pain. I was in disbelief. No charge. I tried having the phone turned on while charging and having the phone powered off. I tried my hiking buddy's phone, a Casio G'Zone Commando, no charge. In fact in the process of trying to charge his phone, he lost 8% battery power! I tried this pot on none of the other devices because I could not risk loosing my headlamp or UV water sterilizer. So to sum it up; PROs: -Nice big sized pot -The USB charger cable did not melt during heavy testing -Put up with a lot of abuse -Fantastic idea and would be a game changer -Comes with a USB LED light CONs: -Does not charge smartphones on a well built fire -Heavy Item, Over 1 pound empty -Very bulky, cannot pack this into a backpack easily -Very expensive -Impractical to use with a camp stove -Rubber on handles began to melt in indirect fire Suggestions for the manufacturer: -Make a smaller pot, same diameter just shorter. Backpackers only need 14 oz of water to cook a freeze dried meal. -Don't use aluminum, use titanium. Aluminum burns! -Create a gauge instead of just an indicator light, I noticed the intensity of the light varied on the temperature of the water and the temperature of the flame. A bar graph showing the effectiveness of the position of the pot would increase it's efficiency. -Clearly explain in description of product the ideal circumstances that this pot works. As in best water temperature/level and flame temperature. Or, This product works best when... Cold water is heated versus maintaining a boiling pot of water. I really wished this had worked. I was so excited to show it to a buddy who's climbing the Appalachian Trail. If it had worked I would have gifted it to him. Maybe the technology is just not there yet. If anyone wants pictures or more information about this trip, comment below.