Heat water and charge your smartphone
NAME PowerPot
WHAT IT IS A thermoelectric cooking pot that produces up to 5 watts of power to charge smartphones, iPods, GPS devices, etc., when heating water. The 18.2-ounce kit includes a power-producing pot and a smaller pan, plus an electrical cord that plugs into the unit. The adapter has three sizes of plugs, and the main cord has a standard USB-size plug.
THE GOOD This is a camping geek's dream. In a couple of trial runs on a kitchen stove, the PowerPot charged an iPod by 10 to 15 percent while the pot simmered for 90 minutes and charged a BlackBerry by 50 percent while simmering for 70 minutes. If you let the pot boil, it will charge devices faster. The anodized aluminum pot and pan seem to resist marking.
THE BAD Some critics say the pot is too large for backpacking.
COST $149
AVAILABLE FROM thepowerpot.com, rei.com and amazon.com
-- Chicago Tribune
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
