Updated on March 7, 2026
Reduction Revolution introduced the Billyboil thermal cooker to Australia with the intention of providing a quality, affordable alternative to some of the more expensive brands of thermal cookers available in Australia. They definitely succeeded.
The Billy Boil is available in two sizes, depending on your needs: 3L or 4.5L. We tried out the 3L version and found it can easily make a meal for four people. Our first cook-up was a pot of spaghetti bolognese for a camping trip, which was enough for six meals, even though it is marketed as ideal for about three people.
The Billyboil has two main components: The stainless steel, heavy-based, inner pot and the double-walled, vacuum-insulated outer pot with a carry handle. The food is cooked using retained heat after the initial cooking time, allowing it to remain warm for up to 12 hours, which significantly reduces energy costs.
Heat retention in a thermal cooker is dependent on thermal mass. Meaning that the more food that is being prepared in the thermal cooker, the longer the heat is retained. Smaller meals will cool faster.
Thermal cookers need to be at least 75-80% full to work efficiently. This can be a problem if cooking for only one or two people, so the size of the thermal cooker needs to be considered when making a purchase.
The fuller the inner pot is, the better the food will retain heat. It is essential to consider how many people you plan to cook for when choosing the size to buy, as bigger is not always best.
Cooking in bulk to freeze for another day is a good plan if you are not cooking for a hungry family or a group of friends.
Two smaller thermal cookers, such as the 3L Billyboil, might best suit many people; that way, a main meal can be cooked in one and rice or a side dish can be prepared in the other, or even a dessert.
Ordering a Billyboil from Reduction Revolution is easy, and next-day dispatch ensures your new thermal cooker arrives promptly.
Pros and Cons of the Billyboil Thermal Cooker
- The soft-touch silicone handle on the inner pot makes it easy to use when cooking and moving to the outer pot.
- The lid of the insulated outer pot features a silicone insert that securely holds the inner pot lid in place when serving a meal, saving valuable benchtop space.
- The lid of the outer pot is removable, allowing for easy serving of meals at the dinner table if desired.
- When the inner pot is inserted into the insulated outer pot and the lid is closed, the handle is pushed back, and the unit is secure, keeping heat in and preventing the food from spilling.
- The 3L Billy Boil is compact and stable when being used and can also fit into our little caravan oven for transporting on trips, keeping it out of the way and safe.
- Value-wise, this thermal cooker is priced very reasonably. Purchasing two of them for a similar cost as one of the higher-priced brands would be a good investment.
- The Billyboil retained heat just as well as our Shuttle Chef when both pots were filled with boiling water and left overnight. The same result was obtained when testing a Thai Green curry in both pots.
- Don’t think of this as a specialised item for thermal cooking only; the stainless steel inner pot is also ideal for everyday use(ours is used daily).
- Like other thermal cookers, the Billyboil can be used on any stove, gas, electric or induction.
- Cons? Really, there is nothing negative I can think of about this thermal cooker; it has taken the top spot in our kitchen with regular use, and it works well when we’re on the go.
What is thermal cooking?
It is similar to using a crockpot or slow cooker, but with added benefits. A meal is prepared, and the cooking process begins in a steel inner pot, which is then placed inside an insulated outer pot to cook using retained heat. Think of it like a giant thermos. More info….
Travels with our Thermal Cooker – Recipes on the road.
Coming home to Basecamp after a day of exploring, at the end of a long day of driving, or after work, knowing that a good meal is ready to devour is a pleasure. We’ll share some of our favourite recipes, including less predictable items on the menu like mulled wine for around a campfire or even ice cream on a hot day – thermal cookers can be super versatile!