Kelly Kettle

UffDa

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Sep 11, 1999
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Does anyone have a Kelly Kettle? I remember seeing these many years ago. I have looked for one off and on over the years, but couldn't remember what they were called. I came across them while looking for something else.

They seem like a good idea. I just wonder how they work in the real world.

http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/kellystove.html
 
They are supposed to work real well, they have had a following for many many years in Britain. If I had to point to a down side, it might be the overall size, at least to have handy while hiking and for survival.

For camping, if you didn't want to go with a small stove and fuel, then, yes it looks like a clear alternative.
 
They are still available, I have seen them in catalogs. Quite expensive, about $100. You can purchase a surplus Swiss army version from Cheaper than Dirt for about $5.00. I have one and it works quite well, boiling water very fast using trioxane tabs.
 
On the canoe forums, a lot of people seem to use them. On a canoeing/camping type of trip, with the types of food you would bring, water is generally your biggest fuel hog. If you can do your water this way, and cook on a fire, you can save a lot of weight and space.

I have not personally used one though.
 
I used one about a month ago on a camping trip, and it worked really well, boils water fast and has a good quantity also. I got the large one from either Garrett Wade or Lee Valley, can't remember which.
 
That thing is pretty darn cool! I've not seen one before. And here I thought I was clicking onto a thread about a simple kettle.

I actually just bought a simple one, a $12 Stansport that probably holds about a liter. That kelty is certainly several steps beyond.
 
They are still available, I have seen them in catalogs. Quite expensive, about $100. You can purchase a surplus Swiss army version from Cheaper than Dirt for about $5.00. I have one and it works quite well, boiling water very fast using trioxane tabs.
If you refer to what CTD calls the "volcano," other than being suitable for using wood chips, seems a very different beast. Actually may be more practical due to smaller size and lesser wt.
 
I would love to get one of these things, but why are they so expensive? All we're doing here is boiling water:grumpy:
 
The Aussies also have one called the Eco-Billy. It's a bit bigger than the Kelly Kettle and out of thinner materiql so it heats up rather fast. I've been using one for a couple of years have no complaints.
 
I was looking into these as well and for the cost + the weight I chose not to go forward with a purchase. I made my own set up and with numerous attempts and versions of poor mans stoves I found a solution that works for me. If anyone is interested, my pot/cup/stove can be seen HERE.
 
It really works well, here's a couple of pictures on a recent camping trip. The base has some good holes in it, and with a little wind, you can get quite a draft and a chimney effect. No doubt that some of you could make something just as good, I'm not that handy with metal. It is large and bulky though, so I don't know if you would want it backpacking, this is the larger model from Garrett Wade. The smaller might be better for on your back.

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/sodak_photos/p1010459.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/sodak_photos/p1010466.jpg
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/sodak_photos/p1010467.jpg

Ok this one's not the kettle, but it's such a nice shot I had to put it in there.... :D
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/sodak_photos/p1010475.jpg
 
In the book Cache Lake Country the author makes one out of a angel food cake tin with just a few modifications.
 
The large one is too big for hiking, and the small one doesn't really heat enough water for two. Shame as I really want one myself. I will probably get one (the larger one) for in the car one day.

Theres a nice write up about it here, along with some interesting and very true facts about us Englishmen and their most revered drink:

http://www.outdooridiots.com/features/200611/kellykettle/kellykettle.asp

I nearly forgot to add: be careful not to let them boil dry - I've read that they can get hot enough to split at the seam.

Rick.
 
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