The Kelly Kettle Reviewed

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Mar 22, 2011
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The technology probably dates to the ancient Middle East. This particular design is a family design from 1900 (not my family).

[video=youtube;LJgZP7Wfdws]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJgZP7Wfdws[/video]
 
Great review AIG! I bought mine last year directly from Kelly in Ireland while i still lived in Europe (Patrick is a great guy to talk with btw). I've used it on several mountain hiking outings and it's worked quite well (though i did get fire-skunked once in a wet rainy/snowy day).

The one thing i'm noticing over time is that the aluminum fire-pot doesn't seem sturdy enough for the long-haul so I'm considering replacing it with the SS version (just the fire-pot not the whole Kettle). As you allude to, it is very easy to gather more than enough wood to boil the water and it gets really hot kind of all-of-a-sudden.

Thanks
 
"I'm not sure what a "shin" cup is, except that it probably has less meat on it than a thigh cup...."

Classic. :D

I've had the smaller Kelly for a few years now and love it. It might be a bit bulkier and heavier than something like an MSR Whisperlite stove, but by the time you add in a liter bottle of fuel to the stove, it's probably no more so and likely less. I really like not having to pack fuel & bottles.

I have found that the inside of the kettle gets pretty sooty, so it's not the best place to pack much other stuff - but a little kindling is a perfect thing to stick in there while traveling to your next campsite.
 
This was a fantastic review, though I had no idea things like this existed. I'll have to add it to the list of things I wish I had.
 
Not as cool, but the Swiss volcano stove works on the same concept for much cheaper and in a smaller package. I use mine with a coke can alcohol stove.

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Great review, AIG. Definitely something that would be great for going into the car kit. :thumbup:
 
That was a very thorough review. It looks like a product that I just may have to purchase.
 
Great review AIG. All this time and I never knew how they work. Thank you for taking the time to post the video.
 
Brilliant review sir.

You really are porducing some superb vids of late.

Many, many thanks.
 
Great review, very informative!

Have you thought about trying it with a little alcohol stove? I'm just curious if it would boil the water in a reasonable amount of time.
 
Great review, very informative!

Have you thought about trying it with a little alcohol stove? I'm just curious if it would boil the water in a reasonable amount of time.

I'll try that! I was thinking about doing something like that. On the model I have, the stove may be too narrow in diameter for how wide the walls are. I have a smaller model on the way. It would probably work better for that. I'll put that in the next video.
 
Very cool biscuit. I reckon the Backcountry Boiler looks pretty similar. I'm intrigued by the Swiss Volcano stove. Might have to pick one of those up.
 
The Swiss Volcano is really more like a billy can design, but for the money, you can't beat it.
 
You'll find it a lot easier to tote around than the Kelly Kettles, but still big enough for 2.

Get or make a coke can alcohol stove for it, there's room to keep it in the bottom of the base. Makes for faster, hotter & less sooty cooking sessions.
 
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