Whisper Sweet Kettle Talk to Me

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
Super Mod
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
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I just ordered an Emberlit stove and am waiting to take delivery on it. Curse you, Codger! :p

I just watched the video over there and really liked the dude's GSI Kettle. Looks like a good fit for that stove and a handy piece of gear to boot.
Now I know there are lots of "kettles" out there like the MSR Titan Kettle (which I own). But I'm looking for a traditionally shaped (wide bottom) kettle with a pour spout like the ones shown below.

Questions: Who here uses a traditional kettle? Which one do you use? How do you like it? If you use stainless, is the stainless worth the extra weight? Why?

Some options:

GSI Stainless Kettle
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GSI Anodized Aluminum Kettle
gsi-kettle.jpg


Optimus Terra Kettle
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Primus LiTech Kettle
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I've been using the Optimus Tea Kettle since they came out. Pocket Rocket fits in it along with some tea bags and other goodies. I like it.
 
i got them all 4 and i like them all,the aluminum will not taste your food i guess it is the coating.

i got 2 snow peaks kettle # 1's i really like.,these might fit your needs for a small meal,still roomy...
 
Stainless because it makes a great biscuit oven for the Emberlit if you use a bit of inginuity to make a bail handled insert for it. My billy can came with a stainless insert pan that rests on the rim, and the lid will still fit.

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Of course my billy does not have a spout or pour lip, but it has never caused me a problem. GSI makes some good products though.
 
I have the primus and my only complaint is the smallish top hole. I like my billy better.
 
Thanks for the comments so far.

I like the lighter aluminum just as far as weight-wise. (The whole Alzheimer's thing has been pretty much discounted from what I've read.)
However, I've never used anodized aluminum with a sootier stove like the Emberlit. My concern is that, if I want to scrub off any of the sooty residue, I'm going to get into the anodized layer of the aluminum.
Thoughts? Will it really matter that much?
 
Well, with my stainless billy, the soot wipes off pretty easily using Dawn and a Scotchbrite scrub pad. Stubborn bits give in to Fastorange mechanic's handcleaner (has pumice in it, I think), and it stays bright as new without getting scratched. But I've not used resinous wood like evergreens either, mostly hardwoods and non-resin softwoods like willow and beech. The worst soot has been from the waxy fire starter sticks and trioxane. But that cleaned up well too.
 
I have the GSI Anodized Aluminum Kettle and like it a lot. Only gripe may be the coating on the handles since they may melt. But other than that, I like it.

The Primus LiTech Kettle looks huge, though would probably boil a good amount of water though. That may be another gripe, the GSI doesn't hold that much.
 
riz_aaroni said:
The Primus LiTech Kettle looks huge, though would probably boil a good amount of water though. That may be another gripe, the GSI doesn't hold that much.
Click to expand...

Primus has a .9L version and a 1.5L version.
 
Guyon said:
Primus has a .9L version and a 1.5L version.
Click to expand...
Assuming space/weight wasn't an issue, I'd probably opt for the larger one. The GSI is about a cup of water and a little more, effectively anyway.

One thing that always made me think, was that if you had to boil all of your water, doing so 1L at a time would be painful. Another reason for a larger container. I guess you could ways pack a foldable Platypus container or something to refill.
 
Been using the same plain Trangia for years. I only boil water in it. I've had scale build up in it a few times but the it always comes off. I've been waiting for the inevitable pin hole to form 'cos it's at least ten years old. Not yet.
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riz_aaroni said:
Assuming space/weight wasn't an issue, I'd probably opt for the larger one. The GSI is about a cup of water and a little more, effectively anyway.

One thing that always made me think, was that if you had to boil all of your water, doing so 1L at a time would be painful. Another reason for a larger container. I guess you could ways pack a foldable Platypus container or something to refill.
Click to expand...

Okay, I just did. Found a smoking deal with free shipping. Size isn't a trip breaker (still a 6" diameter), but the 4"+ height should mean I can nest a mug inside along with tea, coffee, cocoa, fire kit, etc. My 450 ml Snowpeak mug is about 3.5" tall.


baldtaco-II said:
Been using the same plain Trangia for years. I only boil water in it. I've had scale build up in it a few times but the it always comes off. I've been waiting for the inevitable pin hole to form 'cos it's at least ten years old. Not yet.
scaled.php
Click to expand...

Right middle. Is that a gorilla setting up your tarp? I have longed for a trained gorilla to do most of my dirty work at camp.
 
LMAO. My eight-year-old just walked up, saw the picture, and asked, "Is that a gorilla?" :D
 
More of a lesser-spotted-contrary-git and he doesn't always come when I call him. You can tell he's there though by his mating call, FO. :)
 
Guyon said:
Okay, I just did. Found a smoking deal with free shipping. Size isn't a trip breaker (still a 6" diameter), but the 4"+ height should mean I can nest a mug inside along with tea, coffee, cocoa, fire kit, etc. My 450 ml Snowpeak mug is about 3.5" tall.
Click to expand...

Cool. Let us know if you can. Good idea though with storing things inside, with something that big it should be useful.
 
Guyon said:
(The whole Alzheimer's thing has been pretty much discounted from what I've read.)
Click to expand...

The anodizing process is supposed to take care of that fear. Not that I have cared enough to follow it that closely though.



Guyon said:
However, I've never used anodized aluminum with a sootier stove like the Emberlit. My concern is that, if I want to scrub off any of the sooty residue, I'm going to get into the anodized layer of the aluminum.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Sooty stove? No worries. I use my hard anodize Mors pots exclusive with fire and coals, and only wash with sand in the field. I wash the inside very clean, and the outside is colored, but I wash it just enough to not be gunky. No sign of anything negative.

I have really taken a liking to the hard anodized. I have used tons of cookware, but prior to anything anodized, stainless Zebra's was my most used stuff. I started using the anodized stuff very skeptically, having many of the same thoughts you have. But, after much, much use, I love them.

As much as I like the looks of my Zebra, and how heavy duty they are, I really don't use them any more. The anodized stuff is strong, lighter, and super easy to clean.

Of the ones you showed up there, I like the GSI anodized aluminum the best. The molded plastic handle would get in the way (I think) if you wanted to rig up a bushcrafty rig to suspend it over a fire. The orange rubber may melt, but it can also be removed.

My thoughts :)

B
 
Thanks for the added comments.

riz_aaroni said:
Cool. Let us know if you can. Good idea though with storing things inside, with something that big it should be useful.
Click to expand...

I'm going to see what I can put together as a kit centered around the Emberlit. I'll post up some pics and a review when I get everything together.
 
I've had a Markill stainless kettle for about 20 years, and a Trangia kettle for nearly 30, but my favourite is the one my old granny gave me 45 years ago. It'd seen a lot of use when I got it, and has had a heck of lot since. Only a cheap aluminium thing with a folding handle, but it still works fine :)





 
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