Kelly, Ghillie, Volcano type kettles, any advice on which to buy ?

[Silverclaws2]

Hi am over the next few weeks, months I'm out to purchase a bit of kit, to be sort of doing the research now as to what of what brand to go for and my first quest is that of which of these type of kettles to buy. So I ask here of other folks experiences with the things as to which they recommend and why?

Some interests include of possibly steel construction as am not going to be back packing with the thing, just hoofing it out of the back of the car really, and there is potentially two of us that will be served by the thing.

Any thoughts?

 

[stonepark]

My steel kelly is great, have the Scout 1.2l.

If just for tea for two, 0.6l is fine, but 1.2l is more flexible as it allows two packets of chinese type super noodles to be made up (500ml each), or two pot noodles and 2 cups of tea in one boil..

 

[Chris]

I think I can hear the sound of rapidly approaching Pattree footsteps.

 

[Glow_worm]

Petromax make a version which is better thought out all round, as they have a proper lid so you can carry water in it*, fold out legs so you don't need to carry something to prevent ground scorching, and decent handles rather than the daft rickety handle-and-chain juggling setup. Stainless, too.

*If you can't be trusted to remove the lid before lighting, should you really be messing about with real fire?

 

[Toddy]

I have seen the results of two of the most capable people I know being utterly glaikit and forgetting to remove the cork bung from mine

Allow folks the calm to be occasionally daft, but at least the cork popped out, it didn't turn the kettle into a bomb, iimmc ?

 

[Glow_worm]

I've bought several Kelly Kettle pattern models from car boots over the years, two of which were from owners falling out of love after burns from losing concentration and just lifting off the fire by the handle...

 

[Toddy]

I've bought several Kelly Kettle pattern models from car boots over the years, two of which were from owners falling out of love after burns from losing concentration and just lifting off the fire by the handle...

Oh the handle and chain needs care, but you become familiar with it; how it feels, moves, etc., it's like draining a pot of potatoes or pasta, you don't just grab and slop.

I think that's a point worth minding, that it doesn't matter which one you have/use/prefer/can afford, learn to use it safely.

 

[Pattree]

Hi,
It really depends what you want the Kettle to do.
If it’s just boiling water for the two of you - drinks, pot noodles etc. and washing/washing up then it really doesn’t matter which one you buy, they all work exactly the same way with exactly the same efficiency.

You need either a 1.2L (2pt) or a 1.7L (3pt) litre Kettle.

You can ignore the chimney cooker unless you are cooking something very quick. The problem is that the Kettle only gives you a few minutes with your frying pan before the water is boiling. Then you have to deal with the pan and the boiling kettle at the same time. You can’t run it empty and you wouldn’t want to be frying with the water boiling out of the spout. That is why Kelly Kettle introduced the Kelly Hobo accessory. It weighs virtually nothing, packs inside the Kettle taking up no space and gives you a stick stove that will cook anything - I’ve made yeast bread on mine.




They all have legs if you want legs. I have found them to be a nuisance but that’s the personal preference of a wild camper.

You will be carrying water anyway. A single fill in the Kettle won’t make any difference. None of the established versions have screw caps. The whistle is equally useless as you’ll be attending the fire for the short time that the Kettle takes to boil anyway.

I do not know anyone who has seriously burned their fingers. We all understand fire; the instructions are simple and obvious. You’d only do it once

A look at my Avatar will tell you the my preference is the Kelly Kettle. (The little one pint Trekker with the Hobo is all that I need.)
They have so much experience and are constantly developing their product and accessories.
If you choose Kelly, I thoroughly recommend the Hobo stove accessory.
Also they have just brought out a robust bag for serious users. I have previewed a prototype HERE. I’ve only just received it and will take it out for a few days tomorrow. At €20 it is very good value and hold so much more than just your Kelly Kettle. The web page attached to the link is well worth a look.



It’s your choice and for water only - it simply doesn’t matter.

There is a certain antipathy towards Kelly that I don’t understand. After all the Kelly Kettle is the one that they are all trying to emulate.

Edited to add:
If you are new to this type of stove then you will need to learn how to use it Just as you would with any tool that is new to you. Practice before you use it in earnest.
Tip - cheap secateurs are a useful accessory.

 

[NotSafeForWork]

Edon storm kettle

 

[Herman30]

I would most definatly buy the Petromax because of better (more paractical) handle and because of the legs on the firepot.

 

[NotSafeForWork]

I would most definatly buy the Petromax because of better (more paractical) handle and because of the legs on the firepot.

My personal experience of pelam.de and petromax was trash quality and a bunch of thugs who used Chinese tat and called it German made.

 

[Pattree]

All the makes have legs, chimney pot supports and whistles if you want them.

The Kelly legs double up as chimney pot supports. The same device can go under the fire base or on top of the chimney. I don’t have them any more but if you buy them and want to cook over the chimney (Not recommended, see above) then you’ll need two sets: one set for legs -stability and another set for the chimney stove - cooking.

This is one of the reasons that the new bag has the big expanding pocket.




All the others have something similar. I tend to keep it simple.

Whatever you choose I wish you well and hope you have a great trip quite apart from heating the washing up water.
I hope you will tell us about it.
Good luck.
Pat.


Hey Ho - I’d better say it again:

I have no connection with the Kelly Kettle company, it’s agents or it’s retailers other than that of being an avid fan of the system and an intermittent correspondent with Patrick Kelly.

When our discussions result in a new product such as the Hobo or the new rugged bag: Patrick is kind enough to send me prototypes for testing

 

[Toddy]

I'd like a grill....relatively fine meshed, to sit on top of the chimney of my kelly kettle. The idea is to actually hold it over the heat to make toast, heat up naan, or tattie scones. It would catch any salamanders too.
I can do it on the base if I take the kettle off, but tea and toast, crumpet or tattie scones, at the same time, has an appeal

I sometimes make my own bread pocket things. Two slices, stuffed with cheese, or mushroom pate, thick jam, chutney, whatever I'm in the notion for at the time, and simply crimp the edges using the ravioli press https://www.lakeland.co.uk/73383/ravioli-maker-stamp-press-set-1-square-1-round
Those toast or fry up well when out. They'd toast over the kettle
Not a lot wrong with a cheese and tomato toastie or even a half dozen wee ones.

 

[Pattree]

I do that too, but I use the Hobo stove.

Marshmallows drip into the stove and are very hard to remove. As some here know, I usually do that on other peoples stoves!!!!

 

[Toddy]

Sorry, @Silverclaws2
We've rather hi-jacked your thread

Maybe we need to start a fresh on on hobo stoves

 

[Megatramp]

Sorry, @Silverclaws2
We've rather hi-jacked your thread

Maybe we need to start a fresh on on hobo stoves

I like the sound o that.

Not sure I would give space to something that only boils water, as opposed to my kettle/pot that I cook in too. Used them in large groups but they were huge, not really packable.

 

[Pattree]

Sorry, @Silverclaws2
We've rather hi-jacked your thread

Maybe we need to start a fresh on on hobo stoves

Sorry Toddy, I disagree. @Silverclaws2 has asked for advice as to choice. As far as boiling water is concerned there is little difference between them. The only serious issue is size.

The accessories that weigh little and pack easily into the systems may well be the more interesting aspects that influence choice beyond a water boiler.

 

[Toddy]

He didn't ask for my ramble of a recipe though, or melted marshmallows

 

[Pattree]

Yeah but let’s call that research and training

 

[Herman30]

Not sure I would give space to something that only boils water, as opposed to my kettle/pot that I cook in too.

Depend one the individuals need. I would never cook anything (unless I have access to a full blown kitchen with running water) so only freeze dry meals (and coffee) for me. So a ghillie kettle would suit me just perfect, would not need any other pot.