Billy can VS Kettle

[Bushcraftsman]

Hi

Just wondering, what do you think would be better to take on a camping trip to use for boiling water? Something like a billy can or just some sort of pan with a way of hanging over the fire etc or something like a whistling kettle.

Thanks

 

[Chris G]

Simple answer - take something that will do more than one job. Then you have less to carry/more space for something else.

Chris

 

[Rothley Bill]

I use my SA large billy as it has a bail on it, but for many years I used a civilian Trangia Kettle. It really depends on what I am doing or where I am

 

[sirex]

if you're carrying it, dont take anything that only has one job.

edit: bah, beaten to it

 

[Bushcraftsman]

ok here is the situation, you've gone out for a day in the woods

 

[Bushcraftsman]

thanks for the help you three, I already thought the billycan would be a better option than the kettle because of the fact it was multifunctional, just needed clarification.

Thanks again

 

[Rothley Bill]

Exactly my kettle doubled up as a teapot

 

[Broch]

I know others have said take something that will do more than one job but my experience is that its best to have something that is only used for water - that way you can always brew up, sterilise water, or heat water for a shave (yes I do even in the backwoods) without having to scrape gunk out from last night's meal. I've tried the super light-weight one pan for every thing idea and after over 40 years have opted for a dedicated water pan plus one other.

 

[firecrest]

well in regards to not taking something that only does one job, I think its acceptable to take a container thats sole purpose is to boil water (eg a kettle or designated billy) i made a mistake of just bringing one billycan once and I had to really scrub it clean after each meal, when Id really just want to brew tea. For lightweight camping Im sure you would have to make do with with one billy but if you arent hiking why not take a light kettle as well and save yourself a bit of hassle.

 

[Shewie]

You could go for the best of both worlds and get a Zebra kettle. It`s identical to the billy can but it`s got a spout aswell.

 

[Husky]

This has actually been on my mind for a while so thank you for bringing it up.
You say bring one thing that has more then one use. I have mentioned in another thread that the norwegian "outdoors guru" Lars Monsen only brings one pot and it is a kettle.
He uses it for morning porridge, coffee, mash, rice, pasta and for boiling fish.
I like the idea of the kelly kettle as an efficient way of heating water but it doesn´t seem to be much good for regular cooking (I have never tried one). It might be worth the weight if you are on a basecamp type trip.
A narrow bottomed billy is good for boiling water and cooking noodles and such but if you want to do some real cooking I like a larger bottom pot much better.
Maybe a kettle with a large opening and small spout is a good compromise?

 

[pheasant plucker]

Well I've not long had a zebra kettle which I shall be using not only boiling water but for cooking as well, and it's a lot easier to pour water from a kettle than a normal billy.

PP

 

[Broch]

For lightweight camping Im sure you would have to make do with with one billy but if you arent hiking why not take a light kettle as well and save yourself a bit of hassle.

I would still take two pots that fit inside each other so that they take less space. You have to be more discipliened about not 'fouling' your water pot but it's worth the space saving.

 

[Bushcraftsman]

hmmm, seems to be very mixed opinions here

 

[Wild Thing]

Broch

You beat me to it.

I have used the two pots from a civilian trangia, which fit snugly inside each other.

I can put the pot grab inside the pot and still have room to store food or brew kit in it as well.

Phill

 

[Broch]

hmmm, seems to be very mixed opinions here

Bushcraftsman - you'll always get that as we have all had different good/bad experiences. I just know that when I wake up on a cold frosty morning I can make a brew without trying to clean out last night's stew. If you're in an area where you have to boil all your water that's invaluable because otherwise, at some point on your trip, you'll take a chance 'cos the pot is dirty and drink the water un-boiled.

 

[Bushcraftsman]

Yes good point, I really cant see myself waking up in the morning and wanting to clean out the remains of last night dinner!

 

[Shewie]

Yes good point, I really cant see myself waking up in the morning and wanting to clean out the remains of last night dinner!

Thrown some ash in the pot and boil it up in some water for ten minutes, it does a great job at cleaning out grease.

 

[numpty]

from personal experience id go for to nesting pans or if your on your own a billy and a steel mug the mug will do for a brew if the billy's got food in . Me and my wife cycled to India . We just used a 2litre and 1litre nesting pan set MSR stove and fires where possible .

 

[sapper1]

I use a billy for food and a trangia kettle for a brew.I like to have a brew while my food is cooking,hard to do with only one pot.