Kelly Kettle.

[Brook]

Hi All,
Does Anyone still use the Kelly Kettle?
Was thinking of changing the old Camping gaz stove,and considering a Kelly Kettle.
They look good in the mags,with people sat round and smoke pouring out the top,but,
are they a load of hassle when it rains?and are they a bit big for a day sack?
Any opinions geatfully recieved.

Cheers Kev.

[Wildfisher]

I like the concept of the Kelly Kettle, but wonder how practical finding  dry fuel is in Scotland.

[Black-Don]

Gotta agree with Fachan, I suppose kelly kettles are great if you're fishing from the car or hitting the shore in a boat but for what they actually do which is boil water, I reckon they're just not viable if you're moving around on foot. I reckon that size for size rather than a kelly kettle you're better off with a Trangia

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&cp=7&gs_id=0&xhr=t&q=trangia&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4GGHP_en-GBGB431GB431&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=368&ion=1&wrapid=tljp132683342746800&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=6725592086379568089&sa=X&ei=Hd8VT9_jFsbl8QPg8oSJBA&sqi=2&ved=0CFoQ8gIwBQ#




Which although heavier is less bulky and will do a lot more. You can get a meths or gas version too and if you're really stuck just fill the windshield with broken twigs a la kelly Kettle and fire it up.

[burnie]

The stainless steel ones do a cooking attachment,but as has been said,they are bulky to carry around.I wouldn't use the aluminium ones as aly has been linked with alzheimers and I'm daft enough without making it any worse.

[Fishtales]

This one is smaller, lighter and cheaper

http://www.factsurplus.co.uk/product/57

It's £40 for the gas burner to convert it :shock:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=trangia+gas+burner&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=7577412169&ref=pd_sl_7j1915m4er_e

[Brook]

Lads,thanks for the replies and the links.
A few better options by the look of it.

[Malcolm]

I've got one but the only place I use it is Loch Lomond. It's fine for that - loads of natural  fuel and it's a bit of a tradition on the Big Loch.

[dazdidge]

I have both the trangia and kelly kettle, the kelly is much faster at boiling water and does not require a lot of fuel but the smaller versions are useless for trying to cook with. The larger version has an atachment that you can use to cook on but I think it would take up too much space. The kelly is superb if you are not going too far and only want boiling water, you can also fit enough dry fuel inside the burning chamber to boil it and it will work with anything that is able to burn ie newspaper, heather, twigs etc. And yes they will fit into a daypack. An excellent option if all you want is a very quick coffee/tea or to rehydrate food

The trangia on the other hand is slower at coming to the boil, but you can use it to cook as well. A small bottle of fuel will last ages and is much more suited to longer periods away or if you want to cook food. I bought mine last year after seeing my mates 20 year old used and abused one fire up and cook a fried breakfast after a very wet and cold night on a hill, I have to say I think theyare worth every penny. I only wish I had bought the slightly larger version instead of trying to save a wee bit of space.

Basically if I am going away myself I would be more inclined to take the trangia as it is far more versatile, if I am away with my mate who has the larger trangia to cook on for both of us then I will take the kettle. If camping from the car then I leave both at home and take my coleman petrol stove.

If you end up with a trangia do a little research on the meths, or rather where to buy it from. One of my mates was buying it from outdoor specialists and it was costing a fortune. I buy 5ltrs at a time from a supplier at work and pay the same as he does for a litre!

cheers
daz

[Boxer]

Your second link is a good one Fishtales. A Trangia 27 with gas burner for around £65 is a good buy. I have one of the ex army trangias from your first link, but for the weight the standard trangia with round pans is, in my mind, much better.
I've got quite a collection of stoves from old brass primuses to modern gas stoves, but the trangia is the one that always seems to get packed. I use the gas burner, but take the meths in case I am forced into the tent by bad weather. I feel a lot happier burning a small meths stove under my flysheet than a gas stove. Incidentally I think the trangia kettle is more or less useless ( mine has been missing in the "kit heap" for years) . Water heats just as quickly in the pans - always put a lid on to conserve heat.
Yes meths is expensive, and I should have a look at buying it in bulk, but you don't use a hell of a lot over the year and I've found the half litre bottles it's sold in to be pretty tough and leak tight.
So my vote is for a trangia.

[River Chatter]

Another vote for the Trangia from me.  I've got all three sizes from the smallest, which I use for making a quick cuppa, to the 25 model that's capable of making a decent feed for two people.  I've never found using meths an issue as long is care is taken, but I wouldn't recommend the Trangia fuel bottle (the red one with the so called safety valve) which I've found to leak.  Haven't used gas in years and don't miss it, although I could be tempted by stove that provides a high heat output which could be used with a mini wok to rustle up a stir fry.