Ghillie Kettles

Kit, Clothing, Tools, etc
firepower

Ghillie Kettles

Post by firepower »

Has anyone got one of these? I am looking at getting one for the "Beast" but can't decide if they are a gadget or really useful.


ATB
Mick
User avatar
pseudonym
Posts: 5516
Joined: Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:11 am
Location: East Midlands

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by pseudonym »

firepower wrote:Has anyone got one of these? I am looking at getting one for the "Beast" but can't decide if they are a gadget or really useful.


ATB
Mick
Hi Mick,

Seen them in use in all their Versions; and if you want to boil water fast by burning wood, this is for you. Any major food cooking and it's just a gimmick TBH

Here's a MKettle in use:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showth ... ight=chase

Like I said; boils quicker than a kettle on a Meths burner or on a wood burning stove, but that's where IMO it's usefulness ends.
Two is one and one is none, but three is even better.
User avatar
BigMacKin
Posts: 104
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:10 pm
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by BigMacKin »

I got one a few years ago and use it mainly when I go fishing to boil up for a cuppa. It's really fast and you can use anything that burns for it. But to be honest, I've had it out on camp trips and except for when we had based ourselves in the one place for a few days it wasn't much use. I have the largest available at the time, think it's 1.5 litres so it's a bit of a beast to carry around and a pointless use of rucksack space. I use a wee old Swiss Army mess cup with a lid on it over whatever burner I have, heating up just enough water for my coffee and it is a much better option when backpacking/hiking as it doubles up as a whisky glass, tin for the beans and holds just enough water to have a quick splash of a wash too. However,... as gadgets go, I love the kettle :-)
Attack Warning Red

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by Attack Warning Red »

Never heard of these. These look great!
jansman
Posts: 13692
Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:16 pm

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by jansman »

I have an original Kelly Kettle. Holds 4 pints and boils quick on scrap wood and paper. Great bit of low-tech kit. Purifying 1/2 gallon of waterin 8 minutes using scrap fuel has to be a winner.
In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: It goes on.

Robert Frost.

Covid 19: After that level of weirdness ,any situation is certainly possible.

Me.
Reservior

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by Reservior »

If you mean, similar to the Kelly Kettle, then yes, very good at what they do (which is limited). They are remarkably efficient water boilers using fuel, potentially, gained for free. However, that is pretty much all they do. Having a free source of boiling water isn't to be under estimated though.
90.
Posts: 96
Joined: Sat May 12, 2012 11:48 pm
Location: Area 12 - Cardiff-ish

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by 90. »

I've had a kelly or volcano kettle for 12yrs or so primarily to boil water however I made a pan support to allow me to put a pan on the top and it works very well, you can now buy kelly's with pan supports or buy them as an option.

I used it with BBQ lighter blocks but these are very sooty though generate a lot of heat and will burn in heavy rain, I now use BCB fire gel which is much cleaner.

as well as bringing water to boil very quickly you can keep water simmering all day using twigs or used teabags, most will use it just for a brew but it will heat bag meals,MRE's & noodles etc.

I used a cheap suitcase type gas burner for a while but have gone back to my kelly as its more convenient, the kelly packs into a small bag with all in, the gas cooker needed pans spare gas etc worked well but just too much faff.

regards
90.
mitch66

Re: Ghillie Kettles

Post by mitch66 »

hi, i have the 2.5 pint kelly kettle, it's spot on. its that good i bought the 1 pint for my backpack. they are very good at boiling water but thats about it. if you buy a soldering mat from screwfix you can place it under the kk to reduce heat marks on the grass. would i buy a replacment if i damaged mine. yes
firepower

Ghillie Kettles

Post by firepower »

Thanks people, 1.5 litre one has just been ordered :)


ATB
Mick