The Kelly Kettle
The Kelly Kettle is a uniquely designed kettle originating from the west coast of Ireland. Here they have been used for over a hundred years by the ghillies (angling guides) at Lough Conn to quickly boil water using twigs, dried leaves and other bits of wood found around the lake shore as fuel for the kettle.
The kettle comprises a double-skinned wall that holds water and a central open chimney. It sits on a small aluminium base with one large aperture as an air inlet within the base, which greatly increases the draw of the fire. Because the water is held within the kettle wall it means that a large surface area of water is exposed to the heat and therefore boils very quickly.
Visiting anglers to Lough Conn were so impressed by this kettle they spread the word and now Kelly kettles have grown in popularity around the world, being used by a wide range of people. We find they are an indispensable part of equipment to have in a woodland, where there is an endless supply of fuel.
How to use a Kelly kettle:
- Remove the kettle from the base and fill with water.
- Put some tinder into the base of the kettle and light. We tend to carry a firesteel, which is a very good way of lighting a fire without matches or a lighter.
- When the tinder is lit, put the kettle back onto the base (ensuring the cork is not in) and quickly feed the fire with twigs, dry leaves, or whatever other materials you have at hand, by dropping them through the chimney. When we are in a woodland we find that the side branches of conifer trees work very well in the Kelly kettle as they are brittle and full of resin so catch light quickly, even in wet weather.
- The water should boil quickly (usually 3-5 minutes) and then you can have yourself a nice cup of tea!
If you are interested in purchasing a Kelly Kettle, the cooking set which goes with it, or just want more information, they have a website: www.kellykettle.com
see more demos and tips on woodlandstv.co.uk
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8 comments so far
eBothy Blog » Grandfather of the Bushbuddy
11 February, 2008
[...] Thought I’d share this article on the grand daddy of the bushbuddy stove. The Kelly Kettle. [...]
Tracy Pepler
11 February, 2008
Ah! Yes, we love our kelly kettle.
Watch out you don’t put too much water in, or when it boils the water will spurt out everywhere!
Tracy
rod evans
12 February, 2008
These are just great.
Steve
4 February, 2010
There is another article on these great kettles here http://www.naturessecretlarder.co.uk/bushcraft-equipment-reviews/kelly-kettle-review.htm , and you get a £1 off code as well, not the biggest discount in the world, but I went for it
I find them to be very useful when working outside. I had my orginal one for years until it got hit by someone using a brushcutter without much care!
Dan
8 February, 2010
Very good article. I used my kelly kettle last weekend to give 20 scouts hot chocolate. It worked out great. I could just boil water, make chocolate, boil some more water etc. I just had to keep the fire going.
Haden
20 September, 2010
Kelly kettle do a large stainless steel version which has been out of stock for months – they are now available again. I got mine here
http://www.getyourselffitter.com/kelly-kettles-c-28.html
The stainless steel ones are a bit more robust than the ally ones which I why I went for it. I heard that the medium and small sizes will be made in stainless soon but I haven’t found them on sale anywhere yet but I could do with a small one to carry around in my rucksack
poullain
1 November, 2010
donner les differente grandeur dukelly kette et les mensurations merci mon adresse est 163 impasse de la blanquerie 83440 fayence merci bien egalement les prix il y aura plusieurs commande concernant ce produit
Paul
9 May, 2011
I love my Kelly Kettle.
I be lost if i did not take it shooting with me.
I give 10 out of 10 i just use my one for making tea.