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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

Ok, camping gadgets - please talk to me about kelly kettles or any other wonders...

55 replies

MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 12:03

What is your ultimate camping gadget?

We have a camping stove, normal camping kettle and thermos, so I don't technically need another option. I have however drooled over a Kelly Kettle for ages, and have only been put off by price.

So. Please tell me why I need / don't need a Kelly Kettle.

And then also tell me about anything similar or gadget related, I need something to feed my camping excitement until we can eventually go away.

OP posts:
BariatricObama · 25/03/2010 16:06

the cadac folds down into a lightweight handbag. [conveniently ignores the gas question]

BariatricObama · 25/03/2010 16:07

we should have a camp off except you onnly camp in n.wales adn i only do scotland!

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 16:25

at you two.

Just because I know Cadac as a good brand, I would have been more tempted for that, but yes, Cobb seems a lot easier to carry around. Hmm. How difficult is Cobb to wash? And deary me, once you've got the accessories, the Cobb is pretty expensive!

I feel a camp off needs to be arranged somewhere in the middle. I'll be the judge and stuff my face .

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 25/03/2010 18:42

yes to camp off.

Half way is what I dunno...oooh THE ISLE OF MAN.

Sal, the cobb in all other ways is a delight. Apart from the washing when it becomes a bit of a bitch.

Still v good though.

BariatricObama · 25/03/2010 19:17

washing the cadac is really easy

fireandlife · 25/03/2010 19:54

...the COBB doesn't have a gas cansiter to blow up...

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 19:56

love the interactive reviews!

OP posts:
fireandlife · 25/03/2010 19:59

I have to say that the Cobb is a bit of a pain to clean but only if you want it to look like it did when it arrived. Embrace it as a barbecue - no one's bothered if a BBQ isn't shiny silver. Seriously though, putting the bits in the dishwasher when you get home does an excellent job if you haven't been overly enthusiastic about cleaning on the campsite!

FiveOrangePips · 25/03/2010 20:03

We use our kelly kettle a lot, way more than we go camping, if you are generally outdoorsy family then it is great to take with you for picnics, it makes fantastic tea and coffee. My whole family has them, the men all get competitive ,sad I know> to see how quickly they can get the water boiling - it is sooooo quick.

We had the smaller one to start with but dh drove over it, so I bought him the bigger one, I think it is our best picnic/camping gadget.

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 20:22

Hah, I was too embarrassed to ask, but you say it can go in the dishwasher?? That is fantastic news! I'm in two minds about those two, but think I'll opt for one of the two before we go away in May.

The Kelly Kettle is something I love, but as so expensive I might stick with the drooling.

FiveOrangePips - do you carry water with you? I keep thinking fresh tea would be lovely, but realistically I've not often walked near streams with water I could use.

OP posts:
bronze · 25/03/2010 20:25

goodness camping changed a bit since my day

we're going to start again this year

what do I need and what do I need?

fireandlife · 25/03/2010 20:26

Yes, most of it can go in the diswasher! I don't think you can put the non stick cooking surface in though. Anyway, it explains it all in the instructions. Cobb really is great. Ready to cook on in 3 minutes - I know this sounds made up but it isn't!

FiveOrangePips · 25/03/2010 20:35

Yes we carry water, if we are going a distance it is no real hardship - you won't be carrying the water back with you after all, or have picnic near the car beginning/end of walk. I know my brother carries his to the top of munroes quite happily.

I know it seems like an uneccessary piece of kit, but once you have one you keep it in the car and use it all the time - my Dad takes his with him when he is at work(not an office based job).

You really do (or can) get great use out of them, most camping gear is fair weather stuff, but we have used the KK on winter walks/all year round. Cost per use is minimal, especially compared to the cost of going to a cafe(which are not always available when you are going for a ramble).

Thermos? No way, they do not compare and a thermos would be very similar weight to carrying kelly kettle and your water. The taste of a freshly made cup of tea in the woods is really so lovely.

FiveOrangePips · 25/03/2010 20:36

unnecessary

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 20:41

Five, thank you so much for that! One last question, please. If I do buy one (big if, this camping obsession is turning out to be quite expensive...) - would you say it's worth it to buy the accessories? Some of the info and reviews I read said that you could only really use it for food that doesn't need very high heat, e.g. fine for heating up, but not really cooking. Is that your experience?

OP posts:
glastocat · 25/03/2010 20:49

This thread is hilarious. Especially as I bought my mum a cadac for Xmas, and she bought my husband a Kelly Kettle!

I can't wait to go camping now!

FiveOrangePips · 25/03/2010 21:28

MisS, I have the accessories - but they are not really useful, you will get most value out of it for heating water for any purpose, it is brilliant if you need hot water for dishes etc, compared to these expensive cooker things, and other "I really need it" camping stuff it pays for itself.

It is a brilliant father's day present/bloke present - most men love starting fires, and this appeals to their inner caveman.

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 21:36

Thanks Five. Might start off with only the kettle if I go for it then. Dh laughed when I showed him initially, and it's me with the fire obsession (I only camp where campfires allowed). Perhaps I'm a man?? Hmm, my legs are kinda hairy at the moment, and when pregnant I could outburp a drunk student...

OP posts:
Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 25/03/2010 23:59

Wellll... Having spent the evening reading reviews and rereading this thread, we've ordered a Cadac. The Cobb looks brilliant too, but I think dh was swayed by the fact that he's owned a Cadac before and he loved it.

OP posts:
Slubberdegullion · 26/03/2010 11:14
Slubberdegullion · 26/03/2010 11:17

bronze - start a new thread and we will advise

BariatricObama · 26/03/2010 12:57

[shakes slubbers hand and then wipes it discreetly]

Original poster
MisSalLaneous · 26/03/2010 15:23

Sorry Slubber, I didn't just ignore all your advice, I promise!

OP posts:
Clarissimo · 26/03/2010 15:32

Hmmm we had a cadac type grill and we have a cobb- and we actually use bothe very time and it works well LOL

Funnily enough we are not hugely gadget prone- though teh kelly kettle has been drolled over LOL

We do have a light and a plug in-able coolbox for leccy sites but nowt more above usual chairs / table / tent / stuff.

People who take TV's I simply don't get. My friend always does and I always think- ???

This year am needing to replace a sleeping abg and airmat, our airbed went phzzzzzzzz badly staying at Mum's a fortnight ago (ouch, that hurt- hard floor) and Dh needs to replace the cobb grill as it burned right through (I suspect the terrible popcorn atrocity)

Takver · 26/03/2010 15:36

Worth looking out for the stainless steel kelly kettle if you're likely to use it often (& are worried about the aluminium). I got one for my birthday, and it is much quicker than boiling a kettle over an open fire, but if you don't do that very often then maybe you're not going to use a kelly kettle? We use it when we're at work (field a couple of miles from home), & my Dad says a lot of fishermen he knows use them. Don't know about camping - would be a big thing to carry if you were walking, but maybe ok on a bike?