Kelly Kettle cheap alternative

[Lovesdogsandcats]

What do you KK fans think of this cooker/kettle?

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I don't think it's the same kind of thing at all. The reason why the KK / Storm kettle boils so fast is because the water cylinder surrounds the fire (see this picture), so very quick. You add extra twigs etc through the chimney at the top. That link just looks like, in effect, a pot of water on top of fire. Which is not necessarily bad, but it's not the same and I think it would take a lot longer to boil.

Thanks Sal, after closer inspection of both systems, I agree with you.

Kelly kettle it is!

Pleasure. I've got an Eydon Storm Kettle and I absolutely love it! Yes, it's a lot of money originally, but it's just so fab to use. And obviously free to run. Mainly I love it for the speed of boiling - we used a normal kettle over gas again last weekend and it felt like it took forever!

I have a gas stove for cooking and boiling water in a camping kettle but like the idea of the KK as it has a little fire in it and ds would love it. Do you think its daft to get one when you already have a traditional camping kettle?

No, not at all. Before I got it, I did think it might be a little - felt like I would just buy it for it's cool "gadget" factor, so I didn't go ahead. Then dh gave it to me for my birthday. And you know what? It's cool, yes, it indulges my inner arsonist, yes, but it is also incredibly practical.

We camped with friends, and they changed their minds from seeing it as unnecessary to actually wanting to buy one for themselves.

ha ha'inner arsonist' right thats sold it to me! know just what you mean by that. tis great this fire malarky. Which size do i go for and what is the difference between yours and the kelly?Also do you still take your normal kettle as well as this one? Sorry for all the q's but want to buy wisely!

Don't worry, ask away. We've got the middle one - I think 2.5 pints. Will confirm when I get home tonight.

They all do pretty much the same thing, really. Kelly, Eydon and Guilly (unsure about spelling). The Eydon is supposed to be slightly stronger, but it's very subjective.

If you do an advanced search on "Kelly Kettle", you should find some good additional info here. I'll check back this evening if you have any questions, I love talking camping at the moment.

Oh, quick other thing re sizing: I definitely won't go for the smallest one. And no, we don't take our camping kettle with anymore. This is just so much quicker.

Happy browsing!

Thanks!

How do you light it, is it really fuel-less? Do you go collecting twigs and stuff on the campsite and use those? It all sounds like fun!

If you take your time you can just light it with leaves, fine twigs etc, then add thicker sticks etc through the top.

However, since finding out about B&Q Fire Lighting Gel, I squirt a little of that on some twigs (it's a thick, white gel), and then just light it. It's a guaranteed flame in seconds, so extremely easy. Once the twigs have started burning, I add some more through the top for to get a big fire inside.

A lot of people use half a fire lighter to get the flames going properly, which I'd do if I don't have the gel with me.

Oh, and yes, we just pick up whatever is around. I also use plain white paper plates when camping, so for the coffee water after dinner, I roll the dinner plates up and add it through the top - great flames, and means less to throw away.

I got a real one for £15 brand new. Just put some cards up in your supermarket asking for one or an ad on Gumtree.

Turns out a neighbour had one he'd just never gotten round to using and then he and his wife bought one of those new camper vans and he had no need of it.

Sal - have you been using yours for cooking too, or just as a kettle?

lunavix, no, I use it only for water. I don't use thick enough wood to produce sufficient heat for cooking. It's 3 -5 minutes of flames (depending on how full I make the kettle), water boils, and then it's all over.

I know they sell the accessories, but I'm not convinced it's really suited to cooking.

We've only used it to boil water for tea, coffee, packet soups/couscous, etc.

Ah yes, I can see it working for heating things (beans etc will probably work well), but I think making a proper fire would be better for actual cooking, or use gas stove for that if not.

Expat, do you have the accessories or just use whatever around? I have thought that if I ever use it to heat something up (highly unlikely as I always have a proper fire going anyway when we camp), I'd just use a cheap wire thing to put over the top of the pot and put the can on top of that.

No, we don't have any accessories, just the kettle.

We picnic a lot and it's perfect for a fresh brew.

We have a one burner Brightspark gas stove and a portable BBQ for camping and longer trips.

Ah ok. I didn't read properly and thought you said you used it for heating things. I'm half distracted trying to follow the football, sorry!

Yeah, hot water to add to couscous, soups, etc. iin addition to tea.

I think I had better stop umming and ahhing and just order the thing! The lighter gel sounds great.
Expat you well got a bargain, £15!!

Promise me i wont regret it!

I think I had better stop umming and ahhing and just order the thing! The lighter gel sounds great.
Expat you well got a bargain, £15!!

Promise me i wont regret it!

Go on, you know you want to!

I really don't think there's anyway of cheaping out of a kelly kettle, tbh.