I think that a Kelly Kettle makes a near perfect tool for just about any emergency kit.

I use my small 1-pint version for some day trips when a small fire and a cup of tea is perfect for lunch or a rest.

My 2.5 pint kettle resides in my car kit for when I am deployed to my EOC as a radio operator. In a wind storm or worse the large Kelly will serve as an endless boiler using downed wood, cones, paper, whatever as fuel.

These are pretty bulky, but not too heavy, and for a car kit or go kit are really just ideal.

Lee Valley is about the best place to get them in the US.

I highly recommend these kettles.

Ade....thanks for the link to my article too.

Ahh the pleasure of a hot cup on a cold wet day.......

[img][img]http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/4125/teaboil7099kx8.jpg[/img][/img]

I would go for the larger one. I like my coffee hot, strong, black and plentiful. A quart is a little small. Do they make a two-quart model? That might be a good start anyway.

i think i have seen large ones on Ebay...
and yes Alan--it's me--i cast a long shadow across the Web-

You may want to look at the Thermette. It is quite a bit larger with similar design.

http://www.thermette.com/

These are a half gallon, copper and again perfectly suited to larger kits.



I have not tried one of these yet but keep meaning to add one to my go kit.

Always look to Schwert for the very best photographs.

I was just thinking the same thing!

Schwert's photographs not only look great but the composition is excellent, I really look forward to his posts.

Mike

Here's a video of a head-to-head Thermette vs. Kelly Kettle boil-off. There's a bunch of stuff in the video, but the relevant part begins at 2:35.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJuJf44jwkA

Dave

That is a good video. I see the Thermette, the two Kelly's and the Eydon Storm Kettles as all offering a nice selection of sizes.....one or more should fit just about any persons needs.

I have a hard time thinking of a better device for an emergency kit. The ability to use all sorts of found fuels, even damp or low quality fuels is such an advantage. The efficient chimney produces boiling water fast and nearly endlessly with no need to carry around any petroleum fuels in the car or stored in your house.

The Thermette's ability to cook on top is something that makes it even more interesting for a disaster kit. Cooking on top of the tall tower is somewhat of a concern to me, but its large volume of water plus that ability definately makes me want to add one to my home kit. The side handle looks to be a knuckle toaster, but the Kelly design has its own special lift requirements too.

I generally stuff a few pieces of fat wood in the chimney of my Kelly's plus some splits of cedar. With these as easy starters I can use damp cones, wet sticks, shavings and splits to boil up water fast....and fun too.

I think I have finally talked myself into a Thermette. They expect stock by the end of this month and I think I am going to add one to my gear. They are local to me and I think I NEED one of these.

Have you any experience with heating food such as soup or stew instead of water?