The sizes of Kelly Kettles is indeed confusing on the sites. British pint is 20 oz, so the kettles should be 20 oz and 50 oz. I have measured the 20 oz (see my review) but have not seen the large kettle, but would guess it to be 50 oz.

The various sites seem to not realize that British pints and US pints are different. Thanks to King George III who wanted to raise taxes on Colonial beer pints, but found he needed an act of Parliment to do that but only needed a royal decree to decrease the unit of measure effectively raising the tax. I always get Imperial pints in our taverns.....no way I am paying the increased tax!

Schwert,

Thanks for the leads and info. I had stumbled on Lehman's and wildernessaccess.com sites, was pointed to the leevalley site here, but had not seen the Garret Wade site.

I'm still not persuaded that we're only dealing with one maker here. Here's the other that I know of:

http://www.eydonkettle.co.uk/History/history.htm

This larger one is, I think, the one that Lehman's carries. Note that their smaller version is more rounded in contour, that there appears to be only one hole in the base in both sizes, that the handles are slightly contoured, and there appears to be a bit more flare to the base.

I agree that the Garrett Wade version with kit seems like a good deal, but I'm a little dubious about the value of the cook kit. It looks entirely too much like some backpacking kits I've owned that didn't really work terribly well.

The sizes are a bit of a problem- for me, the ideal size would be about 32-35 oz, for two large mugs (mine are about 15-16 ounces), or a mug and enough to shave with in the morning, or a mug and enough to reconstitute a freeze-dried meal. I'm embarrassed to say that I did not know that the British pint was 20 oz- knowing that sort of thing is something I expect of myself. That makes the 1 pint too small, but the 2.5 pint very large at 50 oz. (it really doesn't look that much bigger in the photos). The Storm "Popular" version at "just under 2 pints" (I'm guessing that means close to 38 ounces) would seem to be perfect- and unavailable here, as far as I've seen.

Does yours still leak?

Presumed,

Wow, I did not know about these Storm Kettles. Mine is a Kelly Kettle and I have never seen the Storm brand. I think the Storm 2 pint would be perfect. Mine is great for one mug of tea only.

I do not know how big the 2.5 pint Kelly actually is but this is the one I am going to go for in my home kit and for car trips etc. My version is very nice for day trips where all I want is a mug of tea without a lot of trouble or bulk.

Lehman's picture always looked a bit strange to me so I bet you are correct in that it is a Storm version. This may also be why it seems so expensive compared to the large kettle at Garrett Wade. You might contact them about ordering a 2 pint Popular version.

My Kettle has ceased leaking at the base seam. Seems it just needed a bit of time.

I think a large Kelly would be an ideal piece in a home kit for both water boiling to purify after a storm and that all essential cup of tea, cocoa or coffee while the lights are out. Mine burns just about anything so after a storm it should be easy to fuel it up.

I am a bit uncertain as to the actual value of the accessory kit for the large kettle. I was going to get it assuming they still sell at this price when I get around to ordering it. The grill may be worth it but I really do not know.

I live in a country where people are tea-crazy. A very traditional way for making tea is using the "semaver."

http://www.friendsofmerzifon.org/Day16/pages/Picture0668_2.html

Semaver is a boiler with a pot on it. You burn your fuel under the semaver in the part with holes all around. A semaver is usually made of copper or tin.

The picture on the link is a sophisticated one. I was not able to find a single picture for a more simple one.

A little bit bulky but the easiest to use around the house or the garden. It has a tap on the boiler <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Another picture on the bottom of the page http://www.harsena.com/eng/aboutamasya.htm

Burak
Istanbul

Thanks for the input.

I've had tea from the Russian versions ("samovar"), and it is indeed good tea, but I've never seen a small one. I've seen them in use indoors, but never seen what they were using to supply the heat.

They are attractive devices, though.

AKA samovar in russian and samowar in persian. You can find these @ www.sovietski.com here in the USA or a good persian deli import shop. When I win the lottery I am buying a yurt felt tent and taking a deep breath in it over tea. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Traditional units use small lumps of charcoal. That may seem dangerous until you remember timber frame buildings are actually rather drafty structures with plenty of freshair and a huge fireplace venting fumes. Some modern units use electricity, a deplorable act. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Schwert,

I got a reply of sorts from the Eydon Kettle Co, makers of the "Storm" and "Popular". I had asked about the capacity of each model in ounces, what I got was 1.5 and 1.2 liters, respectively.

At least that's unambiguous, just in case fluid ounces also vary from continent to continent... :-)

That makes the Large about 50.5 ounces and the Small (Popular) about 40.5 ounces. That means that they have stated that it's both "just under two pints" (below 40 ounces) and just over 40 ounces, but never mind... it's going to be somewhere in that neighborhood.

The Popular looks like the best size for me. I suppose if I fall in love with it, I might end up with a larger one as well eventually.

Curiously, the weight of the two models (empty) is within an ounce of each other... so, unless bulk is a problem, an argument could certainly be made for the larger as more versatile.

Presumed,

Fun dealing with these goofy measures of volume eh? The Wilderness link really just has the measure plain wrong, the others just seem to confuse US pints with Imperial pints....sort of <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I would tend to think that the 1.2L Popular would be just about right given your needs. 300mL extra may not be worth the extra bulk. My little 600mL Kelly is a bit bulky but light, I am guessing that the bigger models of either maker are pretty bulky to be carrying around in a backpack, but in a storm kit at home or the car should be just fine.

I saw that shipping from Eydon was only a few pounds for international. My larger "Kelly" may just be one of these Storms as I think the 1.2L would be just right. That doubles the volume of mine.

Let us all know if you order one and what you think. I find mine just about a perfect little device for fairly trouble free boil ups. I took mine to MT this summer and planed on having tea at a high mountain lake, but extreme forest fire conditions prevailed and all fires, contained or not were forbidden.

I frequently use mine in the backyard as it is just plain fun and allows semi-normal practice with fire making techniques.

Most novel use was last weekend when I used it to incinerate a cluster of tent worm eggs on a tree branch.....they are not coming back next year <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I've been wanting one of these for some time but didn't want to pay shipping etc from the UK. Thanks to everyone for posting the USA sources for these! I plan to order one soon.

Something that is sort of similar, but not as elegant, is the Zip Stove: http://www.zzstove.com/

Not trying compare the two- just bringing it up in case someone here hasn't seen it before. Campmor and REI sell it.