OS "Jet Boil"

I've been interested in getting a Jet Boil after watching Mahi's kicka$$ all the way down Baja, but I hate the idea of more disposible gas canisters...they are a menace.  I stumbled across this really old product that uses the same concept (big surface area) but accomplishes it differently.  They appear to be popular standard-issue in new Zeeland and England. The fuel is nothing more than twigs...pretty cool!

Here is the companys site...http://www.kellykettle.com/

This is a hilarious article about them (gotta love the Brittish)...http://www.outdooridiots.com/features/200611/kellykettle/kellykettle.asp

Anyone ever use one?

I would like to see one used in a video! Their web page has a lot of other things you can also buy. It would be great to have to boil water for coffee. (Hint, Hint, Adam) and the prices are not bad. I might buy one just to check it out. I agree with Sean, if anybody knows about this item, please post.

That's an awesome little product - I might have to get one.   

I am a big fan of the jet-boil as i can use it on my yak. the fuel canisters last a long time,they have the french-press attachment and they are super-compact. that being said, i also have plenty of room in my life for the kelly-kettle. i have spent a month camping in baja and the kelly kettle would have been great. A guy could convert it into a mini-still and make his own tequilla.  

Jack-you are a sick man.  Between the homemade tequilla concept and the ridiculous jambalya we need to go camping!

What I am having trouble understanding is how the handle allows a 90 degree angle in order for you to lift the kettle from the base.
To me it seems like the same kind of handle on a gallon can of paint.
Other than that it looks like a pretty neat product.

You build a real small fire and don't grab it while flames are still still leaving the chimney...but definitely a limiting factor but part of the funny article.  Same idea, better handle... http://www.bushkettle.com.au/

You build a real small fire and don't grab it while flames are still still leaving the chimney...but definitely a limiting factor but part of the funny article.  Same idea, better handle... http://www.bushkettle.com.au/

Much better

Kellykettle vs. Thermette video.
The competition starts 2 minutes 36 seconds into the video.

My dad uses the jet boil, he has every single item they make for it, Very easy to use, light weight and most of all it packs very small. The fuel and burner fits inside of itself. When he bought it he would use that to make coffee every morning before work, lol

I'd be interested in hearing any first-hand reviews of the wood-burning models as well . The design is great on both (fuel canister or wood) but love the utility of using twigs & such for fuel. The Aussie Dingo has a better handle but it looks like the Kelly is more versatile as far as accessories, ie, does more than just boil water, like the Jet Boil.

Not exactly like the Kelly or Dingo, but here's a DIY one you could make in a pinch - everyone has some big ol' Fosters cans sitting around, don't they?

You can get one from "Moscow" Idaho. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Kelly-Kettle-Large-camping-hiking-float-fish-trip-stove_W0QQitemZ330290399453QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item330290399453&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1199%7C66%3A3%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A100

I've backpacked on the Pacific Crest Trail with some guys who used a slightly different stove concept:  It's fuel was a handful of twigs, just like these kettles. The difference was that the stoves they used made the burning more efficient by the addition of a little battery powered fan. Used a D cell. No gas to carry. Quick to boil water or cook. Some adjustment to the intensity of the flame by changing the speed of the fan. They weren't ultra compact, but it was a clever concept, and it seemed to work well. I can't remember the brand name, but there are a few out there.

The cool thing about these kettle is that they're so simple...no moving parts. That's my kind of technology. It's why I like kayaks, too. Nothing to break. I don't car camp much, and these seem big for a backpacker, but I want one anyways. Consumerism!     

tallpaul - here's one of those wood gasification stoves with the battery-powered fan. Scroll down the page to see how it works & there's even a story from a kayaker in Idaho who said it saved his life:  http://www.woodgas-stove.com/

There are also "rocket stoves" without the fan. This one is kind of big & heavy but there must be more compact ones available commercially - there a plenty of DIY portable ones on YouTube. http://www.stockstorage.com/

Here's a cool, simple, break-down wood stove more suited for backpacking:  http://www.littlbug.com/?gclid=CNOIuqTorZcCFRwwawodzwjejQ

Anyway, back to the Jet Boil, this is kind of a fun site & has them on sale:  http://www.wildernessdining.com/

I've backpacked on the Pacific Crest Trail with some guys who used a slightly different stove concept:  It's fuel was a handful of twigs, just like these kettles. The difference was that the stoves they used made the burning more efficient by the addition of a little battery powered fan. Used a D cell. No gas to carry. Quick to boil water or cook. Some adjustment to the intensity of the flame by changing the speed of the fan. They weren't ultra compact, but it was a clever concept, and it seemed to work well. I can't remember the brand name, but there are a few out there.

The cool thing about these kettle is that they're so simple...no moving parts. That's my kind of technology. It's why I like kayaks, too. Nothing to break. I don't car camp much, and these seem big for a backpacker, but I want one anyways. Consumerism!     

When I used to backpack a lot with friends and others in Arizona, one of them would occasionally bring along a similar twig powered backpacking stove. I think it was one of these: http://www.hikemore.com/hiking/usa-gear/backpacking-stoves.html EDIT: This is the stove they used to bring along: http://www.zzstove.com/sierra.html

It worked fine for boiling water and for high heat types of cooking, but never simmered very well without a lot of constant attention. They also took up a lot more space in the pack than my MSR Superfly and a small gas canister. But, if space isn't a huge issue AND you foresee having access to plenty of wood along your trip, then the ability to go without buying gas canisters is probably a good thing. One other limitation I remember is that we were surprised how much work it took to gather enough of the right size wood when we would take trips in the desert. So much of the brush in desert areas is "flashy" and won't maintain heat for very long. So, you had to have a lot more than a handful of twigs to keep a fire going long enough to boil a quart of water.

If you're open to looking at efficient gas stoves, I found the MSR Superfly to be just about the best all around stove. It boils water quick, folds down small, lights easily with the piezio ignition addition, and best of all it fits just about any fuel canister made, not just MSR canisters! Having been a backpacking guide and a Leave No Trace instructor I totally get the desire to avoid canisters. I know I've come across piles of them in remote backcountry locations myself  Personally, I recycle the gas canisters. You just have to burn out all the fuel and then puncture the canister before putting it in your recycle bin.