Eco-billy

[Bushie]

Anybody using the eco-billies

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2006/08/123.jpg

After the weekend up in Louth I'm sold on these (now just got to get one)

A couple of handfulls of dry leaves or grass and 6 min later you have 1.5 litres of boiling water and bugger all ash etc left.

I know they are available from Aust. Geographic shops and TJM stores (can't find any in stock at the moment though) for around the $70 mark, constructed of stainless so they are pretty sturdy.


Martyn

[Dinty]

G'day All, Don't want to sound like a smart ***e but I think mine's miles better than that, mine is a Volcanoe kettle originally designed by the British Armed forces WW2 for use in the desert, I bought it in the UK about 13 years ago, it is constructed of Aluminium it is used in the same way as the one you have shown, but I can't show you mine because I'm a dummie when it comes to posting pix:( anyway I suppose we should support the locally made products;) cheers Dennis:wasntme:

[Xtreme]

I must have one of the originals - have been using it for about 40 years now.
Unfortunately most clones that I have seen don't have sufficient air holes for the fire to breathe efficiently. Originals had a separate base with a single large (about 100 x 40mm) cut out. This meant that you could face it fully or partially into the wind/breeze depending on how fierce you required your fire to be. Also, another advantage was that you could lift the top section off, pour a few 'cuppas' and return it without your fire collapsing.

[Bush65]

I have a similar one of 2.2 litre capacity, called a Thermette http://www.thermette.com/. Made in NZ by Kestrel Developments.
http://www.thermette.com/thermett_2nd.gif

NZ forces used these in the desert during WW 2, where they were known as Benghasi Boiler.

They have an adaptor that allows you to cook with a frypan or saucepan over the chimney, while the water is boiling.

It would be nice if these were also available in stainless steel.

[numpty]

I wonder where that photo came from Mar Tyn
Perry

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Do reckon spinnefex would do the trick? if so that would be very handy in the desert :)

[Bushie]

After searching for quite a while I finally sourced one from Opposite lock at Rockdale, yesterday. (Gordon the owner had been trying all over Aus to get one in) It seems like they have been like the proverbial rocking horse **** lately.


Martyn

[Mick-Kelly]

Not blowing my own trumpet, but arnt all of these just variations on the Kelly Kettle. :p

[Jamo]

I've got an Eco-Billy. Great piece of kit!. I just use leaf litter off the ground. Never would have believed it if I hadn't tried it!

[Redback]

It can get blowy on the west coast of Ireland:o

This would be great, i haven't seen any here though.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/09/8.jpg

Baz.

[Reads90]

It can get blowy on the west coast of Ireland:o

This would be great, i haven't seen any here though.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2007/09/8.jpg

Baz.


come round my house i have one.
Kelly kettles are bloody fantastic . Had one for years , but bought a new one before i left the UK (The biggest one with the extras so you can cook on it as well
Love it really usefull on our trip around aus. Showed a few lads on here when we went to Land Curser park a couple of months ago

[Bushie]

Not blowing my own trumpet, but arnt all of these just variations on the Kelly Kettle. :p

All variations on somebodies original ;). Obviously by the above posts they have been around since WW2 at least. Didn't really care whos version I ended up with, just had trouble finding one locally. Most camping stores etc just gave me a blank look when I asked for one or described how they worked.


Martyn

[Reads90]

All variations on somebodies original ;). Obviously by the above posts they have been around since WW2 at least. Didn't really care whos version I ended up with, just had trouble finding one locally. Most camping stores etc just gave me a blank look when I asked for one or described how they worked.


Martyn

must admit when i use mine you get people looking at you saying what the hell is that and what are you going to do with it

[p38arover]

Penrith Aust Geographic usually has them in two sizes. The girls there know what they are.

I've toyed with buying one

Ron

[EchiDna]

Penrith Aust Geographic usually has them in two sizes. The girls there know what they are.

I've toyed with buying one

Ron

the girls? :D or the kettle? :(

haha!

[CraigE]

I have an Aussie Bush Kettle. The wife was reluctant for me to spend the $100 on it, but now would not be without it. Hot fresh coffee in about 5 minutes or less. I carry a little metho burner with us so we do not have to find fuel. But it works well with stick/leaf litter or even paper products.

[Dinty]

G'day All, Mines the same as in the posts by Redback and Reads90, brilliant piece of gear bought mine from K Slavins in Louth UK, and yes it sure does get people asking what are you doing and it boils H2o quicker than gas anyway cheers Dennis:wasntme:

[p38arover]

the girls? :D or the kettle? :(

haha!


:D :D I get the chicks for free! (Shades of Money for Nothing).

Ron

[Martin]

If you really want one...

http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/products/brand/volcanokettleindex.html

http://cgi.ebay.com/KELLY-KETTLE-IPT_W0QQitemZ220076070271QQihZ012QQcategoryZ16036Q QcmdZViewItem (Closed - but user has more on buy it now...)

http://www.kellykettle.com/order.html - (best link I think)

I know i do ;-)

[Rob Bruce]

I have a Ausey bush kettle fantastic, but it replaced an old one my grandfather orignally had, it finally rusted out some 10 years ago. My grandfather got it in the mid 1920's and I used it for years, unfortionatly
it was made of tin plated steel, but it gave fantastic service. The new ones
seem to be made of alluminum or other non rust metal and work just as well.

Rob Bruce

[Barra1]

I guess I'm a lazy old codger.:D I use a couple of fire-starter cubes to boil-up the Eco-billy. No mess, no fuss - just a hot cuppa in a minute or so.

[p38arover]

On my trip to Derby, as I wasn't driving back, anything I took in the Disco had to be disposable or giveable to my daughter.

I bought one of those $16 gas stoves and a couple of disposable gas containers.

It worked exceptionally well and boiled water very quickly - if there was no wind. With a wind it was pretty bad. It needed a shield. I suspect the eco-billies wouldn't be fazed by a bit of wind.

If you want to make some stoves of your own, see http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

Another cheap stove is the Hobo Stove made out of a 4 litre paint tin. Google "Hobo Stove". I miust try one out.

(Oh, I bought another $16 gas unit when I got home I was so impressed by it.)

Ron

[Chenz]

I have one and it is great - Thanks for the tip Numpty. I went to National Geographic to get one for a freind for a present and they told me that they are not making the small model anymore and that the large version like the one Numpty and I have is only in limited production so if you want one and they have one in stock GRAB IT!

[ScrubPleb]

I have one that I made in metalwork class at high school in the early 70s. It is made of gal plate. I also have copper one made by my grandfather in the 20s. They are both used regularly and are still in good condition. They come into their own when you pull up for a quick cuppa. Faster than setting up a stove or starting a fire for a billy. Just remember to allow enough ventilation from below.

[Tank]

I must have one of the originals - have been using it for about 40 years now.
Unfortunately most clones that I have seen don't have sufficient air holes for the fire to breathe efficiently. Originals had a separate base with a single large (about 100 x 40mm) cut out. This meant that you could face it fully or partially into the wind/breeze depending on how fierce you required your fire to be. Also, another advantage was that you could lift the top section off, pour a few 'cuppas' and return it without your fire collapsing.
Xtreme, which one do you have?? Regards Frank.

[Redback]

I have a Ausey bush kettle fantastic, but it replaced an old one my grandfather orignally had, it finally rusted out some 10 years ago. My grandfather got it in the mid 1920's and I used it for years, unfortionatly
it was made of tin plated steel, but it gave fantastic service. The new ones
seem to be made of alluminum or other non rust metal and work just as well.

Rob Bruce

That would be one of the Malleys Kettle with the Stove top for cooking over the top of it, i just scored one from Vinnies for $10 in it's original box:D

Baz.

[dobbo]

That would be one of the Malleys Kettle with the Stove top for cooking over the top of it, i just scored one from Vinnies for $10 in it's original box:D

Baz.


good score

[Redback]

This is it:D

http://forum.australia4wd.com/uploads/1184056806/med_gallery_43_4_872641.jpg
http://forum.australia4wd.com/uploads/1184056806/med_gallery_43_4_198688.jpg

Baz.

[p38arover]

I've been tossing up whether or not to buy one of these and I need to make up my mind today if I'm gunna take adbvantage of the Kelly Kettles promotion.

But which?

The Aussie-made Eco-Billy (I can't find any in a store to have a good look at them. I haven't seen one for a while. Australian Geographic have discontinued them as a stock line but they have one in stock that my local store can get in)
The NZ Thermette
Kelly KettleI like the folding handles of the Eco-Billy and the Thermette vs the chain and handle of the Kelly
The Eco-Billy is about $25 cheaper than the Thermette or Kelly (virtually identically priced) and there are no shipping charges - say another $25 - to get it in.
The Thermette comes with the stove top - it's an option on the Kelly. I don't know if anything like that can be used on the Eco-Billy.
The Thermette and Kelly have separate firebases. I think the Eco's base is part of the kettle.
The Kelly has a large fill hole. The Thermette's looks small. Dunno about the Eco.

The Kelly gets a bit of rubbishing on this motorcycling site: Volcano Kettles - The HUBB (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/camping-equipment-and-all-clothing/volcano-kettles-10755)


I was trafficking in what I consider to be the superior Australian models a couple of years ago, <snip>

In the UK everyone and his dog sells those utterly poxy Kellies
which, IMHO, proves they don't actually use use them (or are already in the final stages of Altzeimers ;-). Overcomplicated and unfuctional. And look at the price!

and


I have had 2 kelly kettles, and now have two 'eco-billies'. In my mind there is no discussion - kelly kettles are a complete waste of time and money, the Australian ones are fantastic.

Oh dear, what to do?

[weeds]

I need to make up my mind today if I'm gunna take adbvantage of the Kelly Kettles promotion.


Hey Ron.....no need to rush as Kelly Kettle have extended there offer till the end of March,I have been away from a pc for the last week or so, I will update the posts today however I need to find somebody to change the banner

I received my kelly kettle yesterday and tried it out, I used three pine cones (thanks for the tip inc) and it worked a treat, I'm not a very good boy scout as it took me four matches to get the fire going, am about to try the fire starters another tip is to use 5-6 pieces of news paper.....um might try that as well

I have not used any of the others so I don't know if they are better or worse than the kelly, either way the kelly is now in the defender

I brought all the extras but not sure sure if they will get used

[Chenz]

On my trip to Derby, as I wasn't driving back, anything I took in the Disco had to be disposable or giveable to my daughter.

I bought one of those $16 gas stoves and a couple of disposable gas containers.

It worked exceptionally well and boiled water very quickly - if there was no wind. With a wind it was pretty bad. It needed a shield. I suspect the eco-billies wouldn't be fazed by a bit of wind.

From my experience, a bit of wind actually gets the water boiling faster in my Eco-Billy.

Went down to Jindabyne trout fishing a few weeks a go and threw it into the boat. Pull up to the bank, dip in the lake to fill up, hand full of leaves and in 5 minutes in a hefty gale had a cuppa. Magic piece of gear.

[Bushie]

I've been tossing up whether or not to buy one of these and I need to make up my mind today if I'm gunna take adbvantage of the Kelly Kettles promotion.

But which?
The Aussie-made Eco-Billy (I can't find any in a store to have a good look at them. I haven't seen one for a while. Australian Geographic have discontinued them as a stock line but they have one in stock that my local store can get in)
The NZ Thermette
Kelly KettleI like the folding handles of the Eco-Billy and the Thermette vs the chain and handle of the Kelly
The Eco-Billy is about $25 cheaper than the Thermette or Kelly (virtually identically priced) and there are no shipping charges - say another $25 - to get it in.
The Thermette comes with the stove top - it's an option on the Kelly. I don't know if anything like that can be used on the Eco-Billy.
The Thermette and Kelly have separate firebases. I think the Eco's base is part of the kettle.
The Kelly has a large fill hole. The Thermette's looks small. Dunno about the Eco.

The Kelly gets a bit of rubbishing on this motorcycling site: Volcano Kettles - The HUBB (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/camping-equipment-and-all-clothing/volcano-kettles-10755)



and



Oh dear, what to do?


Doesn't really matter Ron, whichever one you get probably will have a hole in it (knowing your luck). :D:D


Martyn

as far as I know they (eco-billies) are still available through Opposite Lock stores.
Unit 2, 411 West Botany Street
Rockdale, 2216

Contact Name: Gordon Shaw

Phone: (02) 9597 5702
Fax: (02) 9597 5427

[p38arover]

The Kelly has a large fill hole. The Thermette's looks small. Dunno about the Eco.

The Eco-Billy hole is amply big enough. You can't burn HUGE lumps of stuff in them so why make the hole bigger than necessary...at a guess, 1 1/2 - 2 in diameter hole

Actually, I was referring to the water fill hole, not the chimney :)

[p38arover]

Doesn't really matter Ron, whichever one you get probably will have a hole in it (knowing your luck). :D:D



I just received my new RovaCom diagnostic system. I can't get it to talk to either of my laptops.

[Phantum]

Happy New year

From memory, I got my eco billy for my 30th birthday from mum and dad some 15 years ago. Stainless steel from nat geo, Greatest thing since sliced bread, whatever you want to put in the centre for heating works even on the gas stove. Well worth the money. :):)

[dobbo]

Dearest Ron

May I suggest you make yourself a cuppa tea and think about your dillemma.

[Reads90]

Someone mentioned in another thread that the kelly boils enough water for 2 mugs of tea. Maybe that is a smaller size?

The Eco-Billy (larger size) will do 4 mugs

Nah not my kelly
I did 4 large mugs of coffee the other day with my Kelly easy with some left over

[vnx205]

Someone mentioned in another thread that the kelly boils enough water for 2 mugs of tea. Maybe that is a smaller size?

The Eco-Billy (larger size) will do 4 mugs

My Kelly Kettle is sold as the 2.5 pint model.
I can fit 1.4 litres in but would lose about 100 or 200 ml of that if I let it boil for more than a few seconds.
If I put in 1.2 litres I probably wouldn't lose more than a few teaspoons and is what I would consider to be a sensible level.

2.5 UK pints is about 1.4 litres.
6 cups or 4.5 coffee mugs is about 1.4 litres.
The larger Eco Billy is about 1.4 litres.
So the larger Kelly Kettle and the Eco Billy are very close to the same size.

I may have mislead you by mentioning in another post that I had enough for two very large mugs and enough to wash them up afterwards. Because of the size of my camping mugs and the amount of water I use to wash them up, that amounts to about 1.2 litres.

[vnx205]

Nah not my kelly
I did 4 large mugs of coffee the other day with my Kelly easy with some left over

Gee I hate it when I spend ages typing a response and when I finally post it I find that someone else has made the same point in fewer words and less time.
:p

[wayne]

Everyone seems to rave on about using pinecones, newspaper, firelighters etc
but know one mentions if they are any good on an LPG stove,with all the fire bans in place it would be nice to know if they are more efficient than a regular Billy is. Is it worth spending the money if LPG is going to be your predominant fuel :confused:

[loanrangie]

Everyone seems to rave on about using pinecones, newspaper, firelighters etc
but know one mentions if they are any good on an LPG stove,with all the fire bans in place it would be nice to know if they are more efficient than a regular Billy is. Is it worth spending the money if LPG is going to be your predominant fuel :confused:

I dont think they would be any good on a lpg stove as the flame would just lick up the sides and not in the chimeny tube where the water is heated from.

[numpty]

Everyone seems to rave on about using pinecones, newspaper, firelighters etc
but know one mentions if they are any good on an LPG stove,with all the fire bans in place it would be nice to know if they are more efficient than a regular Billy is. Is it worth spending the money if LPG is going to be your predominant fuel :confused:

You may be missing the point. The idea is (at least this is what we do) to use it instead of a stove for a quick cuppa, as in smoko stops on travel days.

[incisor]

i use a kelly kettle on an lpg stove all the time, just place your cup or something on the top vent and it boil the water in no time flat. takes forever without something covering the top vent ;)

[wayne]

You may be missing the point. The idea is (at least this is what we do) to use it instead of a stove for a quick cuppa, as in smoko stops on travel days.

Sorry I didnt explain myself very well I appreciate that they only need a few twigs and leaves to boil water but with so many total fire bans all over the place I was wondering if they were equally efficient on gas so that I only have to carry the one billy for all occasions

[Blknight.aus]

they work well on gas, my one sits nicely over the ring of my camp cooker ( the ones that take the areosol spray can sized gas cans) and will boil in about 5 minutes with the bonus that you can still warm up something (like a jaffle iron) on the adaptor plate that goes on the top of one.

[Bushie]

Sorry I didnt explain myself very well I appreciate that they only need a few twigs and leaves to boil water but with so many total fire bans all over the place I was wondering if they were equally efficient on gas so that I only have to carry the one billy for all occasions

Regulations appear to be a little different in Qld, but for NSW, Vic and SA Total Fire Ban prohibits all fires (including LPG) in the open.


Martyn

[graceysdad]

Not really on topic but similar, I have a 40 year old two piece quart pot set, bueatifully stained inside and you can smell the tea aroma long after its cleaned, it produces a really nice cup of Tea, I have a large supply of heximine fuel tablets and use these as well as a small fire to boil it, Its the handiest thing I can stop anywhere and brew up and do!, I have two sets one is a newer RM Williams set I got a few years ago never used it, the old one will find itself strapped to the dash of the Landy and plenty of fuel tablets and tea in the tool box,

[p38arover]

I went to the caravan and camping show at Rose Hill today. The Eco-Billy was there in both the 750 ml and 1.5 litre (?) sizes. I had a good look and compared them to the Dingo Bush Kettle beside them.

The Eco-Billy is quite rough in construction albeit sturdy. The Dingo is much better made also I'm a bit wary of the pop riveted on handle.

I prefer the Dingo's spout - the Eco has only a hole. The Eco may be easier to fill as the lid can be removed completely whilst the Dingo has a smaller hole in the spout.

The Dingo is spun aluminium so it is very light.

I think a possible failing of both is that neither have a separate fire base like the Kelly. I'd expect that lifting the kettle off the fire would result in the fire collapsing. Maybe, in practice, it doesn't. Any comment Bushie?

In the end, I bought the Dingo for $99 - the same price as the Eco. See http://www.bushkettle.com.au/

I hope I use it. i can see myself getting flak from my wife over this purchase.

http://www.bushkettle.com.au/images/bushkettlephoto.jpg

[vnx205]

.......... .........
I think a possible failing of both is that neither have a separate fire base like the Kelly. I'd expect that lifting the kettle off the fire would result in the fire collapsing. Maybe, in practice, it doesn't. Any comment Bushie?
.............. ................


Before I became the very satisfied owner of a Kelly Kettle, I had borrowed a friend's Eco Billy for a weekend.
In the time I had it, I never solved the problem of the fire collapsing every time I lifted the Eco Billy.
If I had bought one, I think I would have made up some sort of fire base/container like the Kelly Kettle.

[vnx205]

Ron
How could you bring yourself to buy a product that offers the following feature?

Available in 1.2 litre water capacity, 4 Good Mugs, 5 Coops of TeaOr is a Coop of tea some sort of joke that has gone over my head?

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Ron
How could you bring yourself to buy a product that offers the following feature?

Available in 1.2 litre water capacity, 4 Good Mugs, 5 Coops of TeaOr is a Coop of tea some sort of joke that has gone over my head?


Only "4 Good Mugs" have bought one so far :eek::D:D:wasntme:

[p38arover]

Hmm, about 10 minutes to boil..........


and it leaks! :(

[Grimace]

Hmm, about 10 minutes to boil..........


and it leaks! :(

HAHA :p

[incisor]

and it leaks! :(
just about all of em do when new :P

[vnx205]

Hmm, about 10 minutes to boil..........


and it leaks! :(

The instructions for the Kelly Kettle say that it may leak for a while when new, but that it would soon stop.
Mine didn't leak at all.

Since the materials are the same and some of the construction is similar, I expect yours will stop leaking after a while.

[vnx205]

Well I agree the fire collapses but considering its only about 7inches in diameter, and a piddling little fire at that, and a couple of stamps with your foot puts it out I can't see the problem in that. Any bigger and it goes to show you are stuffing too much fuel into the flue anyway.

We never light the thing up in grass or shrubbery always clear a spot with a couple of swipes of that same boot

Any water that may be left in the kettle then rinses the cups after use and then goes from cup to fire just to be sure

Everything you say is quite right.

It wasn't the possibility of the fire getting away that I was worried about.

I just found it a minor inconvenience after making a couple of mugs of tea when I tried to put the Eco Billy back on the fire for washing up water. The scattered remains of the fire made it a little less stable than when first set up and any burning material outside the base put soot on the outside.

I know those are really pretty inconsequential issues, but without those little problems those type of kettles/billies are normally quite stable and remain very clean on the outside, so they are convenient to pack away

[numpty]

Ron's probably using non boilable water.

To work, the water has got to want to boil.;)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Ron's probably using non boilable water.

To work, the water has got to want to boil.;)

That's right - Ron's kettle only works at 4000M and up :D :D

[GRIFF]

Hi a bit of info on the kettle. first invented buy the kiwis then the army brought them for solders 1st ww used them in the desert

[LandyAndy]

Rons will leak MORE as its used,enough to extinguish the fire long before a boil temp is reached:p:p:p:p
Andrew

[thebeast]

I went to the caravan and camping show at Rose Hill today. The Eco-Billy was there in both the 750 ml and 1.5 litre (?) sizes. I had a good look and compared them to the Dingo Bush Kettle beside them.

The Eco-Billy is quite rough in construction albeit sturdy. The Dingo is much better made also I'm a bit wary of the pop riveted on handle.

I prefer the Dingo's spout - the Eco has only a hole. The Eco may be easier to fill as the lid can be removed completely whilst the Dingo has a smaller hole in the spout.

The Dingo is spun aluminium so it is very light.

I think a possible failing of both is that neither have a separate fire base like the Kelly. I'd expect that lifting the kettle off the fire would result in the fire collapsing. Maybe, in practice, it doesn't. Any comment Bushie?

In the end, I bought the Dingo for $99 - the same price as the Eco. See http://www.bushkettle.com.au/

I hope I use it. i can see myself getting flak from my wife over this purchase.



I also saw these kettles at the show and wondered about the pouring hole in the eco-billy. Does the hole pour smoothly into a mug with any level of water in the kettle?

I thought that the eco-billy would be much easier to fill with water than the dingo.

I wish they had also the kelly kettle there. For those that have the kelly kettle, how much did you pay for it and where did you purchase it from?

Of course the one I really want is the copper thermette from NZ. So does anyone know if we can purchase these in OZ?

[vnx205]

I also saw these kettles at the show and wondered about the pouring hole in the eco-billy. Does the hole pour smoothly into a mug with any level of water in the kettle?
I never found any problem pouring water from the hole in the side of the Eco Billy


I thought that the eco-billy would be much easier to fill with water than the dingo.

It probably depends on what source of water you use to fill the billy.

Certainly the Eco Billy with the removable lid is easy no matter what you use to fill it.

Most of the time I just fill the Kelly Kettle by dipping it in the creek. The rest of the time I fill it from the outside tap on the tank fitted in the camper. The nozzle fits inside the spout so it doesn't lose a drop. Both of these methods would be just as easy with the Dingo.

I can see that if you were pouring water from a 20 litre container, the Eco Billy would definitely be the easiest.

[vnx205]

Knowing Ron his will continue to leak and take longer and longer to boil :D;)


Ron's probably using non boilable water.

To work, the water has got to want to boil.;)


That's right - Ron's kettle only works at 4000M and up :D :D


Rons will leak MORE as its used,enough to extinguish the fire long before a boil temp is reached:p:p:p:p
Andrew

Why is it that I have this mental picture of a lot of people out there sticking pins in a voodoo doll version of Ron's Dingo and rolling around on the floor laughing? :p

[p38arover]

Why is it that I have this mental picture of a lot of people out there sticking pins in a voodoo doll version of Ron's Dingo and rolling around on the floor laughing? :p

And I thought it was only me that thought that! :D

Jeez, it's good to have friends. :(

[thebeast]

with fire bans is it okay to use the eco-billys. I plan to put the fire on a base of some sort.

[Chenz]

I would say no. With the amount of smoke they throw out I doubt you could even do a dodgy.

[Bushie]

with fire bans is it okay to use the eco-billys. I plan to put the fire on a base of some sort.

Probably depends on where you are and What type of fire ban is in place, in NSW if it's a Total Fire Ban (TOBAN) then no fires are permitted in the open - including lpg stoves and the like.

(LPG and electric BBQs are OK on a residential block of land within 20m of the house with water available)

Other states regs are different - some have no open fires for most of summer etc.


Martyn

[thebeast]

Thanks for all the advice, tips etc. I went back to the camping show and bought the eco-billy. I didn't want to get the dingo kettle as it was aluminium and the eco is stainless steel. I haven't used it yet as I'm going to make up a fire base for it, so as to have the fire contained and not to collapse when removing the kettle as some of you have mentioned.

[Captain_Rightfoot]

And I thought it was only me that thought that! :D

Jeez, it's good to have friends. :(

Awwww... sooory mate you know we're just pulling your leg ;) :D

[p38arover]

Awwww... sooory mate you know we're just pulling your leg ;) :D

No! I don't! :mad:

















Ok, I do! :D:D

[Captain_Rightfoot]

No! I don't! :mad:

















Ok, I do! :D:D
We've got to keep this thread on the boil somehow... :wasntme: :D:D

[p38arover]

We've got to keep this thread on the boil somehow... :wasntme: :D:D

OOOOOHHHHH!

I've found a disadvantage of the billy. It smells of woodfire in the car!

[thebeast]

I would say no. With the amount of smoke they throw out I doubt you could even do a dodgy.

Well I guess I'm just keeping this thread going....
Gave the eco-billy to hubby for his birthday. (16th April)..Guess what it is I asked him......The first thing he did was drop it on the pavement...great!! I wasn't impressed at the newly acquired dent.....after scratching his head he came up with "Is it an exhaust?" mmmm!!! so I told him what it was and how to use it.

I had everything at the ready, water, wood, matches, mug, tea in other words the works and sat back....After a while with smoke billowing all over the yard and hubby exclaiming it's not working useless "bleep, bleep!!" and ready to drop kick said present over the fence, I had to come to the rescue.

He was impressed at how quick it was to boil the full kettle, oh yes and after he had his cuppa remembered to say gee thanks.

1 question I would like to know is - Does anyone use any other fuel besides wood and forest refuge to eliminate the enormous amount of smoke they throw out?

Thanks in advance
The Beast (referring to our rattling defender and not me)

[vnx205]

I just came back from a trip to the Watagans last week when it rained on and off all day, so I had the chance to try different fuels.

I found:
I could boil over three large mugs of water with 8 double pages of a tabloid newspaper.
Two pages of a tabloid newspaper were enough to dry out and burn wet pine needles and twigs. Once the fire got going, I could just add more wet needles and twigs.
Once I had some small bits of wood alight in the fire tray, I could boil a kettle full in three and a half minute. I think I could have done it in three if I had bothered to stoke the fire which was slowly dying during the test.My experience had been that fuels that produce a lot of smoke would struggle to burn at all without the chimney effect of the kettle.
If there is any breeze, it seems to help quite a bit to face the vent in the bottom towards the wind.

[numpty]

Well I guess I'm just keeping this thread going....

1 question I would like to know is - Does anyone use any other fuel besides wood and forest refuge to eliminate the enormous amount of smoke they throw out?

Thanks in advance
The Beast (referring to our rattling defender and not me)

No, as the whole idea is to use leaves and twigs, otherwise you'd use a stove.;)

[seqfisho]

My old Aussie bush kettle, and as Ron's Dingo model should have come with a small dish for using metho as a fuel, it used to work quite well at places like stockton beach where there weren't too many leaves:D

[stevetd5]

Hi all, I have been using mine quite a lot lately great fun and quick. Try Quorn autoport (08) 86486093 Good price and available in two sizes.
Regards Steve

[Fluids]

Bump.

We ended up buying a Kelly Kettle. The 1.7L stainless with the cooking kit. I prefer the fire pot so the kettle can be lifted on/off with the fire contained ... and in a pinch the fire pot can be used as a single burner wood fired cooker, or a small can and metho for a fuel stove. It works excellently. 4min's to boil a full kettle ... about as fast as our electric jug!

$130 complete ex Ireland. Should last me a lifetime ... and it didn't leak! :)

Should have seen the look on everyone's faces at work when I made a cuppa when it arrived ! Drew a crowd and the look on their faces was ... priceless ! :)

[Hoges]

Just returned from a 4 week " expedition" to Cape York. Kelly Kettle used at least twice every day...fab-oh ;) especially being able to use it as well to heat other things on top of the "volcano" while boiling water...

[p38arover]

I watched a YouTube video by a Canadian chap and it inspired me to get my kettle out of the cupboard where it has been stored pretty much since I bought it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=t0Iwex2Gq-o

I’d forgotten that mine leaks. I’ll have to test it to see if it still does. The reason I gave up on it in 2008 was because I couldn’t carry it in the car after use because it stank from the tars that had condensed on the inside of the chimney.

I might go outside and try it again.

Does anyone still use their kettle?

[vnx205]

Does anyone still use their kettle.

Yes.

[sharmy]

I use mine quite often, I recently bought a bigger one, about 3litres, from sporting shooters. It was only about $80 and it will be used for shower water.