Thread: Eco-billy

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

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!

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

Xtreme, which one do you have?? Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by 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

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

Baz.

Originally Posted by Redback

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

Baz.

good score

This is it




Baz.

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 Kettle

I 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

Originally Posted by Chris Scott

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

Originally Posted by Sam Rutherford

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?