Thread: Eco-billy

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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

Originally Posted by numpty

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

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.

Originally Posted by wayne

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

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,

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.

Originally Posted by p38arover

.......... .........
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.