Kelly Kettle Trekker Wood Burning Camp Stove and Boiler
Detailed Description
The Trekker is Kelly Kettle's "Mini" Wood Burning Camp Stove and Boiler is suitable for 1-2 persons. Choose from the Ultralight Aluminum version to save pack weight, or the Stainless Steel version for easy care.
Ingenious double wall chimney design lets you burn wood, sticks, pine cones, etc, to boil water in the kettle while simultaneously cooking with the optional attachments. Wood is cheap, plentiful fuel and can usually be collected for free. It is very efficient and carbon neutral. You are burning items that will decompose anyway, releasing carbon.
Compact and lightweight, it boils 2 cups (.5L or 17oz) of water within a matter of minutes. Add the pot support and it is does "double duty" - cook more food over your Kelly Kettle chimney while the water boils inside (sold in sidebar)
The Aluminum version only weighs 1 lb 1 ounce and holds 17 oz. of water. The Stainless Steel version weighs 1 lb 11 ounces and holds 19 ounces of water. (Shipping weight is 2.8 lbs due to protective packaging
A Highly Efficient Outdoor Camp Kettle, this Kelly Kettle is suitable for Trekkers, Hikers, Kayakers, Backpackers, Bikers, and all outdoors enthusiasts who need to keep their pack light. This lightweight Kelly Kettle is also suitable for Car Camping, Wilderness Survival Kits and Emergency Disaster Kits.
Because there is no need to carry fuel, the Kelly Kettle will keep your pack light and save you money at the same time - never worry about running out of fuel again! Using any naturally occurring solid fuel such as sticks, pine cones, dry grass and even dry animal dung; this Kelly Kettle will operate perfectly, even in stormy conditions and will bring 2 cups (.5L or 17oz) of water to a rolling boil within a matter of minutes.
If more hot water is required, this Kelly Kettle will easily boil water quickly for a party of 4-6 people, simply refill the kettle and place it back on the fire base and refuel the chimney again. The kettle will boil again within a matter of minutes where water can be used for more hot drinks, bathing, and washing up.
Fits Perfectly in any Backpack. Lighten your load with the Kelly Kettle Trekker.
Note: The fire base inverts partially up into the bottom of your Kelly Kettle to make it a very stable platform during burning.
Product Dimensions:
Height ....... 12 inches
Diameter.... 5.5 inches
Capacity.....17 fl.oz., 2 cups, .5 Liters
Weight.......1.3 lbs (Aluminum) or 1.7 lbs (Stainless Steel)
2 Year Anti Leak Warranty.
FAQ's: Can the Kettle be used without water in the chamber? No If you use your Kelly Kettle without water in the chamber you run the risk of overheating and melting the inner chimney wall. Just look at the picture below.
NOTE: Your 2 year anti-leak warranty will not apply if you boil your kettle dry!
Can my Alcohol Burner be used with the Kelly Kettle? Yes. Many Alcohol Burners can be used with the Kettle. In fact that would reduce carry weight of the Kettle to 13.8 ounces, since you could leave the wood firebowl attachment at hom. However you would need to check to ensure that your burner fits into the base. We have tested the Sterno Can / Methanol Gel,
Vargo Decagon,
Vargo Triad XE sold here and they fit nicely and can be nested inside for travel.
Internal Dimensions of the Trekker: Fire base of the Trekker Kettle is 4 inches (about 10.5 cm) Inside Diameter. It has a working height of about 2.5 inches (about 7 cm) before the chimney of the kettle starts to narrow.
TIP - When using your alcohol/gel burner, partially cover the chimney top of your Kelly kettle with a flat stone to retain the heat, save fuel and speed up boiling time!
Can the Kelly Kettle be lifted on and off the fire base ?
This is the correct way to lift the Kelly Kettle clear of the fire base and flames:
Hold the handle (with both hands) at an angle of 90 degrees to the body of the kettle. Lift the kettle straight up keeping the handle parallel to the ground. The weight of the kettle will ensure that the kettle remains upright and that no water will spill. Once the kettle is clear of the base & flames, you can hold the handle in one hand directly over the chimney of the kettle and easily carry the water to wherever it is needed.
To pour the water, hold the handle in one hand and gently lift on the cork chain to pour.
If more boiling water is needed, simply refill the kettle with cold water and gently place it back on the fire base - again using two hands as shown in the picture below. Refill the chimney with fuel and "presto', your kettle will be boiled again in about 3-5 minutes.
Note:Never put your hands or lift the handle directly
over the chimney of the kettle when the kettle is lit, as it can result in a
burn
What kind of foods can be cooked using the Pot Support Accessory ?
The pot-support is suitable for cooking quick meals such as Noodles / Rice / Oatmeal / re-hydrated food / soup / toast (if using smokefree fuel) etc. and for re-heating pre cooked food. It is not recommended that you try and cook the Sunday Roast over the kettle!!
We recommend that the pot-support be used as follows:
1. Boil the kettle as normal and use the water for dehydrated meals, instant coffee, etc, or to pour over any food you wish to boil or cook on the pot support.
2. Refill the kettle with water. Gently place the refilled kettle back on the fire base and refuel through the chimney as required to boil the kettle a second time (the additional water can be used for coffee, washing up, bathing etc).
3. Assemble the pot-support (the 2 pieces slot together) and place it on the chimney. Place the pot on top of the pot-support. The contents of the pot will simmer & boil within a minute or so. Holding the pot steady with the gripper handle provided, stir the food to avoid burning it.
4. Within 4-5 minutes the kettle water will also be boiling again. The pot/pan and pot-support will need to be removed before you lift the kettle off the fire base. If the food needs to be cooked some more simply add fuel to the fire base, and use the add on grill pieces on the base (using the gripper handle if required) and place your pot on the grill, stir contents as required.
Practice makes perfect! With a little practice you will develop a process of boil, pour reboil, cook and be able to prepare a lot of food in a short time.
Remember: The Pot-support is only to be used when the kettle is full with water. Never use the pot-support if the kettle is empty. The pot-support is only suitable for cooking quick meals in a pot, not for grilling meat or fish.
I am an Ultralight Backpacker, How can I make my Kettle lighter ?
One idea is to remove the fire base as the kettle operates perfectly without it. Simply place the kettle on a level non-combustible surface (large flat rock / sand / gravel etc.) and slightly raise the kettle using 4 small flat stones to allow for air intake. The kettle should work perfectly.
Remember that with a Kelly Kettle there is no need to carry fuel and the interior space of the kettle (the chimney) can be used to carry some of your basic survival gear items (plastic signal whistle, knives, waterproof matches etc.) once those items are sealed in a plastic bag to protect them from the thin layer of soot in the chimney.
A second option for making the kettle lighter is to replace the existing handle with wire. In this case, care would need to be exercised once the kettle boils and you want to lift the kettle off the fire base. Using both hands coming in from the side, take the wire as close as possible to the connection with the kettle (without touching the kettle as it will be extremely hot) and lift the kettle straight up and away from the flames setting it down on level ground. Once the kettle is clear of the fire, the kettle can be carried normally in one hand with the wire handle directly over the chimney of the kettle.
Note: Never lift your hands directly over the chimney of the kettle when the kettle is lit as it can result in a burn
What is the history of the Kelly Kettle ?
The tradition of using the kettle as a method of boiling water at lunchtime, goes back to the 1890's in the West Coast of Ireland and the design has changed little since it was first introduced.
Lough Conn is famous for its free rising brown trout and fresh run Salmon from the River Moy system. The lake provided (and still provides) ample fuel for use in the kettle, where washed up twigs, sticks and dried grass were easily available. On wet & stormy days, the local angling guides would keep watch for the small pillar of smoke on the lake shore which indicated that a colleague already had a 'brew' on! A hot cup of tea or soup awaited anyone who landed and the Kettle would be repeatedly boiled as additional boats laden with anglers arrived. Tradition dictates that both the angling guide (Ghillie) and his guests (usually 2 anglers to his boat) together would gather dry tinder for the kettle from the lake shore. Then, the Ghillie will set about boiling up the kettle which always amazed guests as it works even in the height of a storm! The Anglers will then be offered their fresh tea from the Kelly Kettle and in return for his hospitality, the Ghillie received lunch and perhaps a drop of whiskey from the anglers.
The Kelly family still provide a Boat Hire & Ghillie service on Lough Conn. Visiting anglers are as intrigued today as they were some hundred years ago with the speed at which the water can be boiled and through word of mouth, these anglers have spread word about the kettles worldwide. To this day, the Kelly-Kettle / Volcano-Kettle is still the centerpiece in any campsite. If you have seen one in action, you will understand why!