Testimonials
Submit Your TestimonialMy 3rd Kettle (we use different models for trekking, camping etc), and we now have the whole collection. Customers for 10 years now and we love the new and innovative products. Pamela and Chad, MAApril 17, 2023
The packaging is great, the whole package look fantasic. It was easy to fire up and use everything. Very happy with my gift. JamesJanuary 11, 2023
I've been using mine for about a month in the back yard before I took it out in the sticks for the first time. I've made several gallons of coffee, dehydrated meals, boiled frozen chicken, and just sat there and enjoyed a small fire. Everything works as it should, and everything in the kit is actually useful. I have a gaggle of stoves from the entire price range; this is not 100% practical, (heavy) but by far the most enjoyable. I was REALLY surprised at just how little fuel you need to cook and boil. Also I love the comfort and ambiance of the small fire. My favorite thing about the Kelly Kettle is ZERO cost of ownership and no waste at all. I came to the realization that gas stoves will cost you money for as long as you own them. Now, I never have to buy fuel again and I'm not putting a mountain of empty canisters in the local landfill. That is at least three different kinds of bad for the environment. I feel better about spending my time in the great outdoors. Here is my one dislike. The carrying bag is beyond flimsy. It didn't survive it's first trip out of the yard. I loaded up my gear drove an hour out, an hour back and, by the time I got home there were seventeen holes in the bag. If you can't carry the kit... It's not very useful, is it? I wish they would have made it out of a good, thick, canvas. Or at least offer a canvas bag separately. Maybe I can make a new bag out of an old pants leg or something. Also I would suggest getting a pocket bellows. If Kelly Kettle sold them in the store I would have bought one for sure. And you should definitely get the orange bung (yes I said bung) for canteen usage. Bottom line... I would 100% recommend this kit. Just have to find a good bag. Maybe one with a shoulder strap. HAPPY OUTDOORSING EVERYBODY!July 2, 2020
I travel a lot by canoe in the Puget Sound and stop at state parks because all of the rest of the shoreline is privately owned with NO TRESPASSING signs. Rule #1--you are not allowed to burn anything on the ground or on the beach. If you use a wood burning stove, you must carry your own fuel. I have two choices: 1) wood pellets or 2) Fire Disks. I bought a box of the Fire Disks and they work good. Broken in to fourths, they make a very effective fire starter also.June 5, 2020
AROUND THE WORLD WITH A KELLY KETTLE: I have been travelling around with a kayak and a Kelly Kettle through India and Chile over the last several months, and it has proven to be one of the most well used bits of kit on the whole trip. Usually one for travelling as small and light as possible (aside from a 20kg kayak), it was a bit of a departure from the usual, but from previous experiences in India where petrol stoves work once, then never again, something a bit less complex seemed like a good idea. Spending most of the time living out of the back of a small kayak, space is in short supply, but not having to take petrol was a nice change, and things to burn are never in short supply. In a country where tea, rice, lentils, and noodles are the main foods on the expedition menu, being able to boil water quickly and easily is all that was needed to feed a whole group, and the little hobo stove addition makes frying a couple of onions an easy addition. We have previously managed using the Nepalese technique with 3 rocks and little sticks, but the Kettle makes this so much more efficient and easy when conditions are bad. A kayak isn't what it was designed to fit into, but the 1.2 liter (Scout) model fits well in the back of mine, so if you've got a car, then there's no reason not to have one in the back when you're camping. After a few months of use in India being bashed around in the back of a kayak on class 5 whitewater it was a little mis-shapen and well coated with tar, but was still working as good as new so I flew it (and my kayak) to the other side of the world to Chile for another few months of whitewater kayaking. South Americans love their Mate Tea, which requires constant topping up with hot water, and the Kelly Kettle once again was used almost constantly every day. The simple design is almost a meditative experience, sticks go in the top, and then tea happens. Repeat ad nauseum. Down in Patagonia, the weather doesn't always play nicely and having no other method to cook with than fire, it was a blessing to be able to easily make a fire with damp wood and strong wind. The little pan stand for in the top of the kettle I never found myself needing to use, but the hobo stove was used daily, and the little grill is ideal for a couple of sausages or BBQing an orange. Having a pan set that fits in the kettle along with everything else means one little bag is all that's needed to cook and keep people happy with a constant supply of water for tea and coffee on a lazy morning. Lee Royle, UK, Adventure KayakerJanuary 20, 2019
An outfitter introduced me to the Kelly Kettle while I was canoe tripping in northern Scotland a few years back. I got a quick boil going during a very soggy downpour. I fell in love with this stove then and there and haven't looked back since. I pack the smaller Trekker model on most canoe trips I do in Canada and use the Base Camp model for trips when there will be less need for packing and portaging, especially winter trekking. The Hobo Stove also goes with me on every trip. It's one of the best stick stoves around, adding incredible versatility to my cook system. Kevin Callan, Author, Film Maker and renowned Canadian CanoeistNovember 6, 2018
Please see attached 2 photos, that show your product performing fantastically in -5 degC. The fuel I used was recovered from the woods around the frozen lake; A bit of crunched up news paper, some leaves and plenty of recovered twigs and small branches. Ironically the gas and meths stoves that I carry in my car as back ups would not ignite. The water still boiled inside five minutes. Your Kelly kettle is without doubt one of the most efficient and practical stoves I have owned in over 30 years of outdoor living, thank you. Regards, Kevin AmairaAugust 17, 2018
I enjoyed boiling water in my completely full Kelly Kettle base camp at -23 Celsius in about 3 minutes recently using wood gathered around my yard. Frank Heegaard, Illinois, USA, www.northcentralcyclery.comFebruary 14, 2018
I'm really impressed that Kelly Kettle doesn't require you to bring fuel and that you never run out of it. Just to go picking some more sticks and you have a solution that works indefinitely. It's therefore also very environment friendly. Love it!January 24, 2018
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that I am really pleased with the Kelly Kettle. I bought a 2 pint kettle a few years ago, and it has been a great thing to have around. I live in the forest in Norway and live without electricity. I have a woodstove which I use for heating and cooking. In the summer, I don't need to use the stove for heating the house, and then the kettle really comes into its own. When I need some hot water, I only have to use the kettle. This saves enormously on firewood, and is a quick way to make that all important cup of morning tea. I thought you might like to get some positive feedback. Kind regards, J, NorwayDecember 31, 2017
I used my kettle this weekend, it got windy and it snowed. The people with me could not boil water with their pocket stove because of the wind. I made them all tea. As I told them, smaller isn't always better. Jim - CaliforniaNovember 19, 2017
Dear Sir/Madam, I have been using a Kelly Kettle now for quite a while now, about 5 years and I have always found it to be an invaluable piece of equipment. My kettle has been used extensively while doing bush craft and survival activities and also when out on exercises with HM Forces army. Recently I was involved in the British Army's Cambrian Patrol as safety and support and in one day alone my kettle was used and brought to boil over 30 times in one day, providing myself and other people with hot water. Every one that has seen my kettle in action has remarked on how good it is and I know of two people that have gone out and bought one for themselves. Paul Biggin, UKAugust 29, 2017
Dear Kelly Kettle people, I am, and always have been, a big fan of the Kelly Kettle. It was really interesting to read about how it was developed. Would you believe we used to use it on family camping holidays in England in the late 50's! My dad loved it, my mum hated it! My parents grew up in Ireland, so I suppose that's how my father knew about it. He was a very practical person and loved low-tech solutions, and was always a bit ahead of the times. Since then I have used the kettle a lot on camping trips and especially when playing music with a travelling band, and have given it as special present to several people who I knew would appreciate it. I'm going to buy one for myself, not only for camping, but also to ensure that I can still make a cup of tea if there is a power cut! Thank you for maintaining the integrity of this brilliant product. Very best wishes to you, Sally Jones, UKMay 23, 2017
Hi, I was introduced to the Kelly Kettle when a friend came by for dinner one Christmas with a copy of "A Passion for Angling." We watched all 6 hours on Christmas Day. I was intrigued by the kettle Chris and Bob were boiling their tea water in. I thought something like that would be perfect for winter trout fishing here in North Carolina. Another friend in London arranged to have one drop shipped to me from Farlow's in the early 90's, before they were readily available in the US. The kettle lives in my fly fishing bag, so is a constant companion on every outing. I really like the fact that a zip lock bag with coffee, soup, hot choc., paper cups, spoons and matches conveniently fit into the cavity, keeping everything together in the storage bag. An excellent, and well thought out product. Thank you, Kelly Kettle. Bruce, U.S.A.February 15, 2017
Hello Kelly Kettle Team, I purchased a large stainless Kelly Kettle from you (www.kellykettleusa.com) a couple of weeks ago. This weekend was my first time using it. I went out to the desert with a group of about a dozen friends - we try to get in a couple of these camping trips each year. The area we camp in is often very windy, and even car camping with propane stoves, it can be a bit of a struggle to get coffee going in the morning. I'm definitely a morning coffee person, which sparked my interest in your kettle. It worked great. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. With a few bits of dry grass and twigs harvested from around our site I had water boiling in a few minutes. Into the French press it went and a few minutes later we were having gourmet coffee with our breakfast. Since the capacity of my French press is only about eight cups, I just left the kettle on the base with the embers going, and as more people woke up I added a few more pieces of kindling. The next round of water - and the next - boiled even more quickly. The Kettle Kelly generated a lot of interest and discussion too. Several people asked where I got it, so I'm sending them all the link to your site - I hope it generates a bit of business. Thanks for making this great product available. I'm going to be using it quite a bit.August 29, 2016
Bear Grylls - Instagram - I love my Kelly Kettle!August 22, 2016
Patrick & Seamus: Just a note. Here in northern Minnesota we have been having Monsoon type weather, 34 of the last 41 days we have had rain! Constant and often very heavy rain! The lakes here are more than a foot above normal. That is a lot for here! When camping in this weather, your Kelly Kettle has a distinct advantage! The fire pan on the bottom keeps the actual fire out of the mud and we have a lot of that! The fire is enclosed so it does not rain out or blow out. Using the cook top with the pot not only cooks the stew but it provides an umbrella for the fire below! It has worked more than a half a dozen times in the last couple of months! A number of people here have gotten them just for "Rain meals!" I really like my stainless models too! We have three sizes! I don't know which gets more use, the Kelly or my cast iron dutch oven? Thanks! Tom Larson, Hackensack, MN. U.S.A. The Land of 10,000 Lakes.May 23, 2016
I just tried my new Base Camp Kelly Kettle. It works EXACTLY as promised. From the time I put match to tinder until just under a half gallon of water was at a rolling boil took 6 minutes ( I timed it). I will be recommending the Kelly Kettle to everyone I know. At 52 years old, I have spent many happy times hiking, camping and canoeing around the upper Midwest. My only regret is that I hadn't heard about Kelly Kettles 30 years ago. It will be an essential part of my gear from now on. Thank You So Much !!! Richard LarsonFebruary 16, 2016
Dear Kelly Kettle, My Kettle arrived this afternoon! Thank you very much. This afternoon I boiled several kettlefuls of water and made a cuppa tea. I was very much impressed with the efficiency of the kettle. Even if I let the fire burn down to embers with no visible flames, the kettle was easy to start up again. I boiled my first quantity of water in about three minutes. I used birch bark and lint from a clothes dryer as tinder.... At the moment I have the kettle packed into my backback (rucksack) and find the kettle doesn't take much room at all. I will using the Kettle as much as I can over the next weeks to gain experience. I also intend on cooking on it as well, although I'm not a very good cook even at home! I noticed on your Facebook page that you were testing a "HOBO" cooker with the Kettle. If you are developing a HOBO cooker for my size of Kettle (The Trekker) I would like to order one for my Kettle. Thank you very much Kelly Kettle!November 17, 2015
Dear Patrick & Seamus, Just got the little 0.57l stainless Kelly Kettle delivered a few days ago. It works like a charm. This really is one of the best products I ever bought. Also the manufacturing quality is exceptional. I am absolutely enthusiastic about the whole product, your friendly and helpful advice I got before ordering and also the quick delivery. Even in rainy and windy weather (what we have a lot of here in Switzerland) it works as intended and really does not need a lot of natural fuel to bring the water to boil. As soon as the large stainless version will be available again, I'll buy (at least) one. Kelly Kettles are here in Switzerland mostly unknown although outdoor sport activities (camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, boating, skiing, to just name a few) are very popular and also lots of sporting goods stores and chains do exist. That's a pity. Again, mny thanks and keep up the good work you are doing!August 9, 2015