Review – The Kelly Kettle

The Kelly Kettle

The Kelly Kettle

Overview

Most anglers will have seen the Kelly Kettle probably for the first time when watching the BBC’s Passion for Angling where it was virtually made famous by Chris Yates on that programme.

The real history behind the kettle goes back over 100 years where it has been extensively used by Irish Gillies to brew-up a fresh cup of tea for their clients on the Lochs and Rivers.

The Kelly Kettle comes in two sizes, 1 pint and 21/2 pints and comes complete with a good-sized bag for storage.

The actual design is a clever combination of a kettle and a chimney coupled to a fire base section. Water is filled into the cylindrical section and a fire is started in the base section.

The adverts all say that 21/2 pints of water can be brought to a rolling boil in between 4 and 6 minutes. In practice however the time to boil the water is really very much dependant upon the type of ‘fuel’ that is used for the fire. Typically, I use some rolled-up paper with some very small kindling twigs on top and get that to catch light first. Then I’ll add whatever is available (and dry) on the bank side.

How the Kelly Kettle works

Given the vagaries of the British weather I almost always have a few well-dried pieces of deadwood in my tackle bag or car although it is possible to dry-out dampened twigs etc., in the firebase, but this does take some considerable time.

My experiences over the past 6 or 7 months of using the kettle would indicate that between 6 and 8 minutes are required to bring the water to a good boil, so that is somewhat at odds with the adverts. That said, the Kelly Kettle is a lovely piece of kit especially for those who, like me, loathe the ‘stewed’ taste of thermos tea towards the end of a day on the banks.

Not only does the Kelly Kettle ensure that you have freshly brewed tea, coffee or whatever you fancy on the day, but I find that the time it takes to collect your fuel, get the thing burning and then to make, and drink my preferred brew, is a perfect break from my fishing. During this dwell period I often reconsider my chosen tactics, baits and methods and, more often than not, decide on a change afterwards.

The only advice I would offer is:

• To ensure beforehand that fires are allowed on your chosen venue
• To follow all safety advice for the use of ‘open’ fires
• Ensure that you extinguish the fire long before packing away
• Dispose of the ashes carefully

Providing the Kelly Kettle is used wisely and safely then I see no reason why they should not be allowed on most venues.

From my experience I would offer the following merits and disadvantages:

Merits

1.It uses natural fuels so it is obviously more environmentally friendly than other alternatives
2.No need for Gas or Petrol so no problems with tainting baits
3.It gives a welcome break from fishing or a nice way to end the day with a freshly brewed ‘cuppa’

Disadvantages

1.The 21/2 pints version is a little large and bulky
2.They are not cheap at between £ 25 and £ 35 pounds respectively for the 1 and 21/2 pints models, but look around for bargain prices on e-bay and the like
3.Not allowed on all venues

Optional Extras

Apart from buying the Kettle in either the 1 or 21/2 pint size there is also a pot support and an accessory pack, but I have neither bought nor tried either.

Kelly Kettle Website where you will find everything you need to know about how it works and what other products are available.

	Peter Jacob’s Verdict
	Overall I think that the Kelly Kettle is the perfect companion for a day on the river or the lake and despite its price I would opt for the fresh brew everytime over ‘stewed’ flask alternatives. My verdict? 9/10 and that would have been 10/10 had the prices been as down to earth as the product itself.