Owner Review -Kelly Kettle Aluminum Scout -Medium

Sorry, this is my second post for this as I did not have a test folder created but now there is one.
 

 TESTER INFORMATION
 NAME:
 Jaxx Drinkwater
 EMAIL:
 jaxxdrinkwater(AT)gmail(DOT)com
 AGE:
 44
 LOCATION:
 Mobile Alabama USA
 GENDER:
 M
 HEIGHT:
 5' 8" (1.73 m)
 WEIGHT:
 170 lb (77.11 kg)
 TORSO:
 19.5 in (49.53cm)
 


 Backpacking Background: My backpacking experience extends from the local woods and swamps of the Mobile Alabama Delta to the highlands in Virginia and Kentucky. I've hiked over 750 miles(1207.01km), the length of California, in less than one year and next year I hope to hikefarther. My pack weight is usually on the lighter side, under 12 pounds (5.44kg), though I've been known to carry a pack weight of upwards of 30 pounds (13.6kg) on trips longer than 5 days. I like sleeping in tents but prefer hammocks. I'm not usually picky as long as I am out on a trail.
 


 


 PRODUCT INFORMATION
 Manufacturer: Kelly Kettle Company
Manufacturer's Website:http://alturl.com/kc7hf   
MSRP: US$69.99
Listed Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.72 kg)
Measured Weight: 1.6 lbs (0.72 kg)
Height .......11inches (Packed), 12" set up
Diameter... 7.3 inches (Widest Point at Rim of Base)
Capacity.... 44 fl. oz.(1.3 L)
 


 Kelly Kettle is a portable wood burning device capable of boiling water and cooking food at the same time. The company claims you can burn sticks, grass, pine cones, bark, even animal dung. In addition Kelly Kettle is also carbon-neutral and eco friendly. The Kelly Kettle design is described as essentially a chimney with a double wall on the outside. It heats water that is poured into the chamber wall and then a fire is built in the firebase as the fire burns up though the chimney the water is heated.



 The Kelly Kettle Aluminum-Scout-Medium that was tested is one of three different sizes available: Scout, Trekker, and the largest of the three, Base Camp. All three are available in either stainless steel or aluminum. Kelly Kettle Aluminum-Scout-Medium is capable of boiling 44 fl oz. (1.3 L) or 5.4 cups of liquid at a time.
 


 FIELD USE
 
I have been using The Kelly Kettle Scout for 6 months and have burned on it a total of 27 times. The weather has ranged from 88 F (31C) down to around 41F (5C) . Boil times have varied between 8 and 3 minutes depending on weather and types of wood being used . I also have boiled with it in the rain and experienced no significant heat loss. I bought the Kelly Kettle on Amazon for $69.99. I have an Amazon prime account, so the shipping was free.
 


 My initial impressions were “this is to bulky for ultralight backpacking” and “this is well made and will last for years”. After looking over every inch of the Kettle, I immediately went outside to test it out. I wasn't disappointed. It boiled exactly 5.4 cups of water as stated in the specs and I was also pleasantly surprised that I was able to achieve a rolling boil in less than 4 minutes.
 


 I had two concerns with the Kelly Kettle after using it a few times were two things. The first was the chain that is attached to the Kettle seemed thin and flimsy. The second concern was the cork that attached to the chain seemed cheap and not very dense, so I was very skeptical on how long either one would last. One more thing that was more of an annoyance rather than a concern was the sack that is used to store the Kelly Kettle. The fire base is not attached permanently to the Kettle; it more or less rests on the bottom of it. That means you have to hold the kettle and the base together while stuffing it into the sack all while keeping the handle from riding upwards out of the sack. Although not a deal breaker for me, I still found it somewhat of an annoyance. The only way to fix this problem would be to stow the kettle upside down. Kelly Kettle also sells a stainless steel cook set for heating foods over the top of the kettle and also on the firebase. I found the storage of these items to be equally annoying as they can't be stored properly without jostling around inside the sack.
 

 Inserted Pic of the Kelly kettle here
 --------------------- 
 The Kelly Kettle in action
 
 


 SUMMARY
 The Kelly Kettle Aluminum-Scout-Medium is a light, durable, and fast wood burning stove capable of burning water for two people in various types of weather. It's easy to use and inexpensive. The Kelly Kettle might not be for the ultra-light backpacker but it's a great stove for your base camp.
 

 Things I like
 1.The time it takes to boil water (The fastest wood burning stove I've used)
2. The water capacity is large so you can boil for two people. 
3. It is durable.
4. The price is right for what you get.
5. It is light-weight.



 THINGS I DON'T LIKE
 
 
 1. The cork is cheap and not very dense. 
2. The chain is flimsy.
3. Getting the device in the stuff sack. (the firebase and handle need to lock down)