From the brochure and instructions:

The Kelly Kettle, also known as the Volcano Kettle has been used in Ireland over the last 100 years. It was the wonderful Irish Ghilles who made it popular and was their favorite methoed of 'brewing up' for the visiting fishermen as they enjoyed a cup of freshly brewed tea rather than a stewed one from a Thermos flask.

It is completely reliable in the worst of weathers and can safely be used on any outdoor site, including woodland as the fire is contained in the kettle's base.

How it works:

A Kelly kettle will boil water in three to five minutes depending on the fuel. Made from aluminum it is essentially a double-walled chimney with the water contained in the chimney wall. Once the kettle is filled with water, simply start a very small fire in the base, set the kettle on the base and drop additional fuel (twigs, leaves, grass, paper, etc.) down the chimney. The large internal surface area of the chimney heats the water very quickly. To pour, lift it by the handle and tilt it using the cork chain.

How to use it:

1. Remove protective cork and fill container up with water.

2. Fill base with combustible material, such as twigs, newspapers or dry grass.

3. Light fire through the hole(s) located in the side of the base and face into wind for extra draft.

4. Insert additional fuel through the chimney (top hole).

5. Use handle and chain for pouring.

6. DO NOT boil water with the cork in the pouring spout. Pressure will build up and steam and hot water will explode out of the kettle when the cork releases. Very dangerous!

Above right: The base where you place your fuel and start the fire. This base only has one hole (maybe the smaller base has two?).

Left: The handle is easy to use, you won't get burned on the wooden section, and the chain is very easy to pour with.

Right: Carrying case made out of heavy cloth canvas. I would have liked to seen a locking slide on the cord, but it'll do fine without it.

Below: One of the competitors in Land Rover's G4 Challenge uses a Kelly Kettle to warm water for morning breakfast.

Thanks to Nathan Hindman at Pangaea Expeditions for his recommendation and supplying our Kelly Kettle.

First, don't fill it all the way up to the fill spout if you are planning on boiling the water. The rolling boil action of the water can splash water out of the kettle and yep, you guessed it, it runs right down the side of the kettle and down into the chamber where your fire is. You can see the grey steam coming out of the top of the kettle as it is being vaporized by the fire in the chamber.

Second, you may want to place the cork into the fill spout as shown. There is a tendency for ash and soot to want to end up in the water and this was the way I found out works pretty well to keep the junk out of your water. DO NOT place the cork in the fill spout tightly. Pressure will build up in the kettle and the cork will release violently splashing boiling hot water out of the spout.