Kelly Kettle - Construction

Construction

The kettles are normally constructed from a durable heat-conductive metal, such as aluminium, stainless steel, copper or tin. The source of heat is typically from small items of combustible material such as paper and twigs. A base placed below the main body section holds the fuel and contains the fire whilst it burns. Additional fuel can be added to the fire without removing the kettle by dropping it down the chimney. Common among all designs is the principle of internal chimney to create the efficient upward draught of heat.

Variations on around a core design have been produced by a number of manufacturers. Typical water capacities are between 0.5–1.5 litres (2–6 cups worth). Some kettles have the flame holder at the base integral and some allow it to be removed. Typically, the designs use a vertical cylinder shape for the outside of the kettle with the internal surface of the chimney being either a straight cylinder or a cone shape with a wide end at the base and a smaller aperture at the top.

If the base is removable, it may be possible to store other items, or specially designed cook sets within the chimney during transport. Devices normally have with a swinging or fixed handle depending on the design. A cork, metal stopper or in some cases a whistle are used over for the water container, however the cork and stoppers should not be used while the water is being heated.

Cooking accessories are available for some units to allow a small cooking pot to be placed on a support on top of the chimney, or a grill to be put over the base without using the main water chimney component. These add-ons typically store inside the chimney for transport.

Further add-ons can turn the chimney into a small cooking range, with the cooking containers and utensils also being packed into the hollow chimney space or into the Inverted base. The fire bases may be inverted and stored inside the chimney.