Storm kettle

Storm Kettle or Kelly Kettles, Volcano Kettles or Thermette's were first produced in Ireland in the early 1900s.

The Thermette was invented in 1929 in New Zealand by John Ashley Hart. It was standard issue to the New Zealand army serving in the North Africa during WW2 when it was known as the 'Benghasi Boiler'. In 1939 the New Zealand Army asked Hart to waive his patent so they could make their own Thermettes; he agreed and the device was issued as standard equipment to every small army unit.

A Storm kettle or Thermette is an article of camping equipment forgotten or not heard of by many present day campers.. At our recent trip into the "Nugget Hut "on Mt White Station not far from Arthurs pass in the South Island of New Zealand the Storm Kettle or Thermette was in constant use.

These were originally produced supposedly as an efficient and very quick way to boil water. This they do extremely well The Storm Kettle requires a minimum amount of dry twigs or sticks, literally a handfull is sufficient to boil approx. a litre of water in less than 5 minutes.

I was able to purchase a Storm kettle or thermette in New Zealand through Trade me. I paid $70 nz for it and it arrived complete with enough small pine cones to boil water for our first cup of tea!

On our recent trip into Mt white we used the Storm kettle at least .three or four times a day for a quick tea or coffee. As a piece of camping equipment I can thoroughly recommend them. They are the sort of equipment you really need a caravan or vehicle to carry them. A bit bulky for a back pack even though there is no weight in them.