Jet boil vesus Kelly Kettle

[Jerry Bellmyer]

would like to hear comments on which to buy. I am sure it depends on backcountry type hunts plan. But I am interested in hearing some reviews or suggestions.  I like the fact you don't have to carry fuel for Kelly....

[Dan Adair]

My advice...

Stay away from gimmicky items in the backcountry.  Kelley Kettles are one of those items that is a neat enough theory that it sells product.

Now a Jetboil, with a fresh 100 gram can, you can BANK on 15 2 cup boils, in just about any conditions, you can maybe stretch it to 18 downhill with a tailwind...

Or, you could run 133 grammers with a Soto Micro Regulator with an MSR Titan Kettle, and bank on 17 2 cup boils, and maybe get 20 downhill with a tailwind.  Of course, this set-up is really lightweight, and the least bulky.

Your mileage may vary.

[Jakeemt]

What he said.

[stalkin4elk]

Dry times have fire restrictions by USFS so that means canned or bottled fuel depending on the severity of the restrictions. Something to consider.

[David Yukon]

I use a Kelly kettle, and it is a great tool. It will work in any temperature, even at -40... And there is no moving parts to break get loose or lost. you never run out of fuel, you don't have to pack empty canister out. And it will boil more that 2 cups at the time.
It is far less gimmicky, than the jetboil gimmick!!
To each is own i guess
I also cook on camp fire and use a Dutch Oven...

[freebird134]

I was reluctant to get a Jetboil, but ended up scoring the titanium Jetboil at REI for a killer price.  I love it.  I repeat: I LOVE IT.  So fast, so efficient. It is not the lightest option.  On my backcountry hunts (7-10 days, Idaho) I usually cut every ounce I can.  But the jetboil is worth the extra ounces, especially with a buddy to share the weight.

I can't comment on the Kettle.

[Tatonka17]

I've used the Jetboil A LOT in the backcountry and have always been very satisfied. Great product.

[ozy clint]

that kelly kettle is neat product for camping out of a car but there is no way it would make its way into my backpack! just way too big and heavy. it would be useless above the tree line unless your going to carry fuel with you and go to the trouble of keeping that fuel dry. just no way it will beat a jetboil. what do you use for a cup with the kelly kettle? another item to carry....

freebird- i have a jetboil SOL titanium and i believe it's the lightest setup for trips of the duration you speak of. there are lighter stove and cup setups, for example a titanium kovea stove and evernew titanium cup which i used to use. but on long trips the jetboil blows it out of the water. for 13 days i can get away with the jetboil and two 100gm cans of gas. with the kovea setup i had, i had to take a 100gm can and a 230gm can to get the same amount of boil ups. the jetboil is that much more efficient! so although the jet boil is heavier than the other setup, (not including cans) for long trips it works out to be a lighter system because you don't have to carry as much gas. jetboil and two 100gm cans is lighter than kovea stove, Ti cup, 1x100gm can and 1x 230gm can. for trips upto 4-5 days the kovea stove wins. but your pack is lighter anyway on those trips so the little weight penalty of the jetboil is acceptable to me.

[Andrei101]

The kelly kettle I use it's great for boiling water on short fishing trips outside the city. I don't stay out camping for more than two days in a row. Also I travel by car so space isn't really an issue. It weighs so little that when I received it by post from Ireland it was labeled as a 'large letter'. I think it might be hung from the backpack in case of long distance walking. But if it rains and all it's soaked then the lack of fuel might be a problem.

[Steve O]

I was worried about the durability of the JetBoil when it first came out. I studied it for around the first year it was out, but decided it was just too perfect for my style of backcountry cooking and picked one up.  As an engineer, I appreciate its incredible efficiency and the self contained modularity.

It   IS perfect for my style.  So perfect, in fact, I picked up a Flash in case something ever happened and they stopped making them.  Then I picked up a Titanium one so I would have the lightest possible JB set up.  

My concern about durability is long gone.  The first one is still going strong after countless miles in the back country and trips to the kids football games, and baseball games, and picnics, and mushrooming, the turkey blind, and so on....

[centaur]

Last elk season, I used a JetBoil with zero problems. If I had the Kettle, I would not have been able to use it because of fire restrictions. JetBoil is very efficient and trouble free. I like the concept of the Kettle, but in dry years, it might be violating fire ban restrictions.

[Gil Verwey]

I used the MSR Reactor for two, two week backcountry elk hunts in the last two years. It is the cats meow!

It boils water so fast you won't believe it. It therefore does not use alot of fuel.

The wind does not affect it.

I used it on each hunt for 28 meals, some snacks during the day (like romin noodles) and many coffees, hot chocolate and tea during the hunts. Each hunt I used under 3 fuel canisters. I was camped at around 11,000'. It packs nice too.

Good luck.

Gil

[wvtradbow]

I also use a jetboil,and really like it,it's so easy and fast,I even take it on cabin hunts just in case someone else is using the stove and I just need some hot water...Great product !!

[KellyG]

Wow some many choices and each with there limitations and advantages. I use a MSR with a refillable bottle that you pump. Unlike pressure bottles they work at all elevations and use any liquid fuel. You just have to keep them pumped up. I know guys that used them bottles and at higher elevations and lower temps they would not work.

[jcar315]

[The Night Stalker]

Jet boil here, 2fuel cans for 10 days above 10,000 ft

[mjh]

I have a large KK and as others have posted not a pack in type of item,Really like it for what it does though,  and you can buy smaller ones that might work for packing.  For packing in I like an Emberlit stove with a Mors pot and as back up an alcohol stove.  I can burn easy to find materials or if no burn rules in effect still have heat.  Never been enticed enough to buy a jetboil, don't like canister type stoves.

[Walt Francis]

Of the two stoves in question the Jet Boil (JB) is my choice' they are fast and efficient.  My preference is the MSR Pocket Rocket because of weight, speed, and versatility.  Last fall on our moose hunt in Alaska I took the MSR and my partner took the JB, we got a good side by side comparison.  The MSR's weight with a pot and pan was lighter than the JB with the titanium pot.  I believe it was 1 the liter, it was tall and narrow which have it a greater potential of topping over.  The MSR boiled the same amount of water faster than the JB, though the difference was not enough to matter much.  The big difference was the ability to cook a moose steak (or grouse) without building fire.  The JB might have a special pan available but we didn't have it so the we used my pan.  One other thing, the lighter on the JB quit working the second day, a match or lighted stick was needed to get it going, a BIC style lighter won't work.  That being said, the JB potects the flame better than the MSR. Also, availability of fuel for the JB can be a problem, the Sportsman,s Warehouse in Fairbanks was out of the fuel canisters, it took four phone calls and a trip across town to find the correct ones.

If your only use is boiling liquid, the JB would probably be my choice.  However, I use my stove for more then boiling liquid so I will stay with my 20 year old MSR, it has always worked.

[Biathlonman]

I don't think the Kelly Kettle rates contention with the jetboil, however I do think the Backcountry Boiler does.  Check it out, add on a fire wick for an alcohol option and you may have the best of both worlds.  The convience of the jetboil is nice, kind of different animals.

I also have experience with all three, not just arm chair speculation here.  They all work well for their intended purpose.  Environment and trip length/type defending.

[snag]

Thanks Walt for the comparison. I always like to hear "real world" reports.