Trade kettle for trekking

[Sicilian Hunter]

Yep
You can spend $3 and cheat with a stainless one if you wish.
He's not the only guy that offers them either. They are pretty common.

LD

Dave,
Never used tin before.
What are the caveats?

 

[Sicilian Hunter]

Half gallon/2 qts
Untinned brass is safe if you don't let verdigris form (that green coating that oxidized brass forms with time) - keep the inside shiny (At worst, verdigris might cause gastic upset). Cook the food, eat and clean - don't let food sit in the kettle.

Hand,
I'll remember that if I go with an untinned piece

 

[Black Hand]

Hand,
I'll remember that if I go with an untinned piece

If you buy from a vendor, untinned is a little more difficult especially for the less expensive items. Other premium vendors have untinned, but at a premium price too...

But at $45 from Crazy Crow, tough to beat the price.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Dave,
Never used tin before.
What are the caveats?

It may rust over time..., that's all. The dull stainless wont.
So you have to pay a bit more attention to it. If you're going to put it away for a while then rub some veg oil on it, and wash it well when you want to take it out into the field.
For a few bucks more there is a "hot dipped tin" mug available from "Hot Dipped Tin - tinsmith" http://www.hotdiptin.com/oconostota-cup.html Still a lot less expensive than a copper corn boiler, eh?

LD

 

[Sicilian Hunter]

If you buy from a vendor, untinned is a little more difficult especially for the less expensive items. Other premium vendors have untinned, but at a premium price too...

But at $45 from Crazy Crow, tough to beat the price.

Very true and they're good folks too

 

[Sicilian Hunter]

It may rust over time..., that's all. The dull stainless wont.
So you have to pay a bit more attention to it. If you're going to put it away for a while then rub some veg oil on it, and wash it well when you want to take it out into the field.
For a few bucks more there is a "hot dipped tin" mug available from "Hot Dipped Tin - tinsmith" http://www.hotdiptin.com/oconostota-cup.html Still a lot less expensive than a copper corn boiler, eh?

LD

Dave,
Not a bad price and a nice piece, sure beats the copper price tag!

 

[tenngun]

Big thumbs up for hot dipped tin and backwoods tin and copper. HDT has copies many of their pieces from pieces recovered from digs at forts.
Avolon forge offers stainless steel.... just as a side note AFs five gallon kettle would make a good water storage device for a camp.much cheaper then a barrel or cistern.

 

[Le Loup]

Most of the replicas if not all seem to be made too high/tall. I am going to try & convert a copy that I have to an original size.
Keith.
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2018/11/original-kettle-sizes.html

 

[Sicilian Hunter]

Most of the replicas if not all seem to be made too high/tall. I am going to try & convert a copy that I have to an original size.
Keith.
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2018/11/original-kettle-sizes.html

Loup,
I'd be interested in seeing a video on that How-To...

 

[toot]

TOM BROWN is your go to guy on any thing copper. i have bought every thing from him from corn boilers, whch is what i believe you are looking for to copper flasks. he's the best. he is in CONN.

 

[Bo T]

Dave,
Never used tin before.
What are the caveats?

Just in case, tin pots etc. are tin plate. Hot dipped is more expensive but more durable with a thicker and shinier coating. As soon as the coating wears through, the mild steel core will rust. It is not a durable item in use. Copper will be much more durable. Also, tin has a fairly low melting point so it isn't suitable for frying up your vittles.

 

[Crewdawg445]

I have a hot dipped tin small kettle, absolutely love it.

 

[toot]

I got my copper corn boiler from TOM BROWN at WESTMINESTER FORGE 18+ yrs. ago. it has a top and holds about a quart. in it I carry rice, oats and dried corn, in small cotton bags about the size of old BULL DURHAM tobacco bags. the more you use it the saltier looking it gets!

 

[JS60]

Most of the replicas if not all seem to be made too high/tall. I am going to try & convert a copy that I have to an original size.
Keith.

I completely agree. ...Usually, ... mid 18th century sheet-metal kettles and pots were visibly larger in diameter than they were high. That's one of the things one should look for, along with the correct manufacturing techniques for the era. And most of the manufacturers listed in this thread offer at least a few correct configurations. Unfortunately, ... most also offer some modern designs right along side of them.
As for me, ... I just scroll past the modern designs, ... without getting my clout in a twist.
That way I can look at what the manufacturer offers that might work for my portrayal.

The way I see it, the manufacturer has to eat too.
let them sell the modern designs to those that like and enjoy those designs.
That just helps keep the doors open and the lights on, ... so they can to continue making the more accurate designs we tend to like.
(Even Goose Bay sells a "corn boiler").

 

[8 BORE]

Ofter they are available at flea markets

 

[Rabbit]

Sicilian Hunter, did you ever find something you liked?

 

[Ketchakah]

Not quite sure what you all are talking about, perhaps i misunderstood... Kettles came in all sizes and the ones currently sold by manufactures such as Crazy Crow, while not completely authentic, are of the documented size. Tons of original authentic specimens exist. I have three exactly like this in different sizes made by Jim Kimple. The one i carry in my roll is about 5 3/4 inches across the opening.

The main issue with many repro kettles is the ratio ot the diameter of the top to the bottom, not really the height. Some kettles are very narrow at the bottom. Ive not seen many originals like that. Most period originals ive seen are tapered but not alot. Like the pictures posted.

Its the bail loops i am told that can help date a piece. And i do not have all the info on that, but they seemed to have come in a variety of shapes. Including the "Dog Ear" folded style that was very common in the 17th and early 18th centurys.

I can post my Kimple Kettle if you all want, but would need to take a picture. It looks just like the L&C above.

I am thinking this spring i will go with an even smaller kettle. I will use a tin soldiers cup and punch a hole for a simple wire bale. Smaller, lighter and just as effective. 1700s thru 1800s period documented.

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lewisandclark/lewis-landc.html#52
http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org/Virtua...ex36/62AD1DDD-56FC-45C5-9293-142415480328.htm

 

[Ketchakah]

BTW This style for Fur trade period and is completely documented and accurate. My brother has an original. Much better IMHO then the "Corn Boilers" or handled "Muckets" used frequently.



Someone mentioned size... Useless in my opinion, but someone did not think so.

 

[Lobo]

The little pot nestles into the bigger one and everything fits nicely in a pack or haversack

 

[Sicilian Hunter]

Sicilian Hunter, did you ever find something you liked?

Rabbit,
I think I am settling on the brass trade boiler from Crazy Crow for $45 but I'd like something with a lid...