If anyone recalls these popped up ages ago:

http://www.sparkmade.com/backcountryboiler.html

There was some shennaigins about someone else making something and being a bit "cheeky" with the design etc etc. Then the American fella trying to produce the "originals" seemed to take forever to complete the first batch and then there seemed to be quite a few problems in terms of QC.

Having signed up to the newsletter a longtime ago I now find myself less interested in them given price and factoring in delivery from States and potential import taxes etc (start to seem rather expensive).

Quite light tho, particularly compared to the "alternative" Mkettle:

http://www.freewebstore.org/GhillieKett ... 51866.aspx

I think it's something like 6.5 to 8oz compared to the Mkettle's 13oz. Probably close to double the price though.

I use the biggest Ghillie kettle for dig days to make brews using an insulated T pot. It's a nice thing to do and boils well with wood but I've found it much easier through our "glorious" summer to carry chopped up timber rather than fanny about searching out dry twigs.

I've used/got an MKettle. Works fine, well made but obviously as fussy as any wood burning set up. I recall a mag review that had a Backcountry boiler and MKettle ... only difference seemed to be weight and price (as you've stated).

I do like brewing with wood from time to time but if I had to carry it, it'd defeat the object for me

Aye, I can see they're a bit one trick pony. When there's things like the pocket stove and a Ti mug there seem to be much better bikepacking alternatives to a ghillie / kelly / mkettle for brewing / cooking with wood.

On a dig day it's a good craic to make the volunteers a brew using the big ghillie. I just managed to resist the massive tea-urn-style thing one manufacturer produces :twisted:

Horse for courses, time and places I guess. One day I might spring for a Boilerworks / mkettle but plenty of other gear lust to satisfy first.