If you’re as much of a fan as I am of going off on adventures down rivers in wooden canoes, Famous Five Style (lashings of ginger beer optional), you may have used a storm kettle before. If you haven’t, it’s going to be your new best friend.

How to use a storm kettle

For the uninitiated, tin storm kettles are the nicest bit of camping kit ever. They heat up water over a twig and kindling, woodsmokey fire and make you a cup of tea in minutes. Instant cosiness on camping trips. My lovely friend Simon and I took one on a canoe trip up a pebbly Scottish river, pirate style, to teach you how to use them.

HOW TO USE A KELLY KETTLE

1. Remove the base from the kettle’s bottom and place on flat level ground.

2. Remove the cork from the kettle’s spout and fill with water from a nearby freshwater stream, river or lake.

3. Pop some flammable material into the kettle’s base. Anything you’d normally use to get a wood fire going is perfect – paper, newspaper or twigs and kindling are ideal. Fit the kettle on top of the base.

4. Light a fire through the hole in the side of the kettle’s base using matches.

5. Face the hole into the wind to give the fire air. No wind? simply blow into the hold, taking care not to get your face too near it.

6. Add more twigs, bits of paper and wood to the fire by dropping them down the kettle’s chimney. This bit is really fun. Don’t overfill the kettle, though – a couple more handfuls of tinder are ideal.

7. Wait for the kettle to boil. When thick white steam is coming through the chimney, you’re ready to go.

8. Hold the kettle by the handle and pour away from you into a cup. Be careful not to touch the kettle’s metal surface. Drink a lovely cup of tea!