Heat resistant handle

[Mesquite]

I'm looking for something to make a heat resistant handle for my ghillie kettle.

Reason being when I suspend it over a fire by the wooden handle is getting burnt as you can see from the picture

I know I could let it burn away totally and just use the wire that's there but I prefer to have something that's easier to grip.

Any suggestions as to what I could use instead of the wood?

 

[Ogri the trog]

Steve,
Could you run a length of chain through the same handle holes so that the lifting handle hangs out of the way and cool for when you go to pick it up - it might not work if you use it over a fire like your photo though......

Thinking out loud!

Ogri the trog

 

[Mesquite]

Could you run a length of chain through the same handle holes so that the lifting handle hangs out of the way and cool for when you go to pick it up - it might not work if you use it over a fire like your photo though......

I'd thought of doing that Pete but the problem with a separate suspension chain is then the handle hangs down the side near the fire and gets scorched that way... might take a bit longer to burn through but it'll happen eventually

 

[mountainm]

What about an S shaped metal hook from a diy store? You may be able to fit a silicone sleeve on it.

 

[Bardster]

silicone putty in the shape of Sugru, then you can shape your own handle. http://sugru.com/

 

[bilmo-p5]

If it is going to get hot wherever it is whilst the KK is over a fire you might be as well just buying or making an oven mit.

 

[Mesquite]

silicone putty in the shape of Sugru, then you can shape your own handle. http://sugru.com/

Interesting... but a bit pricey and I'm not sure it's withstand the heat we're looking at...

If it is going to get hot wherever it is whilst the KK is over a fire you might be as well just buying or making an oven mit.

It's not the fact it gets hot... I know that... what's the issue is the handle is burnt up which is why I want to replace it with something that won't burn away...

 

[mountainm]

Ceramic then, fashion a ceramic tube.

 

[Teepee]

You can get glass fibre rope from plumbers merchants in varying thicknesses. Dead easy to wrap round but you'd need to find a way of stopping it shedding glass fibres after wrapping. Coating the rope with high temp silicone sealant should stop the fibres from breaking off and will stick the rope to the handle. Stove paint/high temp paint should seal the fibres and will stay stuck if you wrap it nice and tight.

 

[bilmo-p5]

It's not the fact it gets hot... I know that... what's the issue is the handle is burnt up which is why I want to replace it with something that won't burn away...

In that case you could get some stout wire, a vise and a piece of ¾" round bar, and fashion yourself a spiral wire handle similar to a vintage Tilley lamp...

... and an oven mit.

I could send you a suitable piece of wire.

 

[Ogri the trog]

I'd thought of doing that Pete but the problem with a separate suspension chain is then the handle hangs down the side near the fire and gets scorched that way... might take a bit longer to burn through but it'll happen eventually

Well in that case - you need a removable handle - something that you can grasp the wire quickly yet provides a secure grip.

I'm thinking along the lines of a coiled wire handle with hooks at each end but I need to let it brew for a while longer.

Ogri the trog

 

[hedgerow pete]

You can get glass fibre rope from plumbers merchants in varying thicknesses. Dead easy to wrap round but you'd need to find a way of stopping it shedding glass fibres after wrapping. Coating the rope with high temp silicone sealant should stop the fibres from breaking off and will stick the rope to the handle. Stove paint/high temp paint should seal the fibres and will stay stuck if you wrap it nice and tight.

exactly the same answer i would use and have used, i used fibreglass fire rope with a tube of high temp silicon mastic over the top

 

[Andy BB]

Carbon felt.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I think anything other than he coiled wire will scorch dude, reckon the wire will still get hot but at least it wont disintegrate on you.

 

[Andy BB]

The carbon felt is used to protect paintwork from blowtorches! And hasn't been damaged despite being used in an alcohol burner, so should stand up to a fire at that distance.

 

[udamiano]

How about Miliput, used to use that years ago

http://www.milliput.com/about.htm

it can be moulded into whatever shape, not sure if it can stand the heat though

 

[Andy BB]

Video on bushcraftusa http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58929 of Hiram Cook using carbon felt as an insulator between pans when dry baking. If it'll take that heat, it should survive a fire!

 

[Elines]

Hope you 've got a solution Steve.

That video by Hiram Cook is really good - I don't read every thread on here but glad I looked at this one!

 

[bilmo-p5]

Good vid, AndyBB.
Thank you