How To Make Billy Tea On The Campfire?

An Australian tradition of knowing how to make billy tea on the campfire has been going on by old bushies for years.
It is such an old school technique of how to make a billy tea in the bush.
With a few pinches of tea leave in the hot water inside the billy, and swinging the billy around a couple of times, will help to settle the tea leaves on the bottom.
So, when you pour your tea out of the billy, the tea leaves will end up at the bottom of the billy and not in you cup.
If you are trying this old school technique for the first time, i would advise have a few practice runs before trying with hot water.

[@jamezxh]

Dad always used to split a gum leaf and throw it in too . Bit of extra taste

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Jim, Yeah, I've not tried the gum leaf in the brew. Must give it a go for that extra flavour. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.

[@wesleyyoung1082]

Did this up north with tea leaves and green ants.... nature sugar

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday mate That would be a nice way to naturally sweeten a Billy tea. Thanks mate for your feedback Cheers Tim

[@StrahaoftheRace]

I prefer to boil the tea with the water from start to finish. More flavour.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Ahh righto. I’ve not tried that way. I’ll give that a go. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@marksomerville1275]

Camping as kids, my mate couldn't decide 3 or 4 times around...so he went 3 & 1/2 times...yep all down his side. PS, offering a bloke a teabag cuppa should be a hangable offence.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Mark, Yeah 3 or 4 times around generally works mate. Not good that your mate had the billy full go come down on top of him. Hope the hot water didn't burn him. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim.

[@robbeythecarpenter8493]

same as mentioned below ... Dad used to swing it when we were little ... couldn't wait for the chance to do it too .... practiced with cold water before the billy went on .... nailed it first go. I never did like the gum leaf but it was a constant companion alas when Dad did the tea. Look fwd to more trips down memory lane ... Regards Rob

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Rob, Yeah I've never been keen on the gum leaf in the brew. People have mentioned throwing one in. But i'll stick with the standard way of making a good billy tea. Tastes a treat. Thanks mate for your reply and going for a trip down memory lane. Cheers Tim.

[@NisMopar06]

I'm craving a good cup of tea now lol

[@timbates4wdadventures]

They are great. Can’t beat a cupa made in the billy on the campfire. Cheers Tum.

[@stevemcnaughton324]

Great vid Batesy. Years ago someone showed me that you gently crush a gum leaf and drop it in before you swing it. Apart from a bit of extra flavour the oil in the leaf reduces the surface tension and helps the tea leaves settle.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Steve, Yeah i sure have heard about a few people throwing a gum leaf in the brew. Not something i have tried. Good ol standard brewed tea goes down a treat. Lol Thanks for your reply and feedback mate. Cheers Tim.

[@mediamagpieka-pow3953]

Thanks for the great video. I am an English teacher and I use your video to teach my students about Australian English and pronunciation. They really enjoy it.

[@mediamagpieka-pow3953]

This is the transcript of your video that I use with my class: Transcript: Gudday guys, how are we going? Well, what a crackin’ spot it is out here for a cuppa. So, I’m going to show you how to make a billy tea right here on the campfire. We’ll get this water up to the boil, then we’ll show you the next stage. *** That old billy, she’s starting to sing now, starting to boil up in there. But, look, making billy tea and you know, on the campfire this way, it’s sort of nothing new, you know. Old bushies have been making billy tea this way for donkey’s years, you know, for ages. You know and it’s such an old school of making, you know a good cup of tea, if you like your cups of tea in the morning while you’re out camping, well this is a cracking way to do it. So, we’ll just get this boiled up. It’s almost there. And then we’ll go on to the next stage. But, this is just a great way of making [a] morning cuppa. *** Check this water. Oh, yeah it’s boiling beautiful. So, what we’re goin’ to do here now, I’m going to put some… muh (my) tea in it. Um, and then come out the back here and we’re going to swing it round and round. Now, if you’re doing this just for the first time, you know, wanna try this sort of old school way of making a cup of tea, you know, billy tea on the fire here. Maybe try it a few times at home with some cold water in it before you go putting some hot water in it because you don’t want to go burning yourself and getting’ scalded, so if you get it all wrong. Um, but so yeah so this is what we’re going to do here, but, and… I’ve just got, oh probably about that much water in the bottom of it. [Gestures with thumb and forefinger]. You know, and the more water you put in it well it’s just going to make your tea a bit weaker, so you got to try to get the water quantity a bit right and if you really want to measure it out. Well, just grab your cup and fill your cup up with cold water and then maybe another half a cup, you know, to allow for evaporation, and just sort of allow that for each person you’re making your billy for, making a cuppa for. So, I’m just goin’ ta take this off. Get rid of that log. Put that off there. Take that off. And then, also allow one heap full. So, it’s just a pinch, you know, it’s a bit like, sort of that much, just in your hand there. One for the person, one for the billy, and one for good measure. Righto! Now, as you can see there, the tea leaves are still sitting on the top. So what we’re going to do here I’m now going to take this out the back here, gonna swing it around. And what that does, it settles the tea leaves down to the bottom. So when you go and pull your tea out, you don’t fill your cup up with all the tea leaves. So, this is the go. As I say, if you’re doing this for the first time, maybe practice a few times at home with some cold water. So just give it… if you need a bit of a swing-up maybe get a bit of a swing going first. Just to get your rhythm right. Otherwise, it’s just come in and… bang! And as long as you keep it spinnin’ around, the water’s not gonna come out. And there we go. And it’s as simple as that. And then when you come back, all your tea leaves now are settled down the bottom and ready to pour out. But I’m going to leave that sit for a bit longer because you know what? I like a pretty strong cuppa. So, I’m gonna let that sit for a couple of minutes. Righto, time to pour me cuppa out. Here we go. Oh, look at the colour of that! There we go. Absolutely beautiful! And that is how you make billy tea the old school way, straight on the campfire. It’s an absolutely crackin’ way. So, enjoy this morning’s cuppa [takes a sip]. Oh, that is fantastic! Ah, there you go, guys. Have a crack at making billy tea on the campfire. Swing it around. But maybe as I say, if you’re doin’ it for the first time, maybe have a couple of practice goes at home with some cold water, because it’s all hot, everything’s hot and you don’t want to go scalding yourself and burn yourself. But anyway guys, I’m going to sit back here, just enjoy this beautiful bush around here and me morning cuppa. So, thanks so much for watchin’ and fair chance I’ll catch ya somewhere out here in the bush someday. See ya later on.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Thats wicked mate. Im glad that you all enjoyed the video. You cant beat a cupa made on the campfire. Thanks for your feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@mediamagpieka-pow3953]

@@timbates4wdadventures No worries. Maybe others can use the transcript for their own Australian English lessons.

[@oldcamper409]

Thanks for the explanation on why you swing the billy in circles ! Very useful to know.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

No worries mate. Thanks for watching the video, im glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Tim.

[@valiaudet3415]

Swing not necessary, ever

[@timbates4wdadventures]

That’s fine mate. It’s a technique that’s been used for 100’s of years. I still find it works well. Cheers Tim.

[@valiaudet3415]

@@timbates4wdadventures it always frightens me. It impressive but i don't have confidence. Hahaha. Just me. Lol

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@valiaudet3415 Thats cool mate. A few practice runs with cold water is the go first. Lol

[@ShannonBeal80]

Another cracking video Batesy!

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Shannon, Thanks mate. Top way of making a brew out in the bush. Cheers Tim.

[@dsmithspecialisttransport2741]

Nice video Tim ya Can’t beat a lovely cuppa, and that ole billy of yours looks full of character 😉👍🇬🇧

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, A morning brew on the camp fire is a great way to get the morning started. Lol My old billy has been around a bit, best part of 15yr old, and still going strong. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim.

[@uncaringleek1812]

Today I actually made tea with 2 planks of wood, some wire and a coke can

[@timbates4wdadventures]

That will do the job for boiling water. Cheers Tim

[@Quarry4x4]

Good one. Sometimes I see people stir it after the swing. They must like tea leaves in the cup. To cool the cuppa down 2 turns to the left and 3 to the right 30 seconds in between each turn ready to drink.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, I have stirred my billy. The tea leaves don't actually come out. Stirring creates a whirl pool, and all the tea leaves end up in the middle of the billy. Thanks for your reply and feedback mate. Cheers Tim.

[@ThePHOENIX1286]

G'day Tim, cracking videos mate. I've just got myself a new billy can from BCF. Any tips on maintenance? Im getting a lot of rust inside the can, I've been boiling to rinse before making a batch of tea. I might be the quality of the can. Just wondering if there's any secret bushman tricks out there. Cheers mate.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, Could be the material of the billy. Mine is well over 15 years old and has never rusted. Cheers Tim

[@ThePHOENIX1286]

@@timbates4wdadventures Cheers mate, I've given it a light oil with some olive oil, and picked up a aluminium billy kettle as well. Great videos keep up the great work mate. Cheers.

[@aussie_mama8360]

We use to put eucalyptus leafs in too :) ohhh yummm

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday mate, I’ve heard of some people throwing a leaf in the brew for extra flavour. Not tried it myself. Cheers Tim.

[@cjackett5791]

Your a great bloke Tim. Keep up the good work👍

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Thanks mate. Im glad you enjoyed the video. I greatly appreciate your feedback. Cheers Tim.

[@stanleyj.mitchell4851]

You was doing well until you put the billy back on the fire. That’s a no no. And then you totally ruined it by adding milk. 😁 Having said that, it’s your tea your way. I like mine strong and sweet. If I can see the bottom of the cup it’s not strong enough.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday mate, I appreciate your feedback But, that’s just how I like to make my tea. I’ve been drinking tea for 50 yrs. it’s been white all along. But, that’s just me. Cheers Tim.

[@murrayconnelly3834]

Bloody legend 👍

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Cheers mate. Im glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Tim.

[@jimfatyakmcgregor8867]

Very good, but, did you ever make billy tea when you had no tea ? My dad was an old truck driver, and used to make billy tea from different grasses and leaves from the bus. The trick, to know which plants to pick from.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, No i haven't tried making tea from other form other than tea leaves. Yes, you would really need to know what plant matter you are throwing in the billy before you drink it. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim.

[@rogermace4516]

Delish. .You can see old billy has had plenty of use

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Rodger, Yeah mate, that ol billy has been repaired a few times. Lol Still works a treat. It's about 15 years old. Cheers Tim.

[@shanesalmo1163]

Tim, if you like a little sweetness and at the right time of year fresh bottle brush or banksia flower dunked in the billy ,just beutiful. Cheers.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Shane, Actually i saw Bush Tucker Man make a billy brew with the bottle brush on one of his eps. It would be like adding a dash of sugar for sure. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim.

[@jamiesullivan8900]

Hi tim A Billy tea is a great way to start the morning in the bush. What is your preferred brand of tea?

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Jamie, It sure is mate on the morning campfire. The good ol Aussie tea - Nerada. Tastes great mate. Cheers Tim.

[@lukereynolds9907]

Batesy gotta be careful of spinnin them Chinese billies the handles fly off. 😂

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Like, That billy is the best part of 15yr old. Its been repaired a few times and still going the distance. Lol I reckon it has a few more swings in it yet. Lol Cheers Tim.

[@peterlion690]

Thanks for your vids of the Bush keeping us sane in lockdown Tim . One can smell the fire and the tea on the boil only one week to go until Dan lets us out of the starting blocks from lock down another good Vid Tim

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Peter, Yeah mate, a fresh morning billy of tea smells amazing and the taste is just as good. It's really great news that you guys can now start travelling again. Thanks mate for your reply and feedback, i do appreciate it. Cheers Tim.

[@paulkenny7363]

Nice work Tim one of my daughters loves billy tea over the camp fire, she hangs out for the fire ban season to finish every year

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Paul, Yeah, fire ban days make it hard to boil the billy. Thats for sure mare. Cheers Tim.

[@chriscoyne4827]

Just throw me a beer or something in the morning I don't drink coffee or tea lol

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Hahaha :-) That will work as well mate if you dont do a cupa. Lol Cheers Tim.

[@davebloggs]

great video.nicely done.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Gday Dave Billy tea on the campfire is a great way to start the day. Thanks heaps mate for your feedback. Cheers Tim

[@davebloggs]

@@timbates4wdadventures Always a good way to start the day

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@davebloggs absolutely mate.

[@kevinbarker359]

Thanks mate , thats the way we do it , swing it around the settle the tea leaves .. great video.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Thanks mate. Swinging the billy sure does help make a nice brew. Thanks for your reply. Cheers Tim.

[@johndelaney2957]

Good to see you gave up those horrible tea bags.

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day John, Ya cant beat a fresh billy brewed tea first thing on a camping morning. Thanks mate for watching the video and your reply. Cheers Tim.

[@kristineharrower7813]

Looks like a good brew

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day Kristine, Morning brew on the campfire is a great start to any camping morning. Lol Cheers Tim.

[@jimmaier3600]

ill stay with my proper

[@jimmaier3600]

ill stay with my yorkshire proper strong that way seems like a lot of exercise lol

[@timbates4wdadventures]

Thats the go mate if it works, then stick with it. Lol Cheers Tim.

[@Mr105.]

What brand of tea you go for Tim?

[@timbates4wdadventures]

G'day mate, The good ol Aussie tea - Nerada. Tastes great mate. Cheers Tim.

[@Mr105.]

@@timbates4wdadventures I did try that one just because it's Aussie but still prefer Bushels

[@timbates4wdadventures]

@@Mr105. Yeah mate, Bushels makes a nice brew in the billy.