Boiling vessel

[citation needed] The "Vessel Boiling Electric" or "BV" was an innovation at the very end of World War II, when the Centurion tank was introduced with the device fitted inside the turret.

[2][3] Previously, British tank crews had disembarked when they wanted to "brew-up" (make tea), using a petrol cooker improvised from empty fuel cans[4] called a "Benghazi burner".

[6] The principal use of the BV is to heat ration pouches or tins; the hot water is then used for making drinks or washing.

The BV is cuboid and accommodates four tins; typically matching the crew numbers of an armoured fighting vehicle.

It runs off the 24 Volt electrical system of the vehicle and is manufactured by Electrothermal Engineering Ltd in Rochford, Essex.