what type of kettle

[emmie]

do you have, electric, or one for the hob on the gas/electric oven. Was thinking of going back to an old fashioned type for the gas cooker?

[emmie]

any tips would be great?

[ChuckFickens]

An electric kettle is much cheaper to boil. (although in winter the kettle on a gas hob will heat the kitchen too which will slightly offset the extra cost)

[puternut]

electric electric electric

[RATTER15]

>>>(although in winter the kettle on a gas hob will heat the kitchen too which will slightly offset the extra cost)<<

only if you turn the heating down while the kettle is boiling!

[ChuckFickens]

Not really, most people have a thermostat (or TRVs) so a little extra heat from another source will cause the heating to cut off slightly earlier.

[naomi24]

Why are you thinking of changing, em?

[EvianBaby]

A hob kettle sounds like way to much effort when you just want a cuppa on a cold morning.

[RATTER15]

ChuckFickens, are you totally convinced by your argument?

[ChuckFickens]

Yes, of course! The effect would be fairly negligible because you'd only have the hob on for a few minutes to boil a kettle, but for the purposes of this you can consider the house a closed system, if it required X amount of energy to heat the house by 10degrees (for example) and the only heating in the house is the central heating boiler then that will have to provide X to heat the house that much, if you have a hob providing Y amount of heat then the boiler will have to provide X-Y to heat the house that much, if you had a light bulb that produced Z amount of heat on too then the boiler would have to provide X-(Y+Z) to heat the house by 10 degrees....

It a pretty basic law of thermodynamics.

[RATTER15]

Thanks for that chuck, BRB, im off to buy a gas hob kettle, im totally convinced!!

[ChuckFickens]

Presumably you therefore think if you have a roaring open fire in your house as well as the central heating then the heat from the fire wouldn't do anything if the central heating was on so the boiler would have to work just as hard to heat your house?

[TheOtherHalf]

Ive often wondered about buying one of those elements you just stick in a cup when just brewing for one. Are they worth it ?

[ChuckFickens]

An electric heating element is pretty damn near to 100% efficient, and as all you'd be doing is heating exactly the quantity of water you needed and the cup, rather than 110% of the water and a kettle body and a cup (when you poured the water into it) then yes....

Probably not enough to worry about though as long as you only fill your kettle with as close to a amount of water you need.

[RATTER15]

Chuck, im not sure that a "roaring open fire" is a suitable comparison to a gas hob that is only on for 5 minutes, also im not sure that a central heating thermostat would recognise such a tiny rise in temperature especially as it is likely to be in another room away from the kitchen, but im sure you are right:)

[pdust]

i have both. I use the electric kettle mainly as the gas one is heavy. I prefer the gas one though, it takes quite a bit longer but seems to make cuppas hotter....

[EcclesCake]

If you have the money and some space under your sink I'd get rid of the kettle and get a Quooker.

They are brilliant.

[gingejbee]

Buy a jug kettle that will heat as little as one cup/mug. Only heat the amount of water you need. When used, rinse with a little cold water while the kettle is still hot - you won't have a build-up of hardness deposits to contend with and won't need to use descaler nearly so often.

[HowardKennitby]

For small amounts a jug kettle is best as they will usually work with as little 1.5 cups of water. For a single cup use the microwave.

[ladybirder]

I got fed up with waiting for the hob kettle to boil and everyone moaning about it so I've now been out and bought an electric one.

[tenrec]

I know someone who boils a kettle full of water in the morning and uses some for a hot drink. The rest of the water is put in a vacuum flask. Later the vacuum flask water is poured back into kettle to boil for next cuppa. Is she saving money?