The Woes Of Modern Technology

[woolly17]

I am about to buy a new electric kettle - my third in a year! My Humax freeview hard disc recorder failed at the weekend, after less than six months' use ... working now, but I can't access existing recordings; and I'm now on my fourth TV (main set - 32") in three years. Apart from the kettle, most electronics are on surge-protected supplies. Am I cursed?

[trt]

Must be woolly, I assume you send the faulty goods back for a refund?

[Old_Geezer]

Sometimes I realise modern tech is more stressful than it's worth. But I can't do without it.

[bhg481]

If you have hard water electric kettles can take offence if you don't de-scale them regularly.

[Khandro]

I hope you keep all receipts and guarantees. Three kettles in one year! you should have returned the first one and got a replacement.
I don't know if you are buying cheap, but particularly with electric products it can be a false economy, there's a lot of imitation, forged products from the far east on the market.

[EDDIE51]

Bought a Tesco 'Value' kettle for £4.20 , 5 years ago,still going strong and we are in a hard water area.

[jomifl]

Our current kettle has been in regular use for over 8 years, apart from a few cheap electronic products the only item of any significance which has failed was the hard drive in my laptop which had been running for 6 years. Stuff these days is very reliable.

[jomifl]

@ Khandro, have replied to your china question.

[Playbill]

We have a Breville jug kettle. About two years ago, when it was then eight years old, I somehow managed to turn it on with very little water in. It made a nasty noise, gave off an ominous smell, and died. Fuse was not blown, but even after several hours it would not work. I found the element was built in and took it to a trusted repair place who confirmed that it was not repairable. I tried it once or twice more but the thing was dead.
We got a new kettle and even though the Breville was useless kept putting off throwing it out. A year ago eventually I decided to do that. But for some reason gave it one more chance. It worked and has done ever since. Maybe it needed a long rest!

[jomifl]

Playbill, some kettle elements have a button to reset the thermal protection switch.

[ivor4781]

if you dont return the faulty equipment in one year ,then sorry to say more fool you

[Playbill]

jomifl - yes thanks, I knew that and tried to find one. I think there may be thermal switch of some sort and it could have have stuck - because of age? Then eventually reset itself. It is now ten years old so I treat it with more respect!