Boiling water: Microwave v induction

Joe_L

Since moving into an all electric flat, I've alternated between using a bare electric element in my cup and my induction hob. Boiling water with the bare element is handy, as it only boils the exact amount for a cuppa, whereas I normally don't measure what I put into my saucepan when using the induction. One other means of heating water is a microwave and I was wondering, has anyone measured the Kw used with induction and microwave? I'd be interested to know what is the most economical way of heating small amounts of water.

mech_2

Joe_L wrote: »

Since moving into an all electric flat, I've alternated between using a bare electric element in my cup and my induction hob. Boiling water with the bare element is handy, as it only boils the exact amount for a cuppa, whereas I normally don't measure what I put into my saucepan when using the induction. One other means of heating water is a microwave and I was wondering, has anyone measured the Kw used with induction and microwave? I'd be interested to know what is the most economical way of heating small amounts of water.

An all-electric flat? Is that heated with storage heaters on Economy 7? If not, and if the flat is heated with flat-rate electricity, then during the heating season it won't make any difference how you heat water as any waste heat from heating a cup of water will just offset heat you put into the room with heaters.

In all other circumstances (eg: summer & daytime E7 electricity) I'm not entirely sure, but I'd probably put my money on the immersible heating element. My reasoning being that microwave ovens are 60-70% efficient, induction hobs are ~90% efficient in transferring energy to the pan (and then you pay for the heat stored in the pan and any leftover water when you're finished too). The immersed element is small, heats the water directly and is 100% efficient at turning the electricity into heat.

Cardew

Agree with mech above, but the amounts involved are tiny. It only cost a fraction of a penny to boil a cup of water; and the difference between the two methods is a fraction of that cost.

mikey72

I bought one of these
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4230429/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/2%7Ccat_14418476%7CKettles%7C14418611.htm
excellent.

Cardew

mikey72 wrote: »

I bought one of these
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4230429/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/2%7Ccat_14418476%7CKettles%7C14418611.htm
excellent.

Why?

Not for money saving!

Premier_2

Why not invest in an electric kettle? They're available from as little as about £4

They'll give you the flexibility to heat more than just one cup at a time, and their greater heating capacity (compared to the 1 cup coil) means they are quicker and hence slightly more efficient as less energy escapes during the shorter heating period.

Joe_L

Jeez I hate this EeePC sometimes. I just lost another load of text, but that's another story.

I have an electric kettle as well as the little heating element I bought in Poland. The advantage of the element is that it heats the cup and the water, making for a better cuppa and there is no water left over, so I'd say it's more efficient than an electric kettle. I think it win overall, but it has a drawback: it's dangerous!. I've already burnt a tray by forgetting to turn it off after taking it out the cup. I'm going to need to think up a workaround or put it back in storage.

Joe_L

mech wrote: »

An all-electric flat? Is that heated with storage heaters on Economy 7? If not, and if the flat is heated with flat-rate electricity, then during the heating season it won't make any difference how you heat water as any waste heat from heating a cup of water will just offset heat you put into the room with heaters.

It would if I actually used the storage heaters. I have economy 7, but have yet to heat the flat, so the offset would be lost on me. I tend to heat myself, not the flat.

In all other circumstances (eg: summer & daytime E7 electricity) I'm not entirely sure, but I'd probably put my money on the immersible heating element. My reasoning being that microwave ovens are 60-70% efficient, induction hobs are ~90% efficient in transferring energy to the pan (and then you pay for the heat stored in the pan and any leftover water when you're finished too). The immersed element is small, heats the water directly and is 100% efficient at turning the electricity into heat.

I think you're probably right, but I've yet to measure it.

Fire_Fox

Premier wrote: »

Why not invest in an electric kettle? They're available from as little as about £4

They'll give you the flexibility to heat more than just one cup at a time, and their greater heating capacity (compared to the 1 cup coil) means they are quicker and hence slightly more efficient as less energy escapes during the shorter heating period.

Kettles and toasters often get in the way in a 'compact' flat kitchen, my toaster lives in a cupboard!