Is it cheaper to heat water in the kettle or on the hob?

rosie383

I have always wondered this and can't find the answer.
If I want to bring a large saucepan of water to the boil, say for pasta, is it cheaper to do it on the gas hob or in the electric kettle? I do use the warm water from the tap, and if it is in the pot, I put the lid on.

I'm sure many of you clever people out there know the answer. Probably blindingly obvious, but I just don't know.:o

Cardew

This has been asked many times about the cost of electric kettle v kettle on gas stove.

It will be cheaper using gas although there is a lot more 'lost' heat from the saucepan - however that heat is not 'lost' as it heats the fabric of the house.

That said the difference is just a fraction of a penny.

rosie383

Thank you. I was worried that the difference was maybe 3 times the amount or something.

penrhyn

Remember only use sufficient water to cover your vegetables, the same applies when having a bath.:D

neilmcl

I have an induction hob which boils water just as quick as my kettle and more energy efficient than a gas hob in terms of energy loss.

samtheman1k

neilmcl wrote: »

I have an induction hob which boils water just as quick as my kettle and more energy efficient than a gas hob in terms of energy loss.

But also costs 3 times as much to run...

neilmcl

samtheman1k wrote: »

But also costs 3 times as much to run...

That'll be standard ceramic hobs, more like twice as much to run for induction but that doesn't take into account induction is usually 2 to 3 times faster to cook than gas and 90% efficient (compared to 55% for gas).

Owain_Moneysaver

penrhyn wrote: »

Remember only use sufficient water to cover your vegetables, the same applies when having a bath.:D

If I only have the water up to my vegetables in the bath, my shoulders get cold :rotfl:

trenchwars

Typical kettle is 3 kW and it takes about 5 mins to boil a kettle so that's 0.25 kWh so at a typical rate of 10p / kWh it costs around 2.5 pence to boil a kettle.

Sublime_2

I tend to boil the water in the kettle first, as its quicker to do so. Can take ages waiting for a pot to boil otherwise.

Viper_7

Using gas, you are losing energy in the form of light and sound, as well as the heat not been 100% being transferred to the pan/water as the surrounding air will be heating.

With a kettle the heat transfer is more direct - sure still not 100% but much closer than gas.

If you could measure the output accurately for both, I'd favour the temperature of the water in the kettle being raised the most.

You speak of cost though, so that will depend on the cost of Gas to electricity - which varies with usage.

Also as mentioned any heat "lost" using the hob is contained within the house, so not really lost, and goes towards heating the home.


Personally I always boil the kettle - it's just quicker.


Also shouldn't really use the hot tap for human consumption. I know it's being boiled here so makes no difference really, but the hot water supply is not off the mains and has been sitting in a hot water tank for x amount of hours.