Dropped electric kettle in bowl of water - Help please.

Bambywamby

I have just had a total dopey moment and after descaling my electric kettle with vinegar - I was swilling the bits of limescale out and dropped the whole kettle in a basin of water. I quickly took it out, emptied it, shook it dry outside and it is currently basquing in the sunshine. My question is: How long will it take to totally dry out? How many days should I leave it before using again? Or should I just err on the side of caution - bin it and buy a new one?

Thanks in advance - Bams x x x

lizzyb1812

Hi

I'm not sure that you will get a definitive answer to your query. If someone thinks they themselves would try to dry it out and reuse it they would probably be wary of advising you to do that because there is a risk that they are wrong. No-one here can accept your risk, that's up to you.

For what it's worth, I think I'm worth more than a kettle ........

Sorry not to be able to offer more help - just wanted you to understand why you weren't getting replies

Lizzy

Edited to add BIN IT - just read your sig

Bambywamby

Thank you.

I know I should bin it - but the MSE convert in me is crying "noooooo" but of course common sense dictates life is worth more than any money in the world. x x x

Biggles

It should be OK after 48 hours. The airing cupboard would be good when the sun goes in.

In any event, there's not likely to be anything life-threatening wrong with it even if it doesn't work as well again, the parts that you handle will all be dry.

SailorSam

I think i'd give it a couple of hours then try it. What's the worst that can happen if there is a fault the main fuse should trip.
Think of it like you had a burst pipe in the loft during the winter, the first you know about it is when water starts coming through the ceiling and it usually finds the easiest route ...... through a light fitting. So after a burst people don't rip out all the wires, they just leave them to dry.
I think your kettle will be the same. but just in case turn it on wearing rubber gloves and use a stick.

Biggles

SailorSam wrote: »

I think your kettle will be the same. but just in case turn it on wearing rubber gloves and use a stick.

LOL. Don't forget the rubber shoes, Sam!

Justamum

My DH is an electrician, so I just asked him about it. He says it's not worth risking it.

Biggles

Once it's dried out, there is no risk. The only possible risk could be if it were still wet.

And there's no reason why it shouldn't work just as well. If my smartphone can work OK after a couple of hours in a sewer (don't ask!), a simple kettle will be absolutely fine.

Farway

Is it a plastic or metal kettle?

If plastic no problems once dried out, may blow fuse if element has been wetted

If metal, have you got an earth leakage circuit breaker, the sort you plug in whilst mowing the grass? If so, plug kettle into that, then switch on

If either fuse or ELCB trips, bin the kettle

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

A new kettle can cost £4.79.

Is it worth it?

inamegajam

You could try standing it in a bag of cheap dry uncooked rice to help absorb last bits of moisture. It worked a treat when my mobile went in the washer, just took it all apart and popped in the rice bag over night. Good luck