Can I boil water on my stove?

Gin_and_Milk

I know this is a really stupid question, but last year turning the hot tap on in our house cost us a fortune. It's a three storey house and the kitchen is downstairs next to our 'den' which has a multifuel burner.

I'm thinking of boiling water for my washing up (and fill some flasks for the day); I want to get a kettle to put on top of the burner (the sort that whistles), but can I just put it straight on top, or do I have to put something underneath?

I know it doesn't cost that much to boil a kettle, but if the stove's already on anyway it seems daft not to do it

joedenise

Yes you can. We bought a cast iron kettle to use but you can use any kettle really which is suitable for use on a gas or electric cooker hob.

Denise

Gin_and_Milk

Ah that's great thank you. Does it take long to boil your water?

Popperwell

All the above but it was said elsewhere...you put a pan/kettle on a hob and start off with cold water...it can take a while to heat up so it can sometimes be cheaper to use an electric kettle.

Even though electric is more expensive than gas, if you have a gas stove than it will heat water quite quickly?

Some people when cooking put hot water in a pan from an electric kettle rather than wait for the water you are cooking your potatoes etc...to heat up.

But the idea of making up flasks, having water to wash up and possibly have a small wash is a sound idea.

Then again if you don't run all your water off in the tank and heat it up and then don't allow it to cool down so it is stone cold you could just switch the boiler or emmersion heater on say for 10 mins here and there rather than starting from scratch.

Just a suggestion, not sure how practicle it is...

Gin_and_Milk

Thank you Popperwell. I do boil the kettle at the moment for washing up, but I figured that if the stove (which is next to the kitchen) was already lit I may as well just heat it on there. I'm thinking of boiling enough water to fill 4 large flasks for the day - it doesn't matter how long it would take as the fire is lit early morning. I know electricity is cheaper and that it only costs about 25p to boil a kettle, but if the stove is lit I'm still saving a bit of money even if it is only change. I was frightened of damaging my fire though!

malamay

Growing up, my father had a wood stove. When the power went in the winter, not only we were one of the few houses in our area that were warm, but we could use the stove for boiling the kettle, and I think we even did a bit of primitive cooking with it. It took a while to boil the kettle, but it was certainly worth it!

imho

I would put a sauce pan on the stove to boil water to do the washing up with that and when you have used the hot water just put saucepan back on your heater.Your multi stove is on so might as well use it .

Popperwell

Gin_and_Milk wrote: »

Thank you Popperwell. I do boil the kettle at the moment for washing up, but I figured that if the stove (which is next to the kitchen) was already lit I may as well just heat it on there. I'm thinking of boiling enough water to fill 4 large flasks for the day - it doesn't matter how long it would take as the fire is lit early morning. I know electricity is cheaper and that it only costs about 25p to boil a kettle, but if the stove is lit I'm still saving a bit of money even if it is only change. I was frightened of damaging my fire though!

In that situation I'd do what you are planning on doing and it probably will work out cheaper and easier. And your kettle will be fine...:)

I do the same as you more or less. I am proud how I save money and am frugal but occasionally it would be nice not to have to be...

lilibet1

Does it really cost 25p to boil a kettle as in normal electric kettle? X

Popperwell

I have no idea but a search suggests boiling a kettle with 1 litre of water is the same as running a fridge for 7 hours. Is it? I know when I had a long chat with a utility provider they said the things that use most energy are appliences that heat or warm things such as kettles, ovens, washers, tumble dryers...

Also found this...out of date by now...

http://www.infomania.co.uk/archives/34

cheerfulness4

lilibet1 wrote: »

Does it really cost 25p to boil a kettle as in normal electric kettle? X

When I popped it on my electric monitor, albeit about 2 years ago, it came out at more like 2p. Depends how much water you have in your kettle.