Electric Kettle or Gas?

meldrew07

I've tested out gas kettle versus electric by boiling identical quantities of water and reading the meters. I already have an Excel spreadsheet which has the necessary info on conversions and costings including standing charges so it wasn't too difficult. Can't remember the figures but electric was (surprisingly?) far cheaper, so now I never heat water by gas when boiling veg etc- I preheat in the electric kettle (which by the way cuts itself out saving more power!) Also when I got a new coldfill washing machine it worked out no more expensive (and possibly cheaper) than using old hot & cold hot fill with gas heated water.

Justie

thanks meldrew, I have read that that is the case and always boil the kettle for veggies, pasta etc rather than boiling the water in a pan but I wasn't sure if it was fact or another green myth so it's good to have some facts.

ailuro2

I do the same- quicker too, to boil a kettle for pasta, then use the leftovers for a cuppa for with dinner.

Cardew

meldrew07 wrote: »

I've tested out gas kettle versus electric by boiling identical quantities of water and reading the meters. I already have an Excel spreadsheet which has the necessary info on conversions and costings including standing charges so it wasn't too difficult. Can't remember the figures but electric was (surprisingly?) far cheaper, so now I never heat water by gas when boiling veg etc- I preheat in the electric kettle (which by the way cuts itself out saving more power!) Also when I got a new coldfill washing machine it worked out no more expensive (and possibly cheaper) than using old hot & cold hot fill with gas heated water.

Whenever you use the cooker there must be considerable energy wasted in heating the fabric of the cooker itself, which presumably accounts for the differences in costs of boiling a kettle just to make a cup of tea.

However I would have thought that would not apply to the same extent when you boil water for veg etc, as you will still have losses in heating the fabric of the cooker????

kevnmax

We have found we get far too much steam when using an electric kettle, over a kettle boiled on a gas hob - but this is probably more of a rant, than a money saving issue - although, we are looking for a solution that takes into account economy, energy saving and a hard water area. Plus we drink our tea weak and black so like to use boiling water rather than just hot water - we think the Tefal quick cup may be a solution but at nearly 50 quid, worry that the water won't be hot enough for a proper cuppa.

s_baker_2

Isn't the microwave the most energy efficient way of boiling water?

EDIT: I think I know someone who has the Tefal quick cup , so will ask them. (although I think they like their tea pretty cold anyway, so maybe they aren't the best people to ask!)

nesssie1702

Tea's got to be HOT, very hot! Can't stand it if it's cold, so would be interested to hear verdict on new Tefal Quick Cup.

I'd always been led to believe that it was cheaper (on account of gas prices) to boil the kettle on the hob, but that was before the huge increases in gas prices.

John_3:16

If you are looking for cost? remember to cost in new filters for the tefal. This could out weigh the extrat cost of boiling a little more water in a normal kettle.

amtrakuk

I looked at a Tefal kettle but the difference between a £60 Tefal over a cheap £5 kettle from Tesco if £55. I would have thought you can make many many cups of tea before the Tefal pays for itself, as John mentioned above you have filters to change.

My brother has one and the water isn't boiling so you can't make a proper brew ;(

Ben84

moonrakerz wrote: »

A small electric kettle with an exposed element close to the bottom of the water jug is about as near to 100% efficient for heat transfer as you can get.

A gas flame is not only having to heat the kettle before any heat gets to the water but it's heating the hob, the kitchen, you, etc, etc..

Also, if it's started whistling, you are wasting energy on that !

An electric element might be 100% efficient at turning electric in to heat, but electric isn't a primary fuel. It's made from other fuels like coal or gas which are burnt in power plants and the energy from this goes through many stages and steps before it reaches the element in your kettle.

These various conversions and the long distances cause big energy losses. Depending on various factors, as little as 40% of the original energy reaches your kettle.

It makes sense when you think about it that the electric kettle is not going to be efficient. When I use mine I'm heating the water with a fire that is burning in a another county.