Just wondering about water and the kettle

Comyface

Hi
Here's something I've wondered about for a while. I suspect there's no simple answer but, just in case, I'll ask it anyway.

When I boil the kettle, I put in just enough water for what I need to do. If that's one cup of tea, that's all I boil; ones cup's worth of water (the kettle allows this). My partner, on the other hand, puts a load of water in; far too much for what he needs to do.

So, there are (numerous) occasions when I get to the kettle and there is water in it already. Say four cup's worth, when I only need one.

My question is, therefore, what course of action would cost me the least amount of money when faced with this mostly full kettle? Do I tip out the water I don't need before boiling it (and waste the paid-for water, as we're on a meter)? Do I boil it and just use what I need, leaving some in for later (paying more in electricity than if I'd tipped some out)?

Or, is it not able to be boiled down ('scuse the pun) to that level? Or is it negligible?

Thanks :A

Owain_Moneysaver

Tip the excess of the already-boiled (and presumably still warm) water into a plastic jug. Reboil the water you need. Return the excess water from the plastic jug back to the kettle.

SpotlandRules

Educate your other half on the benefits on only boiling enough for what is needed.

matelodave

Ideally retrain the other half, but failing that, either chuck away the excess or save it in a jug for later if you can be bothered. You can always use it to water plants when it's cold.

Boiling a litre more than you require probably costs more than the actual cost of the metered litre

prosaver

if you drink lots of tea or coffee, maybe get a thermal kettle..

The Vektra Eco Kettle is a great example of a thermal-insulated device. It can keep boiled water hot enough for tea for up to two hours and hot enough for coffee for four hours.

What’s more, the sides don’t get hot when the kettle is boiling and there is a non-drip pouring spout. The level controlled anti-spill stopper and comfortable handle makes using the kettle easier than ever

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Russell-Hobbs-Energy-Thermal-Stainless/dp/B000P61M9W

DigForVictory

Sort OH a Breville VKJ142 Hot Cup as a gift & hide the old kettle...
(That's a link to Amazon, so I'll lay odds there'll be a cheaper source elsewhere, but it gives you an idea.) The chuckle is that it'll *hold* several cups of water, but only boils one at a time.
Keep the old kettle for when you need a hot waterbottle, or to scald out a pan...

elsien

If you want to save the water, use it elsewhere. In my area water that's been boiied more than once tastes disgusting and ruins a good cuppa.

Comyface

Thanks for your replies everyone

Decision made - water will be saved and re-added to kettle when done. And I'll consider buying a new kettle when funds allow.

Turns out the answer was simpler than i imagined! Why didn't I think of that?! (I do try and educate / nag him into doing the right thing, but he seems to turn a deaf ear ��) .

SpotlandRules

If you go halves on the bills, suggest that they pay the electricity and you pay the gas

Ilona

Put the kettle away in a cupboard. When you want a hot drink put your water straight from the cold tap into a mug, not quite full. Put mug in microwave, (make sure it is a microwavable mug), give it about a minute, take out, check if it is hot enough, back in for a few more secs if it isn't. Don't walk away and leave it. Then make your drink.

I have been making my coffee like this for years, only ever heat the water I need. Somebody is bound to come along and say it is dangerous, it isn't if you take care.

Ilona

System

elsien wrote: »

If you want to save the water, use it elsewhere. In my area water that's been boiled more than once tastes disgusting and ruins a good cuppa.

Agreed, fresh water every time for the best cuppa.Once the water has boiled all the oxygen out of it its hopeless for both tea and coffee, so dump the boiled water that is not used.