What type of kettle to get?

TuppenceHapenny

I need a new kettle after my electric one apparently burned out. Am I right to imagine that a 'stove' kettle used on a gas hob should be cheaper to use than an electric kettle, should last longer (as there's nothing in it to go wrong) and should also be cheaper to buy? Is there any reason why I would want to get another electric kettle?
Thanks.

neilmcl

Most electric kettles will boil in around 2 minutes, a gas stove type could take 10 minutes or more. You do the maths and see if it's cheaper, and probably more appropriate, convenient to use a stove top kettle.

TuppenceHapenny

Suppose a stove kettle on a gas hob is also more flexible than an electric kettle as you can vary the intensity of the heat used to boil it - use a weak flame if you want to wait a while or a strong flame if you want it to boil more quickly.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you have a kitchen with a bit of character then go for the old fashioned whistle kettle, your granny probably had one.

This link is 'modern' old fashioned, but just like an electric kettle just boil what you need for a cuppa.

ElephantBoy57

TuppenceHapenny said:

Suppose a stove kettle on a gas hob is also more flexible than an electric kettle as you can vary the intensity of the heat used to boil it - use a weak flame if you want to wait a while or a strong flame if you want it to boil more quickly.

Even with a smart meter, I don't think you will be able to see the difference, it will cost less than 1p to boil a cup of water, gas or electric. It certainly costs less than 1p with microwave/electric, maybe someone that uses a smart meter and gas stove can confirm?

Using a microwave to boil the water may be the cheapest. But my preference is an electric kettle.

moneysaver

We have a stove top kettle. It does take longer than an electric one to boil, but we think it is worth it. Had it 8yrs & still going strong, It came with a 10 guarantee.

Moneysaver

Rodders53

The energy needed to boil a litre of water can be calculated.  It won't be vastly different whatever type of kettle is used.

Electric kettles are 2.4kW or (rarer) 3kW elements and heat the water in metal or plastic containers.  You can also get low wattage (e.g. 500W) versions for camping and caravan use that take ages to boil!

Gas rings can be similar output (my caravan gas hob has 1x 1kW, 2x1.5kW and 1x 2.5kW rings).  So choosing the correct ring (but no flame licking around the sides!) can alter speed of heating to boiling on  gas stove to be similar.   Kettles will need to be metal though.  That may need more energy to heat cf a plastic electric version?

So mains gas (circa 5p/kWh) must be cheaper than peak rate electricity (circa 20p/kWh) and there is less to go wrong.  But then gas won't automatically turn of when the kettle boils and then would consume some extra energy...

[Deleted User]

About the same cost gas or electric but electric is MUCH quicker. 
The main thing is to boil the exact amount you need. 

Rodders53

 electric is MUCH quicker. 

Oh no it's not. 

It depends on the heat input ratings of the devices!
500W electric kettle will be slower than a 1kW gas ring. A 3kW gas ring will still beat a 2.4kW electric.  3kW gas and 3kW electric ratings will be very similar speed.

About the same cost gas or electric

How do you get to that conclusion, as the cost of gas per kWh is much less (1/4) than that of electricity (normal/peak rate).

ElephantBoy57

Rodders53 said:

About the same cost gas or electric

How do you get to that conclusion, as the cost of gas per kWh is much less (1/4) than that of electricity (normal/peak rate).

The electric element is inside a kettle, whereas the gas flame just goes all over with a lot of wasted energy. The metal kettle is heated by the gas too, with electric it can be just one cup of water.

Helen28

My 3kW kettle takes 75 seconds to boil enough water for 2 mugs of coffee.

At 15.13p per kWh that works out at 0.0095 pence, less than a penny