Small Kettles to save energy

Astria

Sea_Shell said:

Just to throw another variable into the mix...

We're in a hard water area, so we get limescale build-up.   This ends up with added crunch in your coffee, if you only boil exactly what you need.  So I do overfill slightly, to avoid the dregs.  The filter isn't perfect!!

We descale regularly, once we notice it's getting bad.   But this also has a cost, which if done more often may outway the benefits of boiling that little bit extra.

Discuss. 😇

If you use a microwave instead of a kettle then you don't have either problem - you don't have to overfill and you don't get lime scale

Microwaves are also multi purpose rather than single use and only heat the water rather than also the container, plus once power is removed, there is no latent heat and thus no wasted energy at the end of the cycle. However, a microwave is typically at best 60% efficient, and also requires a fan to keep it cool.

I now want to plug a killowatt into both devices and see which can get to the boiling point using the least amount of energy. I'm going to guess the kettle, but the age of the kettle might also play a part, but then again so might the age of the microwave. Hmmm... Anyone bored?

victor2

Astria said:

...

I now want to plug a killowatt into both devices and see which can get to the boiling point using the least amount of energy. I'm going to guess the kettle, but the age of the kettle might also play a part, but then again so might the age of the microwave. Hmmm... Anyone bored?

If the socket for my microwave would take my plug-in monitor, I might be, but it is too close to another unit to do so. Plus, you'd have to figure out how long to run the microwave for to get the water up to the same temperature as the kettle does, without "exploding" the mug of water in the microwave.

OH wouldn't be too happy at me running an extension lead across the kitchen while I did the experiment and I'm neither that bored or brave!

Sea_Shell

Also, i know the purists say tea should be made with freshly drawn water...but...if you refill the kettle after you've made a drink, it will be "pre-warmed" for the next drink, rather than be stone cold fresh out the tap!!

Even if it's only at room temperature, the water will boil quicker.   

coffeehound

Water heated in the m/w is weirdly foamy

BUFF

Astria said:

I now want to plug a killowatt into both devices and see which can get to the boiling point using the least amount of energy. I'm going to guess the kettle, but the age of the kettle might also play a part, but then again so might the age of the microwave. Hmmm... Anyone bored?

Don't start giving me ideas (I have a smart plug with energy monitoring) ...

Astria

BUFF said:

Astria said:

I now want to plug a killowatt into both devices and see which can get to the boiling point using the least amount of energy. I'm going to guess the kettle, but the age of the kettle might also play a part, but then again so might the age of the microwave. Hmmm... Anyone bored?

Don't start giving me ideas (I have a smart plug with energy monitoring) ...

Done it yet? 😎