Gas hob vs electric kettle

Krakkkers

Just made myself another cup of tea, same as before 400ml but this time used a smaller saucepan and lid and smaller gas burner, thus time 5 minutes  0.008 units and 0.9p.
Just to complicate matters I have solar panels so I get a discount using an electric kettle during the day.

inkydolphin

mmmmikey's house

blackshirtuk

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

DullGreyGuy

Krakkkers said:

Just boiled 400ml on gas hob in saucepan with lid vs 400ml in electric kettle and results are.
Electric kettle 55 seconds and 45wh which is 1.51p
Gas hob 3 minutes and 0.011 units (0.123 kwh) which is 1.26p

Are you sure the pan was actually boiling @krakkers? What was your measure of judgement for this?

We have an electric/induction hob so not going to be an energy saving but we have had a debate on which is quicker to bring larger volumes of water to a boil. More than once pulled the pan because it was bubbling notably but an instant read themometer in the middle of the depth of water read in the mid 80s

PennineAcute

blackshirtuk said:

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

How the heck anyone can drink water that has been boiled in the microwave is beyond me.

[Deleted User]

PennineAcute said:

blackshirtuk said:

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

How the heck anyone can drink water that has been boiled in the microwave is beyond me.

Boiled is boiled.  It's still the same water.

inkydolphin

blackshirtuk said:

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

I think it's not recommended by some due to super-heated water erupting when you take it out or something.

Glum

inkydolphin said:

blackshirtuk said:

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

I think it's not recommended by some due to super-heated water erupting when you take it out or something.

This very real problem is most likely to occur with a milky drink if you let it go cold for a few hours. When you warm it up in a microwave oven for too long, the steam builds up under the harder layer on the top and acts like a pressure cooker; the temperature can be well above boiling point. When you stick a spoon in to stir it, the steam blows all the liquid on your hand. If you take a sip from the mug you will seriously burn your face. You will only ever do this once! 

Ectophile

Glum said:

inkydolphin said:

blackshirtuk said:

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

I think it's not recommended by some due to super-heated water erupting when you take it out or something.

This very real problem is most likely to occur with a milky drink if you let it go cold for a few hours. When you warm it up in a microwave oven for too long, the steam builds up under the harder layer on the top and acts like a pressure cooker; the temperature can be well above boiling point. When you stick a spoon in to stir it, the steam blows all the liquid on your hand. If you take a sip from the mug you will seriously burn your face. You will only ever do this once! 

It also happens when making instant coffee.  You heat up a mug of water in the microwave until bubbles start to appear.  Take the mug out of the microwave.  Tip in a spoonful of coffee granules.  Spend several minutes mopping up the frothy coffee mess that's gone everywhere.

Glum

PennineAcute said:

blackshirtuk said:

Is anyone going to test the cost using a microwave?

How the heck anyone can drink water that has been boiled in the microwave is beyond me.

From experience, I think it does depend on the liquid but you can end up with thousands of tiny bubbles. For a milky drink that is fine but frothy tea just looks wrong.