Top Tip .. Kettle and Shower

Neil_Jones

thriftytracey said:

We have an electric shower which is never used.  We had some guests stay who used the shower several weeks ago.  I noticed the other day, that the light was red (it has a pull cord switch).  Does this mean that it has been using loads of electricity for several weeks?  I have now turned it off!

If your shower uses "loads of electricity" just to power a red light then you have a major problem.

Leaving a shower on standby costs pretty much next to nothing.compared to a lot of other devices left on standby.

matelodave

thriftytracey said:

We have an electric shower which is never used.  We had some guests stay who used the shower several weeks ago.  I noticed the other day, that the light was red (it has a pull cord switch).  Does this mean that it has been using loads of electricity for several weeks?  I have now turned it off!

No, the shower only uses leccy when it's in operation so its not necessary to shut off the pull cord switch when the shower isn't being used, but a good idea to avoid it being operated accidently.

ariarnia

DullGreyGuy said:

diddymonster said:

todays tip is to manually switch it off just as it starts boiling - “the rumble” if you like

Kettles are heated from the bottom, it will start to "rumble" well before the average temp of the water has risen  to 100C

Having done some experiments having gotten an induction hob a pan of water starts rumbling from about 75C. If you are happy with this sort of water temp to make your tea in then alternatively you could get a variable temp kettle which auto switches off at your preferred lower temp and not have to stand about waiting for the kettle to make noise to cut it off.

so what your saying is drink tea (ideal brewing temp for tea is between 75-90c) rather than coffee (which google says is 90-96c+) and save money

thriftytracey

matelodave said:

thriftytracey said:

We have an electric shower which is never used.  We had some guests stay who used the shower several weeks ago.  I noticed the other day, that the light was red (it has a pull cord switch).  Does this mean that it has been using loads of electricity for several weeks?  I have now turned it off!

No, the shower only uses leccy when it's in operation so its not necessary to shut off the pull cord switch when the shower isn't being used, but a good idea to avoid it being operated accidently.

Phew, that's a relief.  Thanks. There do seem to be a number of appliances that have a light indicator when plugged in but not being used, e.g. The Henry, Halogen oven etc.  

Shedman

Alnat1 said:

That reminds me, I need to Tapo the Karcher to see how much it costs to charge.

Glad to see to "Tapo" something has become a generic verb like to Google something 😅

Krakkkers

I put my microwave in my freezer and now it freezes and cooks, this is Viz top tips isn't it?

Krakkkers

Avoid hiring unlucky people by immediately tossing half the CVs into the bin.

MEN: When listening to your favourite CD, simply turn up the sound to the volume you desire - then turn it down three notches. This saves your wife having to do it.

facade

DullGreyGuy said:

diddymonster said:

todays tip is to manually switch it off just as it starts boiling - “the rumble” if you like

Kettles are heated from the bottom, it will start to "rumble" well before the average temp of the water has risen  to 100C

Having done some experiments having gotten an induction hob a pan of water starts rumbling from about 75C. If you are happy with this sort of water temp to make your tea in then alternatively you could get a variable temp kettle which auto switches off at your preferred lower temp and not have to stand about waiting for the kettle to make noise to cut it off.

What happens is the water starts to boil by the heat source, and as the gas bubbles rise they collapse because the water is cooler which creates a crackling banging noise.

You should actually listen for the noise to quieten to a low rumble, which is when the steam is escaping from the liquid (because the liquid is now all at boiling point).

As diddymonster says, with some kettles, this happens about 10 seconds before it switches off by itself. (To switch off, some steam is vented onto a memory metal spring, which "remembers" being longer and pushes a lever inside the switch. there isn't enough steam untill all the water is boiling)

Try listening to the kettle it is easier to hear it than describe it.

Qyburn

diddymonster said:

TIP 1 (the kettle)  .. I’m sure we’re all only putting in just enough water to boil for whatever drink(s) you are making BUT … todays tip is to manually switch it off just as it starts boiling - “the rumble” if you like - and not to let it turn itself off. In my case to boil enough water for one cup from cold, the kettle takes 30 or so seconds to start to boil but then carries on for another 10-15 seconds after that. By switching off manually at first boil, I’m saving 25-33%

Tea tastes disgusting if the water isn't properly brought to the boil.

badger09

ariarnia said:

DullGreyGuy said:

diddymonster said:

todays tip is to manually switch it off just as it starts boiling - “the rumble” if you like

Kettles are heated from the bottom, it will start to "rumble" well before the average temp of the water has risen  to 100C

Having done some experiments having gotten an induction hob a pan of water starts rumbling from about 75C. If you are happy with this sort of water temp to make your tea in then alternatively you could get a variable temp kettle which auto switches off at your preferred lower temp and not have to stand about waiting for the kettle to make noise to cut it off.

so what your saying is drink tea (ideal brewing temp for tea is between 75-90c) rather than coffee (which google says is 90-96c+) and save money

I’m all in favour of saving money, but drink tea instead of coffee?😱😱😱
Definitely a step too far, even though we could make 2 mugs from one bag😂
More seriously, we’ve started turning off our auto kettle before it turns itself off. Haven’t noticed any difference in the taste of the coffee, or my ‘herbal/fruit infusions’.