Could hob ketles make a come back? 12 January at 9:38AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 51 replies 1.7K views

DullGreyGuy

rach_k said:
I'd happily reclaim the kettle space on the worksurface and there is something nice about having an old fashioned kettle on the hob, even if the hob isn't old fashioned!

There are a wide range of kettles available inc fairly modern looking ones.

Be it a hob kettle or boiling water tap, the reclaimed work surface is worth it!

Mistral001

I wonder if this is a trend that comes from across the Atlantic.  Americans mostly use hob kettles because their 110Volt system means that only appliances up to about 1500Watts can be plugged into the wall.  Our 240Volt system means that wall sockets can cope with twice that and hence  we can use 3000Watt kettles.  The Americans use the hob kettles simply because a kettle plugged into the wall socket will take ages to boil.  The hobs off course are supplied with cables that can cope with much higher power than the puny 1500Watts that their wall sockets can cope with.

Doozergirl

Mistral001 said:

I wonder if this is a trend that comes from across the Atlantic.  Americans mostly use hob kettles because their 110Volt system means that only appliances up to about 1500Watts can be plugged into the wall.  Our 240Volt system means that wall sockets can cope with twice that and hence  we can use 3000Watt kettles.  The Americans use the hob kettles simply because a kettle plugged into the wall socket will take ages to boil.  The hobs off course are supplied with cables that can cope with much higher power than the puny 1500Watts that their wall sockets can cope with.

I think if it is a trend it comes from not wanting a kettle plugged in on the worktop!  

It's faster on the hob too. It wasn't a trend for us, it was a bit of a no-brainer 😬

DullGreyGuy

Mistral001 said:

I wonder if this is a trend that comes from across the Atlantic.  Americans mostly use hob kettles because their 110Volt system means that only appliances up to about 1500Watts can be plugged into the wall.  Our 240Volt system means that wall sockets can cope with twice that and hence  we can use 3000Watt kettles.  The Americans use the hob kettles simply because a kettle plugged into the wall socket will take ages to boil.  The hobs off course are supplied with cables that can cope with much higher power than the puny 1500Watts that their wall sockets can cope with.

Dont know about the US but in South America which is also 110v 60hz they do tend to have 240v 60hz plugs in their kitchen.. mainly designed for washing machines and other high demand devices but know some family have a kettle plugged into one

diystarter7

waqasahmed said:

Section62 said:

waqasahmed said:

As people and entire nations, are looking to reduce reliance on gas, people are looking into induction hobs 

A colleague of mine has one of these, and he's said that boiling water on there is much quicker than his kettoe

Electric kettles are about as close to 100% efficient as you are likely to get, and since they don't use gas, replacement of these with stovetop kettles isn't going to reduce energy consumption by a significant degree.

Boiling a kettle quicker doesn't use sigificantly less energy, it just means energy needs to be used at a faster rate.

Sure. Not suggesting it's more efficient in terms of energy. Just suggesting it's quicker 

Hi

It was clear to me from your OP, thanks. You do start some very interesting topics, thanks.
From what I've read via Google, you are spot on.

Take care.

diystarter7

Jonboy_1984 said:

I am starting to look at a Quooker style tap simply because we have to pull through over half a gallon of cold water before getting any hot in the kitchen due to the pipe layout.

Hi

I first came across these type of taps at one of my sibling's homes about 15 years ago, then we had them in the works kitchens - they were scary  at first as anyone using them could accidentally burn their hand. However, in recent years the likes of the taps you mention have vastly come down in price but the safety on these is ace as we have looked at getting one.

Thanks

casper_gutman

I'm trying to get my head round how an induction hob can heat a kettle of water so much faster than an electric kettle. Surely this can't be general thing. 

For example, the hob below has rings ranging in power up to 2.2kW. Even assuming it's 100% efficient it will take just over 3 minutes to heat a litre of water from 10 to 100⁰C, just because that's how long it takes to transfer the energy needed. If it's actually only 80-85% efficient as suggested upthread then obviously it will take longer. 

Any plug in kettle worth the worktop space will have a power of 3kW. It will be near 100% efficient: the element is essentially immersed in the water, so there's only one place the energy can go. It will take a touch over 2 minutes to heat a litre of water up from 10 to 100⁰C.

Having checked a few other induction hobs, I couldn't see any with rings over about 3kW. So how can they heat the same amount of water faster than a kettle with a similar power rating?

Have I missed something important here?

Edit: forgot the link.
IB65B60NE | Indesit Induction Hob | Black | ao.com
And actually it looks like it's only 2.1kW. Obviously lots have at least one ring of 3kW or even a bit more, but I'm still unclear how they can be *so much* quicker at boiling water than a 3kW kettle....

goodwithsaving

Energy aside...the reason I don't like hob kettles is because you have to remember to turn the hob off. It only takes a forgetful moment, or being in a rush. Whereas an electric kettle boils and turns itself off.

twopenny

Whistling kettle?
Chill out for the short while it takes to boil. Help a few on the forums while waiting 
Do some Tai Chi?

in_my_wellies

I've never owned a fast electric kettle.

In the winter I use the top of the wood burner if it's on or the gas hob. I can always find something to do, like empty the washing machine or the dishwasher, whilst it boils so I guess I don't notice the extra time it takes. 

In the summer I use a low powered kettle to make use of the solar. 

I'd never heard of a Quooker