Electric Kettles

[salgarfi]

Hello All,

I'm thinking of picking up an electric kettle to use when I'm hooked up to electricity here in the UK (and abroad if I get the chance). There's been some talk on the forum about wattage and amperage, and I'm presuming that I shouldn't go above 1000 watts. But which kettle would be a good one to buy? For example, at Argos there's a titchy Cookworks jobbie at well under 1kw (though it can't fill two mugs), but there's also a Russel Hobbs with greater volume and running at 1kw. I've also toyed with a 12 volt kettle that I can use in my 12v jack (from the leisure battery) but can these cut the mustard? So if any one has suggestions, and preferences, I'd really like to hear what they are...

All the best,
Sal

[Hacksawbob]

If your hearts set on an electric kettle then I cant help, but do you not have a cooker? A gas fired kettle is going to far less hassle.

[windysurfer]

We have the Russell Hobbs one and have never had a problem with power

[salgarfi]

If your hearts set on an electric kettle then I cant help, but do you not have a cooker? A gas fired kettle is going to far less hassle.

Of course I've got a gas cooker, but if I'm going to have electricity included in my pitch fee, I might as well use it as opposed to my gas. Anyway, I live in (what used to be known as) Cardiganshire, and we're considered the meanest people in Wales. You can just see how I rub my pennies together!!

Ta ra,
Sal

[salgarfi]

We have the Russell Hobbs one and have never had a problem with power

That's good to know. The volume on the Russell Hobbs seems just right for a couple of mugs of tea/coffee. I'm glad you've had no problems!

Sal

[billybigspud]

if your hook up is protected by a 16 amp mcb and the cable is also rated for it then technically you can run 4kw.get four 1000w kettles and drink loads of tea

[Donnw]

I use a 1 kw Russell Hobbs kettle, It works well and has never tripped the electrical hook up. Its easy to fill it it up before you go to bed and just switch on in the morning without getting out of bed. A bit more tricky to do that with a gas kettle. Also I use a fan heater in the van which I place on the dashboard. I have it on the low setting which I think is also 1 kW and it works fine. It has however tripped the hook up in the past using it on the number 2 setting. Probably best not to run it at the same time as the kettle.

Kev

[Cruz]

I just bought a really cheap Argos cookworks travel kettle (£2.45 in the sale yonks ago) for the odd time that I take leave of my senses and pay for hookup

[California Dreamin]

The most powerful domestic kettles use 3KW elements so thats approx 13 amps. So as most UK sites give you a 16 amp connection even one of these quick boil kettles would be fine.
However, the problems arrise when you visit a camping site that only has 10 amps or if you're in Europe and happen on a site with only 6 amps, although these aren't so common.

6amps gives you a max of 1380watts
10amps ......................2300
But as i say chances are 9/10 sites (guestimate) in the UK are going to give you full flavoured 16amps.
However....most European sites are just 10amps with a few at 6amps.

Martin

[nevill3]

I have been using a cheap Asda own brand kettle because it was the only kettle I could find at the time that was only 1kw....we also now use an Asda own brand electric toaster and 2Kw fan heater.....never all at the same time though. I have always kept my consumption at or below 2Kw just to be on the safe side.....

[salgarfi]

Well..., it seems that the 1kw kettle's the one for me, and I'll even consider a heater, since I'm going to have to travel a lot from Wales to East Anglia over this coming winter (for about a week every month or so). I must admit, though, I didn't think that a fan heater would be OK, I was imagining a halogen type - oil heaters must take up a good deal of space.

Sal

[Hacksawbob]

Kettle will cost you more than you save in gas. unless you are on 907 butane bottles in which case change your gassing system to propane, and if you can fill at a LPG stsation.

[Mocki]

dont bother with a 12v kettle, it will knock the crap out of your leisure battery and take more than 25 mins to boil even with the engine running....... and most likely melt your wiring to the 12v socket.
they pull about 25 amps - 40amps depending on model, and are only any good for actually on the move use with dedicated wiring.

[salgarfi]

dont bother with a 12v kettle, it will knock the crap out of your leisure battery and take more than 25 mins to boil even with the engine running....... and most likely melt your wiring to the 12v socket.
they pull about 25 amps - 40amps depending on model, and are only any good for actually on the move use with dedicated wiring.

I take your point.., thanks!

Sal