Grumble Thread

[french frank]

Very good. Just as well I used that spelling though isn't it, rather than the American version which appeared on several of the links(despite them being UK) when I was confirming my information was up to date. "Check" wouldn't have worked really would it?

Which reminds me that the late Robert Maxwell was referred to as the Bouncing Czech.

[Serial_Apologist]

The electric kettle packed up this afternoon, and gave me an electric shock when I tried investigating by repeatedly switching the on/off switch. I thought it had a few days ago, and got it working after replacing the plug fuse. However there was nothing wrong with original fuse. I expect water has leaked through the base and into the wiring underneath. I keep these appliances well de-scaled, so why they are not better sealed internally is something manufacturers should address.

I am quite annoyed by this. The kettle is just three years old, and was recommended by one of the shop assistants saying she had bought this particular model and it had lasted three years, which at the point of purchase seemed reasonable until I checked the previous kettle details and found I had had it for five years! I've never liked this kettle: it was (a) the only model on sale at the supermarket; (b) expensive; (c) heavy even when empty; and (d) took longer to heat than the series of previous kettles I had owned. Prior visits to other shops had suggested that electric kettles were at least doubled in price from the last time I had purchased one. A friend visits tomorrow morning. before I have a chance to get a replacement, so I will be forced to heat water for coffee in a saucepan.

[Pulcinella]

The electric kettle packed up this afternoon, and gave me an electric shock when I tried investigating by repeatedly switching the on/off switch. I thought it had a few days ago, and got it working after replacing the plug fuse. However there was nothing wrong with original fuse. I expect water has leaked through the base and into the wiring underneath. I keep these appliances well de-scaled, so why they are not better sealed internally is something manufacturers should address.

I am quite annoyed by this. The kettle is just three years old, and was recommended by one of the shop assistants saying she had bought this particular model and it had lasted three years, which at the point of purchase seemed reasonable until I checked the previous kettle details and found I had had it for five years! I've never liked this kettle: it was (a) the only model on sale at the supermarket; (b) expensive; (c) heavy even when empty; and (d) took longer to heat than the series of previous kettles I had owned. Prior visits to other shops had suggested that electric kettles were at least doubled in price from the last time I had purchased one. A friend visits tomorrow morning. before I have a chance to get a replacement, so I will be forced to heat water for coffee in a saucepan.

Get yourself a cheap and cheerful spare.
Light but low(ish) wattage, so fairly slow to boil.
We keep it in the garage but it's handy there for workmen to use when they've been doing work on the garden/patio.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/3362910?clickPR=plp:11:150

[Petrushka]

The electric kettle packed up this afternoon, and gave me an electric shock when I tried investigating by repeatedly switching the on/off switch. I thought it had a few days ago, and got it working after replacing the plug fuse. However there was nothing wrong with original fuse. I expect water has leaked through the base and into the wiring underneath. I keep these appliances well de-scaled, so why they are not better sealed internally is something manufacturers should address.

I am quite annoyed by this. The kettle is just three years old, and was recommended by one of the shop assistants saying she had bought this particular model and it had lasted three years, which at the point of purchase seemed reasonable until I checked the previous kettle details and found I had had it for five years! I've never liked this kettle: it was (a) the only model on sale at the supermarket; (b) expensive; (c) heavy even when empty; and (d) took longer to heat than the series of previous kettles I had owned. Prior visits to other shops had suggested that electric kettles were at least doubled in price from the last time I had purchased one. A friend visits tomorrow morning. before I have a chance to get a replacement, so I will be forced to heat water for coffee in a saucepan.

In my experience, you're doing well if any electric kettle lasts longer than two years. A Breville kettle I bought for £40 did no better, while the replacement I then bought for around the same amount, lasted less than three months when the lid, on being opened one morning, had bits flying everywhere. Despite that, the weak point of these kettles is almost always the usually somewhat flimsy switch that you press to turn it on.

Like Pulcinella, I've now got a cheap replacement for when my current model packs in.

[Maclintick]

Unfortunately I have found through bitter experience that buying what one might consider a premium-priced product does not ensure either (a) any better performance or (b) extra longevity. During covid, when such things were allowed, we set up a self-contained area for our workmen, with their own biscuits, tea making facilities etc. The kettle in this area, which was extremely moderately priced, has lasted better than the more expensive model in our kitchen.

[Serial_Apologist]

I have ended up resorting to heating up water in the faithful old microwave, which takes no longer than did the kettle - a couple of minutes. Silly not to think of this earlier.

[french frank]

I have ended up resorting to heating up water in the faithful old microwave, which takes no longer than did the kettle - a couple of minutes. Silly not to think of this earlier.

No electric kette? Pshaw! I'm coming towards the end of the third week of no kitchen, water only in the bathroom, confined to two rooms upstairs (except for the fridge which is downstairs), cooking on a portable hob on the bedroom floor, everywhere littered with pots, pans, dried goods, along with all my books, printers, computers. The work is supposed to finish tomorrow - but won't.

[cria]

I have ended up resorting to heating up water in the faithful old microwave, which takes no longer than did the kettle - a couple of minutes..

May I suggest that a teaspoon of Dettol should kill any meecroweevy microbes (pace Nigella)

[Pulcinella]

May I suggest that a teaspoon of Dettol should kill any meecroweevy microbes (pace Nigella)

But his cups of tea might not taste quite right!

[AuntDaisy]

No electric kette? Pshaw! I'm coming towards the end of the third week of no kitchen, water only in the bathroom, confined to two rooms upstairs (except for the fridge which is downstairs), cooking on a portable hob on the bedroom floor, everywhere littered with pots, pans, dried goods, along with all my books, printers, computers. The work is supposed to finish tomorrow - but won't.

Good luck.

[LHC]

In my experience, you're doing well if any electric kettle lasts longer than two years. A Breville kettle I bought for £40 did no better, while the replacement I then bought for around the same amount, lasted less than three months when the lid, on being opened one morning, had bits flying everywhere. Despite that, the weak point of these kettles is almost always the usually somewhat flimsy switch that you press to turn it on.

Like Pulcinella, I've now got a cheap replacement for when my current model packs in.

I must admit I am surprised by this (the expected lifespan of the normal electric kettle). I'm pretty sure that my kettle is more than 10 years old and stills seems to going strong (I realise this may be tempting fate); it's certainly old enough for me not to remember when it was bought or indeed how much it cost.

[Pulcinella]

I must admit I am surprised by this (the expected lifespan of the normal electric kettle). I'm pretty sure that my kettle is more than 10 years old and stills seems to going strong (I realise this may be tempting fate); it's certainly old enough for me not to remember when it was bought or indeed how much it cost.

You possibly don't live in a hard water area.

[Serial_Apologist]

But his cups of tea might not taste quite right!

Quite!

[Serial_Apologist]

May I suggest that a teaspoon of Dettol should kill any meecroweevy microbes (pace Nigella)

Taking the microwaving to boiling point should deal with any airborne microbes, I would think. Incidentally, my visitor, usually very fussy about the quality of the tea I serve him, was quite happy with it microwaved this afternoon, even after I had returned it to the microwave for an extra 50 seconds to bring it to his required temperature!

[LHC]

You possibly don't live in a hard water area.

Its very definitely a hard water area. I may just have been lucky that this particular kettle is doing better than most.

I do use one of those little wire balls that are supposed to prevent or reduce limescale build up which appears to be reasonably effective.