| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| cab |
Eco-kettle optionsLooking at this bit of kit here, but haven't found any reviews of it yet:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tefal-Quick-Cup/dp/B000SK9G52 Anyone got one? Does it work? Does it actually get the water up to boiling or just hot? And can you run it without at water filter? Or does anyone have any other suggestions for a better bit of kit? |
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| Penny |
There are customer reviews on the Amazon site, all pretty negative, which is a shame, it's such a good idea. | ||
| marigold |
It's a STUPID idea!! It's a totally unnecessary gadget for people with more money than sense - made mostly of plastic with manufacturing costs, ongoing costs for filters, disposal costs. Takes up space on the work surface. How long does it take to boil a cup of water in a kettle? Or in a saucepan on a gas hob for that matter? Longer than it takes for my blood to boil over junk like this, but not long!!  . One of the reviewers said he had to give his cuppa 20 seconds in the microwave to heat it up properly - might as well just use the microwave and save buying the additional gadget!!
Grrr! I HATE this sort of stuff, especially when it sold with an "eco" label  . People who can't wait for a kettle to boil should be shot. Or sent to live somewhere where you have to wait until the cow dung dries before you can make a fire to boil your water (which you have carried 3 miles from the nearest source) .
Phew - calm down marigold... Must have needed a rant, thanks, cab, perfect subject matter! |
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| cab |
Yes, my gut feeling was the same, looks like a gut idea... But then the idea that you can heat sufficient water for, say, three or four mugs in seconds, with an ordinary domestic power point... Dunno, I'll have to do some sums to work out if thats feasible. But the proof of the pudding is, of course, in the eating. | ||
| cab |
Glad to be of service. I dunno though, if it did what its claimed to do then great, expecially if it works without the filter. |
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| marigold |
So many variables to wonder about, e.g. how warm the water is to start with and how hot you expect water to be to make a cup of tea. The claims says "energy saving of up to 65% compared to a standard kettle" (my italics). Which kettle did they compare it to? Were the starting water temperatures the same? etc etc?
Granted the speed is enticing - I've just tested my 2400w kettle and it takes 50 seconds to boil the minimum amount of water (about 1.5 mugsful) from cold, so 3 seconds is a big improvement on that. Another objection is that you couldn't really replace a kettle with this item as it's not much use for boiling water for when you need more than a cupful at a time, so people would end up with two gadgets instead of one... Maybe this is an idea that's worth watching though, the concept is bound to be developed as time goes on. |
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| RichardW |
It only heats to 80-85 deg c so some of the savings are from that. Other savings are theoretical ones. Comparing apples & oranges (full kettle to a cup full). Ok for luke warm coffee (american style from a kitchen tap) but not for Tea.
Also the 3 seconds is not how long it takes to fill the cup. Richard |
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| ksia |
We work with some groups at SEB (brand names include tefal). I don't think I'd be giving away any company secrets if I say...
They've explained it to us often and the idea is that in a kettle you have to have a minimum amount of water plus your cup needs whetheras with this you just fill your cup. It's not the speed that attracts me but this getting exactly the amount of hot water you need, with no waste. I had a telephone lesson with one student and we discussed it at length, as a British tea drinker it's a serious issue, so I've many worries over the temperature. He assured me that it comes out at 90somethng (sorry I can't face looking for any notes on this while on hol) and then is 80something in the mug. They have had discussions with tea professionals/ experts who assure them that boiled water shouldn't go on tea leaves. I know this, however it is reassuring that the water was boiled and then I use it. So I think all the manufacturers will face reducating the public a bit. I think it's an interesting product and if my current kettle broke I'd look seriously at this. I don't remeber any talk of a filter cause that does sound like a faff. I guess the quantity available is linked to the size of the 'tank', not sure, I'll have to ask them how well it works if you want alot in one go. I'd be very willing to try it if they had any samples but my hints have not worked so far! Edited because of course I knew tefal was part of the SEB group...I'd just forgotton for a moment...! |
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| jema |
We have one, you don't need to use the filters and it makes a perfectly decent cup of tea heating just the amount of water needed. | ||
| RichardW |
What about for people that make a pot full for 3-5 cups? Even for 1 to 2 people for the second & third cup. Got to be more eco to heat a larger amount once with less heat losses to the equipment / environment.
But then we heat our kettle on wood so  to electric kettles
Richard |
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| jema |
For two mugs it gives the water you need in seconds. I'd say it saves a considerable amount of electric and even time. Assuming it lasts a sensible time, I'd buy one again in a second. | ||
| RichardW |
You need a basic physics lesson. X amount of water at Y temp heated to Z temp will always consume the SAME amount of power (at the same atmospheric presure) (either more watts for less time or less watts for more time but the same w/h which is what you pay for) ("side note" lower power for longer is actualy better for the national grid than high power for short periods). They are just heating less water. So I can see savings on 1 cup as a kettle needs more than that to work but once you get to two cups its no different. Richard |
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| jema |
You are ignoring two basic facts, one this system does not actually boil so uses less energy and secondly you are only heating what you need. Maybe you live in a household where people do take the time to put exactly the right amount of water in a kettle? but I don't and I doubt even here that many people can claim that happens. | ||
| Jamanda |
But the water must be boiling to make tea. | ||
| oldish chris |
I've got one of these for the allotment:
http://www.green-shopping.co.uk/products/product_images/Storm%20Kettles/KS-OSK.jpg Marvelous! Few dried-up prunings boils enough for two cups of tea. |
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| Treacodactyl |
That's what I thought. I doubt I could tell a cup of tea made from slightly off the boil water but wouldn't water at 85°c make quite a weak brew unless you use more tea? So perhaps using a normal kettle and reducing the amount of tea might save more money? We've also got a storm kettle and it's surprising how few twigs it needs to boil a few cups of water. |
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| jema |
Well I would have said that myself, but I also like my tea strong, and I have no complaints. |