Do electric kettles use more power as they get older?

Stonedofmoo · 2 Aug 2009 at 08:34

Just a quick query. Do electric kettles get more inefficient as they get older? I ask because I've had mine for 5 years now and it's got much slower over time, and not because of scale buildup, there isn't any.

So now it's taking more time over boiling water, is it using more energy to boil a kettle due to using the same amount of energy over a longer period of time, or does it use the same because it's using less energy over a longer period of time?

waso_dude · 2 Aug 2009 at 08:43

Clear off the limescale...should certainly helpp..

SwishSpencor · 2 Aug 2009 at 08:59

waso_dude said:
Clear off the limescale...should certainly helpp..

Stonedofmoo said:
not because of scale buildup, there isn't any.

Mp4 · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:00

Calgon for the win

semi-pro waster · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:00

waso_dude said:
Clear off the limescale...should certainly helpp..

But if he's just said there isn't any (lime)scale build up...?

I'm far from certain about the answer here but I'd guess it uses the same amount of energy over a longer period of time because the element has become less efficient over time at outputting heat. This is of course assuming you're indeed right and it isn't just your imagination that it has become slower over time.

Tom0 · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:06

Like most things mechanical/electrical it's going to get less efficient everytime you use it. If anything I'd say its using more power over a longer period of time.

The only ultimate efficient kettle is one you put on the stove, but then gas prices (these days) to heat it would probably require the kettle to do it's job for a lifetime for it to be economical.

Sparky__H · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:06

perhaps your crippling morning caffeine addiction is causing a perceptional time change?

Stonedofmoo · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:20

Sparky__H said:
perhaps your crippling morning caffeine addiction is causing a perceptional time change?

lol

Nah we drink a lot of tea in my house. When I first got that kettle it would boil a cups worth of water very quickly, now it takes a lot longer. As said there is no scale so it's either my imagination, or the kettle is 'burning out' ?

I was just debating getting a new one.

Efour · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:40

Isn't there more caffeine by weight in a cup of tea than a coffee ? or is that just some poop i made up / read on the internetz.

mattyfez · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:49

Efour2 said:
Isn't there more caffeine by weight in a cup of tea than a coffee ? or is that just some poop i made up / read on the internetz.

I belive thats right but I did hear it's something about the composition of tea, or they way your body absorbs it, the caffine affects you less than coffee even though theres more of it.

As for buyin a new kettle, depends how often you use it, if just maybe once a day and assuming you spend 30-40 quid on a nice looking one, its going to take a long time before the (hopefully) improved efficiency off-sets the cost of actually buying the new kettle.

Sparky__H · 2 Aug 2009 at 09:51

Efour2 said:
Isn't there more caffeine by weight in a cup of tea than a coffee ? or is that just some poop i made up / read on the internetz.

Yeah it's poop. Generally tea has a lot less caffeine in it then coffee but of course it depends on the type of tea/coffee being compared.

Edit: Seems modern black tea is now almost as strong as a weak coffee. Well that's surprising.

Edit 2: Ahh by mass. Tea by mass contains a very high amount of caffeine, little is used. But more coffee is used in brewing the beverage.