How Much Water Do You Put In The Kettle Before Boiling?

NoFixedAddress on 13/10/2022 - 15:49

I have a flood of thoughts when I go to use the kettle (electric jug) in a kitchen:

Is there already enough water inside?
How long is it going to take to heat?
How long has the water been in there?
If there are solar panels, can I wait till it is sunny?
Are their insects inside?
Is it free of scale?

I like to start with "fresh" tap water and fill to the amount I need to use, so I will usually get the mug or container I will use, then fill the mug to the amount of boiling water I want and then I pour that into the kettle.

What excitement have you had when you have either tried to boil less than minimum level of / more than maximum level of water?

Poll Options expired

  • 51
    I measure the amount I will use
  • 34
    I fill the kettle
  • 8
    I empty the kettle then refill to an estimate of how much I will use
  • 2
    I just turn it on
  • 2
    I usually pour part of the existing water out
  • 2
    I run the hot water and fill the kettle once the water runs hot
  • 2
    I watch the kettle and it never boils
  • 1
    I'm waiting for the next deal to replace the kettle at the moment
Home & Garden Kettle

Comments

  • bobbified on 13/10/2022 - 15:56
    +15

    Dude, you're trying to boil water, not launching a rocket into space!

    Is this what they mean when they tell us that everyone is super stressed?

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 13/10/2022 - 15:59
      +5

      With O.P.'s user name, they may be under pressure from others who want to use the public BBQ.

      • mranderson978 on 13/10/2022 - 16:13
        +1

        I wonder if he cooks risotto on that public BBQ…

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 13/10/2022 - 16:50

          yeah, nah. Those who are waiting want to cook the risotto.

  • Euphemistic on 13/10/2022 - 16:01
    +2

    One thing I learned from Dr Karl is that you should not run hot water to boil a kettle. It’s more energy efficient to heat that bit extra temp in the kettle than in your hot water heater. Reality is it doesn’t take significantly longer either because the kettle is quite effective.

    Secondly, don’t fill the kettle, you are wasting electricity to boil water you aren’t going to use. Fill it a little more than what you need.

  • boomramada on 13/10/2022 - 16:02
    +3

    If you need one cup of hot water, dont put more than minimum requirement by the kettle. Or its waste of power ( Thats if you done physics in school).

  • mapax on 13/10/2022 - 16:08
    +3

    I thought everyone had enough common sense to only boil the amount of water you plan on using?

    • Flying Ace on 13/10/2022 - 17:20
      +6

      Apparently not according to the people who voted "I fill the kettle"

  • AustriaBargain on 13/10/2022 - 16:42
    +1

    I lived with someone who never ever refilled the kettle, so if you put in just one or two cups then you turn into their slave, refilling it for them all the time. The alternative of filling it all the way up means you have to wait longer for it to boil. But at least you don't feel like you are waiting on an ungrateful (profanity).

  • shaybisc on 13/10/2022 - 16:57

    If it's just for 1 cup of tea I fill to 250ml, which is the minimum on my kettle and the reason I got it. 500ml minimum kettles annoy me.

  • Iwantthebestprice on 13/10/2022 - 17:14
    +1

    Am I the only one that fills the kettle, use what I need and then pour the rest of the hot water in the sink to make sure the sink stays nice and clean? Nothing like a bunch of boiling water poured into the sink to keep it clean and make sure nothing blocking the drains etc

    • Euphemistic on 13/10/2022 - 17:48
      +1

      Surely you only need to do that once a week or less.

      Only time I fill the kettle to the top is if I’m going to weedkill the driveway joints.

      • Iwantthebestprice on 13/10/2022 - 18:14
        +1

        Yes the kettle is only boiled a couple times a week max

        • Euphemistic on 13/10/2022 - 19:18
          +1

          Phew. Lot of people boil the kettle several times a day.

  • Third_Gear on 13/10/2022 - 17:16

    None. I use one of these: Westinghouse Instant Hot Water Dispenser WHIHWD01SS. Love it!!

  • Benoffie on 13/10/2022 - 17:35
    +2

    I fill about half way. I have an old school kettle - any less and it risks dry boiling, any more and it risks spilling.

    • whatwasherproblem on 13/10/2022 - 18:58
      +1

      Filling it halfway is the go.

      Especially if it's a communal kettle. I've found that if I have enough water in the kettle for the next person's morning coffee as well, they tend to glare at me a lot less.

  • payless69 on 13/10/2022 - 17:41

    I got fire insurance! So why waste time to check for the level?

  • GordonD on 13/10/2022 - 19:28
    +2

    I don't use or even own a kettle.

    When I want a cup of tea I put exactly the amount of water required in a cup, and put it in the microwave for precisely long enough to bring it almost to the boil.

    • NoFixedAddress on 27/10/2022 - 17:35

      Yes, I find myself doing this more for tea leaves as I recently found out boiling water reduces the oxygen level which apparently reduces the flavour.

      The other bonus is the mug heats up and helps prevent the drink cooling too quickly.

  • avoidfullprice on 13/10/2022 - 19:38

    Up to the min line

  • MeesusEff on 13/10/2022 - 19:46

    Asian family, my parents still have the habit of boiling the water before drinking it (obv cooled after pouring in a jug), yes I've told them they dont need to do it in Australia. Got an instant hot water dispenser now so I rarely use the kettle now

  • Ughhh on 13/10/2022 - 20:50

    Get a hot water urn or a thermos to keep it hot for longer.

  • Xistn on 13/10/2022 - 22:14

    Hot from the tap is enough.

  • Archi on 13/10/2022 - 23:16
    +1

    I have a zip tap home and at work.

    No need for a kettle.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/10/2022 - 00:15

    3/4 full, use hot water so it boils faster.

    if i have to fill it, it's just common courtesy to fill it up properly

    • ihfree on 14/10/2022 - 15:21

      Hot water systems may contain more dissolved minerals and metals, due to the heating process.
      Copper pipes are used extensively in plumbing systems in Australia (and internationally). Drinking water can contain elevated metals such as copper and sometimes lead when left standing in pipes for extended periods.

      https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/drinki…

  • Sleeqb7 on 14/10/2022 - 12:59

    At work, I put about twice as much as I need. That way, other people in the office can have hot water sooner if they needed it.
    At home, I fill it 1/2 way to 3/4 of the way whenever it's empty, and then just empty it gradually, re-boiling water as required. Because lazy, and filling it is more effort than not filling it up.

  • NoFixedAddress on 27/10/2022 - 17:31

    I had a chuckle to myself when I 'underfilled' a kettle last, steam was flying out the switch.

    I also suspect the minimum marker is higher than needed as a safety margin.

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