Electric tea kettle..

[tp4tissue]

Solved:...

went with a zoji boiler.



So.. I've had too many die on me, 6 in the past 10 years.  Daily use, sometimes twice a day.

It seems the most typical point of failure is the solder point in the base, where the power-cord joins the copper contacts that extend INTO the removable top kettle.


Looking at the designs on amazon, it would seeeem like some oem in china makes ALL of the kettles...


Thoughts ?  go stove top ?

[Signature]

So.. I've had too many die on me, 6 in the past 10 years.  Daily use, sometimes twice a day.

It seems the most typical point of failure is the solder point in the base, where the power-cord joins the copper contacts that extend INTO the removable top kettle.


Looking at the designs on amazon, it would seeeem like some oem in china makes ALL of the kettles...


Thoughts ?  go stove top ?

get a coffee maker that has the filter thingy and you can put tea in there

[tp4tissue]

So.. I've had too many die on me, 6 in the past 10 years.  Daily use, sometimes twice a day.

It seems the most typical point of failure is the solder point in the base, where the power-cord joins the copper contacts that extend INTO the removable top kettle.


Looking at the designs on amazon, it would seeeem like some oem in china makes ALL of the kettles...


Thoughts ?  go stove top ?

get a coffee maker that has the filter thingy and you can put tea in there

[yasuo]

maspion

[noisyturtle]

I have a cheap Sunbeam one that's worked perfectly for the past 5 years. Think it was $29.99

[tp4tissue]

I have a cheap Sunbeam one that's worked perfectly for the past 5 years. Think it was $29.99

Every day  use ?  , or is this ,, i pretend to be fancy and drink tea when chix come over type use..

[noisyturtle]

I have a cheap Sunbeam one that's worked perfectly for the past 5 years. Think it was $29.99

Every day  use ?  , or is this ,, i pretend to be fancy and drink tea when chix come over type use..

It's this one:
http://housewares.about.com/od/smallappliances/gr/sunkettleKJX17L.htm
Unfortunately it looks like they don't make it anymore.

It's really good, I use it multiple times a day. Noisy though, it sounds like a turbine engine when it's near full boil.

[tp4tissue]

Decided to try this stove top..  lets see how this goes.. 

[Lurch]

Decided to try a stove top..  lets see how this goes.. 

Show Image

But stove top takes so0o0o l00o0o0ong

i got a $10 kettle from amazon to use at work and ive been using it multiple times (1x-5x) a day for about a year now

[HipsterPunks]

I use my keurig, bougie til death

[tp4tissue]

Decided to try a stove top..  lets see how this goes.. 

Show Image

But stove top takes so0o0o l00o0o0ong

i got a $10 kettle from amazon to use at work and ive been using it multiple times (1x-5x) a day for about a year now

all the ones i've burned out have been ~$50...  same issue on each,

perhaps it's due to the fact that they're all ~1200-1500 watts.

maybe the lower wattage ones are more durable.. hrmmm......

[tp4tissue]

I use my keurig, bougie til death

that's why ur a hipster, and a punk yea ?  LOLOL...


I don't want to argue proper tea with you guys since I recognize how fallacious elitism is in this arena.


But the keurig, with all the rubber hoses and plastic reservoirs.. mmm.... bit pushing it..

[atlas3686]

My advice is buy a cheapy and just replace it every couple years. I have looked into this same issue and the more expensive ones don't seem to be worthwhile unless you going fully digital or something like that but I haven't been able to justify dropping that kind of cash on a kettle.

If you are looking for something high end this came up quite a lot when I was looking: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40?tag=thesweethome-20&linkCode=as2&creative=374929&camp=211189

[dorkvader]

I use my keurig, bougie til death

keurig are great (well built and can stand daily use. Our prototype has lasted quite a while) but only get to about 183 F, prefect for HC and most herbal tea (what I use it for) not enough for other tea. Rivo (espresso) gets hot enough for sure though

@TP4. I recommend building an inductive power one so it won't wear out.

[tp4tissue]

I use my keurig, bougie til death

keurig are great (well built and can stand daily use. Our prototype has lasted quite a while) but only get to about 183 F, prefect for HC and most herbal tea (what I use it for) not enough for other tea. Rivo (espresso) gets hot enough for sure though

@TP4. I recommend building an inductive power one so it won't wear out.

all the ones I've burnt out are mostly fine,  but the base, where the main power wire comes in. that part goes bad..

Either the soldering goes out,   OR the plastic fitting around the metal contact becomes loose/ melted,  OR the the contacts themselves degrade enough to intermittently disconnect..

They've yet to make a bullet proof base...

[Lurch]

this is the one i use. it was 10 bucks when i got it. i was iffy about it being plastic, but i went with it anyway. i boiled some water in it a few times before i used it and it has not let me down yet.

i also use this thing for loose teas. it's awesome.

[tp4tissue]

this is the one i use. it was 10 bucks when i got it. i was iffy about it being plastic, but i went with it anyway. i boiled some water in it a few times before i used it and it has not let me down yet.

i also use this thing for loose teas. it's awesome.

Are none of you guys are concerned about high heat + plastics and rubber seals ?

[dorkvader]

this is the one i use. it was 10 bucks when i got it. i was iffy about it being plastic, but i went with it anyway. i boiled some water in it a few times before i used it and it has not let me down yet.

i also use this thing for loose teas. it's awesome.

Are none of you guys are concerned about high heat + plastics and rubber seals ?

Show Image

Not with the Keurig, I know the guys who designed it and it's engineered to a ridiculous level of quality.

problem with those kettles is they run stupid amounts of power through that plug which is not usually designed for a large number of plug cycles and resistance builds which increases heat, wear, oxidation, etc. Then on top of that there's a heating element with stupid amounts of heat/power right over it messing with the plastic.

WTB PBT kettle. Or just use microwave and a measuring cup. Put a spoon in there to break the surface tension or it could explode.

[tp4tissue]

How did they solve the  biofilm,mold, bacteria problem.

[Lurch]

this is the one i use. it was 10 bucks when i got it. i was iffy about it being plastic, but i went with it anyway. i boiled some water in it a few times before i used it and it has not let me down yet.

i also use this thing for loose teas. it's awesome.

Are none of you guys are concerned about high heat + plastics and rubber seals ?

Show Image

i was at first, but how can you say no to all those great reviews? :P

[tp4tissue]

this is the one i use. it was 10 bucks when i got it. i was iffy about it being plastic, but i went with it anyway. i boiled some water in it a few times before i used it and it has not let me down yet.

i also use this thing for loose teas. it's awesome.

Are none of you guys are concerned about high heat + plastics and rubber seals ?

Show Image

i was at first, but how can you say no to all those great reviews? :P

i guess the whole  Estrogenic Activity stuff is mostly sensationalization.. but, still.. if you're given a choice, and the cost isn't significant...

[dorkvader]

How did they solve the  biofilm,mold, bacteria problem.

Doesn't boiling water usually solve that? Most extreme thermophiles die @ RT and are not harmful besides.

[tp4tissue]

How did they solve the  biofilm,mold, bacteria problem.

Doesn't boiling water usually solve that? Most extreme thermophiles die @ RT and are not harmful besides.

Idk if you've ever owned fish.. but u know that moldy/ algae /wet fishtank smell when you clean your fish tanks..

That smell is very distinct in older coffeemakers and the keurigs i've used.

I used to spend alot of time @ car dealerships, and they all had the keurig.. at every single one,  you can smell that fish tank smell..


is the water that finally reach you non-lethal,  most likely...  but there's a reason I stayed away from coffee makers as well. . hahaha..

[tp4tissue]

Does the new Keurig actually reach 100 C to kill germs ?

how long does it hold that before it jets the water out to the kcup


what's this thing I keep reading about how even BPA free plastic release chemicals with Estrogenic activity...

damn you plastics 

[dorkvader]

How did they solve the  biofilm,mold, bacteria problem.

Doesn't boiling water usually solve that? Most extreme thermophiles die @ RT and are not harmful besides.

Idk if you've ever owned fish.. but u know that moldy/ algae /wet fishtank smell when you clean your fish tanks..

That smell is very distinct in older coffeemakers and the keurigs i've used.

I used to spend alot of time @ car dealerships, and they all had the keurig.. at every single one,  you can smell that fish tank smell..


is the water that finally reach you non-lethal,  most likely...  but there's a reason I stayed away from coffee makers as well. . hahaha..

I had fish. I dunno about the car dealerships coffeemachine, but if you clean them properly like it says to do so in the user manual then it doesn't get that.

as far as 100C, you can hear it boal the water every time it takes in more from the reservoir. It also (I believe) keeps the water hot at 190F or so. I don't think germs are growing in that.

One thing they are concerned about is the plastics they use. Just about every part in there is food grade / food safe even though it's more expensive, and even if it's not in the water lines.

[tp4tissue]

How did they solve the  biofilm,mold, bacteria problem.

Doesn't boiling water usually solve that? Most extreme thermophiles die @ RT and are not harmful besides.

Idk if you've ever owned fish.. but u know that moldy/ algae /wet fishtank smell when you clean your fish tanks..

That smell is very distinct in older coffeemakers and the keurigs i've used.

I used to spend alot of time @ car dealerships, and they all had the keurig.. at every single one,  you can smell that fish tank smell..


is the water that finally reach you non-lethal,  most likely...  but there's a reason I stayed away from coffee makers as well. . hahaha..

I had fish. I dunno about the car dealerships coffeemachine, but if you clean them properly like it says to do so in the user manual then it doesn't get that.

as far as 100C, you can hear it boal the water every time it takes in more from the reservoir. It also (I believe) keeps the water hot at 190F or so. I don't think germs are growing in that.

One thing they are concerned about is the plastics they use. Just about every part in there is food grade / food safe even though it's more expensive, and even if it's not in the water lines.

the thing is...  BPA plastics used to be food grade .. !!

Teflon used to be food grade .. now there are temperature restrictions


How much trust can one really place in chemicon, in telling us the truth, when their supply chains are billion dollar machines.

[Grendel]

If you are looking for something high end this came up quite a lot when I was looking: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40?tag=thesweethome-20&linkCode=as2&creative=374929&camp=211189

Comes up on massdrop on a regular bases. Got one the last time the drop ran, love that thing. Can't vouch for longevity just yet, but it seems well made.

Edit: Crap, the 1.7l version is on sale for $30 at amazon, has a commercial UL rating too. Excuse me while I order one for work...

Edit2: if you are concerned about plastic in contact w/ the water, the gooseneck version has only a small seal around the temperature probe. Everything else is SS.

[Booper]

If you are looking for something high end this came up quite a lot when I was looking: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40?tag=thesweethome-20&linkCode=as2&creative=374929&camp=211189

Comes up on massdrop on a regular bases. Got one the last time the drop ran, love that thing. Can't vouch for longevity just yet, but it seems well made.

Edit: Crap, the 1.7l version is on sale for $30 at amazon, has a commercial UL rating too. Excuse me while I order one for work...

Edit2: if you are concerned about plastic in contact w/ the water, the gooseneck version has only a small seal around the temperature probe. Everything else is SS.

I had a Capresso that lasted a couple years with 1-3 daily uses. It still works now even, but the button on the handle popped off and steam comes out of the handle now so last time this Bonavita was on MD I got one!

I  can't speak to it's longevity yet either, but the quality seems really great, it looks nice, the long skinny spout is perfect for a precise/consistent pour and the Bonavita let's you hold the water at a precise temp. So far, I'm really pleased with it!

[tp4tissue]

If you are looking for something high end this came up quite a lot when I was looking: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40?tag=thesweethome-20&linkCode=as2&creative=374929&camp=211189

Comes up on massdrop on a regular bases. Got one the last time the drop ran, love that thing. Can't vouch for longevity just yet, but it seems well made.

Edit: Crap, the 1.7l version is on sale for $30 at amazon, has a commercial UL rating too. Excuse me while I order one for work...

Edit2: if you are concerned about plastic in contact w/ the water, the gooseneck version has only a small seal around the temperature probe. Everything else is SS.

I had a Capresso that lasted a couple years with 1-3 daily uses. It still works now even, but the button on the handle popped off and steam comes out of the handle now so last time this Bonavita was on MD I got one!

I  can't speak to it's longevity yet, but the quality seems really great, it looks nice, the long skinny spout is perfect for a precise/consistent pour and the Bonavita let's you hold the water at a precise temp. So far, I'm really pleased with it!

this may be a silly request..

Could you take the base apart and take pictures of the soldering from the powercord to the the control circuits. .

[Grendel]

Sorry, can't do. Don't have the triangle bit to get the screws out :/

[rowdy]

Sorry, can't do. Don't have the triangle bit to get the screws out :/

Is it illuminati kettle?