Water boiling dilemma: electric vs nat. gas

[Piwoslaw]

Ours also automatically shuts off, but the water boils for about 10-15 seconds before there is enough steam to heat up the "off" switch. When the jug is almost full this drops to only a few seconds. When I'm in the kitchen I try to manually switch it off as the water starts to boil, or just before, since those extra seconds can probably save 10%-20%.

Hopefully next year we will install a hot water tank in the basement, heated by solar panels and ventilation heat pump. Then I will fill the jug with warm water at the start, knowing it came at least partially from RE, requiring less energy to boil it. Now our hot water comes from an on-demand gas heater, which is not very efficient, plus I'd waste a lot of cold water waiting for the hot.

[dcb]

For comparison, I have a rocket stove for camping, was able to boil half a litre in a covered pot in about 6 minutes with 200 grams of wood. Don't know the moisture content, just a couple random small branches from the pile and it hadn't rained in several days.

[WisJim]

I have been thinking of this a lot, and have decided to get as efficient of electric kettle as possible to replace using our old tea kettle on our propane burning kitchen stove. Our electricity is solar and wind produced (with our own PVs and wind generator), so our electricity is almost free, or more accurately, our electric bills were paid in a lump, many years ago, when we bought and installed the PVs and wind generator.

For me, it is a choice between buying propane to heat the water, or using "free", non polluting electricity.

[Piwoslaw]

That's the way to go!!!

[hondo434]

I have found that using a pressure cooker saves up 75% on time and energy,. It can be used with gas or electric or any heat source. They are made in all different sizes and materials. Check out cooking times for different foods with a pressure cooker. Amazing, they are turning up in many department stores.

[Piwoslaw]

I bought a 500W travel heating coil for boiling water and did a test today: It took about 3 times longer to boil 0.5 liter of water than in the 2000W electric jug, and used 58Wh. So I'll stick to the jug, unless I need a small amount of hot water (the jug has a minimum of 0.5 liter).

[Piwoslaw]

Reviving this long dead thread, as today I stumbled upon this vid, which included a similar test of the energy consumption of different methods of boiling water as I did eons ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMMTVVJI4c

[Logic]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Reviving this long dead thread, as today I stumbled upon this vid, which included a similar test of the energy consumption of different methods of boiling water as I did eons ago.

I assume the advantage is that the element is in 'direct' contact with the water?

Ideally the element would be in a thermos flask and the thermostatic off/on switch would be adjustable.
Then perhaps an audible 'your water has heated' beeper.

[redpoint5]

I used one, until I got an under sink instant hot water unit. Instant is more convenient than very quick. Removes a thing from the countertop, as well.

[freebeard]

I got an under sink instant hot water unit.

When my parents built their home at the coast, my mother insisted on one of these.