The kettle campaign

[Rod in Japan]

I don't use kettles much, but a few years back I started putting in only a cupful of water (plus a couple of drops for margin of error). Here's what I found.

I felt a real scrooge doing it. I am actually a real scrooge anyway, but rarely do I feel it so intensely.

The amount of water doesn't appear to be nearly enough. It's barely enough to wet the bottom of the kettle

I always feel a strong but unjustified concern about how much water is going to be lost to evaporation.

The right amount of water boils really quickly.

There is a certain satisfaction about the last drop from the kettle filling the teacup to the right level.

There is also a feeling that you are using the 'dregs' of the kettle.

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I daresay that marketing departments at tea companies will be more of less aware of these issues.

[ina]

Must say, never thought that deeply about the entire kettle business...

At work, I have painted onto the kettle how much is needed for 2 cups, 4 cups etc (for those people who don't understand the 0.5 ltrs, 1 litre etc ). Does it help? Very little. There are some hardcore folk for whom "putting the kettle on" always means filling it up to the top first.

At home, I have to put in half a litre minimum to cover the unit at the bottom. As I often only need half that amount of water, I have a flask sitting next to the kettle and fill it with the rest of the boiled water, so as not to waste it. Can't say I feel scroogy about it, though.

[JulieSherris]

I can sit here feeling a bit smug now I have my range - I haven't put the leccy kettle on for 3 weeks now & feeling VERY proud of myself.

Last thing at night, I make sure my stove kettle is full for the morning & on the simmer plate - it's warm in the morning & ok, it takes about 20 mins to boil, but that gives hubby time to empty the ashpan, have a wash & wake me up to the sound of the whistle - MIL will say it's 'primitive'.... but then she's not paying our leccy bill! (Although she'd be very welcome to..... )

Julie.

[evelyn]

Not beeing a tea drinker ( coffee for me thanks) normaly i dont pay much mind to tea ads, however P.G are now saying at the end of there ad abouy not over filling the kettle, good eh!

So now there is just Tettly, Yorkshire, Brook Bond ect.. and the coffee peeps to convince to do the same.

Welldone to all of you who got off your bottoms and made this happen.


Eve

[contadina]

Italian-style stove-top espresso makers come in handy sizes 1-cup to 10-cup, but most of our neighbours put an eight-cup pot on the hob first thing in the morning. Sweeten the coffee and then put it in a thermos for the rest of the day's visitors. Any they don't use get put in the freezer or fridge for granita or espresso freddo.

[Green Aura]

I've just read right through this thread with interest, some amusement and even a tinge of sadness.

I'm sure someone could do a sociological survey of attitudes to "the work kettle" (and probably has).

I used to work with a fairly placid guy, good friend and an old leftie like me, who would go nuts if anyone left the kettle empty. He would consider himself fairly green, but saw the kettle as a way of workmates looking after one another (never brew up for yourself if other's are around, never leave the kettle empty in case someone needed a quick drink, etc).

I'm not sure what point I'm trying to make really. I fully understand the need to save energy, but I can't help feeling a little camaraderie may be lost in the process, there is often not a lot you can do to support colleagues except with little gestures like leaving the kettle ready to make a drink.

[contadina]

Everywhere I've ever worked you ask if any one else wants a cuppa when you brew up. To constantly overfill the kettle in case of latecomers or for those who have changed their mind doesn't show a lack of camaraderie. Let's face it, in the workplace the kettle gets a lot of use, and you'll get asked during the next tea-round.

[MiZzy]

I’ve think you have stumbled on to a good thing here, On crisp’s packets they always have little man with the bin so why not a little logo or something to say use less water and help our water supplies on tea bag boxes after all I’m sure the boxes themselves are packaged with recyclable resources. I wish you good luck with your cause my other half drinks a hell of a lot of tea and I drink herbal tea always have kettle filled but its always used.

[dave45]

Only worry about it in the summer... In the winter the "wasted" heat is useful.