Are electric kettles safe?

[Maitre_Tea]

Maybe an induction electric kettle, but those tend to be really noisy and more expensive when compared to the ones that use electric coils.

[LaybackPandas]

which one are you referring to? link?

[Maitre_Tea]

which one are you referring to? link?

There are different manufacturers with different kinds of induction kettles, but here's one that might work, although it's kind of expensive:
http://www.birdpick.com/850585.html
Hobbes has a fantastic article about the science behind induction heating:
http://half-dipper.blogspot.com/2009/03 ... g-101.html
I don't own one of these kettle types myself, but they look pretty interesting though

[Smells_Familiar]

I also notice that inside the kettle there are little sand debris, little sticky too.

sticky debris? this is not normal and is not mineral build up. i too would be concerned.

cool. btw, i also notice that theres this oily film on top of the water.

not good if this happens every pot. there is obviously a source, and if this is happening every time you boil a fresh pot of water it would seem the kettle is the source. listen to that inner voice if it's talking.

[LaybackPandas]

Well, something's gotta be hot to warm up the water. It's not magic.

So, it's either the stove or in this case, a circular steel tube that heats up when electricity runs through it.

yah, i was hoping that the coil would be cover up with stainless metal so it doesnt contact with the water. are the heating coil stainless..?

it's still my favorite kettle though.

[LaybackPandas]

I also notice that inside the kettle there are little sand debris, little sticky too.

sticky debris? this is not normal and is not mineral build up. i too would be concerned.

cool. btw, i also notice that theres this oily film on top of the water.

not good if this happens every pot. there is obviously a source, and if this is happening every time you boil a fresh pot of water it would seem the kettle is the source. listen to that inner voice if it's talking.

i think it's sediment from the tap water like abx mentioned accumulating overtime. oily film is not that big of a deal. probably just needs a good cleaning.

[Smells_Familiar]

i think it's sediment from the tap water like abx mentioned accumulating overtime. oily film is not that big of a deal. probably just needs a good cleaning.

you said it's sticky right? fyi, if it's mineral deposits from your water it wouldn't be sticky when dry. and if an oily film isn't a big deal to you that's fine. if it needs a cleaning then go to it. personally i wouldn't be comfortable drinking from a pot that gives my water an oil slick...especially if it continues to do so after a good cleaning.

[shogun89]

They are safe. however do know that water boiled by electricity is just as hot as by fire.

[betta]

are there any electric kettles that doesnt use a heating coil ?

Don't really understand what you're worry about.
OK, old electric kettles have heating element (heating coil) submerged and directly in contact with water. This is chemically not very good because even though the heating coil should be rust-free, in reality under high heat+contact with water, the metal will eventually leach (electrochemical rxn). You'll find pieces of metal exfoliate from this kind of kettle after using it 1-2 years.

Therefore people develop another electric kettle in which the heating element is not in direct contact with water. It is the regular electric kettle sold everywhere today. You won't be able to see the coil in it. It's just a flat metal base hiding the heating element below. This reduce the metal leaching effect and proven to be safe by even the japan's most strict standard in the world.

If you find some debris, particularly white debris in the kettle or on the base, it's most likely only CaCO3 precipitates on the heating coil because of the water hardness.
It's naturally found in any kettle.

If you're afraid of using metal kettle because of some allergic reaction, there's also flameware glass kettle sold on the market. If I wasn't wrong, Tim has posted one on his blog recently.

[LaybackPandas]

are there any electric kettles that doesnt use a heating coil ?

Don't really understand what you're worry about.
OK, old electric kettles have heating element (heating coil) submerged and directly in contact with water. This is chemically not very good because even though the heating coil should be rust-free, in reality under high heat+contact with water, the metal will eventually leach (electrochemical rxn). You'll find piece of metal exfoliated from this kind of kettle after using it 1-2 years.

Therefore people develop another electric kettle in which the heating element is not in direct contact with water. It is the regular electric kettle sold everywhere today. You won't be able to see the coil in it. It's just a flat metal base hiding the heating element below. This reduce the metal leaching effect and proven to be safe by even the japan's most strict standard in the world.

If you find some debris, particularly white debris in the kettle or on the base, it's most likely only CaCO3 precipitates on the heating coil because of the water hardness.
It's naturally found in any kettle.

If you're afraid of using metal kettle because of some allergic reaction, there's also flameware glass kettle sold on the market. If I wasn't wrong, Tim has posted one on his blog recently.

yes, my only concern is that the heat coil is submerged and have direct contact with the water.


this is the answer im hoping for.

This is chemically not very good because even though the heating coil should be rust-free, in reality under high heat+contact with water, the metal will eventually leach (electrochemical rxn). You'll find piece of metal exfoliated from this kind of kettle after using it 1-2 years.

hmmm..u 100% sure about this? how did you know all this? what kettle r u using?

[betta]

hmmm..u 100% sure about this? how did you know all this? what kettle r u using?

You might give a try if you want
I work with chemical rxn under various pressures and temperatures, so selection of materials for rxn is one of our concern.
As I said before, the electric kettle nowadays (with hidden heating element) is a result of improvement to overcome this problem.
I had two of these coil kettles. One from Tefal (about 30€) and one from unknown mark Kenny (only 7€). Despite the difference in the price, after one or two years the coil will be covered by precipitates. There're green and white/yelow precipitates. The white/yellowish is CaCO3 while the green one is exactly the place where the metal surface exfoliate due to thermal corrosion (metal leaching). I removed it easily by boiling using diluted citric acid and those CaCO3 white precipitate immediately disappeared leaving a better view of the green one.
Now I use Siemens cheap electric kettle with hidden heating element for about 4 years and everything's perfectly fine.

[tenuki]

I would say no. There are a lot of things that are dangerous to electric kettles and there is nobody protecting them.

[scruffmcgruff]

I would say no. There are a lot of things that are dangerous to electric kettles and there is nobody protecting them.

[LaybackPandas]

hmmm..u 100% sure about this? how did you know all this? what kettle r u using?

You might give a try if you want
I work with chemical rxn under various pressures and temperatures, so selection of materials for rxn is one of our concern.
As I said before, the electric kettle nowadays (with hidden heating element) is a result of improvement to overcome this problem.
I had two of these coil kettles. One from Tefal (about 30€) and one from unknown mark Kenny (only 7€). Despite the difference in the price, after one or two years the coil will be covered by precipitates. There're green and white/yelow precipitates. The white/yellowish is CaCO3 while the green one is exactly the place where the metal surface exfoliate due to thermal corrosion (metal leaching). I removed it easily by boiling using diluted citric acid and those CaCO3 white precipitate immediately disappeared leaving a better view of the green one.
Now I use Siemens cheap electric kettle with hidden heating element for about 4 years and everything's perfectly fine.

hmm..these kettles are very popular in China, is every1 at risk?

ur kettle looks like it's made out of plastic, what the..and u consider that safer?

[betta]

To be honest, I don't worry too much about the safety issue of electric kettle here. There're still electric kettles with heating coil being sold here and they're far cheaper than their counterpart with hidden heating element.
I won't say everyone who use this kind of kettle will be in danger. I mean even when you cook using cast iron cookware, the metal is obviously leaching, but it is not really an issue.