Low wattage kettles - a must have when overseas.
- Pricing and value for money
- Product quality
- Boiling time
- "Pour-ability" - good - no dribbling from the spout
Summary
A 1000 watt kettle is a great companion to the motorhomer and caravanner. Quick enough to boil without being frustrating. Low enough on power to avoid tripping out the site hook up post when overseas.
User Review
( votes)For far too long, there have been three kettles on board the motorhome. Firstly, have a full-sized electric one, 2000 watts, for when on UK sites. Next on the conveyor belt is a 500 low-wattage version for overseas use. Finally, a whistler for wild camping and for use on travelling days. The search for a decent looking low-wattage kettle had been on the go for a long time. Five hundred watts versions are too small and boil too slowly. Most 1000 watt/1 kw versions are too expensive, but today, quite by accident, I found a silver coloured, low-wattage kettle, powered at 1000 watts. This was in Morrisons of all places and priced at just £12, it was in the trolley long before the groceries!
The kettle holds 800 ml of water and from a fill with cold water to the automatic cut off took five minutes and ten seconds so not a bad performance at all. When full, the kettle makes three to four mugs full of hot drinks.
The low-wattage kettle is on sale at just £12 at Morrisons. Well worth the money and will replace the original (too slow) low-wattage model and also the domestic 2000 watts version.
Since writing this article, the Morrison’s kettle has vanished off the shelves! I gave mine to a friend who needed one urgently, but was then unable to replace it!
We do however have a decent low wattage kettle. It was acquired from a dustbin on a campsite! A good clean up and it has been working for the last twelve month! It is identical to the one in the Amazon link. Boiling time is OK, the spout does not dribble and being a wide base, it is stable. The kettle is a cordless type.
Low wattage kettle – a summary.
Most house hold kettles are 2000 watts – these are OK on UK campsites, but are likely to cause “tripping out” on overseas sites.
The 500 watt mini kettles take far too long to boil.
The 1000 watt kettles – four amps – is a happy compromise between the two.
Hi Russel, just to say thank you, for your insights into owning and travelling in your Kontiki. My husband and I are awaiting delivery of our new 679, we have had a motorhome previously, but not quite as long as the 679. I am sure it will prove to be the right decision, and feel much more confident having read your blog…many thanks. Oh I will remember about the kettle. Karen
Thanks for the advice over the kettle. Excellent piece of kit!
Thanks for your thoughts Paul. We have used the kettle in Italy, in places with low ampage – all is well in the world for brewing up. Had this kettle been a “genuine motorhome/caravan accessory”, I wonder how much it would have cost?