Kettles

Gary217

Gary217

Joined
Oct 25, 2015
Posts
402
Likes collected
393
Location
New Forest, UK
Funster No
39,747
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2010
A very basic question but as someone who doesn't know a watt from an amp or ohm (I know volts come in 240 packages) what is the max power of a kettle that won't blow campsite fuses please - in simple terms please?
When we started camping a few years ago we took our electric kettle with us and it kept blowing trip switches on sites, especially in Europe, so we got a camping kettle. Trouble is it is small and doesn't quite do two cups of tea plus it is slow. Every year for five years now we've said we must get a better kettle and forget.
This year I'm getting one before we go away, but what is the max power I can go for that will not blow the puniest of trips as we often stay at small sites where there is no choice of fuse/trip?
Thanks
 
There isn't definitive answer to that.

It depends on how big the campsite supply is. If you have a 16A supply as you normally would in the UK it doesn't matter what you use.

If you have a lower supply then obviously it limits you. A very rough rule of thumb to use is 4 amps per kilowatt (1000W)

We have a Swiss Lux low power kettle in the van that uses 650W so approximately 2.5 amps. I haven't come across a smaller site supply than that.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
Ours is rated at 1kw and it doesn't blow anything unless we have forgotten to turn the fan heater off! It's only overseas camp sites where we ever tend to have issues though. If you don't put more water in than you need for a cuppa a 1kw boils up pretty quick...hey we're camping so in no great rush!
 
1 kw (4.4 amps), OK on most sites, just don't use it on 3 amp outlets, often get them in Italy.
One on the gas hob is much easier.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Stick to around 1000watts / 1kw and you will be safe on almost all sites. Even small ones with very low amps. The kettle takes a bit longer to boil but what's the rush :)

I recall we did the same on first trip, took a 3kw kettle from home and kept blowing the site. !!
 
Another vote for gas hob kettle, too many times I have forgotten to turn Alde down and if both cut in at same time, even a reduced wattage kettle can trip the electrics with something else on as well, always when not dressed and or when raining (y)
 
FB_IMG_1452165632700.jpg

@old-mo lol

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Vectra Vaccum Electric kettle which is a bit high on wattage but fine enough on most large sites or a pan on the gas hob for the few occasions we are on a low wattage site or Aire. The kettle is great for boiling up before you start cooking or when you are leaving site as it keeps the water hot enough for tea for a couple of hours and for coffee a bit longer. Its good also to boil the kettle and get it off the worktop before I start cooking, it is easily reached in cupboard above and no waiting around later for the kettle to boil. Might be good for some disabled people too, not easy to spill boiling water.
If I was only going on aires Or low wattage sites I would just take a gas kettle or pan, not worth the hassle of the waiting forever for kettle to boil.
 
We use a gas hob kettle 99% of the time but have a little 450w electric travel kettle too. Just enough for two cups. (y)
 
Thanks for the replies - we do use gas on occasions but when on a campsite and paid for electricity...well, might as well use their power. I'll look for one that's 1kw/1000 watts max. Thanks again!
 
I have one to boil on the gas if off grid, I also have an electric one I bought from Catterick caravans it's about the same size as the one at home but is for a caravan so possibly the wattage is lower than the one at home.
Remember though you shouldn't have more than 1 heating element on at a time ., at the most 2 ! And I won't do that as tripping the electrics is something I always worry about.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
We have a 900w 1L kettle that takes as long as our small gas kettle to boil.
Lee
 
madgeD said:
I have one to boil on the gas if off grid, I also have an electric one I bought from Catterick caravans it's about the same size as the one at home but is for a caravan so possibly the wattage is lower than the one at home.
Remember though you shouldn't have more than 1 heating element on at a time ., at the most 2 ! And I won't do that as tripping the electrics is something I always worry about.
Click to expand...

No - we only use one appliance at a time and we don't ever run the fan heater and the kettle at the same time, but our home kettle often killed the electrics on it's own hence why we bought a small one. With most places it was just a matter of flicking the trip to get the electrics going again rather than a fuse - I guess it's the sites' way of limiting the amount of power which is fair enough.
 
When on a site with hookup I cringe every time Jo puts the kettle on (3kW) when I am running round like a bluearse fly checking everything else is off. We did have a 750w 2cup one that took forever to boil:( so when not on non EL site we use gas- boils in no time.
 
One going very cheap here:

Broken Link Removed

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Gary217 said:
Thanks for the replies - we do use gas on occasions but when on a campsite and paid for electricity...well, might as well use their power. I'll look for one that's 1kw/1000 watts max. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
yep we was doing that as well dragging two kettles around to make sure we got our fair share of the free electric then i realised i was turning yorkshire and ditched the electric one
 
Larby said:
WATTS
--------- = AMPS
VOLTS

1000
------ = 4.166
240
Click to expand...

Thanks...I think this is saying that 1000watts is the same as 4.166 amps so a 1000watts kettle will work on a 6amp fuse/trip.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
MinxyGirl said:
One going very cheap here:

Broken Link Removed
Click to expand...

Thanks - that looks good and being cordless is good as our little kettle has a short cord so is fiddly so ordering one now I know it is 4.166 amps (see previous post).
 
Gas / whistle kettle in MH and at home. Perfect.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jim
Gary217 said:
Thanks...I think this is saying that 1000watts is the same as 4.166 amps so a 1000watts kettle will work on a 6amp fuse/trip.
Click to expand...

Yep, Watts divided by volts equals amps, or amps times volts equals watts, you get the picture.
Or a 48w headlight bulb on a 12 volt system is also drawing 4 amps.
 
The other thing to remember is that often abroad the voltage will be less than we are used to thus meaning the kettle will take longer to boil. I have seen voltage as low as 180v or less in Portugal and Spain (should be 220v) and that led us to use gas, at least you know that will not change .... until it runs out.
Will also alter the calculation made above?
 
We have a 750w (3.12Amp) Tefal Kettle. Donkeys years old. It boils just enough for 2 mugs of brew. and is reasonably quick. I prefer the Gas Kettle though. one of the old fashioned "quick Boil" variety, one advantage of which, is enough for a wash if I forget to Fire up the Aldi!!!!.

Pete

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top