Roomba, Dysons, Thermomix and other household appliances

It is. But any time that I'm not spending on the lawn mower is time I can spend in the pool, with the dogs, relaxing, etc. Plus with it mowing every day, it won't look like cough, like it does when I mow every 2 weeks. My front lawn really would need to be done on the ride-on every 5-6 days to look good.
 
Electric kettles: why do they all come with a base now, instead of plugging directly into the power point, as they used to?

I think I may soon have to replace my long-lived electric kettle. The make is Linda and it's a traditional stainless steel design, similar to the old Russell Hobbs that I left behind in England when I came to Australia in 1975. The cord plugs directly from the kettle into the power point.

Looking online for similar, they all seem to sit on a base, but I want to be able to lift the kettle totally out of the way when not in use to free up bench space in my small kitchen. And I don't want one of those jug-shaped ones: I've had to use them in other people's kitchens, and they are too tall for me, you have to hold the lid open when filling under the tap, and they don't have a proper spout for pouring into either a tea-pot or a coffee cup at the right angle.

Any suggestions?
 
cgichard said:
Electric kettles: why do they all come with a base now, instead of plugging directly into the power point, as they used to?
Click to expand...
There are advantages - you can take the kettle over to the tap and fill it up without worrying about getting water on the cord. You can also carry around the kettle once the water is boiled without trailing a cord - e.g. If you want to carry it to the breakfast table or something to pour some water. You can still pick up the base and kettle and move it out the way - no different to a kettle, just in two bits.
 
Flying mermaid said:
There are advantages - you can take the kettle over to the tap and fill it up without worrying about getting water on the cord. You can also carry around the kettle once the water is boiled without trailing a cord - e.g. If you want to carry it to the breakfast table or something to pour some water. You can still pick up the base and kettle and move it out the way - no different to a kettle, just in two bits.
Click to expand...

Yes, I appreciate the carrying aspect. But what I do at present is unplug the cord at the kettle, leaving the cord plugged in at the wall, because the only power-point near that corner is old and a bit wobbly with a stiff switch. So if the kettle had a base, the base would have to stay plugged in and take up space. You can see why I prefer the older type. Was there some regulation against the sale of those that I'm unaware of?
 
cgichard said:
Yes, I appreciate the carrying aspect. But what I do at present is unplug the cord at the kettle, leaving the cord plugged in at the wall, because the only power-point near that corner is old and a bit wobbly with a stiff switch. So if the kettle had a base, the base would have to stay plugged in and take up space. You can see why I prefer the older type. Was there some regulation against the sale of those that I'm unaware of?
Click to expand...
oh yes - I can see your problem now :). I don't believe so - just more a fashion and easier to use.

Smeg 50's Retro Style 1.7L Aesthetic Electric Kettle - Kettles - Small Kitchen Appliances - Kitchen Appliances | Harvey Norman Australia

this is a retro one - hard to see where the cord goes - quite pricey as well.

this one might be suitable and is the sort of shape I think you want

Trent & Steele 1.8L Dome Kettle - White - Kettles - Small Kitchen Appliances - Kitchen Appliances | Harvey Norman Australia

Harvey Norman seem to have a heap, so maybe look through there? Good luck :)
 
Many thanks for the suggestions, FM. I do prefer the second one, but I wish it didn't have any brand name on it. I did also quite like this one despite the weird handle because it seems to have a smaller 'footprint' than most
Russell Hobbs Chelsea Kettle | Harris Scarfe
but I've found out that the Russell Hobbs brand name has been sold so the beautiful sturdy RH kettles made in the UK that I used to have and am yearning for are no more, and the quality is now questionable.

I started this quest yesterday because my present kettle seemed to continue boiling the remaining last half-inch of water after I'd almost emptied it, and I could smell that distinctive electrical burn-out smell. But in the evening and again this morning it is working fine. Sometimes it's easy to think that an inanimate object is putting up a fight against being replaced. But it may be a good idea to have an inexpensive new one hidden away in reserve.
 
cgichard said:
Many thanks for the suggestions, FM. I do prefer the second one, but I wish it didn't have any brand name on it. I did also quite like this one despite the weird handle because it seems to have a smaller 'footprint' than most
Russell Hobbs Chelsea Kettle | Harris Scarfe
but I've found out that the Russell Hobbs brand name has been sold so the beautiful sturdy RH kettles made in the UK that I used to have and am yearning for are no more, and the quality is now questionable.

I started this quest yesterday because my present kettle seemed to continue boiling the remaining last half-inch of water after I'd almost emptied it, and I could smell that distinctive electrical burn-out smell. But in the evening and again this morning it is working fine. Sometimes it's easy to think that an inanimate object is putting up a fight against being replaced. But it may be a good idea to have an inexpensive new one hidden away in reserve.
Click to expand...

Yes, I wouldn't touch RH over here anymore! Although the same could be said for most brands these days anyway, don't make things like they used to. Cheaper price reflects the use and throw away attitude really.
 
A bit OT as a habachi grill is not really an appliance but has anyone on AFF got one?
Can you use them / move them indoors (after the charcoal is fully ignited / burning) without setting of smoke alarms and causing smoke damage to the paint work?
 
Steady said:
A bit OT as a habachi grill is not really an appliance but has anyone on AFF got one?
Can you use them / move them indoors (after the charcoal is fully ignited / burning) without setting of smoke alarms and causing smoke damage to the paint work?
Click to expand...

Unless the flame is blue, the chances of risking CO poisoning is a real risk regardless if there is no smoke.
 
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yep, what whatmeworry says is indeed the danger, CO (carbon monoxide) is a silent killer, smoke alarms are not set off by CO. You can get CO monitors from the hardware store but I wouldn't risk it indoors even with a CO monitor.

Also, whilst the charcoal may not be smoking (and Japanese charcoal (Binchotan) is almost smokeless) your food will likely create smoke as it cooks.

cheers
 
Carbon Monoxide detectors are compulsory in Californian homes. Australia has them but most households don't realize the danger so they are not hot sellers like smoke detectors.
 
whatmeworry said:
Unless the flame is blue, the chances of risking CO poisoning is a real risk regardless if there is no smoke.
Click to expand...

Burgo said:
yep, what whatmeworry says is indeed the danger, CO (carbon monoxide) is a silent killer, smoke alarms are not set off by CO. You can get CO monitors from the hardware store but I wouldn't risk it indoors even with a CO monitor.

Also, whilst the charcoal may not be smoking (and Japanese charcoal (Binchotan) is almost smokeless) your food will likely create smoke as it cooks.

cheers
Click to expand...

Now you say it, it is quite obvious - for some reason I has always thought they were an indoor cooking device, but after seeing one in use on a tv show, my assumption didn't add up :shock:
 
We both agree that new house upstairs, AKA Mr Denali-land, will have one of those robot vacuum machines. Although I do have a dyson to put up there as well, but I know a robot is the best way to get it done.
 

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