Hi all
just purchased a Quest Elite low watt kettle, the actual main body is steel and the top is a type of "plastic" and after boiling water a dozen or so times I can still taste and smell plastic when I make a hot drink, any ideas how to solve this problem would be most helpful as this was NOT a cheap purchase and only purchased after a van update to alde heating and was concerned about tripping the circuit when on site thanks for any help
I wouldn't think that a Quest low wattage kettle would be any difference to any other domestic or camping brand of kettle but I have never heard of anyone having the smell or taste of plastic before. You could try a sterilising treatment for the use of plastic water barrels such as Puriclean and see if that makes any difference.
Earlier this year we asked you to help solve the mystery of smelly, foul-tasting kettle water – a problem that for many of you has been spoiling your daily cuppa. And now we’ve discovered a common cause.
The problem bubbled up when Which? members complained that the water heated in their kettle had a ‘plastic flavour that made it undrinkable’. We carried out testing in our lab, which confirmed there was a problem with how the water in one of the kettles tasted and smelled.
But it soon turned out to be far from an isolated problem. In fact, we’ve so far had more than 130 comments complaining about the taste and smell of the boiling water your kettle produced.
But what’s the cause? It soon turned out that it wasn’t a single brand that was to blame. Was it the water supply? Even some of you who used filtered water had the same problem.
The cause of smelly kettle water
We contacted scientists Luke Montgomery of Yorkshire Water and Dr Robin Price of Anglian Water. They told us that the chlorine in tap water reacts with phenol-based compounds sometimes found in plastic and rubber parts of the kettle.
There aren’t any associated health risks. And not everyone will have this problem – chlorine levels vary, and people have different sensitivities to taste and smell, Dr Price told us.
It’s recommended you compare the kettle water with water boiled in a saucepan to see whether it’s the kettle’s causing the problem. If it is, you can get rid of the chlorine by storing tap water in a covered jug in the fridge for a few hours.
We’re looking into whether in the future we can test every kettle we review for this problem, so you can avoid buying models likely to produce smelly water.
However, the mystery still isn’t fully solved. We had problems with the Russell Hobbs’ Ebony 15076 kettle even with filtered water that didn’t contain any chlorine.
Same problem with a Swiss luxx kettle. Had it for quite a few years with just occassional use on hook up. But every time it stinks of plastic and drink tainted same. Am about to bin it.
Funnily enough, I've just bought a 1000w kettle today , was tempted with the Swiss Lux but lots of reviews said it tasted awful. Went for a cheap Russell Hobbs, hope it's ok
With reference to the Swiss Luxx low wattage kettle, last year whilst away in our caravan, the top swivel cap broke on our previous Kampa kettle so had to get a new low wattage kettle immediately from a local caravan accessory shop in Ipswich. There was only a choice of 4 kettles in stock so decided to opt for the 1 litre Swiss Luxx low wattage kettle but have to agree that there is always a funny smell of plastic which the kettle needs descaling on a regular basis too due to the visual limescale film on the inside of the glass. The problem is that we want to replace the Swiss Luxx now for this season but undecided which brand to get!
I got my low wattage camping kettle from Lidl or Aldi (too long ago to remember which!) on one of their special offers, no complaints.
Aldi have caravan/camping items coming up in their specials beginning of April, may have a kettle on offer amongst the items. Usually a very good price AND a 3 year warranty. Lidl normally match them with similar items within a week or so.
I've boiled water in the swiss Luxx, thrown it away and boiled again but the plastic taint still there, so its had its chance. Never had this problem with home kettles, theres just something not right with this kettle. Just need someone to recommend a good trouble/smell free low wattage kettle : ))
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Topic: Low wtt kettle
via mobile 20/3/2022 at 6:12pm
