Kettle elements: Wildly differing performance

[crowds]

When I built my boiler I got myself two Tesco's Cheap kettles. Having used it now a handful of times I have noted that one of the elements does not perform as well as the other. I never presumed they would be evenly matched but it's to such a degree that it's visible to see.
Also when I hit the boil if I switch of the good element it's not enough to keep it at a rolling boil. Kinda wish I had tested the kettle out before barbarising it !

Do you think it still uses the same power as if it was running on all four ?
if so twice the reason to get another one

[farmhousekeg]

I'd just replace it - dead cheap and you never want to mess with electrics if something doesn't seem right - especially with water!

[Dr. Dextrin]

Do you think it still uses the same power as if it was running on all four ?
if so twice the reason to get another one

No, if it's not heating as well, it won't be using as much power either.

[roger the dog]

I've got the same issue with the boiler I bought from a HBS. This time of year one of the elements barely keeps the wort boiling whilst the other keeps a reasonable rolling boil.

Giving it a thorough clean after each brew increases it's performance slightly though.

[BozBru]

I have a few spare elements from freecycle that I clean up and simply swap with the soiled ones from the boiler. I have noticed that one of them had a similar issue with not boiling as vigorously as the others. As it was free, I didn't feel too bad when I chucked it away.

[crowds]

Yeah, I think I will pick up another and keep the old one as an emergency spare. Thistime I will try it out before I dismantle it !
If anything it's going to save me time, getting to the boil quicker.