A warning for users of Tesco Value kettle elements

[Invalid Stout]

My Asda elements don't have any spade connectors either, in fact I didn't have to cut or rewire anything. Just unscrew it from the kettle and put it in the boiler.

Something to watch is that supermarkets order things to price and to specification and if they switch supplier the details of the technology might change slightly too.

[boingy]

Immersion elements are designed to be on for a long time but are not designed to go anywhere near boiling point.
Kettle elements are designed to go to boiling point but not for a long time.

Which is best? No idea but I would observe that kettle elements are used in steam wallpaper strippers that are designed to be very near boiling point for upwards of an hour.

I think you just have to be aware that you are using home-built kit and keep an eye on it for any problems or longer term degradation.

[72mgb73gt]

The cheapo kettles are only a fiver each, so if you have to swap out an element every so often it's not a problem.

[Naich]

The cheapo kettles are only a fiver each, so if you have to swap out an element every so often it's not a problem.

It is if one of them sets something on fire. I'm not saying don't use them - just keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't failing in a dangerous way.

[Scooby]

It's also not a problem if you don't feel guilty buying kettle that's been shipped half way round the world just for you to break it apart to use a small portion of it and have the remains buried in landfill

[BarnsleyBrewer]

It's also not a problem if you don't feel guilty buying kettle that's been shipped half way round the world just for you to break it apart to use a small portion of it and have the remains buried in landfill

I recycle my plastic on't new kettle, I'm sure to go to heaven!!

[Scooby]

It's also not a problem if you don't feel guilty buying kettle that's been shipped half way round the world just for you to break it apart to use a small portion of it and have the remains buried in landfill

I recycle my plastic on't new kettle, I'm sure to go to heaven!!

Heaven I'm happy just to be landfill

[boingy]

Sending plastic to landfill is just a longer term form of recycling. One day someone will dig it all back up again to re-use...

[Bondelle]

I bought these cheapo elements (5 for a tenner) on eBay, but have only done 1 Brew Day so far.

Guess time will tell if they will last... cheap though and nothing to break open or throw away

[Naich]

I bought these cheapo elements (5 for a tenner) on eBay, but have only done 1 Brew Day so far.

Guess time will tell if they will last... cheap though and nothing to break open or throw away

If they did them in 2.4KW then I'd snap them up. I'd need to stick 5 in the boiler to get the same output as 2 Tescoid cheapies.

[Bondelle]

I bought these cheapo elements (5 for a tenner) on eBay, but have only done 1 Brew Day so far.

Guess time will tell if they will last... cheap though and nothing to break open or throw away

If they did them in 2.4KW then I'd snap them up. I'd need to stick 5 in the boiler to get the same output as 2 Tescoid cheapies.

True, but they still boil up, just takes a bit longer Hope you find a solution though soon

[72mgb73gt]

The cheapo kettles are only a fiver each, so if you have to swap out an element every so often it's not a problem.

It is if one of them sets something on fire. I'm not saying don't use them - just keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't failing in a dangerous way.

I always use my DIY copper outside and plugged in via RCD's. If either of my kettle elements fails they certainly won't set anything on fire.

[EccentricDyslexic]

I soldered the wires direct to the pins on all mine. No problems at all. although mine were argos ones they are similar.

Steve

[sparky Paul]

I soldered the wires direct to the pins on all mine. No problems at all.

Not recommended.

There's a reason why you never see soldered joints directly onto heater elements, the terminal temperature can be much higher than the temperature of the actual element - sometimes high enough to soften soft solder. Additionally, a boil dry could be very nasty indeed. High temperature connections are mostly mechanical - e.g. crimped, screwed, or spot welded.

[EccentricDyslexic]

good point. will have to check how hot they do get on mine! They have not unsoldered themselves yet though... Will dig out me IR thermometer!

Steve