We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember The Natural Philosopher
saying something like:

I remember the days when an electric kettle got filled with water, and
boiled. If it ran dry, the plug popped out the back.

If the element went, you bought a new element. Ty[typical life was 25+
years.

I grabbed an old Russell Hobbs of similar design that was being tossed
out. New element, Bob's yer auntie and good for another 25 years. I'm on
the lookout for an old Swan of bigger, heavier design.

Now they are all utter crap.

Yep. None of the pricey or cheap ones I've had in the past twenty odd
years have lasted longer than four years or so and many of them leak
terminally after two years. The current Breville is still boiling ok,
but the fancy flashing lights gave up after the first week.