On 07/05/2021 02:14, Nick Odell wrote:
On Thu, 6 May 2021 23:28:04 +0100, Michael Chare
wrote:

The element in our Russell Hobs kettle failed after the equivalent of
3-4 years use. The heating element is under the water container and
does not appear to be removable, unlike older kettles where the element
was in the water and could be replaced.

Many new kettles are of a similar design to the one that has failed, so
I thought I should buy a cheap one as it also probably can't be
repaired. I was able to get a cheap £12 one from Tesco. It has a
slightly lower power rating, 2.2Kw and a much higher minimum water
level. I wonder how well it will last

Have others had similar problems with this type of kettle?

Do you mean the cordless "kettle-shaped" model with a very heavy base
with the elements built in? I have one of those and the kettle itself
hasn't caused any problems but the plastic base with the mains
connector has gradually sunken under the weight and heat so that,
several years later the contacts no longer make -erme- contact. I like
the kettle - and it wasn't cheap! - so I have a little project on to
mould the base back into shape and reinforce it with more plastic
inside. A lot of fuss over an old kettle? That's what retirement is
for isn't it? Now.. ... where did I put my set of spool clamps?


Nick

Mine has not suffered that way, and I am pretty sure it was a relatively
cheap one.

That element design seems pretty robust to me. When I first saw them I
thought the contacts looked a little undersized, but they seem to last
very well indeed.

I have another one that I bought for a project I never completed, so I
have all the bits (somewhere).