I thought about getting a small camping/travel kettle. But that would do for cups of tea, but not for filling a hotwater bottle, which I’m doing every night, and sometimes during the day, in this weather.
I realise that, when full, most of the weight is the water, and there’s no getting around that - short of boiling up two half loads.
But it’s probably not helping that my existing jug-type kettle is quite heavy before I start. I’m starting to worry I might drop it whilst pouring near-boiling water, because my arm suddenly gets tired and decides to quit. I hope I’m aware enough of the risk to realise, and put it down, before things ever get that far, but I’m tiring with less warning. For the moment, I can hold on long enough to put it down or quickly finish pouring, but what if I can’t?
Anyone got a nice, lightweight one? I’m talking electric - not for the hob.
Alternatively, thinking more laterally, I’m thinking some kind of vessel with a tap on the side, so I wouldn’t actually have to lift it.
But I’ve only ever seen such things for very large-scale catering - not personal domestic use.
Lifting a full kettle must be a common everyday task people with disabilities (not just MS) struggle with. It feels as if there should be something out there, but what?
I recently bought a really light full size electric kettle from Asda. It was the Asda own brand for around £10. Not the Smart Price one for £5 but the next one up. It’s lovely and light.
I bought it because we had a heavy silver one and I had terrible trouble lifting it.
Have you thought about a hot water dispenser? I know a couple of people that have these, and say they are very good. You can buy them on Amazon and Argos etc. They are generally more expensive than a kettle, and some have fixed amounts they dispense and some have variable amounts.
Angel - thank you as well, I think “hot water dispenser” may have been the mystery thing I was looking for when I said “thing with tap on the side”.
However, the price may be an obstacle, as well as the space needed. I have a very small kitchen, with very limited workspace already, so I will have a look at them, but if it’s a huge great thing, there wouldn’t be space. I haven’t even room for a coffee machine, or anything like that.
That looks the right sort of idea, but I don’t know if it would get the kettle up high enough to fill an upright hotwater bottle. Also, if it’s used with a jug kettle - which mine is - it says it should be used with the additional stabiliser base, but frustratingly, doesn’t illustrate that!
It’s within limits, pricewise, but I’m not sure it’s good value for money. It seems a lot for a lump of plastic, doesn’t it?
Crikey, the recommended stability base for jug-type kettles is NOT included, but an optional extra for another £18.24! Both are cheaper at Betterlife, which Shazzie mentioned - though they are having a sale.
Also I’m not sure if the displayed prices in each case are with or without VAT, making it hard to compare. As I’m a diagnosed MSer, should only have to complete the declaration to say so, to get the VAT-exempt price.
Although thinking about it, it’s ridiculous you should have to declare anything. Nobody who didn’t have a disability would be buying disability aids, would they? Except as a present for someone who does. So either way, it’s not going to someone able-bodied.
I know there are some products that are not exclusively for the disabled, and could be used by disabled and able-bodied alike.
But can you think of anyone fit and well who would see a use for a teapot-tipper? Stuff like that should be VAT-free by default. The only reason anyone would want it is because of disability.
Tina I have a one cup dispenser (well actually one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom for when I’m not up to moving !) My favourite is the Bosch one I got from Argos that dispenses water at whatever temperature you want though the Breville one is a bit cheaper and perfectly good. When I’m filling a hotwater bottle I use a lightweight plastic jug and dispense a cup each time. Works for me
Each time I’ve ordered from Betterlife Tina when I enter the payment details a box flashes up to tick if you have any of the following conditions. I agree you shouldn’t really have to declare a disability but if it gets things a bit cheaper then it’s ok by me
Yes, I accept it seems fairly easy to do - at Betterlife, anyway - dunno about the alternatives.
It just seemed weird to have to declare the buyer/recipient is disabled, when you’re buying a disability aid. Couldn’t see any earthly reason why a fit and well person would ever say: “How cool is that? I want one!”
I bought a kettle a while back that was so heavy I had to give it away, so I totally get what you mean Tina. We replaced the more expensive heavy stainless steel kettle with a super lightweight plastic kettle from sainsburys. I reckon any of the supermarkets will have their own brand of cheap plastic kettle as Shazzie said, Asda, Tesco etc. And if you want it for a hottie, then you need more than a one cup type thing. Plus, a supermarket own brand plastic kettle is as cheap as chips. (Sorry to mention chips Tina, I know that’s a sore spot for you !)
You can get wall mounted hot water dispensers but, they are pricey as are boiling water taps, which would solve the problem, except for the fact that you’d pretty much lose the cupboard under the sink!
Thanks anyway, for the info, but definitely looking for a much simpler and cheaper solution than that! I don’t have anyone to carry out the work, so would have to pay someone for that, too. Plus I’ve already mentioned the kitchen is tiny, so I can’t really sacrifice the under-sink cupboard, as there would be nowhere else to put all the stuff that is in there!
Even the marketed disability aids for this problem look pretty over-priced for what they are (cheap plastic), so I’d probably be better off trying the simplest and easiest solution first - i.e. a cheaper, lighter kettle.
It’s not yet such a big problem that I want to start redesigning the whole kitchen over it!
what about a kettle swinger the kettle sits in it you fill it with a jug then just tip it forwards to fill your cup ect no need to lift the kettle at all, seen them on ebay for £12.99 upwards have a look this might be what you need.
Thanks Barbara, that is in some of the suggestions already posted, albeit given different names, like “teapot tipper”. I understand the thing you mean, though.
Have you got a microwave in your tiny kitchen? Thinking laterally, I’m wondering whether one of those microwavable hot water bottles is an option for you? I don’t actually know if those things are any good, mind you! Have you tried them before and they’re awful?
Hi, yes, I’ve tried them, and they’re better than nothing, but not brill. They don’t seem to hold the heat like water does.
My hotwater bottle with its fleecy cover will stay warm 'til morning (if I fill it fuller than you’re really supposed to).
The wheat pads or whatever are OK at first, but seem to lose heat after just an hour or two. Although they do have the advantage they cannot burst and soak the bed and/or scald you.
I think the heat pads are good if you just want to apply heat to an injury, or MS pain, if you don’t need it for hours, as they are easy to mould to the body, too, which you cant to with a HWB. But they won’t keep the bed warm overnight - in my experience, anyway.
I know - I need a bloke to put in it!
On second thoughts, probably not - more hassle than the other solutions.
