Polly put the kettle on

We look at whether kettle companies are quick on the boil

Electric kettles powered by a green electricity supply represent the best environmental option when it comes to boiling water. However, electric kettles use nearly a third of all the energy a household uses for cooking; according to DEFRA "If everyone boiled only the water they needed to make a cup of tea instead of 'filling' the kettle every time, we could save enough electricity to run practically all the street lighting in the U.K."
The main problem with kettles is not their own inefficiency, it's the inefficiency of the user. So, if you're too lazy to measure a cup or check the gauge on the side of your kettle, the EcoKettle (made by Product Creation Ltd; for stockists see www.ecokettle.com 01273 494943) has been designed for you. It has an internal reservoir which holds a full capacity of water ready for use, while the measuring button allows any quantity to be released into the separate chamber for boiling.