The debate between 110-120v vs 220-240v is OVER! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 10:17:18 pm
content: I've just got back from working in 120-land, and it took bloody forever for the kettle to boil! 1500W is all you get for your cup of tea! Pah!Long live 240v!

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 10:32:55 pm
content: Plus the plugs here only kill you if you stand on them, not by catching fire in the middle of the night.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 11:02:29 pm
content: i love the kettles in Japan, properly electronic, settable temperature and very insulated so they stay hot for ages... no need to reboil!what we need is 240v 3kw versions that boil in quick and then stay hot!

author: SkyMaster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 11:05:59 pm
content: Quote from: Delta on March 16, 2016, 10:17:18 pmYeah, but the 240 V electrical plugs, in 240-land, look weird

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 11:12:18 pm
content: I heard some nonsense about how due to some sort of european standardization or environmental regulation, they're discontinuing the higher power hot water kettles in the UK. Is that true?I've long though it might be nice to install a NEMA 6-20 outlet on my kitchen counter and make a 6-20 to BS 1362 (?) adapter so I could run a UK kettle.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 11:24:44 pm
content: Quote from: mmagin on March 16, 2016, 11:12:18 pmit's a european wide thing, i believe this is true but not for a while yet and IIRC it'll only apply to products for domestic usethey are also introducing limits on vacuum cleaner power consumption

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:57:26 am
content: Quote from: Delta on March 16, 2016, 10:17:18 pmHehehe... I prefer to boil water using gas...My hometown in Brazil was 220V, but back in the day we did not have these fancy-schmancy switching power supplies. Since the good gadgets were imported from US, it was not uncommon to blow up expensive stuff ...

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 01:14:38 am
content: While I can appreciate >2kw in a kettle, and some good friendly cross-pond fund poking, really how many >1.5 kW loads do you have that arent hard wired? If you have a shop with saws and compressors and what not, youd throw in some NEMA L6 or L14 plugs (twist-lock 240v single phase, and 120/240V split-phase respectively) and be good to go. I'd definitely consider a L14-30 in a kitchen and importing a nice UK kettleYou wouldnt need shutters and switches and fuses and all the other faff if you didnt use a dryer plug for every plug in the houseJust in case you need to plug in a random 7KW load anywhere you please? How American of you allAt least Denmark uses a more reasonable 16A, with the sweet smiley face oulets.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 02:48:25 am
content: Quote from: ConKbot on March 17, 2016, 01:14:38 amOven, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, several heaters, circular saw, welder..

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:54:51 am
content: I recall watching a TV documentary a cupla years back on the power grid in the UK and they had a bloke watching TV in the power station control room , a real lazy no-hoper getting paid to watch TV , watching coronation street? i think it was and when the commercials were just about to start he had his finger on a big red button (or whatever it was) to insert a extra power grid from France due to everyone going to make a cuppa (therefore turning on all the kettles) .It was tremendously funny to see .

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:14:16 am
content: Quote from: mmagin on March 16, 2016, 11:12:18 pmIt's rather tidier to cut off the UK plug and fit a 6-20 plug in its place (as I did).

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:19:38 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on March 17, 2016, 02:48:25 amGuess I should have said portable, since most of those would have a dedicated outlets anyway, even if not hard-wired.However, washing machine that needs that much? Even the internal heater, steam assistmodels here will run off a 15A 120v outlet. No wonder the EU has to wrangle you guys in

author: LHelge
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:23:54 pm
content: Quote from: mmagin on March 16, 2016, 11:12:18 pmYes, they did the same to vacuum cleaners a few years ago limiting them to 1.6 kW. From what I've heard they are postponing the kettle regulation until after the UK exit poll not to upset them more than necessary.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:27:43 pm
content: I still don't get what the EU is thinking. How does having a 1.5kw kettle that takes say 3 minutes to boil save energy over a 3kw kettle taking 1 1/2 minutes to boil?Better option would be a maximum "minimum fill" that's just about 1 cup of water.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:36:37 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 17, 2016, 12:27:43 pmSounds to me they are more interested in keeping peak power usage levels down. If everybody in "Town A" turns on their kettle at or around 7:00 am there is a higher demand for half the time than when everyone were using kettles that used half the power and were running twice as long.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:46:28 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 17, 2016, 12:27:43 pmA lower powered kettle will actually use slightly more energy to boil that water - due to the longer time of the heating process. Over that time, you will have greater losses to the surrounding environment.The one thing itdoesdo is lower the current drawn. This could translate into lowering the peak demand from the supply ... except that when you look at total consumption of a service area, you are still going to have the same total energy requirement, but maybe the peak after the end of Coronation Street will be a little lower, but slightly longer. If so, reducing peak demand means the existing poles and wires can handle the future for a bit longer without expensive upgrades.QuoteThis is a much better detail to focus on. It's been a gripe of mine when I see people fill the jug and boil 2 litres of water, just to make 1 cuppa. The unused boiled water then just sits there for another hour or two losing heat - until another cuppa is sought.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:50:22 pm
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on March 17, 2016, 12:36:37 pmAgreed.I'm sure the power companies would have a much easier life if demand was a lot more steady.....

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:51:51 pm
content: Quote from: GEuser on March 17, 2016, 03:54:51 amThis is used all over the world, though. National Grid and the big power companies and generators have to know when to stick another generator operational and do so with the least waste. Easy to do with coal and natural gas. It's a statistical cat and mouse game.Anyway, I say we should let Andy decide how much power our kettles are allowed to take.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 01:21:05 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on March 17, 2016, 02:48:25 amVacuum cleaner, iron, almost all of my power tools, toaster, microwave oven, espresso machine...

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 02:04:06 pm
content: Easy solution. Throw all the tea in the harbor (harbour).

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 02:17:31 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on March 17, 2016, 02:04:06 pm[pretending I don't know any history]You can't make a decent brew in a cold pot or with cold water :p [/pretending I don't know any history]

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:01:57 pm
content: The other answer would be for the country to stop watching Emmerdale / Coronation Street / Eastenders / Hollyoaks etc. In factBan Them!.Then stagger the replacement (Much less depressing!) programs.Edit: I suspect the broadcasters could do more to stagger commercial breaks too - they seem to line up a lot (hence the guy with his finger on the button).

author: wkb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:05:20 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on March 17, 2016, 02:04:06 pmAnd have my old boss (Carly F.) fish it out again?

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:13:51 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 17, 2016, 03:01:57 pmThey do that on purpose. Meant to stop people channel hopping in breaks and deciding to watch something else.

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:21:00 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 17, 2016, 03:01:57 pmThey would just get replaced with something else though .Can one imagine 1 million or many more people or households casually switching on the kettle in a rush so one can be back in the chair when the adverts finish and hardly any would know what was going on at that time as it's a "normal" thing to do , go make a cuppa , until I saw the doco I did not know , the system was fascinating and they panned all the operating/directional/data screens with the camera too , for memory's sake I think they switched in a extra 30Mw or so it's to far back now like 2 years , it was a real good doco especially the bit where they were using helicopters with heat cameras cruising the lines .That happened of course at every 5 minute? commercial advert break , on then off then on then off .

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:22:43 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on March 17, 2016, 02:04:06 pmHa Ha Ha , I seem to recollect someone tried that yet consume heaps of the dirty black (and salty) stuff now...

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:25:22 pm
content: Quote from: Brumby on March 17, 2016, 12:46:28 pmbut more losses in the barely-adequate mains cable and fuse

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:30:55 pm
content: QuoteI suspect as much - there's no reason why something couldn't be brought in to force them not to, for the good of the power grid.QuoteYou've just reminded me to add Neighbors a Home and Away to the list.Actually I've just realized this is an argument for lower wattage kettles - If you make it physically impossible to make a cup of tea during the adverts or program breaks, end of problem!

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:37:24 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 17, 2016, 03:13:51 pmTIVO is your friend. Want to watch a live show (why?)? Start recording, wait for half time, start watching, and skip commercials. And then, you pause whenever you want to have your tea breaks (why?).

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:47:28 pm
content: Or GyroFor lower wattage kettles the tv screen flash's a plain colour say blue 1 minute before the adverts so turn them on15 seconds before the adverts the screen flash's Red for the higher power kettlesAnd for 3Kw kettles the tv turns offThen one hears the Doctor Who's Tardis sound and everything goes off .

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:53:34 pm
content: Could work, just randomize them at times of high demand though!EDIT: Or maybe just stagger the boring bits!In the old days there used to be a flickering square up in the top right hand corner of the picture before ad breaks - presumably to allow the 'projectionist' to get his advert tape machine ready!

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 03:55:53 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on March 17, 2016, 03:37:24 pmNo idea why people still do but they do. Waste of bandwidth in these days of ubiquitous always on unmetered fast even when it's slow broadband in my opinion. Personally haven't consumed any live broadcast media in at least a decade and I don't miss it.Also if I like some content I want to support those who make it. If I don't they may not be able to make more. So if I can get it on legal free streaming sites I won't block the ads, if it's on Netflix or the like I'll get a subscription for as long as it takes to watch what I want, and if I can't get either I will happily pirate but then buy it when it's available.

author: station240
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:02:57 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 17, 2016, 03:13:51 pmSimple solution, during the ads divert power from something else to power the kettle. I suggest the TV transmitters

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:14:40 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 17, 2016, 03:53:34 pmITV still have that. Not that I watch ITV much except during the Six Nations/football when I have no other choice.

author: Kevman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:32:17 pm
content: Quote from: SteveyG on March 17, 2016, 01:21:05 pmYour oven isn't hard wired? I also don't see how a dishwasher would consume much power unless you like to turn on that completely useless drying thing that warps all your plastic cups. All the Microwaves and Irons I've seen are in the 1000W range, which a 120v outlet can handle without a problem.Vacuum cleaners I do get it- vacuum cleaner cords have a tendency to get pretty warm in the US. But for the others we just install 240v outlets or circuits.My parent's house has a TON of 240v circuits:Electric dryer (1 outlet)Welder (also outlet)air compressorair conditionerWellHot TubExtra baseboard heater for one roomBut most of them you'd all want on their own electric circuit anyway, to avoid nuisance breaker trips and running big gauge everywhere, no? So the impact isn't really that big.I only have 2- for the AC and the electric range (which I am going to eventually replace with gas). Right now, though, my breaker panel is full so if I want to run a large appliance in the house I'm screwed.Most people around here heat their tea with a teapot on the gas stove. I think its different in areas of the country that don't need the gas for heat, though.

author: grumpydoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:39:15 pm
content: Quote from: RGB255_0_0 on March 17, 2016, 04:14:40 pmAdverts are (or used to be) per region, even if programmes were national so there had to be a cue for the ITV regions to start transmitting the ads.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 04:55:35 pm
content: I understand those dissing 110v, but what I don't get is why you aren't pushing for 440v or above. In three phase. Or maybe six phase. I mean if a 3kw kettle is good, why not 5kw or 10kw? Getting the heat transfer right would be an engineering challenge, but I bet you could get a hot cuppa in times measured in seconds. And a vacuum cleaner that would pull the subfloor right through the carpet.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 05:12:14 pm
content: Safety considerations go through the roof.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 05:52:45 pm
content: Photonic got a regular 3kW kettle to 12kW and boiled a few cups before it did a rather spectacular failure.

author: Matje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 10:43:01 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on March 16, 2016, 11:24:44 pmAt least the vacuum cleaner thing makes some sense.The stupid manufacturers often advertise these based on power consumption, you know, 2 kW > 1.1 kW, as marketroids are prone to do. All hail our educational systems keeping people stupid enough to fall for that.Since it is entirely feasible to build a vacuum with 1 kW power consumption that sucks just as much as one at, say, 1.6 kW forcing manufacturers to not behave like imbeciles makes sense. Of course, given some time, the bureaucrats will come up with totally insane regulations for other stuff like kettles, as they always do.Sorry for the "it sucks" pun ;-)

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:09:47 am
content: I've been looking for some links but came up with nothing regarding the tv doco series.I thought it was "How Britain works" , but its not the one with the Guy bikie bloke , yet it was something worded like that .Anyway , it had the Power Grid one mentioned above in the previous post , airplanes and the traffic system , I also think the sewerage system , and the rail/track network there might have been more but whatever it was called whoever made the series was worth every Pound spent imo , saw them out here maybe 2 years back could be more .

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 07:30:27 am
content: Apart from software. Japanese software is dire from experience and that ruins their entire hardware offerings.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 07:52:14 am
content: Quote from: MrSlack on March 18, 2016, 07:30:27 amAnd expensive gimmicky cheap tat

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:03:10 am
content: Quote from: Matje on March 17, 2016, 10:43:01 pmIt's possible to build an efficient 1kW vacuum with performance as good as a badly designed 1.6kW vacuum, but if everything else is the same the 1.6kW one will be more powerful.The impact of kettles on current demand is going to be in the noise if the roll out of electric cars is as high as some people hope they will be.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:51:35 am
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on March 17, 2016, 12:36:37 pmPerhaps a more constant load would also lower the losses in the transmission system but as has already been stated, a lower power kettle would use more energy to heat the same volume of water so which is more efficient isn't easy question to answer.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 10:29:29 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on March 17, 2016, 12:46:28 pmGuys, ever heard of atea pot? A novel invention that allows you to brew several cups of tea in one go - there's even a kind of hood for keeping them warm. I know, crazy, right?Edit:I've got one of these, keeps tea hot forhours, and lets me get two cups out of one tea bag:

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 10:40:44 am
content: Quote from: Matje on March 17, 2016, 10:43:01 pmThree cheers for getting rid ofallregulations! Hey, let's scrap the whole government thing while we're at it! Who needs standardisation? Everyone should be free to choose their own voltage, like in the early days! Oh wait...

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 10:55:26 am
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on March 17, 2016, 04:55:35 pmA colleague sold a travel adapter to a customer who brought some equipment with him from the US to Australia. He made the point of telling the customer to check the equipment voltage could handle Australian 240v.We suspect the customer didn't register the significance - especially when he came in again to replace some stereo gear which mysteriously packed up and told us that his vacuum cleaner had never been so powerful!! Apparently it had been used 3 or 4 times before it, too, stopped for no known reason. I was thankful it hadn't turned into an urban volcano.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 11:19:26 am
content: Quote from: Lomax on March 18, 2016, 10:29:29 amNever heard of people who live alone, instant coffee, Cup-a-Soups, Pot Noodles, or people who may only occasionally have a singular cup of tea? Why make several cups of tea in one go when only one will get drunk and the rest will get wasted?QuoteOne for each cup and one for the pot! Two cups out of one bag? Ewwe, weak arse shit from a tight gitAnd This is a proud Yorkshireman calling you tight!Joking aside I do have a tea pot. I use loose tea in it. It only gets brought out when I have guests so can justify making more than I will personally drink. I might drink tea alone once a month tops.

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 12:46:07 pm
content: Geez, all this drama just to make a cup of tea.I do enjoy an occasional cup of tea. And here is the uncivilized way I make it.....Tea bag in coffee mug.Fill with cold water.Nuke in the microwave on high for 1 min, 30 seconds. (No more, no less)Quick and efficient.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 01:48:21 pm
content: Tea blasphemy!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 01:49:44 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on March 18, 2016, 01:48:21 pmI'd have put money on a reaction like that..............

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 02:23:00 pm
content: well is it not tea blasphemy when Brits stew their tea until the cup is so black that VantaBlack coatings seems pale next to them? And then add MILK to remove the bad taste of the tea?

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 02:28:21 pm
content: A sure-fire way to piss people off and troll them is to put milk in before the hot water.Do it enough times and people will stop pestering you to make them.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 02:29:56 pm
content: Tea leaves and milk shouldnevermeet.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 02:59:05 pm
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 18, 2016, 11:19:26 amNo.Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 18, 2016, 11:19:26 amNo tea gets wasted in this house. I'll drink it cold if I have to! Seriously though, I'll have at least two potfuls in a typical day, so waste is not an issue. I need a cuppa tea on my desk at all times - or coffee - or beerQuote from: Mechanical Menace on March 18, 2016, 11:19:26 amIt's a tiny pot though; just room enough for two cups - if anything keeping it hot in a pot makes it stronger!Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 18, 2016, 11:19:26 amLoose tea!? Where on earth did you get that from? It's as rare these days as unsliced bread (which is the best thing since sliced bread, imo).Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 18, 2016, 11:19:26 amThe true hallmark of a tea connoisseur

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 03:03:20 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on March 18, 2016, 12:46:07 pm

author: Stupid Beard
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 03:04:50 pm
content: I drank 2 cuppas reading while this thread.You're all lightweights

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 03:21:12 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on March 18, 2016, 02:59:05 pmTry ethnic shops. Particularly Turkish/Indian/Pakistani ones that sell spices, lentils etc will probably sell it in large bags.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 04:38:36 pm
content: Tea should never be polluted with milk.The teabag should not be removed from the cup until the beverage has been consumed. The last few gulps are thus as strong as strong can be.And it has to be Earl Grey.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 05:42:01 pm
content: Microwave, and I choose either Earl Grey or rooibos, and depending on mood ( and if there is some in the fridge as well) milk to taste. No sugar, and I like it that way.Will drink coffee or tea, with or without milk, and sometimes with or without coffee or tea.But if you ask Makro what I buy they will tell you 60kg of sugar a month, and a lot of something that almost, but not quite, is similar in taste to tea, and another lot that similarly is almost but not quite coffee, but which some people love in preference to real tea and coffee.I do like unground coffee beans as a nice snack though, nice as a quick pick me up to munch on one or two.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:02:53 pm
content: Quote from: Lomax on March 18, 2016, 02:59:05 pmSame place I get my unsliced bread, the local supermarkets :/Sainsbury's and Morrison's stock it. Some coffee shops too, the more traditional kinds at least, I doubt the likes of Starbucks or Costa do. But if you can't find it local I can highly recommendhttp://www.farrerscoffee.co.uk/for loose tea or unground coffee.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:07:46 pm
content: I'm a heathen. Kenco instant and tesco own brand tea bags.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:25:48 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on March 18, 2016, 06:07:46 pmNo name tea bags are very good as firelighters when you put them in a jar and fill it partly with paraffin ( for those in the USA kerosene), and use one per bag of charcoal or wood as a lighter.No name chicory blend ( so called coffee) is good as a valve lapping compound, or as a nice low strength adhesive.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:31:33 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on March 18, 2016, 02:23:00 pmDon't know why people still bother with the milk but it did start as a way to protect earthenware cups from shattering due to thermal shock. Hence why traditionally you add the milk first. As with a lot of traditions the reason was lost and it continued long after the need was negated and mutated to a form where it wouldn't have helped with the original need.That said I sometimes like very, very strong very milky coffee. Many argue I should just have it weaker with less milk, but it's just not the sameDifferent strokes and all that.

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 07:19:34 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on March 18, 2016, 02:23:00 pmDuring the tea period in my life I liked my tea like I like my coffee and my Men STRONG.Few things are as good as a strong cup of Earl Grey.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:00:36 pm
content: When we finally invent replicators, we won't have a problem with power consumption from kettles."Tea, Earl Grey, Hot."

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 08:25:32 pm
content: Quote from: med6753 on March 18, 2016, 12:46:07 pmA 3kW single cup dispenser is quicker, although I'll guess they'll be illegal soon.Wonder what the EU will want to do about Quooker&co, probably nothing, they all have one at home.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 09:01:34 pm
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on March 18, 2016, 07:19:34 pmSHOUT IT, SISTER! :-D

author: richard.cs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 10:40:30 pm
content: Funny this should come up now, I've just been hunting German ebay for a more powerful kettle. Someone told me that you can (or at least could) get 3.5 kW 220 V kettles which would be a little over 4 kW if used in the UK (where the mains is still 240 V in reality). I had no luck though.The 120 V countries have the system they do for good historical reasons and it's simply very difficult to change now. There are some clear problems with it* but none serious enough to merit the massive disruption associated with an upgrade.*In a "you wouldn't design it like that now" sense, e.g.:a) 180 degree phase offset, a hangover from d.c.b) except when it's 120 degrees and you're stuck with 208 V phase-phasec) or weirdness like high leg delta.Basically there are too many types or supply that are kinda but not entirely interchangeable.d) The combination of low voltages and odd phasing leads to a distribution system with far more (expensive, lossy) transformers than necessarye) The low power available from the standard domestic outlet.List of domestic appliances over 1800 W that are not normally on a special connector in the UK:Tumble dryer, washing machine, some dishwashers, assorted portable heaters (radiant, convector, etc) up to 3 kW, steam cleaners (and other steam appliances like wallpaper strippers), big hairdryers and vacuum cleaners (though many of the latter are just inefficient),extension cables that work safely with a number of "ordinary" appliances, some large power tools, fast boiling electric kettles as discussed, I'm sure there are quite a few others.f) Voltage drop hit's twice, more current is drawn so a given cable drops more voltage, and the voltage dropped is a greater fraction of the total, hence heavy cables, a tendency of long extension leads to be impractical or unsafe, etc.g) Partially due to the above, far too many types of connectors, 15 and 20 A at 120 V, various 240 V connectors with or without neutrals. Here there is basically one type of connector for domestic use, and only electric cookers and showers tend to be hardwired. There are a few more used industrially but it's pretty much limited to a few common variants of IEC 60309.

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 01:16:15 am
content: Quote from: timb on March 18, 2016, 08:00:36 pmHe had found a Nutri-Matic machine which had provided him with a plastic cup filled with a liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea. The way it functioned was very interesting. When the Drink button was pressed it made an instant but highly detailed examination of the subject's taste buds, a spectroscopic examination of the subject's metabolism and then sent tiny experimental signals down the neural pathways to the taste centers of the subject's brain to see what was likely to go down well. However, no one knew quite why it did this because it invariably delivered a cupful of liquid that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 02:11:49 am
content: Quote from: Lomax on March 20, 2016, 01:16:15 amAny time you try purchasing tea in America you get such a result. If you relocate to the USA there are some things you simply have to import from Britain, and tea is right at the top of the list. (I use Britain in its geographical sense, since Ireland is also a nation that knows what tea is supposed to taste like.)

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 03:03:14 am
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on March 18, 2016, 07:19:34 pmIME stronger tea is better had via more tea leaves than steeping longer(easier to do with loose leaf than bagged, but you can still double up and go with a bigger up). Tannins steeping out after a certain time or something along the lines of that. Stronger but not bitter.My mom always used to make iced tea by boiling a dozen tea bags in a pot for 5-10 minutes, on a rolling boil. () then pouring over ice. Always tasted meh, even with sugar in it.Quote from: IanB on March 20, 2016, 02:11:49 amI'd be interested in how something like Bigelow or Twinings tea (available in the grocery store usualy, but definitely better than that lipton garbage) in the US, or Teavana loose leaf compares to whats available in the UK.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 06:42:26 pm
content: Twinings is, to me, the King of teas. (and Earl Grey is the King of Kings)I hope you get the same Twinings as we do here in the UK.Lipton is utter shite. I have to admit that I have become the stereotypical Brit abroad, in that I take my own tea bags with me (I have not yet taken my Assam teapot and loose leaf with me yet), as the years of having to use two Yellow Label bags in a tiny cup to get anything resembling tea are behind me.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 06:49:16 pm
content: Quote from: Delta on March 20, 2016, 06:42:26 pmHey, I work close to Entyce, or as they used to be known Tea Blenders. Father Henn went on pension, and he worked there for decades.

author: XynxNet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 07:12:32 pm
content: Quote from: richard.cs on March 18, 2016, 10:40:30 pmGood kettles use 3000W here.A while ago I saw an advertisement for a 3100W kettle, but that was from a noname supplier and might have been a marketing stunt.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 09:11:18 pm
content: Quote from: XynxNet on March 20, 2016, 07:12:32 pmMy kettle is marked like this:220-240 V~ 50-60 Hz 2520-3000 WSo if a kettle is designed for 3000 W at 230 V, then it would be 3270 W at 240 V. However, I suspect from the way my kettle is marked that the industry uses universal heating elements in order to standardize production across the whole of Europe.

author: richard.cs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 10:50:10 am
content: Yeah, I suspect it it is a dead end, but thanks for confirming they don't exist.There's cheap way to do double power (bridge rectifier and capacitor to run it on peak voltage) but it feels ugly with the spikey input waveform and huge ripple current. I have run a kettle across phases before now, it did survive and was very quick.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 11:13:38 am
content: Quote from: Lomax on March 18, 2016, 10:29:29 amWow, how dare you! I usually drink Teekanne, they specify down to the second how much brewing it needs andone cup only. Filtered water and honey, not sugar.Funny Anglischmans drinking warm beer and tea with milk!

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 04:31:54 pm
content: Just as there are audiophools, there are teaphools. Let them enjoy their cuppa their way while you enjoy your own.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 04:43:03 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on March 21, 2016, 11:13:38 amDon't need filtered water here, we have very soft water. +1 on the honey though.QuoteWarm beer really depends on which beer you're drinking. Many an ale would be too cold to taste properly at the best temperatures for most lagers, most lagers are horrid that warm. I agree with the milk bit though.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 05:09:59 pm
content: Lager should be served cold, ale should be served at cellar temperature.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 05:32:18 pm
content: I think Dave summed up the beer issue a while ago........

author: AF6LJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 02:57:34 pm
content: It's hard to watch the waste of a good natural resource.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 04:45:27 pm
content: Quote from: AF6LJ on March 23, 2016, 02:57:34 pmI do not drink it, but it is good for cooking......

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 05:05:05 pm
content: I like to use beer when I'm cooking, sometimes I even add some to the dish...

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 07:21:40 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on March 23, 2016, 04:45:27 pmIf you don't like to drink it, perhaps you would like to eat it...

author: richard.cs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 07:25:12 pm
content: Is that jelly in the American sense, i.e. jam (which I guess would make it more of a chutney), or something gelatin based?

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 08:24:17 pm
content: Quote from: richard.cs on March 23, 2016, 07:25:12 pmI guess it is more gelatin based. Many years ago i tried some beer jelly -- a friend brought it home from a trip -- expecting it to taste somewhat bitter like beer, but to my surprise and disappointment it was rather sweet. (FYI, i don't know about the particular brand shown in the picture of my previous post, but aside from beer jellies, the manufacturer welovemanfood.com also offers chutney and other food stuff in glasses.)

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 09:10:48 pm
content: Quote from: ConKbot on March 20, 2016, 03:03:14 amWell, Twinings (pronounced like twine, not twins) is a British company and are still at the offices in the Strand that they started at some 300 years ago.In Britain tea is blended to suit the water supply in the particular areas where it is sold. So the same brand of tea will be different in blend if sold in Yorkshire or Wales (mostly soft water) than if sold in London (hard water) or Brighton (water so hard that it can kick the **** out of water from anywhere else in the world).The problem is that the US market for tea is so comparatively small that I suspect you won't get blends that are tailored to the locality the way they are for the UK. So, if you want to try tea blended in the UK you'll need to source it from a part of the UK with a similar mineral profile in its water to the place where you intend to brew it. That might be a less than simple task.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 10:08:43 pm
content: I'll put my local water up against anyone's for hardness - I have to soak shower heads in vinegar about every 6 months to keep them from clogging. They are required by law to send out water quality test reports to all residents, and the numbers on calcium and lime are just sick. I could probably bottle local water and carbonate it and sell it as fancy mineral water - oh wait, Nestle already does that.As for this "American Jelly" fiasco - I dunno, I've only ever lived in one region of the US, but I've visited most others. When I buy say grape jelly, it's a gelatin - like substance. No bits floating about, not chunky. Just smooth, translucent, and purple if it's grape. Or red if some sort of berry, etc. If I want some with chunks in it, I buy marmalade, which comes in many flavors but I like orange. It is the same translucent orange gelatin-like substance as a base but then it has bits of orange and orange peel mixed in, so when you spread it out it does have a texture sort of like a chutney. So I think someone has been selling you Brits marmalade and saying it's American jelly. Or maybe in other parts of the US they don't make the distinction that we do around here. After all, we do have that whole soda/pop/coke thing going on - and that changes even within the same state. My GF is from the western part of Pennsylvania, she says pop. Over here in the Eastern part of the state, it's soda. But she does make the same distinction between jelly and marmalade

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 11:00:13 pm
content: Quote from: rrinker on March 23, 2016, 10:08:43 pmThat's not really possible. The word marmalade in the UK is exclusively reserved for a fruit conserve made from a bitter fruit (traditionally Seville oranges, but could also contain lemons, limes or quinces). Marmalade normally contains the whole fruit including the rind.A fruit conserve made from sweeter fruits like strawberries or raspberries is called jam. A jam, like a marmalade, contains the whole fruit.If the conserve is clear and jelly like then it is called jelly, but this is not much to the British taste and the only such conserve usually found is blackcurrant jelly.

author: richard.cs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 11:28:14 pm
content: In Britain and possibly elsewhere "jelly" without further context is pretty much always taken to mean what Americans call "jello", the wobbly, fruit flavoured, gelatine based desert. A fruit preserve thickened by the pectin in the fruit would most often be called "jam". I think I may have seen a few odd versions labelled jelly but they're definitely not the norm. The high sugar strawberry stuff people here spread on bread is jam amd contains no gelatine.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 11:53:45 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on March 23, 2016, 11:00:13 pm...and let's not forget traditional (anglo-indian) preserves like Mango Chutney, and what I have just helped myself to, Lime Pickle. Like marmalade it is bitter and made with the skin. Only it's fermented too. It's very tart, makes your mouth water.

author: timb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 11:59:14 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on March 23, 2016, 11:00:13 pmHere in the southern US, jelly can be made from fruit, but doesn't contain chunks of anything; basically you mash and cook the fruit, then strain the juice through a cheesecloth bag; said juice is heated with pectin to produce jelly.Jam is prepared in a similar fashion, only it's made with the actual chunks of mashed fruit; you use less pectin than with jelly, as the fruit itself helps solidify the jam. Essentially, the ratio of pectin, sugar and acid is a bit different for every type of fruit.Preserves are just chunks of fruit in their own juices (or sometimes syrup or water). The main difference between preserves and jam is that you don't add additional pectin to preserves; generally whatever is naturally in the fruit is what you get.Which brings me to our last type, marrrmmmmalaaadeeee!Marmalade is a preserve made from citrus based fruits. It's made by juicing the fruit itself, adding sugar, water and bits or strips of the fruit's peel.Now, as I understand it, these are pretty much the correct definitions; sure, some parts of the US might use them incorrectly, but they also call soda "pop" so we generally try to ignore them.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2016, 11:59:58 pm
content: Quote from: rrinker on March 23, 2016, 10:08:43 pmIn some parts of Scotland, "lemonade" simply means "fizzy drink"."Would you like some lemonade, son?""Yes please, Grandad!""What flavour?""Cola."!

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 12:01:18 am
content: Jelly-like fruit preserves are uncommon in the UK, but they can be found, for example, this one:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tiptree-Blackberry-Jelly-340g/dp/B015Q9B6RKOn the whole, however, all such fruit spreads tend to fall under the generic description of "jam".

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 05:09:07 am
content: Also pectin is not added to quality strawberry jam, it is naturally occurring in the fruit. However, cheap supermarket would have some added.

author: knotlogic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 05:37:56 am
content: Quote from: Cerebus on March 23, 2016, 09:10:48 pmReally? But that must be a nightmare in logistics - if I walked into a Tesco in Wales that box of Twinings wouldn't be the same product as the box I picked up in London.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 06:53:15 am
content: Quote from: knotlogic on March 24, 2016, 05:37:56 amTwinings (amongst many others) want to make sure that the cup of tea you make with their teabags tastes the same whether you make it in Wales or London and they take it very seriously. And by very seriously I mean paying the people who formulate the blends and test what's in production 6 figures seriously. With how delicate some of the subtle flavours in teas can be and when you've water ranging from never have to worry about limescale ever (like where I am) to having to descale a kettle every week if you don't want to buy another every couple of months (say Brighton) you can't make the cuppa taste the same with no changes to the blend. Earl Grey made from teabags meant for a hard water area taste too strong and strangely sweet in soft water areas, the other way around it tastes weak and strangely salty...One of my local shops actually has tea bags for different water types on the shelves*. Some blends, generally stronger ones like English Brekfast (blended strong to go well with milk and sugar) only have two options, hard or soft water. The more delicate ones can have five gradations. Apparently some brands and blends have more but they capped it at stocking five to stop getting stupid.*As well as stuff from other countries you can't easily get here. It's a great shop for travelling and travellers. Relatively expensive but very popular with Brits who travel to North America a lot or Americans and Canadians who travel here a lot. Not as good for Yanks as the dedicated "American Shops" but fills a niche.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 07:09:40 am
content: Quote from: knotlogic on March 24, 2016, 05:37:56 amI remember seeing Yorkshire Tea for hard water on the shelves in my local (soft water area) supermarket. Very odd. Thankfully they still had the red label stuff too.Green labelRed label

author: botcrusher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 10:09:04 pm
content: As a canadian, I find this whole thread quite amusing!It's world warTeaplease don't kill me

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 10:16:51 pm
content: Quote from: botcrusher on March 24, 2016, 10:09:04 pmAbsolutely. It has been a MOD requirement for our armed forces to have a BV (boiling vessel) equipped in our battle tanks and armoured cars since World War 2. We take this stuff seriously.

author: botcrusher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2016, 10:24:31 pm
content: Note to self, when in the rest of the Commonwealth, don't $%&@ around with tea.Where i work, i have the luxury of both voltages, allthough most of the 240V outlets are on the lighting bridge, where there are 6 750W halogens, 6 1000W halogens, and little to no ventilation.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2016, 09:15:19 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on March 24, 2016, 10:16:51 pmThe British Army runs on Tea, more Tea and waiting for an opportunity to drop that gobby Second Lieutenant/Lance Corporal right in it.There was a series of pamphlets distributed by the US War Department to US servicemen being stationed in the UK during the Second World War. I can't find the one I was looking for to quote but it said something along the lines of, and I paraphrase, "The British have endured since 1939 largely on steely resolve, copious cups of Tea and little else". A Briton would have probably said "Bloody mindedness" instead of steely resolve.As I say, I couldn't the exact one I was looking for but you can see something similar at:http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/ww2/britain.htmif you want to get a flavour.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2016, 09:18:04 pm
content: Quote from: botcrusher on March 24, 2016, 10:09:04 pmWe wouldn't do that because you're Canadian, eh, and polite enough to sayplease. We'd just sit you down and make you a nice cup of instant coffee...

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2016, 09:34:40 pm
content: Quote from: Cerebus on March 25, 2016, 09:18:04 pmWhen did instant coffee stop being a womans drink? In the 1970's no real man would touch the stuff. Mellow Birds and that milk substitute Coffee Mate stuff made of lard was definitely a female only thing. I would like to know when real men went all gay and started drinking propacappumochachinolattes with sprinkles instead of a decent mug of strong labourers tea?

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2016, 12:00:24 am
content: Quote from: botcrusher on March 24, 2016, 10:09:04 pmAs a Yank I just can't stop giggling every time I check this thread. No wonder George flipped his moldy wig when we tossed the tea into Boston Harbor. You Brits REALLY do take this stuff seriously. But I can't imagine starting my day with a cup (cuppa?) tea. Gotta be a strong cup of brewed coffee. None of that instant crap.But you wanna see hilarity? Ask the average American on who makes or what brand is the best coffee.I know for the folks north of the border it's Tim Horton's and I've yet to try it.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2016, 03:32:36 am
content: Quote from: Cerebus on March 25, 2016, 09:15:19 pmThat is a fantastic read. Funny to think while my grandad (Royal Engineers, Eighth Army) was fighting Rommels Panzers at El Alamein, then went on to liberate Italy, the yanks stationed in Blighty only had to worry about causing offence to their hosts while showing off their bling, cigs and nylon stockings, and shagging all our women. No wonder grandad married an Austrian girl.

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2016, 12:00:50 pm
content: Quote from: GEuser on March 18, 2016, 04:09:47 amFound it ! , not watched it as I'm low on prepaid data (also it actually would not play here) but it looks like the one and the series "Britain From Above".http://www.bbc.co.uk/britainfromabove/stories/technology/Power from above <one , I'm sure its it .

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2016, 05:57:51 pm
content: Quote from: GEuser on April 01, 2016, 12:00:50 pmThe "Power from above" one doesn't work unfortunately. I think"Tea-time Britain"is the one you were looking for and that works for meQuoteTurns out it was that godawful Eastenders trash. There are no commercials on the BBC which is probably the cause of all this. At least with Corrie on ITV there are some breaks to stagger the kettles going off.

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 04:59:15 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on April 01, 2016, 05:57:51 pmI'm not messing with the quotations , Yep that's it thanks for poking around there , i looked at it for the 1st 20 seconds as i'm getting low on Data allowance , 2nd , Eastenders i've even surprised myself that the memory box even recalled half accurate stuff! , i actually thought the power from above with the helicopters was also the power grid operating room one too .Like i mentioned Macbeth i reckon they were (the series) worth every pound forked out , like really really good .ps> we used to have Eastenders on telly (free to air) out here same goes fornot coronation street but another , a few years back? maybe 4 to 6 years but no longer now . (if anything it is better that the American stuff (AT LEAST)cheers ....

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2016, 05:16:57 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on March 26, 2016, 03:32:36 amHa just noticed this post , one forgot to mention "For 2 Years" btw , there was (was as he's now ded) a British ex serviceman around here with his wife both from the same street in London as kids , shoulda heard some of the stories as his secrecy clause was over (50 year one) , getting bombed as kids and watching the allies do nothing for that long except bang the wimmin Ha Ha , after ww2 he joined up and went to Africa and was in the "Forgotten war" the Mau Mau , shoulda heard those stories no wonder some have to sign the longer secrecy clause , so now i'll say i can't remember a thing he said .

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2016, 01:17:03 pm
content: I haven't looked for the difference but this one is 5:14 long (which i just watched its on YouTube) instead of 4:51 on the BBC , 300MW extra or more ..Facs in ating !

author: FrankE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 04:21:10 am
content: Quote from: Mechanical Menace on March 17, 2016, 12:27:43 pmPeople will be more likely to measure just what they need rather than needlessly filll it up..

author: botcrusher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 04:24:36 am
content: It doesn't, and while the argument about heating only what's needed with a higher power makes sense, peak power is still higher, and that peak is the primary issue the power companies have to deal with.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 10:08:46 am
content: Well why not just say it's due to grid management or energy security rather than pretending it's an ecological measure to save total energy/reduce carbon output?

author: botcrusher
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 11:35:07 am
content: Perhaps they don't want to admit that kettles are causing the downfall of the grid?

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 05:49:19 pm
content: The next limit will be the only electric cars with 1.5 kW chargers...

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 11:44:28 am
content: http://nottstv.com/coffee-are-you-addicted/The above is really about Tea consumption dropping in the UK .Paul Revere is ded , Robin Hood must be still alive yelling "The Americans are coming The Americans are coming" , or is that a bit late? .

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2016, 05:49:12 pm
content: I think more people turn to energy drinks and coffee nowadays here, albeit based on anecdotal evidence. I've never liked tea personally so in the winter I drink coffee and Red Bull or something in the summer if I need a kick.

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 09:48:35 am
content: Quote from: RGB255_0_0 on April 05, 2016, 05:49:12 pmAfter picking myself up off the floor , what sacrilege , it has been decided that you have to be Deported in shame to , , , lets say Australia , via ship !

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 11:13:54 am
content: Quote from: GEuser on April 06, 2016, 09:48:35 amSend me the ticket!

author: GEuser
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 02:16:41 pm
content: Quote from: RGB255_0_0 on April 06, 2016, 11:13:54 amYa ever heard that true story of life's supposed to be a 2 way street , When i get My ticket for a shameful export you just might get yours too ..

author: Connoiseur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2016, 02:54:12 pm
content: Anyone has tastedMakaibari?I prefer it over lipton or twinings (twinings has blends of tea with totally unsuitable ingredients like mint, in India......atrocious).Never knew 110-120V vs 220-240V has so much to do with tea or coffee.