Diesel130
New member
I have been doing a bit of research, to find out whether the older or the newer models are best to go for - and to find out the advantages and disadvantages of owning and living with each one ..
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Original: TW91100
The original Siemens / Porsche kettle (Type; TW91100), with the alloy base, is a much older design.
They were made from high quality components in their day (hewn out of solid alloy and all that), but they are now looking a bit dated. See the angular corners in the picture above, for example. And the on-off switch has not been positioned most ergonomically. Interestingly, they make a more authentic boiling sound than more modern designs, but - contrary to popular belief - they are, in fact, of a lower wattage than the newer models and despite all the boiling noise are actually slower from 20 to 100 degrees.
Many such models have been loved and polished every weekend but, apart from the ones that have been locked away in a cupboard and only used on special ocassions, most are now approaching or have exceeded 120,000 boils - at which point major components often start to fail. The most common problem with these kettles is that the strap that stops the lid hinging too far back, breaks. Some have also been known to require a complete strip out and replacment of the parts that deliver the power.
They are also not as efficient as more modern designs and unfortunately, due to new government regulations on kettle efficiency had to be taken off the market and replaced with a more modern design. Due to the limited number of these kettles made and the fact that their performance and looks was not appreciated until they were discontinued, they are now fetching high prices on ebay and similar outlets. In fact, recently, a 10 year old original kettle sold for more than a new model can be purched for from John Lewis.
New: TW911P2
The new kettle (TW911P2) is of a more rounded design, can hold more water, has more power and can go from 20 to boiling slightly quicker than the older one. Despite the water boiling performance improvements, the new model is actually more efficient - due to a better design of main chamber, resulting in less heat loss. Also the on-off switch is exactly where you'd expect it. Some say the build quality is not as good - they point to all the black plastic around the base. But, the fact of the matter is if they kept making then them out of solid alloy, new ones would cost over £200 today and no-one pay that much for a German kettle, as for the same money you could get an Italian kettle that boils even quicker. Unfortunately, despite the design improvements in the new kettle there have been 2 issues, especially early ones.
First issue: Occassionally you get a slight drip from the centre base. Normally this is not a problem and only results on a few drips on the kitchen worktop - so unless you have a posh wooden worktop, the leak can be ignored. The drip doesn't normally turn into a rush, which could - in theory - cause a loss of water and potential damage to the element. However, if the water drips onto the circular contacts that transmits the power from one part of the kettle to another, there could be more serious problems. Fortunately, if you have to replace the contacts anyway, due to wear and tear, you can fix the leak at the same time for little cost.
The second issues is rarer, but a big problem if it happens. Whilst trying to improve boiling efficiency, different material for the main water-holding chamber was used for the tried and tested material of the older model. After heavy usage - especially if you either a) rapidly fill with cold water just after boiling or b) only boil once a month on Sundays the main chamber can crack, resulting is sudden loss of boiling ability. Unfortunately, replacing the main chamber is a major and costly task - costing as much as 50% of the value on an early new design kettle.
The good news is that you can buy a warrantee that covers both the leak and the cracked chamber problems, but you must take you kettle back to the supplier to check for problems before they issue a warrantee. The inspection only costs about £1.30, but the warrantee is £8.95 a year. Provided the kettle is serviced annually or each 12,000 boils, the manufacturers will renew the kettle warrantee until up to its 9th bithday or 120,000 boils. You can boil it as many times as you like in the last year and it will stil be still covered.
For me, the TW911P2 is the best kettle. There is now a newer model available, but it is still quite expensive and it doesn't seem to offer any significant benefits over the TW911P2. Many people buying new kettles pay even more to have a optional device which automatically detects which room it is in and suggests how to move it from one room to another. But really ... unless you are always taking your kettle to other peoples houses, who needs that? It could even distract you from the main purpose of the kettle which is enjoying the basic task of heating water.
So, for all the readers of this register, I'd thoroughly recommend going for the TW911P2 when all the above is considered. Frequenters of other registers may disagree.
Martin.
Original: TW91100 The original Siemens / Porsche kettle (Type; TW91100), with the alloy base, is a much older design.
They were made from high quality components in their day (hewn out of solid alloy and all that), but they are now looking a bit dated. See the angular corners in the picture above, for example. And the on-off switch has not been positioned most ergonomically. Interestingly, they make a more authentic boiling sound than more modern designs, but - contrary to popular belief - they are, in fact, of a lower wattage than the newer models and despite all the boiling noise are actually slower from 20 to 100 degrees.
Many such models have been loved and polished every weekend but, apart from the ones that have been locked away in a cupboard and only used on special ocassions, most are now approaching or have exceeded 120,000 boils - at which point major components often start to fail. The most common problem with these kettles is that the strap that stops the lid hinging too far back, breaks. Some have also been known to require a complete strip out and replacment of the parts that deliver the power.
They are also not as efficient as more modern designs and unfortunately, due to new government regulations on kettle efficiency had to be taken off the market and replaced with a more modern design. Due to the limited number of these kettles made and the fact that their performance and looks was not appreciated until they were discontinued, they are now fetching high prices on ebay and similar outlets. In fact, recently, a 10 year old original kettle sold for more than a new model can be purched for from John Lewis.
New: TW911P2 The new kettle (TW911P2) is of a more rounded design, can hold more water, has more power and can go from 20 to boiling slightly quicker than the older one. Despite the water boiling performance improvements, the new model is actually more efficient - due to a better design of main chamber, resulting in less heat loss. Also the on-off switch is exactly where you'd expect it. Some say the build quality is not as good - they point to all the black plastic around the base. But, the fact of the matter is if they kept making then them out of solid alloy, new ones would cost over £200 today and no-one pay that much for a German kettle, as for the same money you could get an Italian kettle that boils even quicker. Unfortunately, despite the design improvements in the new kettle there have been 2 issues, especially early ones.
First issue: Occassionally you get a slight drip from the centre base. Normally this is not a problem and only results on a few drips on the kitchen worktop - so unless you have a posh wooden worktop, the leak can be ignored. The drip doesn't normally turn into a rush, which could - in theory - cause a loss of water and potential damage to the element. However, if the water drips onto the circular contacts that transmits the power from one part of the kettle to another, there could be more serious problems. Fortunately, if you have to replace the contacts anyway, due to wear and tear, you can fix the leak at the same time for little cost.
The second issues is rarer, but a big problem if it happens. Whilst trying to improve boiling efficiency, different material for the main water-holding chamber was used for the tried and tested material of the older model. After heavy usage - especially if you either a) rapidly fill with cold water just after boiling or b) only boil once a month on Sundays the main chamber can crack, resulting is sudden loss of boiling ability. Unfortunately, replacing the main chamber is a major and costly task - costing as much as 50% of the value on an early new design kettle.
The good news is that you can buy a warrantee that covers both the leak and the cracked chamber problems, but you must take you kettle back to the supplier to check for problems before they issue a warrantee. The inspection only costs about £1.30, but the warrantee is £8.95 a year. Provided the kettle is serviced annually or each 12,000 boils, the manufacturers will renew the kettle warrantee until up to its 9th bithday or 120,000 boils. You can boil it as many times as you like in the last year and it will stil be still covered.
For me, the TW911P2 is the best kettle. There is now a newer model available, but it is still quite expensive and it doesn't seem to offer any significant benefits over the TW911P2. Many people buying new kettles pay even more to have a optional device which automatically detects which room it is in and suggests how to move it from one room to another. But really ... unless you are always taking your kettle to other peoples houses, who needs that? It could even distract you from the main purpose of the kettle which is enjoying the basic task of heating water.
So, for all the readers of this register, I'd thoroughly recommend going for the TW911P2 when all the above is considered. Frequenters of other registers may disagree.
Martin.
