"Tracy" wrote
>>> I am looking for a replacement for the yucky looking "stainless" model
>>> on my stove top.
>>
>> Oh? I like mine! Very retro 50's and highly functional.

> I do like the look of a retro kettle. I just hate trying to keep the thing
> clean.

Aw, well, I throw mine in the dishwasher now and again. Needs nothing more.

>> I think of it much like a rice cooker. Useless waste of space to a
>> person who eats rice at best once a week. An energry saving essential for
>> folks like me who have it 2-3 times a day and need to keep a batch warm
>> from breakfast to dinner time. Useless to me are rice units that just
>> cook then turn off.
>
> I agree. My husband has been bugging for a rice cooker, but we eat rice
> about once a month. I don't see the need.

It is possible, if you had one, you would make rice more often but it does
not sound like an essential item to your cookery. Mine, just finished most
of the rice so added 3 cups dashi and some bits of things like freeze dried
mussels, dried shrimp, dried shiitake and some nori etc. I turned it off
and in the morning I'll turn it on for fresh congee. Once it's eaten for
breakfast, I'll make more rice around lunchtime and have enough for dinner
and post-school munchies. As you can see from that, it's a bit more
versatile than you may have thought but it still probably doesnt fit your
lifestyle.

>> Grin, I see on the appliance thread I am abnormal. I can easily afford
>> 300$ a month electric bills but my habits run me far less stateside. My
>> only electric bill so far came in and was 87$ (5OCT-15NOV). I'm
>> augmenting the gas heat and electric blower with the fireplace (have a
>> real one, functional and 2 cords of wood). The stove and water heater
>> are also gas. Havent got a gas bill yet but I think it will be pretty
>> low comparitive to my area.
>
> We put our son to the task of helping lower our electric bills. He is
> constantly turning out lights on us...saying things like "do you really
> need this 3rd light on?" We created a monster.

LOL.

> We also recently moved. Our new apartment has a timer on the thermostat. I
> love this! I can set it so the heat goes off during the day when we aren't
> home and at night for sleeping (I set it to 58-60F) It comes on in the am
> for a bit and when we come home from work. 68F in the winter - on really
> cold days like today - 27F right now. I can deal with 64 or 65 if it is
> not below freezing outside.

Well, we stay at 70-72F here unless the fireplace makes it warmer. I
wouldnt mind dropping it lower at night but Don doesnt like that.