Drink More Hot Water, Don't Be Afraid: The Truth About Electric Kettles and a Buying Guide

Drink More Hot Water, Don't Be Afraid: The Truth About Electric Kettles and a Buying GuideIn Chinese culture, drinking hot water is a common practice, whether it's for illness, menstruation, or daily health maintenance. "Drink more hot water" is often a phrase uttered with warm concern

Drink More Hot Water, Don't Be Afraid: The Truth About Electric Kettles and a Buying Guide

In Chinese culture, drinking hot water is a common practice, whether it's for illness, menstruation, or daily health maintenance. "Drink more hot water" is often a phrase uttered with warm concern. Along with this habit comes a wide array of water heating tools, such as electric kettles, heating mugs, and water dispensers. They are convenient and quick, providing us with warm water anytime, anywhere, but with so many choices available, it's easy to get overwhelmed when making a selection.

However, in 2016, a news report about the potential risks of electric kettles shocked the public, causing widespread concern and even leading some to discard their kettles. What was this all about? Are electric kettles truly as dangerous as they were portrayed?

The Origin of the Rumor: The "Manganese" Cloud Surrounding Electric Kettles

The cause was a monitoring report on the risks of electric kettles. The report stated that most electric kettles on the market use high-manganese steel, a material with potential toxicity. The report cited the World Health Organization's call for caution in using electric kettles.

This news sparked a major uproar. Electric kettles, an essential tool in daily life, were suddenly labeled as "carcinogenic" and "brain-damaging," causing fear and even prompting people to throw away their kettles.

But is this truly the case?

Scientific Interpretation: The Safety of Electric Kettles

The "manganese" issue with electric kettles isn't as scary as it was portrayed. Let's analyze this carefully:

• The Truth About Manganese: An Essential Trace Element for the Body

Manganese is not a "poison" but an essential trace element for the body, playing a crucial role in bone growth, metabolism, and other processes.

• The Dangers of Excessive Manganese: Too Much of a Good Thing

Any substance in excess can have negative effects, and manganese is no exception. Long-term consumption of excessive manganese can damage the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and other organs.

• Manganese Release from Electric Kettles: Negligible

Manganese has an extremely high melting point. During regular water boiling, the water temperature is far below the melting point of manganese. Therefore, under normal use, electric kettles release virtually no manganese that could harm the body.

• The Risk of Inferior Materials: Choosing Reputable Brands

While the amount of manganese released by electric kettles themselves is negligible, some unscrupulous vendors might use inferior high-manganese steel liners to reduce costs. Such liners may release a certain amount of manganese ions under prolonged high temperatures, potentially impacting health.

• Other Harmful Substances: Beware of Low-Quality Liners

Apart from manganese, some low-quality electric kettle liners may contain lead, arsenic, and other harmful substances, posing potential risks to health.

How to Choose a Safe Electric Kettle: A Buying Guide

To avoid purchasing low-quality electric kettles and potential health hazards, we need to carefully choose safe and reliable products. Here are some tips:

• Material Selection: Stainless Steel, Ceramic, Glass

• Stainless Steel Material:

• 304 Stainless Steel: The most common stainless steel material, highly corrosion-resistant, and relatively inexpensive.

• 316 Stainless Steel: Even more corrosion-resistant, but also more expensive.

• 201 Stainless Steel: Lower price, but lower corrosion resistance. Avoid choosing this option.

• Note: Choose electric kettles with CCC certification to ensure that the product meets national safety standards.

• Ceramic Material:

• Advantages: Doesn't easily form scale, good thermal conductivity, easy to clean.

• Disadvantages: Thermal conductivity not as good as stainless steel, relatively expensive.

• Note: Choose ceramic electric kettles with plain inner walls. Avoid those with patterns or colorful decorations, as they may contain harmful substances.

• Glass Material:

• Advantages: High temperature resistance, easy to observe water temperature, easy to clean.

• Disadvantages: Fragile, high price.

• Note: Choose glass electric kettles with adequate thickness and be careful to prevent drops and bumps.

• Electroplated Layer:

• Silver Plating: The safest electroplated layer, good thermal conductivity, does not easily release harmful substances.

• Copper Plating: Releases copper ions, which can have a certain impact on health. Avoid choosing this option.

• Other Low-Quality Electroplated Layers: May release lead, cadmium, and other harmful substances, posing risks to health.

• Inner Wall:

• Choose electric kettles with smooth inner walls, free of spots and gaps, to ensure water quality and hygiene.

• Power:

• Choose the appropriate wattage based on your needs. Higher wattage boils water faster but consumes more electricity.

• Functions:

• Anti-dry burning, automatic power off, keep warm, and other functions can enhance the safety of using the electric kettle.

• Brand Selection:

• Choose reputable brands with guarantees to avoid purchasing products without packaging or labeling.

• Purchasing Channels:

• Choose authorized stores or large shopping malls to ensure product quality and (after-sales service).

Usage Precautions:

• Clean the Scale Regularly: Scale will build up in the electric kettle liner over time. Regular cleaning ensures water safety.

• Safe Usage: Avoid electric shocks, scalding, and other safety hazards.

Conclusion:

Electric kettles are not "monsters". As long as you choose reputable brands, pay attention to purchasing techniques and maintenance, they remain safe and reliable household tools. We shouldn't be swayed by rumors, but instead maintain rationality, choose science, and truly enjoy a healthy life.

Reference Articles:

• Guangming Daily February 22, 2023 Report: 3 (translation: "Drink water boiled in an electric kettle every day, damages nerves and is carcinogenic? These 3 types of water really need to be consumed less!")

Further Information:

• National Standard GB 4706.1-2005 1 (translation: "Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 1: General Requirements")

• National Standard GB 4706.19-2008 19 (translation: "Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances, Part 19: Electric Kettles")

Summary:

The safety of electric kettles is not as frightening as portrayed. As long as you choose reputable brands, pay attention to purchasing techniques and maintenance, they remain safe and reliable household tools. We should maintain rationality, choose science, and truly enjoy a healthy life.