How To Use a 12-Volt Electric Kettle In the Car Safely?
If you spend most of your time in the car, you probably have found yourself in a situation where you want to have a quick cup of coffee or a snack. Pulling up at the nearest café can be a waste of time and money. It is also frustrating to carry with you a gas burner and pot for whenever you have a craving for coffee or noodles.
Fortunately, there are electric kettle products made specifically for cars. Studies show that 65% of close-call car accidents involve drivers who are distracted due to eating or drinking. This could be why many drivers are reluctant to use electric kettles in their cars. Read on for guidelines on how to safely use a 12 volt car kettle in your vehicle.
Contents
How to Use a 12-Volt Electric Kettle In Your Car?
The directions for using an electric kettle vary depending on the features. Here, I will give the step-by-step guidelines for a standard 12-volt electric kettle.
- Open the lid and fill the kettle with water. You will see the maximum and minimum water levels indicated on the kettle. If you are warming water for coffee, you can fill the kettle. However, if you want to warm baby food or noodles, the water level should be slightly below the maximum level to account for the space occupied by the height adjustment insert. In this case, you will place your bowl of noodles or baby food container on top of the height adjustment insert.
- Replace the lid before connecting the kettle to the power socket.
- Place the kettle on a flat surface. If your car has a cup holder, place the kettle on it. However, if there is no cup holder, you will have to place the kettle on the floor.
- After finding a secure location for the kettle, connect it to the vehicle’s 12v power socket. An operation light will illuminate, meaning that the water is warming up.
- When the water starts boiling or reaches the required temperature, unplug the kettle. Some advanced kettles have an automatic switch that goes off when the water reaches its boiling point.
- Open the lid and pour the hot water. Be careful when pouring the water to avoid spilling it on yourself.
Car Water Kettle Safety Tips
One of the most consumed non-alcoholic drinks in vehicles is coffee. Studies reveal that it is the worst drink to have in a car. Even with a lid, a bump in the road will send droplets of the hot liquid on your hands and lap, which could lead to an accident.
To avoid accidents, injuries, or car issues on the road, here are some other safety tips you should consider when using a car water kettle:
Use The Kettle When The Car is Stationary
If you need to use an electric kettle, the first thing to do is find a place to park your car. Consider leaving the engine running while you plug the kettle into the power outlet. Enjoy your cup of coffee or bowl of noodles before resuming your trip.
Operating an electric kettle while the car is on the move can be dangerous, especially if the kettle does not fit in the cup holder. The kettle may keep wobbling and may accidentally spill the hot water and injure you.
Some electric kettles come in the form factor of a coffee cup, which makes them convenient when you are driving. However, to be on the safe side, make sure you use the kettle when the vehicle is stationary.
Watch Out For Battery Levels
The element in an electric kettle consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, if you are not careful, you could drain your car battery quickly. Imagine being stranded on the road because you could not resist the urge to drink a cup of coffee.
To avoid this situation, use the kettle before a certain recharge. For example, you can use the kettle in the morning before you drive. Alternatively, you could use the kettle while the car engine is running.
Check The Wattage
One of the benefits of an electric kettle is that you can plug it right into the cigarette lighter outlet. However, check your lighter type to avoid damaging the kettle or electrical hazards.
Confirm whether the cigarette lighter outlet is 75 or 120 watts. You can find these specifications in your vehicle’s manual if it is not indicated on the outlet. As a rule of thumb, you should not use a kettle that requires 120 watts in a vehicle whose cigarette lighter outlet supports 75 watts.
Watch Out For The Water Level Markers
When using electric kettles, you should observe the water level markers for safety reasons. For example, the water-heating element could explode and start a fire if you do not meet the minimum level mark.
Similarly, if you exceed the maximum water level mark, spillage will occur when the water reaches its boiling point. This is dangerous because it could cause severe burn injuries.
Conclusion
Whether you want to boil water for a cup of coffee or to warm your child’s food, an electric kettle can be a handy appliance. While using an electric kettle or another 12 volt kitchen appliance in your car is a major concern for many people, it should not be if you observe the appropriate safety measures.
Most importantly, you should avoid operating the kettle when you are on the move and be careful not to drain your car battery. Also, make sure you keep an eye on the water level markers and avoid plugging the kettle when it has no water.
If you cannot survive a day without that power snack or a shot of coffee, do not hesitate to invest in an electric kettle. Some electric kettles for cars come with advanced features like an automatic thermostat. Compare the features of different models to find the one best suited for your needs.