Households across the UK are embracing a remarkably simple yet effective kitchen hack that's dramatically cutting energy consumption and saving money on soaring electricity bills.
The viral energy-saving tip, which originated from a Reddit user's discovery, involves nothing more complex than a bag of rice and a permanent marker - and it's transforming how Britons use their kettles.
The Eureka Moment That's Changing Kitchen Habits
It all began when an observant social media user noticed their electricity meter spinning rapidly during kettle use. After some experimentation, they discovered that most people significantly overfill their kettles, boiling far more water than needed for their hot drinks.
The solution? Measure your typical water usage once, then mark the optimal level on your kettle to prevent energy waste with every brew.
How The Rice Measurement Method Works
The step-by-step process couldn't be simpler:
- Pour rice into your mug up to your usual tea or coffee level
- Transfer this rice into your empty kettle
- Use a permanent marker to draw a line at the rice level
- Always fill only to this marked line when making hot drinks
This ensures you're only heating the exact amount of water required, eliminating the energy drain of boiling excess water that simply cools down unused.
Why This Small Change Makes A Massive Difference
With kettles being one of the most frequently used appliances in British households - and among the biggest energy consumers in the kitchen - this minor adjustment delivers substantial savings.
Energy experts confirm that for every litre of unnecessary water boiled, households waste both electricity and money. Given that the average UK household boils their kettle multiple times daily, these small savings quickly accumulate into significant reductions on energy bills.
Social Media Embraces The Energy-Saving Revolution
The tip has sparked a wave of enthusiasm across platforms like Reddit and Twitter, with thousands sharing their own marked kettles and calculated savings.
One user reported: "I was boiling at least twice the water I needed for my morning coffee. This simple marker line has probably cut my kettle energy use in half."
Another commented: "It's embarrassing how much water I was wasting. The rice trick showed me I only need about a third of what I usually boiled."
Beyond The Kettle: Additional Energy-Saving Kitchen Tips
While the kettle hack delivers immediate results, energy experts suggest complementary strategies:
- Descale your kettle regularly for optimal efficiency
- Use the correct hob ring size for your pans
- Keep lids on saucepans while cooking
- Consider using a microwave for small heating tasks
As energy prices remain a concern for millions of British households, this straightforward approach demonstrates that sometimes the most effective solutions are also the simplest. The viral kettle hack proves that small behavioural changes, when adopted consistently, can lead to meaningful financial and environmental benefits.
