So funny to see this topic here today. I just completed a month long sit with no toaster. I had to buy one as I use it daily! Last year I did another month long sit with no toaster. Going forward if it isn’t listed in the HO’s amenities, I will ask! It hadn’t occurred to me to ask until now as I use it so often I can’t imagine anyone not having one.
5 Likes
I had never heard of this. Cool!
Me either! Off I go to try!
So, it looks like it’s not uncommon. I’ve done a few sits without a microwave as well. I adapt to anything but it’s always amusing to see what other people prefer in their kitchens. I get a lot of ideas for my own home through the sits. Since I started catsitting, I’ve bought a grinder for coffee beans, a cast iron grill pan and I’m “addicted” to the wine that my first HO got me from Waitrose (UK supermarket)
2 Likes
A lot of people don’t want a lot of stuff. After seeing this thread earlier I actually started looking at kettles. (I just had a tea drinker staying here!) and am thinking about it but it would either take up counterspace OR take up drawer space. As someone who has no problem using a microwave or a pan to boil water for tea, could you explain to me why those methods are inferior? (Maybe as a coffee drinker, I’m missing something?)
There is the risk of heating the water over its boiling point, and that it then starts boiling when one adds the teabag or the instant coffee.
Also, an electric kettle is faster for a pot of tea, and more energy efficient.
If you’re into tea:
But it’s not a problem for most, since they’re not into tea that much.
1 Like
An electric kettle is much faster and energy efficient. If you are shopping for one make sure to get a fully metal one or a glass one. There are a lot that are fully plastic, but then you’ll be drinking plastic tasting water.
You’ll find mine on the bench @Smiley 
2 Likes
Fine. I’m convinced. I’ll get a small electric kettle before the next sitter comes, but store it away when not entertaining tea drinking friends or hosting sitters.
My hotel in Edinburgh has a small electric kettle that I’ve been using a lot. Love it. It’s smallish — about three cups worth — and perfect.
Room service gives you two new Tunnock’s caramel bars every day if you have them clean.
Tunnocks are everywhere here. The tea cakes, too. When I first had the tea cakes, in the U.S., I was surprised that they’re more like candy than cake. Not that that’s bad, LOL. When I went to the Christmas market, they had Christmas ornaments in the design of Tunnocks, so of course I had to buy, because good travel memory. Yum.
4 Likes
They are one of the things I miss most about the UK @Maggie8K - the dark chocolate tea cakes are good if you haven’t tried those yet! 
1 Like
Canadian here. I often make my way to a local Brit store to purchase a Tunnocks caramel wafer bar. Very good indeed. In fact I think I will go today and get my Coronation Street 2024 calendar too
1 Like
In terms of pure electric efficiency a microwave will win. It uses a third of the power and twice the time to heat a cup water. It also means one less appliance in the house if all you are doing is making one cup a day.
Microwaved water has some drawbacks but it is usable if you don’t have anything else:
It doesn’t heat evenly. A kettle or pot on a stove mixes the water as the escaping gas (steam) mixes the water as it escapes. A microwaved mug of water can have some cooler layer in it. Try stirring and then putting the mug (without spoon) back in for a bit.
The mug also gets really hot which isn’t the case if you pour kettle or pot water into a cold mug. Try heating the water in a jug and pouring into a mug.
It’s not good for large amounts of water. Who wants to be handling a huge bowel or jug of boiled water.
Also why make tea when you can make coffee.
Sorry but it’s a big NO to making tea in a microwave, as a tea drinking Brit.
Anyway, I thought this post was about toasters……
2 Likes
If their micro isn’t clean you get water that tastes like whatever was in it. I once micro’d tea at a motel and it came out tasting like months-old pasta or baked socks or something equally gross. Nearly put me off that flavour of tea forEVER. 
Pouring water for tea out of a pan can get messy.
My toaster is a tank. Big, heavy, solid and over 50 years old. They don’t make em like that anymore 
cos maybe you want to sleep 
The highest efficiency is with such small immersion heaters, but they are not safe:
Also electrical kettles have very high efficiency, but usually one heats more water than one needs. That is what makes microwaves so efficient, despite their electrical losses in the electronics.
Cos I don’t like coffee
I had a house sit with an AGA cooker she showed me the huge spatula thing I had to use to toast on the aga. But when she left couldn’t find it anywhere.searched everywhere.no toast for me. Ha ha
1 Like