Continuing my theme of supercilious posts

[elvum]

One of these gas energy savers recently came into my possession, and I have to say - don't bother getting one. I tested mine using the Awesome Power of Science(tm) and can confirm that using it makes water take a repeatable 33% longer to boil. Stick to sensible kitchen gadgets, like the apple peeler/slicer/corer.

Edit: Oh, and if it really catalysed unburned gas, then surely it could keep itself hot when previously heated and then placed on top of an unignited but hissing gas ring?

Comments

[michaelp-j (from livejournal.com)]

It looks to me from the not massively clear photo like a metal ring with lots of fine wires inside it. So it's intrinsically a heat diffuser, regardless of any magic catalysis action. But they're for sale on an awful lot of eco-stores. One claims a typical gas saving of 12%. This one (http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/good-ideas/gas-energy-saver/) claims that the manufacturer quotes "an average 14% reduction in heating time based on heating 500ml of water from 18.5 degrees centigrade to 100 degrees centigrade using a medium sized (1.5 litre) saucepan on the small burner of a four burner gas hob."

Amazon's reviewers agree with your results, however: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SET-SAVING-ENERGY-NETS-IMPROVED/dp/B001E9UZCO

Perhaps you should call the ASA or Trading Standards?

[karne-k.livejournal.com]

If there's any detectable 'unburned gas' from your hob, get it fixed before it kills you! A blue methane flame is effectively 100% efficient, otherwise you'd get carbon black on everything very rapidly. More efficient heat transfer to the pot might help but putting a lid on it is even more so.

Or use an electric kettle :)