Is It Safe to Use The Xiaomi Kettle in Australia?

BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 15:36
Last edited 25/08/2023 - 15:41

I'm looking for an all-stainless steel kettle, and I noticed that the Xiaomi kettle 2 has stainless steel on the inside as well.
So, I'm considering buying it. However, when I visited the Panmi.com.au website, it mentioned that it's the international version, and after contacting them, they said it comes with a two-pin AU adapter.

But I've come across information suggesting that using a kettle with an adapter might be risky.
Do you happen to know if it's safe to use? Or if anyone is currently using it, could you kindly share your experience?

Electrical & Electronics Kettle Xiaomi

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/08/2023 - 15:40
    +2

    2 pin adpater as in a CN plug adapter to AU plug? Or just like a fig 8 style plug that terminates back to a 2pin au plug?

    My experience with buying online chinese gear is they typically give you the absolute crappiest adapter possible and even the slightest bump knocks it loose.
    Could be slightly dangerous if this is the case.

    • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 15:46

      I have no idea. I received a response saying the kettle is an international version so comes with a two-pin AU adapter.
      Do you know is Panmi.com.au based in Australia?

      • Hybroid on 25/08/2023 - 15:56
        +4

        Looks like a generic drop shipper website. Their listed Chippendale address isn't even correct.

        The cable doesn't look replaceable on the kettle, there's no reason to fixate on this. Buy something locally covered and safety inspected.

        • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 17:28

          I'm looking for a 100% plastic-free Kettle, including the cover and filter mesh, but I can't seem to find any.
          Do you know of any such products among Australian brands?

          • Loopholio on 26/08/2023 - 17:20

            @BreadTwo: Kmart / BigW have glass jugs. The one I bought 10 years ago still works. Easy to clean and they even have a ring of LEDs to show activity.

            • A-mak on 27/08/2023 - 04:06

              @Loopholio: I've gone through 2 glass kmart kettles, the second one ($80 now multi-function tea etc) lasted maybe 2-3 years under less than average use I'd say. I did not feel it was worth the money.

              • Loopholio on 27/08/2023 - 09:15
                +1

                @A-mak: Ouch. I must have been lucky with mine or the quality is much lower these days. I think mine cost 30 or $40.

                • defaultess on 27/08/2023 - 23:36
                  +2

                  @Loopholio: I've had my kmart variable temperature glass one for 5-6 years and still going strong. Usually give it a vinegar clean once every 3 or so months.

                  Kettle gets used many times a day.

                  • Loopholio on 28/08/2023 - 18:07
                    +1

                    @defaultess: That's good to hear. I had a look at mine and it's branding is confusing.

                    On the front I see:
                    SCHOTT
                    DURAN
                    Germany

                    And on the bottom:
                    homemaker
                    Made in China

                    • defaultess on 29/08/2023 - 22:33
                      +1

                      @Loopholio: On the front that is who makes the glass. Schott is the German company & I'm pretty sure Duran is the type of glass that is used in the kettle, likewise i assume the glass is actually made in Germany. It's the same glass that's used in more expensive kettles like the Breville.
                      The kettle electronics and the rest of it would have been made and assembled in China.

              • terrys on 27/08/2023 - 11:35
                +1

                @A-mak: I've got a Morphy Richards kettle that came of an Op-Shop discard table that needed a boil-up with half a lemon added to clear unsightly staining and build-up from Adelaide water in the sight-glass and the inside base.

                That was nine years ago.

                I use only ceramic filtered rainwater, as our local hard water cuts these thing out quite quickly - we get 8 years warranty on water heaters that are elsewhere offered with w 30 year one, but most importantly, I never, ever drain it entirely and leave it standing for even a short while without re-filling it with cold water after use.

                The residual heat in the element (yes, there still is one in there, not a mini induction coil beneath a plate) can and will cook them out if the jug/kettle left dry immediately after boiling.

            • terrys on 27/08/2023 - 11:28

              @Loopholio: Don't try this in Adelaide unless you have a really top-notch hard water filter or filter your own rainwater…

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/08/2023 - 16:48

        @HanaLF please confirm

  • Tee Rex Arms on 25/08/2023 - 15:40
    +2

    Is your home insurance up to date?

    • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 15:47

      Yeah, but I'm worried.

  • MS Paint on 25/08/2023 - 15:54
    +16

    There's plenty of kettles in Australia designed for the Aussie market. Just buy one of those. FFS.

  • scrimshaw on 25/08/2023 - 16:06
    +8

    Appliances that have an exposed metallic surround or skin such as a stainless steel kettles, a fridge, washing machine etc. all need to be earthed by Aussie electrical standards, since earthing prevents you from getting zapped as there's an alternate path the electricity can take.

    https://www.weisselectrical.com.au/electrician/news/NewsArti…

    Some appliances won't need grounding. e.g your cheap plastic fan from Kmart since it's already insulated.

    Appliances that are not grounded will have 2 pins. Those that are grounded have a third vertical pin

    • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 17:36

      Thank you for providing such a detailed explanation.
      This is exactly why I had reservations about purchasing it.

    • TheOtherLeft on 26/08/2023 - 17:46

      100% agree with this regarding metal body appliances needing the third/earth pin, as explained to me by a sparky cousin.

  • AustriaBargain on 25/08/2023 - 16:27
    +5

    If you're going to lose sleep over it you may as well treat yourself to an expensive kettle made to Australian standards and sold in Australia.

    • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 21:11

      I'm also thinking the same way.

  • djsweet on 25/08/2023 - 16:35
    +1

    It will be almost as safe as if it were used in China (same mains voltage). A slight risk increase introduced by using a travel adapter. This can be mitigated somewhat by buying a quality adapter. However, the item may not be as safe as a kettle designed for and marketed to the Australian market which meets Australian Standards.

    • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 21:15

      The seller mentioned that they would include an Australian adapter, but I have doubts about its safety. That's why I posted a question here, and now I'm leaning towards not making the purchase.

  • c64 on 25/08/2023 - 16:40

    i would guess a kettle is supposed to have a 3rd pin for earth (dealing with water and all). does the original plug have an earth pin? appliances which are double insulated don't need an earth pin (and should have the double insulated symbol on them)

    • BreadTwo on 25/08/2023 - 21:06

      Thank you for your comment.
      I'm not very familiar with the product details, so I'm hesitant about making the purchase. I think I'll need to search for other products before deciding

  • The Value on 25/08/2023 - 18:40

    https://www.kmart.com.au/product/1.7l-cordless-kettle-419893…?

    $7.50

    I use mine twice a day, every day. At least 3 years old.

  • MeesusEff on 25/08/2023 - 23:00
    +1

    Bought mine 4-5 years ago to make baby formula with, came with the original plug head (upside down Aussie?) I just plug it in directly and it hasn't caught fire… Yet? 🙃

  • bargaino on 26/08/2023 - 01:09
    +1

    If the kettle does not come with an I-type plug, just drop in to Bunnings and get one. For bonus warm & fuzzies, it is perfectly legal to change a plug.
    Not safe to use an adapter with a kettle.

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/deta-10a-clear-plug-top_p4430408

  • cannot help myself on 26/08/2023 - 08:24
    +1

    I've used a Xiaomi kettle with an adapter for years and it's been great. However, it is plugged into a power board inside one of those cable tidy power board boxes so it doesn't get knocked :)

  • Easyteas85 on 26/08/2023 - 10:00
    +1

    Kmart have a fully stainless on for about 30 dollars

  • 82norm on 26/08/2023 - 10:00
    +1

    All this for a friggin kettle. How do you go when it comes to buying a toaster?

  • Dslrfirst on 26/08/2023 - 10:05
    +1

    Make sure the adaptor is voltage & current rated at the very least equivalent to the kettle's ratings.

  • BreadTwo on 26/08/2023 - 14:52

    While searching for an electric kettle that doesn't use any plastic, I came across the Xiaomi kettle being sold on an Australian website, and it seemed promising. I posted a question here to ask whether it's safe or not. Some people have kindly provided helpful answers, but there are also those who question why I'm considering such a product. It's a bit disappointing to see such comments when people have different preferences and desires. Everyone's tastes are different, and seeing such responses can be a bit disheartening.
    Once again, I want to express my gratitude to those who provided helpful comments.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/08/2023 - 17:51
      +1

      While searching for an electric kettle that doesn't use any plastic ….

      I understand why you would want a kettle with no internal plastic but no plastic whatsoever is gonna be impossible.

    • terrys on 27/08/2023 - 11:45

      The handle and the base are going to be plastic. For stainless that is stainless steel rather than the more ubiquitous stainless china, I can recommend this:

      https://www.kitchenwarehouse.com.au/product/morphy-richards-…

      (The cheapest I could find, and less than the big green shed or the furniture shop that also sells things that plug in.)

      Its filter is plastic mesh, however the only purpose I see in that is for people who don't look at what they are putting in it, or to filter out any mineral nodules that may precipitate depending on what Adelaide water a person it getting this week. Mine came without one, however I take a lot more care with what I put into the kettle than I need to do with what it is made of - provided it is stainless or glass.

  • Spam3000 on 27/08/2023 - 13:21

    Bought one from Aliexpress before, it came with a 3-pin CN plug, it's upside down compared with AU plugs.

    https://www.gizmochina.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/201611…

    Earth-leakage circuit breakers are recommended anyway.

  • Tenebrae on 28/08/2023 - 09:36

    Have you considered ditching the electric kettle entirely and buying a stovetop kettle? Much simpler appliance, plenty of product options available (especially if you don't mind made in China), and if you have an induction cooktop it's more energy efficient.

    Stovetop kettles generally don't have a mesh filter at the spout and also have a much longer lifespan than electric kettles (since they are a much, much simpler design) so significantly reduce your contribution to landfill.

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