Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Kettle bells instead of whistles

Steam spins a wheel with bells on
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The shriek of a whistling kettle is great for getting up in the morning, but exactly the wrong thing at the end of the day.

Many teakettles have a removable whistle. Kettle bells replace that whistle with a little turbine, that rings a chime of bells.

On really bad days, use the steam to spin a Tibetan prayer wheel instead.

Added note: Not a separate kettle with bells instead of whistle; a set of replacement nozzles for a single kettle.

hello_c, Mar 21 2002

Jug with filter & bell indicator... http://www.safe.com...?dept=KA&sku=72648#
...but I'm not quite sure what it does [phoenix, Mar 22 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

A slightly less modern version... http://www.teasmade.com/history1.htm
...with Rube Goldberg overtones [phoenix, Mar 22 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

Rocket kettle http://www.goodeats...pment/EquipGtoL.htm
Two brass rockets orbit the kettle when the water boils. It makes kind of a hissing and rattling noise. [admin: no longer sold by Barklay's; scroll to bottom of page for picture.] [StarChaser, Mar 22 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

Candle Chimes http://www.virtualv...com/store/xmas1.htm
Second item down. The heat from the candle flame rises, turning a small rotor which spins the angels, from each of which dangles a small striker, which rings the bells. Use steam instead of heat. [waugsqueke, Mar 22 2002]

Hippo's Silent Dodgy Chimes http://www.halfbake...nt_20Dodgy_20Chimes
[hippo, Mar 22 2002, last modified Oct 04 2004]

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       A better idea - have a small hole in the kettle which blows out steam, which blows a spring-loaded lever so that the other end "dings" repeatedly against a bell.
magnificat, Mar 22 2002
  

       Why is that a better idea, magnificat?
bristolz, Mar 22 2002
  

       At a guess, fewer moving parts?
StarChaser, Mar 22 2002
  

       Better is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
bristolz, Mar 22 2002
  

       This could work on the same principle as candle chimes. (Linky.)
waugsqueke, Mar 22 2002
  

       How about having the steam blow past some Silent Dodgy Wind Chimes? Oh no, wait, that wouldn't work...
Croissant anyway.
hippo, Mar 22 2002
  

       [StarChaser] You made my day. Ordering the Rocket Kettle now.   

       Take it to the next step and link the kettle to the alarm on your wireless watch.
dag, Mar 22 2002
  

       The site with the Rocket Kettle has a carousel (rotating horses!) and train (turning wheels!) as well. Lovely.   

       magnificat: I think metal fatigue would break a spring before it wore out a low-weight wheel. However, for the general case of steam-powered mechanism kettles, a spring-loaded rocker arm (does that count as an escapement?) is a good addition.
hello_c, Mar 22 2002
  

       The carousel I knew about, and was going to post. The train I didn't. <goes and looks> Ok, that's cool. <grin> I wish I drank tea, now...
StarChaser, Mar 23 2002
  

       Yeah, simpler with fewer moving parts, but then I forgot where I was - my idea is far too simple. Carry on.
magnificat, Mar 23 2002
  

       I think the rocker arm deserves a whole 'nother Kettle idea, magnificat, but I wouldn't leap in and do one before you'd had a chance.   

       (Fewer moving parts? A wheel has exactly one moving part; a springloaded rocker has at least two: spring & arm.)
hello_c, Mar 24 2002
  

       How about a web enabled tea pot? The steam blowing through would trip a moisture sensor. A Bluetooth chipset and imbedded microprocessor would transmit a signal to a centralized server to indicate that the tea is done. A thermocouple could also be included. This would allow people to check on the status of their tea using any web capable device. You could also have the tea pot run a quick mass mailing to all of your friends that tea is on.   

       Or how about a tea kettle that sings God Save the Queen. Or that sends an electric shock to your neighbors poodle.
phazed, Mar 24 2002
  

       Checking the links: Just back from the kettlebells, where the nutbusters threw me off so I left in a real hurry, legs crossed. Thanks [PeterSealy]. And the next link is fine if you happen to own a magic kettle. [phoenix] I think the bell refers only to the level indicator (a variation of ball, perhaps?) and I think the teasmade is the answer! [StarChaser] nice rockets, I mean very Flash Gordon-like, very retro, hip and cool. [waugsqueke] I like the idea of finding an alternative use for those little angels. Kudos to you, since I can't give you the croissant! As for [hippo] well, they're silent, 'nuff said.   

       So, to sum up: this idea is baked.
Canuck, Mar 25 2002
  


 

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