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Original poster

Why did the Teasmaid die out?

93 replies

BecomeStronger · 08/12/2020 10:58

Seems such a great idea, my grandparents had one but, as I recall, rarely used it.

An alarm clock that makes you a cuppa? It sounds wonderful, so why was it so short lived?

OP posts:
IsFinnRogersDead · 08/12/2020 11:00

They were very noisy.
Central heating made downstairs less cold. And also made the milk go off. And people got into coffee.

Comefromaway · 08/12/2020 11:00

I had one inherited from my grandparents house.

It was the noisiest thing ever. It hissed and spurted for about half an hour before the alarm went off so woke you up before you needed to be.

Gretnacastle · 08/12/2020 11:02

Central hearing, more efficient kettles (in terms of time to boil and energy used) WiFi kettles you can turn on from bed, and instant boil taps to name a few. Basically just progress

KleinBlue · 08/12/2020 11:03

I once used one when visiting an elderly relative's house -- it sounded like Mount Vesuvius erupting for about half an hour, so the alarm element really wasn't necessary, as you would have to be dead to sleep through the preparatory puffs and gurgles.

LER83 · 08/12/2020 11:03

My mum and dad had one and I remember as a child thinking it was the best thing ever! I really want to get one but can't fathom how to keep the milk fresh!

Anordinarymum · 08/12/2020 11:05

I knw a dreadful joke about a Goblin Teasmaid but I don't somehow think it's appropriate here

VienneseWhirligig · 08/12/2020 11:05

I debated getting one recently but instead I went for a 24 hour thermos flask instead.

Original poster
BecomeStronger · 08/12/2020 11:10

How hot do you all have your bedrooms that milk won't keep for 8 hours?!

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 08/12/2020 11:21

Milk doesn't go off out of the fridge overnight unless your bedroom is about 25C+, which it can't be, especially given the popularity of pyjamas and 10-15 tog duvets on here.

Ozgirl75 · 08/12/2020 11:23

My parents had (have maybe?) one and I had one for a while. Loved it! Yes it was a bit noisy but I’d prefer to be woken up by the hissing and bubbling of water than some BEEP BEEP BEEP shit.
In fact I am literally going to google one now because I can’t think of anything nicer than waking up every day with a cup of tea in bed and although my husband will do that at the weekend, I’m up first in the week.

KleinBlue · 08/12/2020 11:24

@Anordinarymum

I knw a dreadful joke about a Goblin Teasmaid but I don't somehow think it's appropriate here
You know you want to.
thebabessavedme · 08/12/2020 11:26

tell us the joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SlopesOff · 08/12/2020 11:28

I had one. Woke to the sound of gurgling and rattling, then the whoosh of boiling water, turned over and went back to sleep every time. Room was cold so milk was OK. Being woken before I needed to get up didn't work for me.

Some people keep a little One Cup water heater by the bed, individual UHT milk portions or a mini fridge.

BurningGubbins · 08/12/2020 11:31

My Nan had one but her dog used to drink the milk in the night...

Crinkle77 · 08/12/2020 11:32

@BecomeStronger

How hot do you all have your bedrooms that milk won't keep for 8 hours?!
Yeah my mum and dad had one or years. Never had a problem with the milk going off. They did have a problem once when they could hear a tinkling noise. Turned on the light and a mouse was trying to drink the milk out of the cups. The teaspoon was in the cup so the mouse was rattling it as it was trying to get to the milk.
SaskiaRembrandt · 08/12/2020 11:33

@BurningGubbins

My Nan had one but her dog used to drink the milk in the night...
Grin
DaughterOfEvilReindeer · 08/12/2020 11:33

I'm shockingly bad in the morning, I could do with the extra noise to wake me up! I wonder if Argos sell them

TramaDollface · 08/12/2020 11:33

Ok cool x

SnuggyBuggy · 08/12/2020 11:35

Surely they're due a comeback. At least I hope so.

AintPageantMaterial · 08/12/2020 11:48

You can still buy them in Robert Dyas, Argos etc
My parents use one. My dad swears that using skimmed milk is the key to making sure it doesn’t go off overnight.
I honestly don’t see the need but they’ve been using one for about 40 years and would replace it instantly if it broke.
They don’t seem to break that often. They’re probably on their third one.

Brakebackcyclebot · 08/12/2020 11:50

I have one. I love it. I don't use the alarm though. I have it unplugged unless it's in use.

So I prepare last thing at night - fill teapot with water, mugs, milk in a little thermos flask, tea bag. Empty water into the kettle part. Put tea bag in tea pot. When I wake up I just lean over and plug it in.

Hey presto. Cup of hot tea under 5 mins later.

I LOVE IT.

SnuggyBuggy · 08/12/2020 11:52

OK this is going to be my present for when the kids are old enough that I don't have to get out of bed for them.

Brakebackcyclebot · 08/12/2020 11:53

I've had the same one for over 20 years. It's been with me longer than either of my husbands 😂😂😂😂😂😂

x2boys · 08/12/2020 11:56

My Grandparents had one and I think my sister asked for one as a wedding present about 20 years ago🤔the marriage has sadly ended ,not sure if the teasmaid is still going strong.

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