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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder am I the only one who knows that

59 replies

youllneedthisfish · 27/02/2013 14:54

DP thinks that if you turn the thermostat on the central heating up (25+) the heating will get warm faster (from not being on).

I know this to be true, but he will not have it.

He also puts the oven on at 250º thinking it will reach 200º quicker (then not turning it down and burning everything)

Am I right????

OP posts:

WheresTheCat · 27/02/2013 14:55

[whispers] I do that with the oven.

lovesmileandlaugh · 27/02/2013 14:56

Doesn't it then?

Tee2072 · 27/02/2013 14:57

Why would it get there quicker? It still starts at 0 (I presume) and then has to get hotter and go past 200, for example, to get to 250.

No. It's not going to get to 200 any faster. There is no logic here.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 27/02/2013 14:57

I would imagine both the heating and the oven would reach the desired temps in their own good time........I cannot imagine turning the dial right up will make it get there any quicker.

A watched pot never boils and all that :)

KobayashiMaru · 27/02/2013 14:57

Of course it doesn't. Why would it?

Original poster

youllneedthisfish · 27/02/2013 14:57

what do you reckon? I know why he does it, but I can't logically see how it could possibly work?

OP posts:

Petsinmypudenda · 27/02/2013 14:57

I do the oven thing!

Tee2072 · 27/02/2013 14:58

So you're assuming that turning it to 250 does what, exactly? Sends more power to the element to heat it faster?

Really?

Cluffyfunt · 27/02/2013 14:58

Is it like when some people keep pressing the button at the crossing to make the green man get a move on?

ExitPursuedByABear · 27/02/2013 15:00

Or the lift button I do that

monkeymamma · 27/02/2013 15:06

I do it too. Jez on Peep Show describes it as 'giving it something to aim for' :-)

InNeedOfBrandy · 27/02/2013 15:07

I agree with your dh, IMO it sends more surge or whatever it is because it's hotter or higher so does it quicker. It makes sense to me anyway

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/02/2013 15:14

Until I met him, DH thought that if you put the heat on to 10 degrees (or whatever) it would heat at 10 degrees. Not that it would be 'on' up to 10 degrees then switch off. I don't know how he thought it did that. He's an engineer FFS.

maddening · 27/02/2013 15:25

It depends whether the flame is bigger wouldn't it? Bigger flame would heat things up faster would they not?

I shall ask my brother who is a dr of physics (although I may forget the answer after triggering a lengthy science discussion.)

Bogeyface · 27/02/2013 15:27

In a gas oven it might work as the flame is initially bigger, but not on a electric or central heating.

Tee2072 · 27/02/2013 15:28

Take notes before your eyes glaze over maddening!

Lueji · 27/02/2013 15:35

Yes, you are right.

Heaters usually go to a little above the set temperature anyway, and then turn off.
No need to put it at a higher temperature.

The exception might be regarding where the temperature sensor is.
Say an oil heater with a thermostat in it.
It measures temperature around the heater, so no good to know about the room temperature.

But it should not be a problem with central heating, if the sensor is placed where you are most of the time, or the coldest part of the house.

Lueji · 27/02/2013 15:38

Regarding maddening question,
with a flame, yes, it will heat up faster.
In an oven, you have to wait until it heats up to the desired temperature.
Unless it's very sophisticated, you turn the knob until the desired constant temperature.
So, it may pay off to put it at max for a short while, until it reaches the desired temperature.
As you do with the cooker. Max flame to boil, then turn it down a bit to simmer/just about boils without spilling.

Not the same with electrical heating, because it will just turn on and off.

FattyMcChubster · 27/02/2013 15:40

Oh no, I thought 10degrees would heat at 10..... Not heat to 10 ten turn off...

MrsTerryPratchett · 27/02/2013 15:55

FattyMcChubster there is no need for face unless you too are an engineer.

OkayHazel · 27/02/2013 16:19

My favourite thing its the toaster. 1,2,3,4,5 are not levels of 'toastedness'. They are lengths of time the bread stays in!

Mind. Blown.

Original poster

youllneedthisfish · 27/02/2013 16:21

I don't agree about the bigger flame thing - for instance in the gas central heating surely if the thermostat is triggered to turn on, then the heating will be on, and at the highest flame until it reaches the temperature specified... - so no 'bigger ' or 'smaller' flames.

On the gas hob its true because you are in effect being a thermostat yourself no? - turning it up until it gets to a boil, then turning it to retain the heat at 'simmer'.

Also to clarify in original post - I am on the 'put thermostat on at temp required' camp and not the 'whack it up to max' camp. (reminded of Spinal Tap 'dial to eleven' quote)

OP posts:

Lueji · 27/02/2013 16:21

Yes, and you notice that when you do several toasts in a row, and the second batch burns whilst the first got just right. :)

IsThatTrue · 27/02/2013 16:24

Okay DH ripped the piss out of me for that one!

OkayHazel · 27/02/2013 16:26

IsThatTrue I only clocked when I moved into my first student house, and my friend asked me how well done I wanted my toast. 'Level 4 please'

Oh god.

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