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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU? Husband won't use previously boiled water for his tea

188 replies

Frazzlefrazle · 14/01/2021 18:03

Petty light hearted discussion here however I have just boiled the kettle which had already had water in from earlier in the day so not fresh and made a herbal tea. 2 seconds later my husband tips out the hot water and fills it with fresh water and reboils for his Earl grey as apparently it makes the tea taste 'off if it's not completely fresh water! To me this just seemed very wasteful and maybe I have terrible taste but I haven't ever tasted my tea being 'off' so who is right?

YABU - I'm clearly a heathen all these years who drinks terrible tea
YANBU- He's a weirdo

OP posts:
Jakey056 · 14/01/2021 20:03

Thats an awful lot of water that had to get, piped, treated, pumped and cleaned so you could have it in your taps. I'm amazed at the waste. Besides the pandemic have any of you 'fresh water' users thought about your kids or grandchildrens futures in light of climate change? I know its only a tiny thing but in 20 years time this waste will be seen as criminal.
Climate emergency will affect everyone but mostly our kids and will make the pandemic look like a picnic.

maddiemookins16mum · 14/01/2021 20:05

My DP fills the kettle the night before for our first brew. It tastes stale. I always run it fresh.

sbhydrogen · 14/01/2021 20:05

He's definitely right. If the water was boiled ~10 minutes ago, then I'd reboil it and make the tea. And older than that and it's time to tip out the old and bring in the new.

maddiemookins16mum · 14/01/2021 20:06

@Jakey056

Thats an awful lot of water that had to get, piped, treated, pumped and cleaned so you could have it in your taps. I'm amazed at the waste. Besides the pandemic have any of you 'fresh water' users thought about your kids or grandchildrens futures in light of climate change? I know its only a tiny thing but in 20 years time this waste will be seen as criminal. Climate emergency will affect everyone but mostly our kids and will make the pandemic look like a picnic.
Let’s hope disposable nappies are viewed in the same way. Doubt it though.
christmasathomeagain · 14/01/2021 20:07

I'm with you op but my DH would be more like your DH.

Jakey056 · 14/01/2021 20:10

@maddiemookins16mum
I agree. Massive waste too.

Standrewsschool · 14/01/2021 20:12

I never knew people did this!

After making the tea, I would just put more water in so the kettle has water in for the next person. Therefore, there would be fresh water ‘sitting’ on top of boiled water (I guess it all mixes in together).

Stovetopespresso · 14/01/2021 20:15

@Backtoschool101

I only put enough water in for the amount of cups I am making. So I have no idea!
yeah!! its a skill >halo emoji
Keratinsmooth · 14/01/2021 20:18

The good house keeping guide clearly states freshly drawn water, never boil more than once.

Couchbettato · 14/01/2021 20:18

Reboiling water causes evaporation and concentration of any minerals that were in the water. It's why it's also not advised to use twice boiled water for baby formula.

Keratinsmooth · 14/01/2021 20:19

Also always, always heat the pot/cup. Always

QuitMoaning · 14/01/2021 20:30

@Jakey056

Thats an awful lot of water that had to get, piped, treated, pumped and cleaned so you could have it in your taps. I'm amazed at the waste. Besides the pandemic have any of you 'fresh water' users thought about your kids or grandchildrens futures in light of climate change? I know its only a tiny thing but in 20 years time this waste will be seen as criminal. Climate emergency will affect everyone but mostly our kids and will make the pandemic look like a picnic.
I am one of those ‘fresh water’ users and I would like you to explain to me exactly what I am wasting. There is no water waste as most of us, including me, only put enough water in the kettle to make the tea. People who keep reboiling the water are wasting electricity in constantly reboiling the kettle and not using the water but just leaving it in the kettle to reheat later.
Backtoschool101 · 14/01/2021 20:33

@Stovetopespresso mine has cup measures on the side. Grin or I fill a cup with water from the tap. Add slightly more and pour into the kettle. Smile

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 14/01/2021 20:35

I fill my kettle up and re boil it throughout the day to make cups of tea/coffee with. The only time I can tell the difference and that's even on the first cup is when I haven't let the tap run long enough before filling it and it resembles a swimming pool (hard water area)

Kerry987 · 14/01/2021 20:35

Your husband is right.

It is only a waste of water because you boil more than you need. I read something about how much water is wasted because people put far too much water in the kettle, more than they are going to use; I think it was from David Attenborough.

You should only boil what you are going to use

Billben · 14/01/2021 20:37

@Jakey056

Thats an awful lot of water that had to get, piped, treated, pumped and cleaned so you could have it in your taps. I'm amazed at the waste. Besides the pandemic have any of you 'fresh water' users thought about your kids or grandchildrens futures in light of climate change? I know its only a tiny thing but in 20 years time this waste will be seen as criminal. Climate emergency will affect everyone but mostly our kids and will make the pandemic look like a picnic.
Feel no guilt at all. I only ever boil as much as is needed.
BlackDogBlues · 14/01/2021 20:41

It’s fine reboiled for herbal. Though it’s still nicer with fresh.

But with black tea it has to be freshly boiled. And yes I can tell.

PoodleMoth · 14/01/2021 20:42

Your husband is right, also I always tip the dregs out and fill with fresh!

Feedingthebirds1 · 14/01/2021 20:43

For some reason this thread is reminding me of Jeremiah Colman, the founder of Colman's Mustard, who always said he made his fortune out of the mustard people left on the side of their plates.

As you were...

SciFiScream · 14/01/2021 20:48

I HATE reboiled water. It tastes vile. I also hate how my DH will use water that hasn't quite boiled yet.

Only boil enough, always has to be fresh. Tea needs boiling water to brew (that's why you add milk after). Herbal teas may need water that's boiled and cooked down for 2-3 minutes.

jellybe · 14/01/2021 20:49

Got to have new boiled water for my cup of tea. Victoria wood did a tv series about it once. It's something to do with the oxygen and It does definitely taste better.

grassisjeweled · 14/01/2021 20:51

Decisive stuff today on MN 😁

FastFood · 14/01/2021 20:52

@Jakey056

Thats an awful lot of water that had to get, piped, treated, pumped and cleaned so you could have it in your taps. I'm amazed at the waste. Besides the pandemic have any of you 'fresh water' users thought about your kids or grandchildrens futures in light of climate change? I know its only a tiny thing but in 20 years time this waste will be seen as criminal. Climate emergency will affect everyone but mostly our kids and will make the pandemic look like a picnic.
Criminal... Such drama. Just boil enough for one cup, problem solved, grandchildren saved.
Bin85 · 14/01/2021 21:00

Not only not reboiled but freshly drawn from a fast flowing tap that's run for a while!

GabsAlot · 14/01/2021 21:12

56 percent in your favur op