To refuse to let my MIL bring her own kettle when she visits?

[BiscuitHammer]

Bit of a silly one maybe but it’s causing actual rows so here goes.

MIL is coming to stay for the weekend (joy) and she’s announced she’s bringing her own kettle because apparently ours “tastes funny”. I genuinely don’t know what that even means?? It’s just a normal Breville one from Argos. She says she can “taste the plastic” and it “ruins tea” which is ridiculous because we’ve had it over a year and no one else has ever complained.

I told her she’s being dramatic and she got in a strop. DH is now saying I should just let her bring it to keep the peace but I think it’s rude. Like sorry but turning up at someone’s house with your own appliances is a bit much isn’t it? What next, her own toaster? Portable shower?

I get she’s particular about tea (she only drinks loose leaf and swears PG Tips gives her headaches) but still. We’re not a bloody hotel.

AIBU to put my foot down and tell her to use ours or not bother?

(For context she also once brought her own pillow and sugar. Make of that what you will.)

YABU. It seems really petty to stop her bringing her kettle. Some people are a lot more sensitive to taste than others. When I was pregnant I couldn't drink tap water because I could taste something in it. The water from my DHs home town is also different so I've always had to have bottled there. Just let her enjoy a cup of tea.

Microplastics. I would refuse water boiled in plastic too. Yuck.

I'm on her side, plastic kettle's are rank, they do affect the water quality. I always take a travel kettle when i go away, it makes me happy 😀

You clearly don't like her. I doubt she could do anything right in your eyes

Would you not just not drink tea at that persons house? Say you're fine with your bottle of water. I am really hoping that is limescale floaters.

She’s not a guest-she’s a member of the family. If a family member can’t enjoy a cup of tea in your house that really is a bit shit. It’s OK to tease her about it a bit, though!

Meh, I’d let her crack on. What harm is it doing you?

Yes I limit my tea drinking, but it's somewhere I visit a lot.
My relative did admit that perhaps they were doing water softener additive wrong!

I agree, some plastic kettles make the water taste odd, not all, but a few. I thought it was our water, but having switched to a stainless steel stove top, the tea tastes so much better.

The damage has already been done, OP. You've told her she's being dramatic; she took offence. I can't see that the visit will be enjoyable for any of you now and that will be entirely down to you.

I agree with most.

YABU.
This would be a really odd hill to die on.

I mean, personally I think she sounds bonkers, but I can't see any reason to not just roll your eyes and let her make herself look bonkers.

Oh look yet another ridiculous thread where the OP never returned 🙄

Of course some kettles are not plastic. Mine is not.

My eyes would be rolling out of my head, but I would grin and bear it. She’s not hurting anyone.

I started taking my own travel kettle (sometimes) and instant coffee (always) on trips.

In the US instant is not really a thing so I went on a a tasting adventure to find a good one. I lost count of how many I sampled! I can’t abide by weak coffee and the crap in hotel rooms is generally vile stuff.

I’ve also learned that I can’t trust friends or family to have decent coffee (one good friend only has the flavored kind (hazelnut or vanilla or the dreaded caramel abomination).

I now have my trusty packets of Death Wish coffee with me wherever I go. And if appropriate I have my cute little expandable kettle.

Let her bring her kettle she will probably then realise your kettle is fine but there is a different water type

Yeah this wouldn’t bother me. Pick your battles. Least she’s not wearing out your kettle

I'd just let her. Who cares? It's probably the water that tastes different to be honest but let her bring her own kettle and see.

I would just let her. I do the same thing. As someone with ASD I have a very sensitive mouth and nose. She obviously can taste something that you can’t. Don’t be offended. She probably feels a bit awkward about it already, but it obviously affects her so much she feels the need to bring her in kettle. Just be accommodating

YABU. I don't see the big deal, and you can't really tell her what to pack or not anyways.

I'd honestly just smile/laugh and let her bring it. In fairness to her, other peoples tea can taste different and sometimes it can be down to the kettle.

I am exactly like your MIL and if anyone refused to let me bring my kettle, I would just not go.

It's an ASD sensory thing and she can do literally nothing about it. If you can't cope with her kettle, you just don't get visits.

FWIW PG Tips gives me a headache too.

Same. I completely agree.

Let her bring it then do a controlled kettle trial - boil both kettles (without her being in the room) and make 2 cups how she likes it and see if she can tell the difference.

If she refuses I'd be citing 'kettle roulette' every time I made the tea - just how good is her tea 'nose'?

(I'm being mean, I will take my own pillow on holiday and am fussy about tea)