A Kug Mug Kettle For Your Kitchen

By Cara

Monday, May 17, 2010, 9:59

Ben Millett (21) and Alan Harrison (22) had come up with a design of a mug for a project at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. The USP of the mug is that it can double itself into a kettle.

Kug, as the mug cum kettle is named, is equipped with a heating element that can boil water in just 90 seconds, to make a cup of tea or coffee.

Millet and Harrison has been tasked with creating a product to help people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. As a part of their project, they spoke to people with rheumatoid arthritis about their day-to-day problems.

It emerged that most people had a problem to even lift a kettle to make tea or coffee. This gave them the idea to make something which is lighter and simpler.

"We looked at the whole process of making a hot drink - from the kettle to putting a tea bag in a cup and filling it with water. And after lots of concepts we ended up with this idea," said Millett.

Using Kug means that there is one less job for people to do while making tea. It is light and thus there is no strain on the wridt, hands and fingers.

The design even won the Arthritis Ireland Easy to Use Design Award.

The Kug comprises two cups. The outer cup contains the heating filament and is plugged into a base, which is powered through electricity. The inner cup, which contains the liquid, can be removed and washed after every use.

"When the water's boils, you just take the cup off the base and enjoy your drink. You can also adjust the temperature to keep the liquid warm.

The device is energy efficient and saves water because you only put the amount you actually need into the cup. It's also portable so you can have it at home or take it in the car with you and have it on your desk at work too.