Mounting a liquid heating element plate into a liquid heating vessel

A liquid heating vessel 1 having a metal wall and a heating element plate mounted within the vessel by a mounting means 414; the element plate being sealed 400 into the vessel against a surface separate from the mounting means. The mounting means may be located above or below the surface against which the element plate is sealed. The element plate may comprise a peripheral annular member. The element plate is sealed into the vessel by a seal, which may comprise one or more circumferential fins. The mounting means may be attached to the inner surface of the wall, spaced from the lower end of the wall. The mounting means may comprise an annular component, which may be a split ring. Also included is a cordless optical coupling, a spill-inhibiting means, a removable lid assembly, capacitive level sensing, a user interface, turbulence detection, volume-related temperature sensing, overheating prevention means, a multiple action actuator, pumped circulation through a filter, a packable cordless base, a reduced diameter vessel and a cordless electrical and mechanical rotary connector.