Voltage isn’t equal to the level of power though, a 110v can provide the same power as 240v. I think tea drinking just isn’t as popular in the US.
Comment on Why don't Americans use electric kettles?
Durandal@lemmy.today 3 weeks ago
Some do, but because of the prevalence of automatic coffee machines and microwaves there isn’t as much of a need outside specialty coffee drinkers.
The argument about speed and convenience doesn’t work in the US because of the outlet voltage as well. The 110-120v outlets don’t provide the same level of power to kettles so they can’t heat up as quickly. If you have a microwave it’s just as fast or faster.
Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
ggtdbz@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
It’s not, but you need over twice the current to supply the same power, and since many safety measures and physical constraints limit the current, it effectively means the power limit is more strict.
This is assuming the same cables and breakers etc being used for both voltage ratings. I know there are specific wiring and connection systems for high amperage stuff in 110v places (probably for some 240v places too, but I’m in a place with notoriously bad electrical everything, fuck if I know)
Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Makes sense, I think you’re right and that the wattage still ends up being lower overall in the US.
BeardedBlaze@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’m in US. It takes roughly 2.5 minutes to reach 200F (coffee), and roughly 3 minutes to reach 213F (tea) and I’m talking 1 liter of water.
Also, good luck fitting 1 liter in most microwaves.
PlzGivHugs@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
He addresses this some. 120v is still a lot faster than boiling water on the stove. Coffee makers are significant, but boiling water in a microwave is generally a bad idea, given the risk of superheating (not that people don’t do it.)
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 3 weeks ago
I have never once (unintentionally) superheated water in a microwave, and I’ve been using them since about 1980.
It just doesn’t happen - there are too many imperfections in our containers, and too many minerals for it to happen much.
I’ve experimented many times, and the reality is you have to work at superheating water in a microwave.
For me, it’s taken things like a brand new Pyrex measuring cup (glass), and filtered water. I can do it with other stuff, but I’ve had to boil/cool it multiple times, something that isn’t really going to happen.
mesamunefire@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
He goes into it in another video on the channel. Almost everyone I know uses a microwave for water.
RBWells@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Huh. I have. Didn’t know what it was, but heated the water, dropped in a spoon and it boiled over aggressively even though it didn’t look like it was boiling.
We do use a kettle, this happened at work - the microwave there was a lot stronger than mine, and I couldn’t get the water to look like it was boiling.
beastlykings@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Same here, happened when I was young. Thankfully I wasn’t holding it in my hand, it was on the counter. I didn’t get burned