Uh we do.
Why don't Americans use electric kettles?
Submitted 3 weeks ago by mesamunefire@piefed.social to videos@lemmy.world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMMTVVJI4c
Comments
scarabic@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
SCmSTR@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Yeah even with our slow, low wall-voltage, having a dedicated boiler is fucking nice. Takes up some counter space, but it’s worth it.
Cocoa, tea, coffee, whatever - it’s nice. And the vibe is nice.
phoenixz@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
I thought for a second that you said you boiled coca cola
billbasher@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Agreed, works well for serving dried oatmeal to a table as well - the bottom doesn’t get quite as hot as a stove kettle or microwaved container.
Most of my friends have electric kettles. I like a nice pot of tea or french press of coffee / yerba mate yet I still have an auto espresso machine.
BradleyUffner@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yep. I’ve got 2. One in the house for hot chocolate, and one in my woodshop for um, woodshop things.
scarabic@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’m also a woodworker. What do you use a kettle for out there? Mixing your own shellac or wax something?
just_another_person@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
We…do.
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 3 weeks ago
120v vs 220v
scarabic@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’d love it if someone would market a 240V kettle for the US. I’d install the 240 line for it. I mean I use the damn thing multiple times per day, more than my stove, and that has a 240 line.
Still. I’m not convinced it would make a major difference. Like I said I have a 240V induction stove and I have experimented with how fast I can boil water on that thing in a suitable pot or kettle, versus the 120V electric kettle. It is not a big difference. We’re taking a few seconds.
In the winter months when we’re drinking lots and lots of warm beverages we plug in the Zojirushi hot water carafe and have hot water all the time, instantly. It does consume some energy to keep it hot all the time, but it’s well insulated and we use a timer to turn it off at night and then on again in time for morning wake-up. Eliminates the wait entirely.
Sludgeyy@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
You should look into getting a hot/cold water dispenser for your sink. Easy to DIY install.
They consume ~40w per hour. Where I live it is 15 cents per kwh. That’s .006 per hour, .15 per day, or 55 dollars per year.
Instant hot/cold water whenever you want it is nice.
Starting from room temperature water to near boiling takes a ton of energy. I don’t know if keeping it hot for 8 hours takes more electricity than starting it back up in the morning.
But you’re probably paying half the $55 in electricity right now for the Zojirushi.
Id pay $25 dollars a year to have instant hot and cold water (even filtered if you wanted) on tap 24/7. Especially if I were like you and used it multiple times a day.
You only need a 120v outlet.
GladiusB@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Does nobody just microwave water?
GreenKnight23@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have a small cast iron kettle that I usually microwave.
it makes spicy water.
beastlykings@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Jokes aside, you can microwave small smooth metal vessels. Like mixing bowls and such.
Do so at your own risk, if it doesn’t specify that it’s microwave safe.
But you can buy ones that specifically say they are microwave safe. It just means they’re extra smooth, nowhere for charges to accumulate or concentrate. Might have something to do with it’s size too, not being resonant at 2.4ghz, but don’t quote me on that part.
Useful if you don’t want to take leftovers out of the plastic container first, and if you’ve had glass explode on you before.
Hawk@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
I’d rather not because of the obvious dangers
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The conditions for that to happen are quiet rare. Not worth worrying about.
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
My wife does. I have a thing for using a kettle on the oven.
simplejack@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have a nice electric kettle that I use for pour over coffee, but my morning tea, I just nuke a tea bag in water for a minute and a half, and move on with my morning.
I’m great in the AM. I just want caffeine.
mic_check_one_two@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
You microwave the water with the tea bag already in it? At least drop the bag in after microwaving…
joel_feila@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I would but I have a rather small one. I used to at my old house microwave the tea water.
kmartburrito@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I use them all the time! Unfortunately though our power system uses 120v and not 240v so our kettles aren’t as effective here. Still, MUCH more effective than boiling on the gas or electric stovetop/range.
Ironically it was after I spent time in Europe for work in the early 2000s that I picked up on this and bought one for my house. Now with my family of four, we use them regularly.
DmMacniel@feddit.org 3 weeks ago
Uhm your link points to the same video by Alec as the OPs link. Just saying :)
kmartburrito@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Ha, I totally missed that, thanks. I just got excited about the subject and didn’t watch the video.
ADTJ@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
I’m curious since you guys still use 240V for washer, dryer, cooker, EV charger, etc. Could you legally install a 240V socket (with a different plug type) and use an appliance from a 240V country?
I get it would probably be overkill for a kettle alone but I’m curious why it’s only common for some things. Is it regulated, like do devices need a special approval to be allowed to run 240V in US?
kmartburrito@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Nope, it generally is not a good idea to try that. It might possibly work, but European power typically runs at 50hz (50 cycles per second) and the US is designed at 60hz. This small difference can mean that a European device would operate more quickly than designed. This is especially an issue with devices that have internal timers or motors.
Also, we have different plugs in the US for our 240v appliances, which would mean an interesting plug adapter situation.
So it could possibly work, or it could break the thing, or start a fire. Generally not for the faint of heart and definitely should consult an electrician.
AA5B@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It’s perfectly legal to install a 240v outlet. They’re most common for electric stoves and dryers, but you also see them for machine equipment in a garage or workshop, air conditioners, electric heaters. There’s no reason you couldn’t have one in a kitchen.
Finding an appliance to use it might be different. Not only would an appliance for another place be designed for different electrical system (eg 50Hz instead of 60 Hz) but there would be none of the typical certifications and it would have a different plug. Technically there’s nothing stopping you, but you’re probably past the threshold of plausible deniability.
That being said, it was tempting!
joel_feila@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
the legality would depend on code and regardless of voltage we do have 60 htz not 50 htz. That would only matter if there was a clock in the device. You also need to make the wire in the wall can handle it. Fun fact a lot of cheap device with times use the electrical frequency to keep time. That could also lead to wearing down of some parts faster.
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 weeks ago
We do? I’ve had one for over a decade
LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Use it all the time, but rarely for tea. Boiling a few eggs last night. Half the water in the electric kettle, half in the pot on high, join half way through to speed up the process. Making ramen, kettle. There is always some reason I find it useful.
NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Why do people think we don’t use these? Almost everyone I know has one.
Numenor@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
No you don’t, the justice department found no evidence of kettle use
slate@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Case closed! Wrap it up everyone. Pay no attention to the single missing page in the Walmart catalogue submitted as evidence.
NotASharkInAManSuit@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have a kettle sitting on my counter right now for use, along with my coffee maker and the MLK files.
kalkulat@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Three reasons I can think of.
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Americans don’t drink much tea. And soo…
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Not many stores carry electric kettles.
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Microwave tea.
simsalabim@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
[deleted]MajorasMaskForever@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Uhhhhhh did you watch the video?
He goes to great lengths to point out that it isn’t an efficiency problem, and despite US residential standard outlets being 120VAC dedicated electric kettles are still the fastest way to boil water given other appliances (though induction cooktops are closing the gap).
The biggest reason dedicated electric kettles are not popular in the US is because we’re either boiling water for cooking some meal (pot is already on the stove so why bother with another appliance) or we’re making coffee. And the vast majority of coffee makers over here have the exact same circuitry and heating elements as an electric kettle. It’s just not standalone
joel_feila@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
yeah most homes in the usa have a coffee maker, microwave but no need for a kettle
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Deflated0ne@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’m Americwn and I use one. It’s great.
Got into French press coffee a few years ago and bought one.
AA5B@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Same here. Got it for French press coffee for me and hot cocoa for the kids.
Realistically I rarely use it and I really can’t claim it saves noticeable time but it’s so simple and and cheap an appliance that i consider it well worth it
ButteryMonkey@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
Same. I bought the kettle for tea but I’m not really big on tea. I’ve used it to make big batches for beer brewing, but not a lot for individual cups of tea. Now I have the French press and use it daily.
Cornpop@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
We do? I have one. Know lots of people that have them. They sell them at Walmart for like 20 bucks.
mesamunefire@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
I think certain regions of the US do have them and others do not at all.
For example, where I am at, I have only met one other person in real life that has one. But I do hear about a lot of my friends on the east coast having them. Dunno.
Cornpop@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’m east cost as well. So you might be on to something there.
neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I…what? I do, most of my friends do. They’re amazing.
Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
120V vs 240V.
One has much more power available to achieve the same in a different time.
For example: I can easily boil 0.5L to 100°C of water in about 2-3min.
And the kettle is rated for 2kW.neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
That’s very true. With that said, I still find 110v kettles to be pretty fast for my needs. Especially if just making a single cup.
joel_feila@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
actually that the why they are slower. most plug in devices in the usa are limited to 1.5 Kw. weather you used a 120v or 240v current it would just change how many amps it draws
Cornpop@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Voltage is only half of the equation. It’s wattage that determines how fast a kettle can boil water, but the UK does generally have higher wattage kettles than the USA. Most are 1800 here in the us, while they can be up to 3000 in the UK.
growsomethinggood@reddthat.com 3 weeks ago
The niche coffee scene in the US uses them, they are excellent for pour overs, French press, etc. But they are not widely popular since dedicated coffee machines are most commonly used.
AA5B@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
For anyone concerned about the quantity of plastics you consume, coffeemakers have a lot of plastic but kettles do not.
scarabic@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
My electric kettle has plastic parts. Also my pour over funnels are plastic. This is not a meaningful distinction between the two.
Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 weeks ago
Because we have microwaves.
SocialMediaRefugee@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Too much clutter on my counters already. I can just leave the kettle on the oven.
SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 3 weeks ago
I use an induction kettle on the induction stove top in Australia (240v).
Fizz@lemmy.nz 2 weeks ago
What does this mean? Are you talking about a Whiteley kettle on a normal stove?
SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 2 weeks ago
Sort of, don’t have the whistle part, so annoying.
Funky_Beak@lemmy.sdf.org 3 weeks ago
Australian looking bewildered with their kettle and microwave I like making a cup of tea while I reheat my lunch.
not_woody_shaw@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Do Americans have multiple microwaves?
mbfalzar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 weeks ago
I’m an American, and yes, I have two.
One of them is a cheap $30 one we bought when we moved in and needed to heat meals from frozen because we didn’t have pots and pans yet, and it’s now in its box in the storage closet as a backup in case our good microwave breaks, but I do have two
KarlHungus42@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I think the better question is; why is there a weird stereotype in Europe that Americans don’t use these? We have one and just about everyone I know who regularly drinks tea does as well. It might not have been as prevalent a decade ago, but these are extremely common now.
CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I’ve used one for ages, it especially helps when boiling water on the stove. I heat it in the kettle first and then pour it in the stove pot. So much faster!
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 3 weeks ago
But one more thing to own, store, manage, for a little convenience.
I can boil 2 cups of water in the microwave in 5 minutes. Or 4. Takes about the same amount of time.
not_woody_shaw@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Five fucking minutes OMFG. Just get a 240V outlet in the kitchen so you can plug in a proper kettle.
CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
First of all there are real risks to boiling water in the microwave, but I get why most people ignore them. Second of all, not ALL of us have microwaves (I don’t), third of all, it’s not “one more thing” if it’s an appliance used every day for multiple reasons. You seem to have an odd hate towards kettles.
psx_crab@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
Power usage might be different though.
Sendpicsofsandwiches@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
Because nobody fucking told us about them! I just got one last year and it’s been amazing!
LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Safer for kids as well. They don’t stay on and apparently people say water without something breaking the surface tension can pop in the microwave when you go to pull it out (never had it happen to me, but I have only tried a handful of times in my life… always had a teapot or electric kettle). … Or a pot. I used to just throw the teabags in a pot and pour it into a pitcher / cup after
NatakuNox@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Now coffee drinkers than tea
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Mainly lack of marketing I think. When I went to England a few years ago they were everywhere. I bought one as soon as I got home.
2piradians@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I do. And my kettle boils water faster than the electric stove.
So when I boil larger quantities of water I prefer to boil ~2/3 in the kettle and 1/3 on the stove with a lid on for max speed; my time rarely feels more wasted than when I’m waiting for water to boil.
I also use the kettle for hot drinks, of course. I’ve kept one since I lived in the UK.
JcbAzPx@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The thing we use hot water for the most is coffee, which has its own device. For the few times we would need it for something else we either use the stove top kettle we inherited from grandma or the microwave.
Having said that, it’s not like electric kettles don’t exist here. They seem to be becoming more popular.
ABetterTomorrow@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
I do, buy metal not plastic.
Rentlar@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
They are not universal but reasonably popular in Canada.
Zahille7@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Cause I’m not cooking noodles backwards
buzz86us@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I have an induction Cook top just seems to be a waste.
Cornpop@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I switched to induction and could not be happier. Love that thing. So much power, instant temp control like gas, low fire risk. I recommend induction to everyone.
aceshigh@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I bought an electric kettle as soon as I left home. I had one in college.
Crispycrebs@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
110v power takes forever. 240v in europe is much quicker.
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.
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.
Aurenkin@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
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.
ggtdbz@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 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)
BeardedBlaze@lemmy.world 2 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.