Uh we do.
Why don't Americans use electric kettles?
Submitted 6 hours ago by mesamunefire@piefed.social to videos@lemmy.world
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMMTVVJI4c
Comments
scarabic@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
ABetterTomorrow@sh.itjust.works 51 minutes ago
I do, buy metal not plastic.
Durandal@lemmy.today 6 hours 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 6 hours 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 5 hours 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.
kmartburrito@lemmy.world 3 hours 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 2 hours ago
Uhm your link points to the same video by Alec as the OPs link. Just saying :)
Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 5 hours ago
120v vs 220v
scarabic@lemmy.world 1 hour 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 17 minutes 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.
NatakuNox@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
Now coffee drinkers than tea
TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 hours ago
We do? I’ve had one for over a decade
LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 5 hours 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.
Deflated0ne@lemmy.world 6 hours 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 4 hours 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
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 4 hours 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.
Kolanaki@pawb.social 6 hours ago
Because we have microwaves.
growsomethinggood@reddthat.com 6 hours 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 4 hours ago
For anyone concerned about the quantity of plastics you consume, coffeemakers have a lot of plastic but kettles do not.
scarabic@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
My electric kettle has plastic parts. Also my pour over funnels are plastic. This is not a meaningful distinction between the two.
Funky_Beak@lemmy.sdf.org 5 hours 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 5 hours ago
Do Americans have multiple microwaves?
mbfalzar@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 hours 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
CuddlyCassowary@lemmy.world 5 hours 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 5 hours 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 5 hours ago
Five fucking minutes OMFG. Just get a 240V outlet in the kitchen so you can plug in a proper kettle.
Sendpicsofsandwiches@sh.itjust.works 6 hours ago
Because nobody fucking told us about them! I just got one last year and it’s been amazing!
LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world 5 hours 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
AA5B@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
At one point many years ago, there was an fad for a “hot shot” small appliances. I guess it’s a similar functionality to a kettle but with more moving parts. It disappeared as quickly as it appeared though.
Holy crap, they still exist!
kmartburrito@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
I have one too! It’s super old but works amazingly for small things like individual cups of tea or hot chocolate for the kids. Got it as a white elephant gift that someone thought was a joke. I was super excited to get it. We have several kettles too.
AA5B@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Wow, exactly as I remember it … from decades ago!
NataliePortland@lemmy.ca 4 hours ago
My mom still uses hers. It’s great.
AA5B@lemmy.world 3 hours ago
So does my mom, but hers is really ancient.
I used to like them but since I got the kettle, I prefer
- more convenience for multiple cups or for ramen, more flexibility
- no plastic to drink
- fewer moving parts
- easier to empty, dry, put away
- it looks cooler
Zahille7@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
Cause I’m not cooking noodles backwards
Rentlar@lemmy.ca 5 hours ago
They are not universal but reasonably popular in Canada.
SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 23 minutes ago
I use an induction kettle on the induction stove top in Australia (240v).