this post was submitted on 07 Jul 2025
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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.
Edit - also Technology Connections (my favorite nerd out YouTube channel) did a video on this.
And I'm an absolute bonehead for missing that this is the same video as OP posted. Please forgive me for being excited as an American that uses kettles!
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?
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.
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!
I've thought about doing this. In fact, if I ever own or build a house, I'll be adding 240v plugs for exactly this reason. Something like a nema 6-15 or 6-20, with a GFCI breaker in the box to make it (presumably) legal.
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.
You're right about the frequency for sure, most things with an AC motor for example wouldn't handle it.
But a quick search shows people have done this for things like kettles without issue.
For an electric kettle, which is usually a simple resistive load, I'd feel safe plugging it into American 240V60Hz.
Uhm your link points to the same video by Alec as the OPs link. Just saying :)
Ha, I totally missed that, thanks. I just got excited about the subject and didn't watch the video.
Remember Brown is just Orange with context. (Which strangely now has a new context)