this post was submitted on 07 Jul 2025

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121

Why don't Americans use electric kettles? (www.youtube.com)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 days ago

We...do.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I...what? I do, most of my friends do. They're amazing.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days ago (4 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (5 children)

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

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 days 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.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 3 days ago (9 children)

Does nobody just microwave water?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I have a small cast iron kettle that I usually microwave.

it makes spicy water.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Three reasons I can think of.

Americans don't drink much tea. And soo...
Not many stores carry electric kettles.
Microwave tea.

[+] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 days ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Why don't Americans use electric kettles?

Serves me right, I guess. I went by the thumbnail, remembered him talking about the difference in efficiency due to different voltages and took the wrong information to heart. So, I was wrong :D

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I use an induction kettle on the induction stove top in Australia (240v).

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)