# Electric water kettles are surprisingly useful **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 23, 2013, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731 "2013-03-23T12:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/21 "2013-03-23T18:55:24Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > The damn beeping, apparently. Damn _beeping_ right! ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/22 "2013-03-23T19:06:58Z")
I have some thoughts on kettles in the US. I moved here from Australia. - No, you can’t just boil a cup of water in the microwave. It takes longer, can cause boil overs, and doesn’t brew tea as well; an integral part of the process is pouring the hot water OVER the tea (leaves, bag, ball). Also, boiling is a convenient measure of temperature. Black tea should be brewed very hot, just under boiling point. It’s easier to boil the water and cool it a few seconds, than estimate if your water is nearly boiling. - Because they’re not ubiquitous around here, the models that are available are a bit shit. I’m on my third? fourth? in six years. They’ve failed in various ways, but mostly involving leaking boiling water on my hands. The designs I see are also a bit shit, especially if modeled off a stovetop kettle. The handle shouldn’t be directly over the spout, so when you’re pouring, the steam scalds your hand. Upright models, with a handle on the side, don’t have this issue. - Wussy mains power, yes, makes it take longer than back home. Don’t suppose there’s anything I can do about that one. - Most everyday black tea I encounter here is shit. I buy Dilmah, a common but higher end supermarket brand in Aust, from [amazon.com](http://amazon.com). - I don’t usually drink coffee at home, but when I do, I use a kettle and french press. Why wouldn’t I? No waste (filters to buy and throw out), great result. - Hard water means a regular soak in vinegar. Make sure your somewhat tea-clueless husband doesn’t try to make you tea out of the acidic sludge. _shudder_ ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/23 "2013-03-23T19:11:55Z")
This is so strange to me. I assumed old stovetop kettles were sort of a relic from the past, like you’d see on old timey shows, or maybe the BBC. Now I find that the majority of America uses them and people in Europe don’t? The things I learn… I assumed they were a staple of college experience. How are people making instant ramen these days? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/24 "2013-03-23T19:16:04Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > How are people making instant ramen these days? 1. Put the ramen, seasoning, and water in a small pot. 2. Bring to a boil and let it boil for three minutes. 3. Pour it into a bowl and grab your chopsticks. (Or drain the liquid into a cup and drink it, and mix cheese in with the noodles. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/25 "2013-03-23T19:28:52Z")
I use a Hamilton Beach electric kettle that I bought at CostCo. It sits on a base with the cord, and connects and disconnects by just picking it up and setting it down, so no hassles. As with CostCo’s return policy, I have replaced it once at no additional cost. As far as I’m concerned, I have an electric kettle for the rest of my life. But I am tempted to order a 220 volt one from the UK and install a 220 volt outlet in my kitchen. Since there is no motor involved, the difference in line frequency will not matter at all. ---
**Author:** ![Tamex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Tamex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamex)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/26 "2013-03-24T04:30:10Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > This is so strange to me. I assumed old stovetop kettles were sort of a relic from the past, like you’d see on old timey shows, or maybe the BBC. Now I find that the majority of America uses them and people in Europe don’t? The things I learn… I assumed they were a staple of college experience. How are people making instant ramen these days? Microwave, most likely. I did have a small electric kettle in my dorm room called a “hot pot”, though. My aunt gave it to me. I don’t know anyone else who had one, but I used that sucker a lot. My mother’s been converted to the electric kettle. She has a nice one that is pretty fast, and the handle is even on the side, too. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/27 "2013-03-24T05:39:32Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > 1. Put the ramen, seasoning, and water in a small pot. > 2. Bring to a boil and let it boil for three minutes. > 3. Pour it into a bowl and grab your chopsticks. > > (Or drain the liquid into a cup and drink it, and mix cheese in with the noodles. 😉 ) My version goes: bring water to boil, add ramen, cook for three minutes. Meanwhile, put seasoning in bowl. Drain enough of the cooking water into the bowl to liquify the seasoning to taste (I don’t use very much), drain remaining water into sink. Add drained noodles to bowl, mix, eat. I use a fork, since I’ve never mastered chopsticks. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/28 "2013-03-24T10:46:37Z")
I boil the kettle. Stick hot water in a bowl with the noodles and the flavouring. Stick in the microwave for 2 minutes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/29 "2013-03-24T12:17:59Z")
In my last kitchen remodel, I had an “instant hot” faucet installed. It’s really a small hot water tank under my sink, but it’s always ready, and has just under boiling water. I use a french press for coffee. Time breakdown is: Pour water: 5 seconds Steep in French Press: 3 minutes Pour into mug: 5 seconds Enjoy coffee: …I haven’t timed this step. re: 110 vs 230. We have 220V outlets in the US. They are used for things like clothes dryers and electric ovens. I suppose someone could make a kettle that runs on 220 if they felt like it. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/30 "2013-03-24T13:04:17Z")
> [@Galwegian](#): > > Am I right in thinking that most instant coffee in the US is awful? I use Kenco, and it’s not unpleasantly bitter at all. IMO, most instant coffee is awful, period. I’ve had plenty instant coffee here in the US, and in hotels and offices in the UK, Ireland and Australia, and I’ve found it universally unpleasant. I’ve also had dreadful filter coffee in various places, as well as plenty of good filter coffee. I’ve also had very good as well as badly botched espresso and espresso-based drinks the world over (including Italy!). No country or culture has cornered the market on bad coffee. 😃 ETA - I recently bought some instant coffee from Starbucks to try at home but I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Will it prove the exception to my “instant coffee yuk” rule? Odds are it won’t, but I am going to try it. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/31 "2013-03-24T13:58:55Z")
I’ve found Keurig to be the best coffee for someone alone like me. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/32 "2013-03-24T16:03:26Z")
> [@Motorgirl](#): > > ETA - I recently bought some instant coffee from Starbucks to try at home but I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Will it prove the exception to my “instant coffee yuk” rule? Odds are it won’t, but I am going to try it. I’ve tried it, and it’s not bad. It packs a pretty heavy caffeine punch though, so I just use half the packet. It doesn’t taste like the usual instant stuff, but it’s not something I would drink every morning. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/33 "2013-03-24T16:49:30Z")
Y’all can keep your electric water kettles. I love my [Sunbeam Hot Shot](http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=pd_sim_k_5). ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/34 "2013-03-24T17:07:39Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Y’all can keep your electric water kettles. I love my [Sunbeam Hot Shot](http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=pd_sim_k_5). What’s the advantage of that over a kettle? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/35 "2013-03-24T19:06:32Z")
It was here on the Dope that I learned that not everyone in the world has electric kettles - I’ve always had one, there was always one in the house when I grew up, everyone I know has one. It’s the default here! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/36 "2013-03-24T20:15:15Z")
> [@Turek](#): > > What’s the advantage of that over a kettle? I just find it slightly easier to use. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/37 "2013-03-24T21:28:40Z")
Instant coffee is fine if you think of it as a coffee-flavoured drink, rather than actual coffee. It’s not an offensive drink, just bland. I say that as a coffee snob. Often I’ll choose instant over a dubious espresso. Another advantage of an electric kettle over the microwave: microwaving water heats your container up much more, often to the point where it’s too hot to hold. ---
**Author:** ![kaemicha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@kaemicha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaemicha)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/38 "2013-03-24T21:56:20Z")
I’ve never ever have thought of buying an electric kettle but after reading this thread I realize that I _need_ one. I drink instant coffee and I use a coffee pot that’s programmed and usually runs for well over an hour before I get to it. Also, I drink a lot of tea and I think that using an electric kettle would not just be more efficient but cost effective - as far as electricity goes, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![applebetty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/39 "2013-03-26T02:24:12Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Y’all can keep your electric water kettles. I love my [Sunbeam Hot Shot](http://www.amazon.com/Sunbeam-6131-Water-Dispenser-Black/dp/B000C3QSPQ/ref=pd_sim_k_5). I love my Hot Shot, too. Heats two cups of water to boiling in 90 seconds so I can have tea, coffee, ramen, whatever. It holds the heat well, too, so I start it before I shower, and have a hot drink ready by the time I’ve dried off. I do wish it fit taller mugs, though. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731/40 "2013-03-26T10:09:08Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > It was here on the Dope that I learned that not everyone in the world has electric kettles - I’ve always had one, there was always one in the house when I grew up, everyone I know has one. It’s the default here! Ditto here. A kettle is an essential kitchen appliance, IMO, even before a microwave. Only the fridge and the stove/hotplate is more important. eta: for instant coffee I use Jacobs Krönung or Douwe Egberts [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-water-kettles-are-surprisingly-useful/653731.md?page=3)