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Pete C. Pete C. is offline
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Default Electric Kettle?

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> Tracy wrote:
> >
> > I saw in the small appliances thread that some use an electric kettle
> > instead of the traditional stove top type. Just wondering why you
> > prefer the electric version. I am thinking of getting one myself.
> > Brand recommendations?

>
> Maybe it is a cultural thing. Everyone I know uses en electric kettle,
> except my brother's neighbour, whose wife is American. The neighbour's
> daughter ruined my brother's kettle when she was asked to heat up some
> water, filled the electric kettle, put it on the stove and turned on the
> burner :-)
>
> I have tried stove top kettles and find the electric models much faster to
> heat up. They are pretty well contained and the heating element is
> immersed in the water so there is less heat wasted into the air. Most of
> them have automatic switches to shut them off after the water has boiled
> for a few seconds.


It's not cultural, it's practical. Your UK electric kettles are about
twice the wattage of the US due to your 240V power, so the US version is
slower than dirt and therefore not popular.

The US alternative is the built in instant hot water dispenser, usually
mounted at the sink, which is hardwired to a 240V circuit as well as the
water supply, and provides as much near boiling water as you want,
whenever you want, without having to fill a kettle.