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Why don't Americans use electric kettles?

Technology Connections · 5.3M views · 2022-06-01 · 24:55

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Overview

Technology Connections explains why electric kettles are uncommon in the US, centering on 120V circuits limiting power. He tests ways of boiling water on gas, electric ranges and kettles.

On Hacker News

HN cites it constantly in threads on voltage, gas stoves and boiling water as the definitive measured comparison, with the kettle coming out fastest and most efficient.

Recommended by 5 HN people across 5 months · HN mentions 2022–2025

Topics

Power grid, heating & buildingsCooking & food
Search by tags
electric kettle120v vs 240vgas stoveenergy efficiencyboiling water

What people said

gcanyon · 2024-08 · Strong recommendation

Technology Connections did an excellent video on this: [VIDEO] tl;dw -- kettles in the U.S. only take about 4+ minutes to boil a liter of water. So when you say "now" you really mean it.

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andruby · 2025-02 · Recommendation

I don’t know is toaster are close to max power draw, but kettles certainly are. Most places with 240V regularly have 16A sockets, allowing a maximum draw of 3840W of power. That’s the limit. Cheap fast kettles will often draw 3000W and boil 250ml of water at room tempature in 30s. Kettles in the US are often limited to 15A and thus max 1800W (usually 1500W) and take twice as long (60s) Technology Connections has a great video on this: [VIDEO]

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ravedave5 · 2024-01 · Recommendation

Technology connections has a good video on boiling water. If you have a good way to dump energy into the water, it will boil fast. [VIDEO]

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Sources

Video by Technology Connections, played through YouTube.

Data and selection notes

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