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Why don't Americans use electric kettles?

Technology Connections · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Power grid, heating & buildingsCooking & food

What it is

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.

Why Hacker News recommends it

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.

  • 5 people recommended it
  • 5 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2022, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “Technology Connections did an excellent video on this”

    Shows US kettles take 4+ minutes to boil a liter.

    gcanyon, 2024-08 · Strong recommendation · in “How I got my laser eye injury”

  2. “I found this video on electric kettles vs gas stove efficiency for heating water pretty illuminating too”

    Cheap electric kettle boils water faster with less waste than stovetop.

    philips, 2022-06 · Recommendation · in “Gas stoves are more hazardous than we’ve been led to believe (2020)”

  3. “Technology Connections on YouTube has a good video about how electric kettles are the superior way to boil water”

    Good video on electric kettles being the superior way to boil water.

    jiggawatts, 2022-11 · Recommendation · in “Barilla passive cooker”

  4. “Technology connections has a good video on boiling water.”

    Good video on boiling water fast by dumping in energy.

    ravedave5, 2024-01 · Recommendation · in “Impulse Induction Stove: boils water in 40s and has backup battery for outages”

  5. “Technology Connections has a great video on this”

    Great video on power limits of US versus 240V kettles.

    andruby, 2025-02 · Recommendation · in “The origins of 60-Hz as a power frequency (1997)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: electric kettle, 120v vs 240v, gas stove, energy efficiency, boiling water

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