- cross-posted to:
- test@lemm.ee
- cross-posted to:
- test@lemm.ee
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For a single mug microwaves are quicker in America. Potentially even for 2 mugs.
BUT in America kitchen appliances have a power limit (usually) of 1,500W. This is usually higher than a standard microwave (1,000W). And since an electric kettle in America is just a heat source in water, it’s very efficient. So if you’re regularly heating multiple mugs worth of water, or just boiling water for cooking often, an electric kettle is definitely better. They are also pretty cheap.
Now in Europe and the UK, electric kettles are faster since they can often be around 3,000W or higher. But that doesn’t mean American kettles are useless. American kettles a way faster than heating water on the stove. And WAAAY faster than heating water on a gas stove.
I love my electric kettle. I can get 5 cups of boiling water in about five minutes (less for less water).
And while a microwave is likely faster, it also heats the container. For a quick, single mug, it’s not an issue. Run that thing for five to heat a lot of water, and the container itself could be scorching hot.
I prefer the kettle every time.
Why wouldn’t a microwave in the UK also be 3000W? Maybe it would instantly vaporize water and kill you when you open it?
It sounds like the issue is that UK may have weak microwaves compared to their kettles.
It would burn your food. Microwaves heat the outermost layer that contains water. That heat conducts inwards. It’s the same reason you don’t bake everything at 500F.
I’m not supposed to bake with oven’s self clean feature?! Huh
I call it Basque Chicken
They absolutely do. Many microwaves in the UK are about half the power of built in American microwaves. (Portable/countertop microwaves are extremely common, being around 700-800W usually)
I genuinely can’t tell if this is a joke or not , but I really hope it is because its so perfect
I had a fucking chemistry teacher who told the class that microwaved water was different (and linked to cancer)
The water itself doesn’t care (to my knowledge). The container on the other hand…
That’s why you should use metal bowl
Right! Let’s microwave all our food and drink in plastic! No harm when all the BPA and garbage leaches into it.
“Plastic in every testicle they tested…” once again comes to mind!
Though it also has the potential to flash boil. https://youtu.be/0JOxuS0SBHc?si=BnKVZWw5xcjalQy_
So be careful out there.
Being careful in this case meaning don’t boil distilled water in the microwave.
It’s quicker if your electricity is a feeble 110v and not a mighty 240v.
Induction cooktop master race. Both 'merica and 240V, boils water fast as fuck.
I just got an induction and everything is so fast BUT for boiling water. It’s weird, it’s seems to take way too long. I’m not in America though, if it’s a question of power not speaking American…
Use a different pot. I have a small 2.5L “induction ready” pot that takes significantly longer than my stainless steel 11L to boil, because the former has a steel plate between layers of aluminium, and the latter is fully steel.
Good luck getting your water to the right temp in a microwave without toeing the flashboil line, though.
Lol, only clean water flash boils. Our dirty pipes aren’t a bug, they’re a feature.
Gotta admire this level of foresight, for sure. :)
Chemically yes, physically no. Microwaved water is more buoyant because it has a heat gradient and rarely boils properly. It tends to get superheated and explode rather than boiling.
This is why tea bags float on top of microwaved water but not boiled water.
Tea bags float in my kettle heated water as well. And for the 27 years I lived without a kettle and microwaved my water (maybe 2-3 times a week) I have never even once seen water get superheated and explode.
I use my kettle 3 times before breakfast. So let’s call it 6 times a day assuming I tail off towards bed time. That’s 36 times a week assuming I spend 1 day away from home.
So what has taken you 27 years to achieve, I achieve in 2yrs and 3 months. Or to put it another way - I have 12x as many chances to get just the right conditions to flash boil the skin on my hands off.
American minds cannot comprehend the British commitment to a cuppa.
I thought nearly any trace of minerals essentially reduced the likelihood of superheating down to near zero?
It’s not. The kettle attracts and holds
heavy metalsminerals and lime that would remain in the water of your glazed or glass mug after microwaving.If your water has heavy metals I think you have bigger problems than how you heat it up
You’re right. I meant minerals. Thanks for the correction.
Yeah, but it would taste nasty because my microwave’s minging.
