Boiling Point: fascinating facts about kettles in Britain

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[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

As an American who moved to the UK, the electric kettle was one of the very first things I encountered that I hadn't seen before. While much of the world uses electric kettles, many in the US don't (barbaric, I know), so now I'm obsessed, clearly. How many kettles do you own?

[@jillosler9353]

You only need one electric kettle per house - unless it's a multiple-occupancy property for (say) students! It's always kept in the kitchen. I don't know anybody who doesn't have access to an electric kettle??? Maybe people who are permanent cruisers on our waterways or live in their motorhome where electricity isn't 'on tap', or romantics who long for the days of kettles on the stove?

[@carltaylor6452]

Brit here. While I used to own an electric kettle - and everyone I know owns one - I don't drink tea or coffee, so I have a kettle that sits on my gas hob that I use when I need to boil water. It squeals when the water reaches boiling point and steam pressure builds up, so I can safely wander off and do something else. I don't know how common they are in the UK today, but I guess they were the standard before the invention of the electric kettle.

[@garth56]

In the US the electric kettle takes an eternity to boil...Can you guess why???

[@jamesbeeching6138]

1

[@jamesbeeching6138]

There is a special plastic that kettles are made of its called "Polyputhaketylon"!

[@andyalder7910]

A friend wrote to Morphy Richards asking for a replacement element for his kettle because the shops didn't have them, it was so old that they put it in their museum and gave him a top notch new one.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

That is amazing!!!

[@Poliss95]

🤣😂🤣

[@stevemoss7793]

I bet the new one won't last anywhere near as long...

[@julianshepherd2038]

It should be the law that you can replace the element.

[@PeterGaunt]

When I was young (pre-Flood) our kettle had a replaceable element and what's more the electrical shop in our small town kept them in stock.

[@suecox2308]

I'm finding this hilarious--I moved to the UK from the US a year ago and now I don't think I could live without my electric kettle!

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Same (on not being able to live without one now!) Welcome to the UK!

[@mancyank564]

I'm the same. I use my kettle to heat water quickly for all sorts of jobs.

[@rayjennings3637]

You joined the club! A belated welcome, Sue!

[@suecox2308]

@@rayjennings3637 thank you!!

[@jean-lucpicard5510]

It needs to catch on in the states.

[@nevkirkham7657]

Here in Australia I don't think you would find a home without a kettle. That is very rare.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Thank you for sharing, definitely seems a lot more common around the world in many other countries than it does in the USA.

[@kennethgarland4712]

When I lived in Oz for a few years in the 1980's, I found that their electric 'jugs' very disturbingly had the heating element in the water. I presume that the element coil was covered in some sort of shielding material, as I never got electrocuted!

[@dougwilson4537]

@@kennethgarland4712 It is just a coiled heating element, that is nickel plated to keep it from corroding. You used to be able to buy small coil immersion heaters, to boil water in a single cup. Just plop the coil in the cup of water and plug it in. The heating elements are self contained, so no risk of electrocution. (maybe a nasty burn, if you poke at them while they are operating) 😁

[@katrinabryce]

@@kennethgarland4712 British kettles in the 1980s were like that as well. The flat-base rapid boil heating elements became more popular from about the 2000s.

[@raystewart3648]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial Same could be said about Instant Coffee maybe?

[@silveraudi2]

We rented a house in the US and spent an hour trying to find the kettle. When the owner popped round he had no idea what we were talking about and thought boiling a pan of water on the stove top was normal. He also couldn't understand what a washing line is.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Haha! See! Sometimes people comment and don't believe me when I say that many Americans have never heard of an electric kettle but it's true!

[@TukikoTroy]

Actually, it's highly likely that, like me, a lot of British homes will have 2 kettles. The second one being kept in a nearby cupboard just it case the first one develops a fault. I mean, imagine tha panic if your only kettle suddenly stopped working. The say that if a person misses 3 meals they will resort to savagery... reduce that to about ten minutes if we can't make a brew.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Gasp, imagine!!! You're so right. 2 kettles now seems like a necessity...actually I think we have 2 as well, with one in the garage somewhere, as you say, just in case...

[@stewedfishproductions9554]

As a 'camper', I too have two available . The obvious electric kitchen kettle, but also a 'spare' stove top kettle (for taking when camping) and at home in case of emergencies I.e. a power outage or similar! 😂

[@tonys1636]

@@stewedfishproductions9554 Ditto but has to go on an open fire as have an electric cooker. Would be lit during a lengthy outage as gas heating also goes off, as does the water sometimes, filter jug always kept full. Many modern gas cookers/hobs have an electric main gas valve or flame sensor and also won't work.

[@Poliss95]

My electric kettle broke down. Luckily I had a backup.

[@Pippins666]

we have 4 in use, and a couple of old ones as spares

[@josephfoulger9628]

It’s not just us Brits. All over the world people have electric kettles.

[@Phiyedough]

Yes, Americans tend to think UK is weird but actually it is USA that is weird!

[@raibeart1955]

Shuss don't start a kettle shortage😂

[@andyf4292]

its if you have competent electricity coming out of the wall or not

[@chrissmith2114]

It is hard to have an electric kettle when your voltage is 110 volts like USA because while in UK at 240 volts a 3kw kettle can be used with a standard 13 amp plug, while in USA that same kettle would require about 28 amps, which would melt the flimsy electrical plugs in USA.

[@richdiddens4059]

@@chrissmith2114 I have the small Presto electric kettle here in the US and it boils enough water for a 14 oz. mug of tea in about 4-5 minutes. Most large UK style kettles sold here have a minimum fill line at one liter so you have to boil almost 2 1/2 times as much water as you need. Too wasteful.

[@charlieyerrell9146]

Kettles are an essential tool in the kitchen. It is in my kitchen, absolutely essential for making my cup of tea.

[@nicksykes4575]

In the 1980s the British Army was showing off their new Challenger Tanks too the German Army, and the tankies doing the demonstrating trolled the hell out of the Germans by loading the tanks up with all sorts of equipment like microwaves, fridges, TVs, and convincing the Germans it was all standard equipment.

[@Poliss95]

🤣🤣

[@mancyank564]

Squaddie humour is the best!

[@BillDavies-ej6ye]

But they do have a boiler (aka boiling vessel) for tea, heating rations, etc.

[@stumccabe]

One fact that might be relevant is that UK electrical sockets provide more power than US outlets and can hence boil water faster. A UK socket supplies up to 13 amps at 240 volts which is equivalent to 3.1 kilowatts (amps x volts = watts), while a US outlet is 15 amps at 120 volts = 1.8 kilowatts. Most UK kettles are rated at 2.2 to 3 kilowatts.

[@hughtube5154]

Marty McFly prefers 1.21 gigawatts.

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

Most US kitchen outlets are rated for 20 amps, think microwave ovens. There are even 30 amp 120 volt outlets, but they aren't very common. Electric stoves in America are 240 volt and don't have any trouble heating water as quickly as any British electric kettles. An Australian girl here in America used the microwave to heat water for her tea.

[@stumccabe]

@@BrandonLeeBrown I knew that stoves had their own higher power supply, but I didn't know about the 20 amp or 30 amp outlets - I obviously didn't do enough research. I think you are wrong about how long it takes to bring water to the boil on an electric stove compared with an electric kettle and it certainly takes much longer in an average microwave (delivering about 900w compared with at least 2200w).

[@colinbirks5403]

Close. I think most electric kettles in the U.K. use 3 kilowatt elements. Microwaves, a non starter.@@stumccabe

[@wessexdruid7598]

@@BrandonLeeBrown Microwaves heat water (liquid) from the centre out - meaning the temperature gradient varies. It may be close to boiling at the centre, but it's cooler at the edge, meaning when the temperature equalises, it's overall significantly lower than boiling. Tea needs water at 95-98 degC to brew properly.

[@DrDaveW]

Dinorwig power station in Wales (known as Electric Mountain) is a hydroelectric plant that uses surplus electricity (e.g. at night) to pump water up to a reservoir high in the mountains. When I visited there, they explained that they were informed in advance of the times the kettles would be going on. When that is anticipated, they can open the valves, get the water flowing, and generate the extra electricity that is needed. Basically, it's acting like a massive rechargeable battery.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

This is so fascinating, thank you for sharing!

[@wessexdruid7598]

The first major such hydroelectric power station was at Tan-y-Grisiau, Blaneau Ffestiniog, built in 1963. It operates in the same way.

[@tonys1636]

Ireland also uses its now aging hydro plants to match surges, cheaper than importing from UK, also sells it to UK.

[@patrickholt2270]

I visited that power station with the Scouts many years ago.

[@Fercough]

The water is then pumped back to the holding lake at the top, which uses more power than it created to handle the surge.

[@billyhills9933]

Having access to a quick source of boiling water has other advantages. It led on to things like cup-a-soup, pot noodles and instant gravy among others

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Very true! I should do a whole video on pot noodles!

[@phildane7411]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial No, No, NO .. .Dear God, please: no.

[@solentbum]

@@GirlGoneLondonofficial On many trains in China they have a boiling water point in carriages (Cars) for the Pot noodles so beloved by travellers.

[@Pippins666]

I'd say that was a huge disadvantage! I mean, c'mon! Cup a soup! Pot noodles! Instant gravy! No wonder foreigners think British food is crap!

[@WookieWarriorz]

@@solentbum haha its funny when you go to china and see how many things are british inspired. Double this for india i imagine, havent been there yet.

[@martyndeyoung8207]

Glad you mentioned the boiling vessels in our tanks! Britain's secret weapon! :)

[@ianhutchinson1783]

Brit here. Went to live in the USA for 5 years many years back and purchased a US kettle on arrival. Was rated somewhere between 750 and 1000W and took ages to boil off the 120V kitchen counter supply. By the time the UK stuff arrived, which included our UK kettle I had discovered that US stoves run off 240V so a bit of a mod was undertaken, and a 240V 3000W beast roared into life and peace settled over our piece of foreign land. Brewed a pot of tea for the visiting US boss who, on hearing the noise asked, "what the heck is that!?". "A kettle my good fellow", I replied.

[@plonchyvideos7456]

Last time we visited New York, the first thing we did after checking into our hotel was to pop across the road to Dwayne Reade and bought an electric kettle (they had a few different types to choose from) for our stay plus a pack of disposable cups/lids. We brought with our own Yorkshire Tea bags. Can't use it in the UK obviously since it's 120v but it's sitting in my suitcase ready for the next US trip.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Love that you're now prepared!!

[@solentbum]

I find that the small coffee purculator in hotels works quite well with Tea Bags. (I can't stand coffee)

[@peterturner8766]

For those who have not yet visited the US yet, you can buy dual voltage travel kettles in the UK - although you then need suitable adapters (also available in the UK)

[@torfrida6663]

Amusing to hear about our keddles! 😀🇬🇧🇬🇧👍

[@desmo750f1]

I recently discovered that the song "I'm a little teapot" was written by an American and that the original words are different to the various versions in the UK. The reason for this seems to be that the original writer didn't know the difference between a teapot and a kettle, so the song contains the line "when I get all steamed up, hear me shout". UK versions include "when the tea is ready" and "when I see the tea cups". I assume there are regional variants.

[@alanmon2690]

Microwave heating of water is dangerous - -it is possible for the water to be superheated without bubbling but suddenly explode when moved. It happened to me once-.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Yes, this is what I have heard, but Americans still do it!

[@clivewilliams3661]

What happens is that a steam bubble is quickly generated in the bottom of the vessel that then suddenly expands to the top forcing whats above it at near boiling point out. This happens very frequently with microwaves and I forget how many times this has happened to me with a mug of soup - covers are vital

[@andyalder7910]

@@clivewilliams3661 Stick a wooden stirrer in it so bubbles form while it is heating instead of all at once when you move it taking it out.

[@peckelhaze6934]

Always put a spoon in first before drinking it, break the surface.

[@wessexdruid7598]

@@andyalder7910 The problem is the temperature differential in the liquid. Microwaves heat from the centre out. You need to stop and stir - and not to boil.

[@robertwatford7425]

I love these 'deep dives' - always entertaining and educational :-) We had a kettle that went on the hob and my mum was always forgetting to pick it up with a cloth, and would burn herself. My dad (26 years in the Royal Navy) put a whipping of cord around the handle and showed me how to do it, a skill I have often used ever since to make a grip on anything from a bicycle handle to a walking stave.

[@alihenderson5910]

Your mum, how would anyone do that more than once?lol.

[@HootMaRoot]

Having tried expensive to cheap kettles I have found the cheaper ones last a lot longer, the ones with digital readouts of temp and set temperature might only last 3 or 4 years. The kettle in my workshop has been in use for over 20 years and picked it from a charity shop for a quid and it wasn't new when I got it

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

There is something to be said for a kettle that just keeps on going! Sort of like, cars....the older ones built without as many fancy things and sometimes outlast the newer models!

[@clivewilliams3661]

I'm surprised the charity shop sold it to you as it ought to have been PAT tested to ensure it was safe for resale, even 20 years ago.

[@0utcastAussie]

@@clivewilliams3661 They might have an "In House" PAT tester like I do. It's called "My Big Brother" !! I also have a Washing machine and sandwich maker. Her name is Susan.

[@HootMaRoot]

@@clivewilliams3661 the charity shop has always sold many electrical items and have always had PAT test certificates on the electric items.

[@shaunfarrell3834]

@@clivewilliams3661 some charity shops employ some one to test them, but not all.

[@ianprince1698]

on holiday walking through a caravan park at 8am, you could hear the kettles whistling away as the morning cuppa or instant coffee was being prepared

[@kevinrichardson6347]

Love your channel,so interesting

[@jamesbeeching6138]

Good video GGL!! Yes in the British Army if the BV [Boiling vessel] in a tank or APC is not working then the vehicle is not used!! Also an "interesting " fact is that in the 80s it was "discovered" that an electric kettle didn't have to be kettle shaped and could be designed as a practical design!!

[@chickennugget3362]

You seem to have come back on a mission. Your videos are better than ever. Well done keep up the good work!

[@user-nc2kz2mn5v]

Thank you for all these facts.

[@carolineskipper6976]

As a Brit I have obviously always been aware of the 'kettle surge' phenomena.......but had never really stopped to think about how weird that is.....that we have to import electricity from Fance just because a major TV event has just occurred. Alannah at 'Adventures and Naps' did an experiment comparing boiling times for electric kettles in the UK to those in her native Canada. Due to the much lower voltage in North America it took her over 6 minutes to boil 1 litre of water in Canada, but here in the UK, with our much higher voltage, it took less than 3 minutes to boil the same amount of water. I suspect this difference in convenience might go quite a way towards explaining their lack of popularity over the Pond.

[@matthewwixey6745]

Apparently there is a stored Hydroelectric power station in Wales built for this phenomena . They can quickly switch it on for 'emergencies' , and when demand is low the water is pumped back up the hill into the lake where it came from , ready to be released once more .

[@karl9091]

Very interesting, very good. Thanks

[@MegaDapperman]

Tea. Tea’s proper use is to amuse the idle, and relax the studious and dilute the full meals of those who cannot use exercise and will not use abstinence! Samuel Johnson.

[@Richard_Ashton]

Arthur Dent : Now listen. If I want to be toned up, calmed down, invigorated or anything then it’s very simple: I just have a cup of tea. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

[@MegaDapperman]

42 Surely!

[@qwertyTRiG]

@@Richard_Ashton And then he was served something that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea.

[@jrswinhoe58]

When growing up we had a hob top whistling kettle and what we called a Geyser( a water boiler ) attached to the wall. I now have the usual electrical kettle, but I also have a kettle for a gas hob in case of no electricity.

[@user-ze6ef2jb2f]

love that talk girl.a scream at times.keep going .cheers me up.pat.

[@jasonpalmer3154]

Great video, fun fact about the power surge issue, there is a power station in a mountain in Wales called Electric Mountain, it is specifically designed for the tea surge issue, it is a hydro electric station and at any moments notice the National Grid (Name for the British power grid) can call the power station and order a power generation surge.. water rushes via a turbine to the bottom of the mountain and is then pumped back up later when electricity is cheaper (at night). Just thought you might like to know.

[@trueriver1950]

They also do this at Loch Ness in Scotland: there are three header lochs that are used for pumped storage in the hole above and they are thinking of adding another.

[@6panel300]

I have 3 electric kettles, 1 in the kitchen, 1 in my shed and 1 I take to work. Plus I have a "J.I.C." (just in case) stove top kettle for power cuts. I also have 5 or 6 different camping kettles for when I'm fishing.

[@Marie-Elaine]

Love these deep dives. I have limited counter space so use a stove kettle.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Thank you! Limited counter space is definitely something I didn't consider for people who use a stove kettle.

[@knottyal2428]

As a child in the 1950s, we had two kettles. One heated on the electric stove top was made from copper, the other an electric kettle. Dad used a soldering iron to mend leaks in the copper kettle. Our house only had a cold water supply from the mains, so kettles were needed. An electric boiler was used on wash day, which had a giant element in its base.

[@littleannie390]

I am old so I remember the days before electric kettles became popular, when we had to actually boil the kettle on the stove. We had two in our family as we were always boiling water.

[@Peterraymond67]

Hello. I am someone a bit different to most. I live on my own and I don’t like tea or coffee! I have an electric kettle. It’s much quicker to boil water, and cheaper than my gas cooker. I use it to boil water for cooking, especially frozen peas. Power surges are a known phenomenon. I used to work in Telecoms short term planning office, we used to monitor telephone traffic in local and large exchanges. In the older electromagnetic units the sound level would rise after TV programmes ended.

[@davidjones332]

My current kettle can be set to switch off at 100 degrees for making tea. 95 for coffee or 80 for green tea. However, as a back-up I still have the non-automatic kettle I bought as a student in 1974. Back then there was only one automatic kettle on the market, the Russell Hobbs which cost an eye-watering £6.00. My budget would only run to the £5.00 chrome-plated Swan, which has already outlasted at least six plastic jug-kettles that eventually crumbled away into a chalky mess. They don't make 'em like they used to!

[@neilbain8736]

I have a 4 pint kettle which I use on a paraffin stove (a Valor 65S) that I use to heat the workshop. I get hot water and it heats the room. Two for the price of one. I've also a Bialetti expresso gadget for when I get fed up with tea and I've used it to heat an old fashioned 16 oz copper soldering iron for heavy duty soldering.

[@russelsellick316]

We have electric kettles in South Africa and for other times stove top kettles which can be used on an Aga type stove or a gas stove. Because here we have an electrical issue whereby the local electricity system rations us.. I heard of the kettle issue in the UK! Quite funny...

[@Rob-ko4dx]

Always enjoy your informative and entertaining videos. I'm over 60 and have been to the US a few times yet am still am discovering differences between the US and UK. One thing - I have never heard an American use the word "duvet". I am sure they are used in the US - so what do Americans sleep under?! I think you need to take it into the bedroom for a video on the US/UK sleeping habits!

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Thank you for watching! Definitely need to do a whole video on US vs UK sleeping habits! We sleep under a "top sheet" that is under what we call a "comforter" - like a duvet, but doesn't have a cover, sort of just like a heavy blanket feeling (hence why we use the top sheet over you so your body doesn't come in direct contact with the comforter).

[@cdeford2]

If you have a kettle you can boil water anywhere you have an outlet. Tremendously useful. Part of the charm of staying in a low cost hotel is the teasmade.

[@premikyam2726]

I have a wide base kettle with a whistle that I boil water on the gas hob. I add 650 mL water for a pot of tea and its marvellous. In the 1950s, the new diesel locomotives on British railways were designed with a water heater in the driving cab to make that important English beverage.

[@trueriver1950]

Indeed: and of course British Steam Loco drivers had focused out how to use boiling water from their loco before the diesels came in. The bosses wisely choose not to deprive them of this feature when they transferred to diesel traction.

[@missharry5727]

I went to University in 1966, and my hall of residence (US: dorm) was equipped with newly developed electric kettles made by the company Russell Hobbs. The style was called the Forgettle, because it switched itself off when it boiled. It meant you could switch it on and go to the bathroom or back to your room to change your socks or whatever in safety. It was revolutionary at the time. Very expensive but extremely reliable and some people still have them.

[@tonys1636]

Useless for boiling eggs though.

[@missharry5727]

@tonys1636 we have dinky little pans for that. Also useful for making gravy, apple sauce, and just enough milk for a cup of cocoa.

[@tonys1636]

@@missharry5727 The lack of cash when I was at Uni meant that the kettle was 'borrowed' from home any spare cash was for beer.

[@yalova84]

One of the biggest adjustments I had on moving to the States was how slowly an electric kettle boils here. In UK the voltage is twice the voltage of the States, with a similar amperage. So a kettle in the UK boils in half the time!

[@johnvissenga328]

I have an electric kettle that was a wedding present for my aunt in 1929 (and yes it still works although it is now only an ornament)

[@ajs41]

British hotel rooms nearly always have an electric kettle, although usually a very small one. (An exception to this are Premier Inn Hubs). I've just been to Rome and I totally forgot about the fact that the room probably wasn't going to include a kettle, which is what happened.

[@judithrowe8065]

AAAgh! Nightmare. A travel kettle and a plug adapter whenever you go abroad- should be pictured on our passports so we don't forget.

[@LastEuropaKiss]

I do not use hotel room kettles anymore. My ex was a housekeeper in a hotel, and people do some not very pleasant things in the kettles.

[@linkash4167]

​@@LastEuropaKiss with hotel room kettles, my dad always boils water like 10 times before using it!

[@judithrowe8065]

@@LastEuropaKiss Yes, I heard that. Gina Yashere did a hilarious sketch about nasty hotel rooms.

[@davidjones332]

If I remember correctly the British Tourist Board used to rate hotels according to whether or not you got a kettle and a packet of biscuits. I think you needed a kettle to get three stars?

[@IO-zz2xy]

We only had electric kettles here in South Africa until recently when gas stoves have become popular. LOLS.

[@linedwell]

As a kid in the 80s I remember my nan heating the kettle on the gas hob and it whistling when done. She resisted an electric kettle for years, calling them 'newfangled' I use a breville dispenser these days, press button, 250ml of hot water comes out about 40seconds later. Perfect.

[@mike-reck]

Likewise I use a Breville one cup kettle, absolutely brilliant as I live on my own

[@Zatnicatel]

Hmmm - is it boiling though? Hot water is fine for coffee but NOT for tea :)

[@mike-reck]

@@Zatnicatel Most definitely boiling or it would have been in the bin a long time ago. It is the steam from boiling the water that forces the water out with spurts of steam to boot

[@carltaylor6452]

i have one of these instead of an electric kettle. Old school!

[@AnneDowson-vp8lg]

My Nana had a whistling kettle. I remember how new fangled that seemed when she first got it. I am now 72.

[@clivewilliams3661]

In Germany and other places in Europe the water boiler is wall mounted, usually over the kitchen sink and plumbed into the mains cold water. It works exactly like a kettle and is even more convenient.

[@hughtube5154]

We have them in our hospitals too.

[@nodiggity9472]

In the US, your domestic power supply is 120 volts, but in the UK it's 240 volts. That means we can throw more watts at a device like a kettle and not have to worry about overloading the fuse box, or starting a fire.

[@Richard_Ashton]

When my toaster ‘met its maker’ I got a new kettle, too. They have to match. I would say more but I’m off to make some toast and a good, hot, strong cuppa.

[@frankmitchell3594]

And why not, it's obvious?

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Mmm, enjoy your toast!

[@qwertyTRiG]

But do you keep your toaster on the countertop, or put it away in a cupboard when not in use? This is important.

[@Richard_Ashton]

@@qwertyTRiG my toaster is always in use. A toasted barm cake goes great with a mug of PG Tips.

[@qwertyTRiG]

@@Richard_Ashton Toaster on the countertop at all times? That means you're a Catholic, so.

[@HoratioChinn]

The US also uses a lower voltage electric supply so UK/European electric kettles achieve a higher wattage so heat water quicker

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Definitely makes sense!

[@solentbum]

In recent years the design of UK , and other kettles, has changed from the original flat bottomed ones that came from Hob Kettles into the Jug kettles now mostly used. All part of power saving, it is easier to part fill the Jug kettle for small amounts of water. i.e. for one cup of Tea. My own , very cheap, jug kettle has three internal markers for 1,2 or 3 cups.

[@chrissmith2114]

There is no minimum fill line on decent quality kettle, most people think it is the hot water that stops the boiling, but it is actually the steam that turns it off, you will find out if you leave the kettle lid open and it fills your kitchen with steam.

[@clivewilliams3661]

We own 5 kettles, 4 electric and one stove top, mostly inherited from other sources. One of the problems with electric kettles is that they have little value and to have them tested for safety would cost more than their worth and to simply throw them out is a waste. Boiling water by electric immersion kettle is efficient so long as you don't overfill the kettle. Our stove top kettle is on top of our central heating cooker and at the best times is constantly near boiling (its mostly located off the hottest part of the cooker top. As such it is immediately available to enjoy a cuppa.

[@john_smith1471]

If you have a cold or flu a sachet of Lemsip Max Honey & Ginger flavour was made perfectly for the electric kettle, that and topping up a hot water bottle from the kettle to take to bed when poorly.

[@user-lm2vs1sl3v]

We have a kettle here in CA. Apart from making tea, it’s main use is for our hot water bottles.

[@obi-ron]

My grandparents had a Teasmade. This was a bedside alarm clock with an electric kettle fitted so that you could wake up and have a cup of tea without climbing out of bed before getting ready for work.

[@lafamillecarrington]

I'm British and - naturally - have an electric kettle. The way I use it has changed over the years: I now only boil the amount of water I need, and I don't leave it to turn itself off as it takes much too long after the water reaches boiling point. Apparently the automatic switch doesn't work well at high altitudes as the water boils below 100ºC. I did a little research some time ago, and found that the efficiency of heating water using a kettle, pan on an induction hob or microwave oven was very similar. So it is pretty much down to convenience and preference.

[@sandralambchop]

I used the kettle at an airbnb in Canada and had to turn ALL the other electric appliances in the house off just to get it to work! Dont be thinking you can pop the toaster on at the same time as the kettle or even the oven and the kettle. Even then it took an extraordinary amount of time to boil.

[@stevenbalekic5683]

My family have always used electric kettles here in Australia...my parents don't drink tea but instant coffee at home so the kettle is on at least eight times a day minimum. When I was a kid you could buy a used upright ceramic kettle shaped like a jug with a bakelite lid, the heating element was a bare wire spring wrapped around a ceramic support...when in use the plug prevented the lid from opening because the water is actually live...these kettles don't whistle or turn off by themselves. The next electric kettle was a corded plastic whistling kettle (shaped similar to a stovetoo kettle)...it doesn't turn off by itself either and the power cord is hardwired...the element was a sealed coil held close to the bottom but not touching any surfaces. Next was the corded automatic off kettle, this one was hard wired and had an upright jug shape...later this kettle evolved into a cordless kettle that could only fit on the base in one position. The current kettle evolved into the swivel base style we have today...there are too many to choose from in shape, size, colour and technology. The only downside about most current electric kettles is they bon't alert you when ready unless it's a smart kettle...but the beeps are kinda pathetic.

[@littleblacksambo8447]

Yes, the electric jug! I never saw one before I went to Aus. For some reason they never caught on in England.

[@GillianBergh]

If you have seen something that looks like a 'Silver kettle', it is either a tea or coffee pot. It would not have been put on a stove or fire to boil water, but boiled water would have been poured into the silver vessel.

[@qwertyTRiG]

Technology Connections has a long video about how kettles work, and why they're less popular in America. And Steve Mould investigated whether you can boil alcohol in an electric kettle, and dived into some of the science.

[@BooBaddyBig]

Electric kettles do exist in North America, but they're normally 110 volt 1.5 kW, and seem glacially slow compared to the standard 240v 3kW UK ones (but even the 1.5 kW ones are usually still much faster than using the gas). However, 220 volt supply is typically available in North American kitchens, but they rarely have kettles on them.

[@LordToogood]

Great topic GGL, I was wondering is dunking a biscuit in ones tea just a Brittish thing too?

[@Spiklething]

We had a coal burning Rayburn and a whistling kettle when I was a child. But we also had an electric kettle and electric cooker for when the fire in the Rayburn was out.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Very interesting, thank you for watching!

[@richardlaasna8372]

There are huge surges on the National Grid when TV programmes are usually on during the AD breaks ( Commercials ).

[@Zatnicatel]

I do have a kettle for emergencies but now I have a boiling water tap (a Quooker). This has many advantages - it is boiling water on tap (no waiting for the kettle to boil) and because it is very well insulated, it works out a lot cheaper than boiling a kettle :). Cuppa tea? NP, ready in 2 mins. Got pasta/rice to cook? NP, add water from the Quooker and it's boiling on the stove in seconds. I've had one now for about 13 years and I wouldn't be without it. There are safety features to stop you using the boiling tap by accident ofc.

[@user-cd6wf6mu8t]

Quookers use electricity and filters have to be paid for and fitted,replacing the element is pretty expensive too.

[@Zatnicatel]

@@user-cd6wf6mu8t Well I don't know about those things. I've never had to replace the element or filter! We did descale it once (when we lived in a hard water area) but Quooker sent us the kit for free. As for the electricity, it actually uses less than a kettle!

[@jeffslade1892]

Part of it is the british 240-250VAC 13A main supply which permits a 3kW kettle to boil, and quickly.

[@lucie4185]

I rmeebe my parents first electric kettle in the 90's and bought for when the stove was being serviced so we could still have tea. They have had plenty of electric kettles since but they keep the original one just in case they need it.

[@Equiluxe1]

Used to be able to get fast boiling kettles for gas stove use that had tubes running from the bottom through the water so that flames could pass through the kettle in order to boil faster. I have been to the US and used electric kettles there but due to the lower voltage used they are lower power so do not boil as fast as they do in the UK and elsewhere where they have 230 volt supplies as standard.

[@eobi-edobi4275]

in the NL we have them too, not as much as UK, i have got one. ( 2 acc )

[@robertwoolstencroft5946]

If you can't think of something to do make a brew. Also see tv add beat the clock with Swan brand from the 1960s.

[@craftsmanwoodturner]

Those stats about people boiling more water than they need and wasting energy do not take into account that the "waste" heat is lost into the surrounding room, thus reducing the need to burn other fuel for heating. Yes, there will be some loss, especially in summer, but it is nowhere near as large as made out.

[@cjmillsnun]

The official name for the kettle surge is "TV Pick-up" and there is a power station in Wales specifically designed to deal with it. Dinorwig is a pumped storage station and can go from 0 to 1.7 MW in 75 seconds.

[@davidz2690]

not really a thing anymore outside of football

[@TequilaDave]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the bimetallic strip and how they can turn themselves off as it's one of the first things I remember being taught at school in chemistry and physics. 😀 Thanks for another great, niche video 👍

[@Poliss95]

@TequilaDave That's not how most electric kettles work. Most have a hole in the handle that leads to a microswitch in the base. When the kettle boils the steam pressure trips the microswitch.

[@TequilaDave]

@Poliss95 Microswitches in kettles?!? Oh how the world moves on! Then again how does that microswitch physically work?

[@steven54511]

To be honest I have 3 kettles in my house right now although I only use one at a time. The others are spares because I noticed in the past that the kettle doesn't last more than a few years. I've timed my kettles and the quickest one boils a half litre of water in just under 1:45 - which is fairly rapid imho.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

That is fast! Love that you have 3 kettles, just in case...!

[@raystewart3648]

Lived in one Flat for 17 years now (this March) and have had 4 Kettles total. My newest is 3 years old (i clean it out once a week or so) its glass and looks fantastic as it turns blue, then orange then red when its boiling. Cool or is that Hot.

[@Rearda]

Until a couple of decades ago, the electric plug went straight into the base of the kettle itself. More recently, the plug is connected by electric cable to a separate base; a safer design considering the kettle is regularly placed under a running kitchen tap.

[@annaburch3200]

American in Seattle. I love my electric kettle. I don't drink coffee, so it has it's own place in our kitchen next to my husband's coffee makers.

[@BnaaUK]

This was fantastic timing, as I've just brought a disability aid that helps me use a kettle again. It's a universal tipper, and I'll finally be able to make a decent cup of tea again. Essentially, it helps people use a kettle or a teapot and eliminates the risk for people who have issues with grip or physical strength in their hands to pour the boiling water.

[@julia2jules]

Large tray, nonslip matting and draw a cross with a marker pen of where to place your cup/mug. That is what I used years ago when showing people how to use them

[@smahier]

It´s true. In the UK, people don´t usually say they are making a cup of tea. They just say, "I´m going to put the kettle on." Here in Spain, and also in France, they just boil water in a saucepan. The kettle is less significant, since coffee is the preferred drink in most of mainland Europe (except Russia).

[@alandoust551]

love how you pronounce it keddle

[@tonys1636]

Office workers would strike if no kettle or easy means of getting a decent cup of tea, vending machines are not. Thought that Joseph Swan was the man that invented the internal (in water) element kettle around 1920. Almost every home had a Swan electric kettle at one time.

[@topguydave]

One thing that is important is the UK has a 240V 13amp power supply, so therefore boils nearly twice as fast as those in America, only using 120V.

[@charlotteb8996]

Lots of Canadians have electric kettles too.

[@pixie706]

One grumble about electric kettles is that they boil for a bit longer than necessary steaming up the room.

[@Deepthought-42]

Not true if you buy a good one in Europe at least. Cheap kettles typically have less sensitive thermostats and, as you imply, can boil away for some time before the thermostat kicks in.

[@robertpearson8798]

Canadian here. We have both an electric kettle and a stovetop kettle. I did a test once to see which one boiled water faster (equal volumes) and the electric won by a small margin. However, it depends on the size of the gas burner. You also need to consider that in my part of Canada (Southern Ontario) natural gas is cheaper than electricity. As for it not being 1905, we also don’t use coal gas anymore for cooking.

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

Gas stoves are making a come back in the US. We just bought a newly built house with a large stove, described as a "gourmet kitchen." Gas used to be cheaper than electric power, but what really kept gas stoves popular was the gas industry was afraid of losing market to electricity and promoted gas cooking as making better tasting food, in magazine ads and with TV ads.

[@CharlieFlemingOriginal]

The biggest improvement of kettles in the last 25 years is the flat element. Makeing the removal of timescale easier but further improves efficiency and longevity of the kettle. Fast boil 3.1KV kettles boil water very fast, great for boiling water for cooking things that need boiling water instantly like sauces, pasta, noodles and so much more.

[@trueriver1950]

The flat element has the big advantage that they allow you to boil just one cup, when that's all you need. The older kettles often took much more water to cover the heating element. No problem if brewing up for a family, but wasteful if solo.

[@thomas_oak2943]

I am surprised you didn't mention the voltage difference. Must be challenging to make an efficient US kettle.

[@GS-gu7nz]

I think the main reason electric kettles are rare in the US is that he UK uses 240v, the US uses mainly 110v. This means a UK kettle boils water very quickly. We also drink more tea which makes for a fast cuppa 🙂

[@alanj9391]

I don't drink tea, but still have an electric kettle - apart from boiling water for cafetiere coffee I also use it for cooking; rather than put cold water in a pan and heat it on the hob prior to adding ingredients, eg pasta, rice, etc.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Definitely has a lot of great uses!

[@Phiyedough]

The main point is that in USA they take twice as long to boil due to the different electricity supply. I've only lived in UK, Hungary and Croatia but electric kettles are standard equipment in all 3 countries.

[@mdnickless]

You covered many things, but I don't think you mentioned the introduction of jug kettles. I first remember those in the 1980s. Electric kettles were popular before then, but they became the standard afterwards. In the 1970s we still heated our hot water at home on the gas stove.

[@GirlGoneLondonofficial]

Ah, yes, missed that out! Interesting!

[@charlesbrecknell4656]

Then there are travel kettles- small derated kettles (1 kW at 240V) for use when you are away, perfect for boiling water for 1 or 2 cups. Except in America, where they take so long to boil that you have lost the will to live before they boil.

[@jamesgilbart2672]

My first electric kettle had no thermostat but had a failsafe that would kick out the electric plug with some force if it was boiling dry. I remember this because I once forgot to put in any water, switched it on and the ejected plug hit me in the face. I prefer the newer designs.

[@falaise6077]

US houses take 220/240 volts off the grid, and this stepped down 50% in the board for outlets around the house. But the full voltage is often used in the basement for high power appliances. So in theory you could install such an outlet in your kitchen specially for a kettle. I don't know if this would be compliant though

[@Poliss95]

@falaise6077 They still don't boil the water as quickly. Technology Connections has made a video about it.

[@falaise6077]

@@Poliss95 Fascinating. I subscribed! The step -down thing I mentioned is a lot more complex than I thought, see his other video that he linked in his kettle video

[@trueriver1950]

It's usually not a step down; it's a centre tapping. That means that you have two live wires (US: hot wires) and neutral. Plug in sockets are wired with neutral and one of the hot wires. Fixed appliances are wired with both hot wires, so they get 240V across the appliance with neither hot wires being more than 120V. Cunning. British building site tools use the same trick, with 110V tools that are centre tapped, so none of the words are even at 110V. It's weird and slightly grotesque that we make electricity safer for people at work than for their families at home, but that's another story...

[@mancyank564]

I grew up in the US and UK. Because the electricity is only 120 volts in the US we used an old-fashioned kettle with a whistle on the stove. The UK's electricity is 240 so it is quicker and uses less energy to use an electric kettle. I've used an electric kettle in America but the cord had to be very thick and it would get hot. This made me nervous so I gave it away.

[@tonykear4494]

fyi - the Benghazi burner did not use wood - it was used in the North African desert which is lacking trees. It was a metal container (often an old fuel can) half filled with petrol soaked sand.

[@TheEulerID]

You've missed out my favourite type of kettle, which is the "one cup" type which boils just enough water for a single mug of tea or coffee. It's the fastest and most efficient type around.