Author Topic: Do americans have kettles? (Read 11958 times)

Rhienfo · « **on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 05:28:12 »

I remember reading something about Americans not really having kettles ages ago, and that boil water thread just reminded me of that.

Do Americans have kettles? here in Australia they are a common household appliance but I guess not in America? I also remember hearing that they do have them as well which is why I'm not sure.

Apparently some Americans use the word kettle for something I would call a pot/teapot which is interesting. Just In case that's you I'm referring to these electric ones that look like the image below.

ReverbSlush · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 06:34:23 »

America is a big place. There are millions of kettle using people here. That said, lets say we're taking a very high level overview of Americans "in general".

I would *not* be surprised if I visited someone's house and they did not have a kettle.

I would also *not* be surprised if I visited someone's house and they did have a kettle. BUT I might be surprised if they chose to use it for boiling water to make something like mac'n'cheese. When we boil water, it's mainly for cooking, and it's mainly on a stove in a deep pot. Our "grab and go" foods don't often require boiling water, either. Our hot drink of choice is coffee, made by a coffee maker. If you count that as a kettle, then everyone has one.

Noodles, Rice, Tea... these kettle-friendly foods aren't as culturally significant in the US as they are in other countries.

I'm making huge generalizations here of course.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 08:01:03 »

Many people in the US might use the word "kettle" for a pan, especially a very large one, which would more properly be a "pot"

The primary use of mine is heating water for my pour-over coffee carafe.

NumPadEnjoyer · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 08:32:05 »

I personally do but it's not something you'll find in every American home

Rhienfo · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 10:49:11 »

Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 16 August 2023, 08:01:03

Many people in the US might use the word "kettle" for a pan, especially a very large one, which would more properly be a "pot"

The primary use of mine is heating water for my pour-over coffee carafe.

That interesting, I don't think anyone here would call that a kettle. Yeah I would probably call that a teapot or something.

Quote from: ReverbSlush on Wed, 16 August 2023, 06:34:23

America is a big place. There are millions of kettle using people here. That said, lets say we're taking a very high level overview of Americans "in general".

I would *not* be surprised if I visited someone's house and they did not have a kettle.

I would also *not* be surprised if I visited someone's house and they did have a kettle. BUT I might be surprised if they chose to use it for boiling water to make something like mac'n'cheese. When we boil water, it's mainly for cooking, and it's mainly on a stove in a deep pot. Our "grab and go" foods don't often require boiling water, either. Our hot drink of choice is coffee, made by a coffee maker. If you count that as a kettle, then everyone has one.

Noodles, Rice, Tea... these kettle-friendly foods aren't as culturally significant in the US as they are in other countries.

I'm making huge generalizations here of course.

Oh yeah I am definitely generalizing here, and you're probably right there. This just popped up in my head and thought I should post it for some reason.

Do you use a kettle? (If you are American)

ddot · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 11:27:26 »

Canadian here, but we have an electric one and we refer to it as a "kettle". Similar to the image below. Electric with glass sides. Boiling water is kind of fun to watch. Highly recommended for the educational value. Mostly gets used for hot drinks: tea, hot chocolate, instant coffee, etc.

Rhienfo · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 16 August 2023, 11:52:13 »

Quote from: ddot on Wed, 16 August 2023, 11:27:26

Canadian here, but we have an electric one and we refer to it as a "kettle". Similar to the image below. Electric with glass sides. Boiling water is kind of fun to watch. Highly recommended for the educational value. Mostly gets used for hot drinks: tea, hot chocolate, instant coffee, etc.

Show Image

A clear one like that would be cool to have, I never knew I needed something like that until now.

udller · « **Reply #7 on:** Thu, 17 August 2023, 03:30:52 »

i clicked this thread to see if they have the chips, but this is not about the chips

Rhienfo · « **Reply #8 on:** Thu, 17 August 2023, 04:13:28 »

Quote from: udller on Thu, 17 August 2023, 03:30:52

i clicked this thread to see if they have the chips, but this is not about the chips

oh kettle chips are so good. Stopped eating them because I would eat like a whole bag instead of just a portion. Same with shapes.

ReverbSlush · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 17 August 2023, 07:24:32 »

Quote from: Rhienfo on Wed, 16 August 2023, 10:49:11

Do you use a kettle? (If you are American)

We had a kettle growing up.. it was a metal one that went on the stove and had a whistle when the water was boiling. That said, we didn't use it much at all. I have a nice Stagg EKG gooseneck kettle that I use for coffee (pourover) and puerh (gaiwan). But we're here on a mechanical keyboard forum, so we're all probably fancy like that.

Rhienfo · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 17 August 2023, 07:32:45 »

Quote from: ReverbSlush on Thu, 17 August 2023, 07:24:32

We had a kettle growing up.. it was a metal one that went on the stove and had a whistle when the water was boiling. That said, we didn't use it much at all. I have a nice Stagg EKG gooseneck kettle that I use for coffee (pourover) and puerh (gaiwan). But we're here on a mechanical keyboard forum, so we're all probably fancy like that.

Oh yeah, I don't drink coffee so I didn't know about these expensive kettles and such, but I guess it makes sense if your trying to make the best coffee.

I'm very weird that I'm very value/cheap oriented when it comes to most things except keyboards for some reason, it's like the only hobby I have unless you count buying criterion blu rays as a hobby (I used to be into retro gaming but stopped when it became too expensive/started to emulate more)

Pretendo · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 08 September 2023, 15:51:56 »

Am American. I have one of these:

Not that exact model, but that brand. It's basically a thermos / dispenser that keeps water hot all the time and available at the press of a button. It can hold water to different temperatures based on your needs (I keep it near boiling for coffee pour-overs and black tea.)

This seems like an overkill product, but the US's 120v power makes it much less quick to heat up water with a traditional kettle, so when I had a regular electric kettle I didn't drink much tea. This makes the process so much quicker, and is also useful for things like ramen, or anything else you just need a little bit of boiling water for.

These aren't common in the US, btw. Moreso in Japan. I just happened to have a Japanese coworker for a time and got introduced to them. Then I wound up buying them for allot of family members as housewarming gifts, and it's always the same story of "I thought this was a weird gift at first, but now would never not want to have one of these around."

kajahtaa · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 08 September 2023, 18:16:54 »

Have

Two kettle

Both electric

However

In California

And

Immediate family

Mix of

5 nationality

Darthbaggins · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 11 September 2023, 10:27:06 »

We have an electric here at work, and at home I have just a classic stove-top kettle that we've used for 20+ years since we make our own pitchers of Sweet Tea (mildly sweet).

chyros · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 12 September 2023, 02:53:08 »

Quote from: Pretendo on Fri, 08 September 2023, 15:51:56

This seems like an overkill product, but the US's 120v power makes it much less quick to heat up water with a traditional kettle

I happened to learn this this morning as well, and also that it's still much faster than a stovetop kettle apparently.

240 V guys! It's worth it! ;p

tp4tissue · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 12 September 2023, 07:09:27 »

Quote from: chyros on Tue, 12 September 2023, 02:53:08

Quote from: Pretendo on Fri, 08 September 2023, 15:51:56
This seems like an overkill product, but the US's 120v power makes it much less quick to heat up water with a traditional kettle
I happened to learn this this morning as well, and also that it's still much faster than a stovetop kettle apparently.

240 V guys! It's worth it! ;p

Yea 240v is the way to go. Puny america 120v boils water super slow. We need overclocked kettles that draw near 20amp.

Sintpinty · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 12 September 2023, 08:22:02 »

Quote from: Rhienfo on Wed, 16 August 2023, 05:28:12

I remember reading something about Americans not really having kettles ages ago, and that boil water thread just reminded me of that.

Do Americans have kettles? here in Australia they are a common household appliance but I guess not in America? I also remember hearing that they do have them as well which is why I'm not sure.

Apparently some Americans use the word kettle for something I would call a pot/teapot which is interesting. Just In case that's you I'm referring to these electric ones that look like the image below.

Show Image

I use my kettle for ramen

Timc · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 04 November 2026, 06:24:17 »

Quote from: Rhienfo on Wed, 16 August 2023, 05:28:12

I remember reading something about Americans not really having kettles ages ago, and that boil water thread just reminded me of that.

Do Americans have kettles? here in Australia they are a common household appliance but I guess not in America? I also remember hearing that they do have them as well which is why I'm not sure.

Apparently some Americans use the word kettle for something I would call a pot/teapot which is interesting. Just In case that's you I'm referring to these electric ones that look like the image below.
I grew up with an electric kettle as the most used appliance after the fridge, so moving to the US was a shock because most kitchens there just have a stovetop one or none at all. The reason is partly voltage, since 120 volt outlets take far longer to boil than the 240 volt systems in Australia and the UK, so people grew up using the microwave or a pan. You are also right that plenty of Americans call a teapot a kettle, which caused confused conversations. Have a look at this page if you want context on regional brewing habits. For me a proper electric kettle is non negotiable.
Show Image

My American in-laws never owned an electric kettle until we moved over and brought one, and now they use it every day for coffee and tea. Before that they just boiled water in a pot on the stove or used the microwave, which honestly blew my mind coming from Australia. From what I've seen, plenty of Americans do have kettles now, but they're more of a specialty item than the everyday kitchen staple they are back home.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 04 November 2026, 08:34:08 »

Quote from: Timc on Wed, 04 November 2026, 06:24:17

just boiled water in a pot on the stove

they're more of a specialty item than the everyday kitchen staple

I make 1 cup of coffee in the morning (and yes, I grind fresh beans) but that is generally the only time in the day that I have need of heated water for consumption.

But it is easy to see how an all-day drinker of warm beverages would want a dedicated, always-on appliance.

News:

Author Topic: Do americans have kettles? (Read 11958 times)

Rhienfo

Do americans have kettles?

ReverbSlush

Re: Do americans have kettles?

fohat.digs

Re: Do americans have kettles?

NumPadEnjoyer

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Rhienfo

Re: Do americans have kettles?

ddot

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Rhienfo

Re: Do americans have kettles?

udller

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Rhienfo

Re: Do americans have kettles?

ReverbSlush

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Rhienfo

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Pretendo

Re: Do americans have kettles?

kajahtaa

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Darthbaggins

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chyros

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tp4tissue

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Sintpinty

Re: Do americans have kettles?

Timc

Re: Do americans have kettles?

fohat.digs

Re: Do americans have kettles?