Microwave is usually 900W while a Non-US kettle can do 3000W on a standard 240V 16A connection so it boils water more than 3x faster.
Very convenient for serving tea and instant coffee and also useful for cooking potatoes, veggies, rice, pasta by boiling water first before pouring it into a pot for a quick start.
Microwaves are usually 1000 or 1100 watts, in the US at least. Only the cheapo Walmart microwave I had in college was 900W. A kettle in the US is still more powerful and faster at up to 1500W or, less commonly, nearly 1800w.
Back when I made coffee using water boiled the microwave I’m pretty sure this happened to me a few times, mainly when I’d boil the water, let it sit because I got distracted, and boil it again. I never really noticed in the moment, until I opened the microwave and the entire thing was drenched inside. Fortunately it exploded inside, not outside.
You can get a small electric kettle for less than $20 that boils water extremely efficiently every time. Just add water, flick a switch, then it’ll click off when it’s done. Probably the easiest thing in the world and uses the least amount of energy. Plus depending on your glassware/vessel, you run a risk of the glass breaking when you microwave it. I’m not sure how likely it is, but I know it’s a possibility.
Not trying to convince you to switch, just pointing out the reasons for using a kettle. Do whatever works for you.
Superheated water might remain still, and when you remove the container from the microwave or add an item like a spoon or a tea bag, it can cause the water to boil explosively. This sudden eruption of steam can lead to burns and scalding injuries. https://sciencenotes.org/superheating-water-in-a-microwave-oven/
I don’t know why I’d buy another appliance specifically to heat water, when I have a general purpose microwave that can do it just as well.
Here are the three things I use my microwave for in order of amount of use:
Heating water for coffee
Cooking vegetables
Thawing meat
I run my microwave about 17 minutes per day total for those three tasks.
Microwave is usually 900W while a Non-US kettle can do 3000W on a standard 240V 16A connection so it boils water more than 3x faster.
Very convenient for serving tea and instant coffee and also useful for cooking potatoes, veggies, rice, pasta by boiling water first before pouring it into a pot for a quick start.
Microwaves are usually 1000 or 1100 watts, in the US at least. Only the cheapo Walmart microwave I had in college was 900W. A kettle in the US is still more powerful and faster at up to 1500W or, less commonly, nearly 1800w.
Imagine if we could have a 3phase kettle with 3x32A for 22kW. It would in theory boil 1L in 15s.
One could argue the same about why get another appliance (microwave) when they already have the general purpose stove that works just as well
Picking specific temperature on your kettle to make better tea 👌
I know it’s usually not an issue without a really smooth container, but I’d be too afraid of superheated water to boil it in the microwave.
Back when I made coffee using water boiled the microwave I’m pretty sure this happened to me a few times, mainly when I’d boil the water, let it sit because I got distracted, and boil it again. I never really noticed in the moment, until I opened the microwave and the entire thing was drenched inside. Fortunately it exploded inside, not outside.
You can get a small electric kettle for less than $20 that boils water extremely efficiently every time. Just add water, flick a switch, then it’ll click off when it’s done. Probably the easiest thing in the world and uses the least amount of energy. Plus depending on your glassware/vessel, you run a risk of the glass breaking when you microwave it. I’m not sure how likely it is, but I know it’s a possibility.
Not trying to convince you to switch, just pointing out the reasons for using a kettle. Do whatever works for you.
also:
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/boil-on-troubled-waters/
example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpDs7Xm1uLo&t=1
Interesting. I use mine almost exclusively for reheating leftovers and melting butter, using it perhaps up to four minutes a day.