Why Does Water Boil faster in an Electric Kettle?

Last Updated on February 2, 2022 by

Why does water boil faster in an electric kettle? An electric kettle is quite different from a gas top kettle. It has an inbuilt heating system that causes water to boil once plugged in. An electric kettle boils water considerably faster than the traditional stove top kettle. It automatically switches off once the water boils to 100 degree Celsius or any other preset temperature. But why does water boil faster in an electric kettle?

An electric kettle is a sealed unit. All the heat generated goes right back into the water. This causes the temperatures to rise more quickly. This way, water boils faster in an electric kettle.

Electric kettles are very common and popular items in various homes. In recent years, they have taken the lead as the number one choice appliance for boiling water in most homes as compared to the traditional stovetop kettle. This is because an electric kettle boils water faster than the stove top kettle.

In this article, we will find out why water does boil faster in an electric kettle.

How fast are electric kettles?

An average electric kettle will take 4.5 minutes to boil water. However this varies depending on price and the brand you use. There are electric kettles in the market that can boil water in less than 4.5 minutes. How fast an electric kettle boils water also depends on the amount of water you’re boiling.

When compared to boiling water on a gas stove, the electric kettle is 4 times faster. If you’re using a super fast stove, it will take approximately fifteen to twenty minutes to boil a litter of water. A very slow stove will boil the same quantity of water in about 50 to 70 minutes.

While stove kettles can boil water to a higher temperature than electric kettles, an electric kettle is much faster and more efficient. A low wattage kettle may be slower but it consumes less electricity.

How does an electric kettle work?

The technology behind how an electric kettle works is a quite simple one. An electric kettle has an inbuilt heating coil which is a metal coil placed at the bottom of the kettle or within the body of the kettle. When you plug in the electric kettle and switch it on, electric current flows through the heating coil. This electric current is then converted to heat which causes the water to boil.

Electric kettles are also built to solve one of the most common problems people have when boiling water using a stove top. That’s the problem of accidentally forgetting the kettle on the stove. An electric kettle will switch off automatically once the water boils. This is made possible by a thermostat which is placed in electric kettles, typically at the base.

Once your water starts boiling, a channel built inside the electric kettle carries steam to the thermostat. The temperatures start rising very quickly. Immediately it gets to a 100 degree Celsius, it snaps and disconnects.

Why does water boil faster in an electric kettle?

Water boils faster in an electric kettle because it is a closed appliance. This means that all the heat generated from the heating coil goes right back into the water in the kettle. This way, temperatures rise more quickly and the water boils faster.

Water also boils faster in an electric kettle because it uses a large amount of electric currents. Bigger currents are able to heat water up more quickly while smaller currents tend to be a lot slower in boiling water.

How much electricity does an electric kettle use?

How much electricity an electric kettle will use depends on the brand and how quickly it boils water. An electric kettle which boils water faster is likely to consume more electricity than a much slower one. This is because how much heat a kettle produces is proportional to how much electricity it consumes

On average, an electric kettle will use 2 to 3 kilowatts of electricity in a single boil. Several factors will influence how much electricity it consumes. It can be less or more than 3 kilowatts.

Which electric kettle boils water faster?

Electric kettles are appliances that make life simpler and more convenient. It’s useful to have one lying around for a quick cup of hot water for tea or coffee. On average, electric kettles are super fast in boiling water. However, there are some kettles that boil faster than others. 

Keep it in mind that how fast an electric kettle boils water may affect how expensive or affordable it is. Let’s take a quick look at the fastest electric kettles out there that you can buy on a budget.

• Capresso 259 H2O Plus Glass Water Kettle:  

[easyazon_image align=”center” height=”500″ identifier=”B000BYCGTS” locale=”US” src=”https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512JIlGw9sL._SL500_.jpg” tag=”realkal-20″ width=”447″]

The Capresso 259 H2O Plus Glass Water Electric kettle is one of the fastest kettles in the market. Very stylish in design with a reasonable price tag, it also boasts an above average volume capacity. It holds up to 1.5 litres of water. That’s approximately 6 cups of water.

The average boiling time for this kettle is 4.5 minutes for 1.5 litres of water. This is almost two times the speed of other kettles that boil 1 litre of water at the same time. In addition, it’s built with heat resistant material and an easy to grip handle. [easyazon_link identifier=”B000BYCGTS” locale=”US” tag=”realkal-20″]Click here to see on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

• Amazon Basic Stainless Steel Electric Kettle:

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The Amazon Basic Stainless Steel Electric Kettle is built using stainless steel and BPA-free material. It has a very modern design and it’s portable. The best part about this electric kettle is that it’s super affordable. If you’re looking for a fast and stylish electric kettle on a budget, then this is your best bet.

When used, this kettle boils 1 litre of water in just 3.25 minutes! Although it can only hold 1 litre of water, it’s great for its price and it’s speed. It’s also ideal if you don’t have to cater to a large household. [easyazon_link identifier=”B07PHRH6TL” locale=”US” tag=”realkal-20″]Click here to see on Amazon[/easyazon_link]

Is it safe to use an electric kettle?

An electric kettle is a relatively safe appliance to have lying around the house. However, like every other electric appliance, there are some precautions to observe while using an electric kettle like:

1. Don’t switch on an empty electric kettle. Doing so will destroy the heating coil in your kettle. It will also shorten the lifespan of your kettle. 
2. Don’t store water in your electric kettle. Always pour out unused water after each use. This will prevent limescale build up in your kettle. Lime scale also distorts the taste of your drink in addition to shortening the lifespan of your electric kettle.
3. Regularly clean out your electric kettle. You can do this by detaching it from the base and cleaning the outside with a wet cloth. For the inside, use warm water and vinegar.

What’s the proper way to clean an electric kettle?

You should never clean your kettle while it’s still plugged in. Always unplug it first. Some people make the mistake of dipping the entire electric kettle into water, this is not proper. Always separate the kettle from it’s base before any cleaning.

The best way to clean out an electric kettle is outlined below:

1. First, fill the kettle up to half with water.
2. Measure half cup of white vinegar and pour in the water.
3. Plug in the kettle and let the water boil.
4. Leave it for an hour or more.
5. Pour out the vinegar water and rinse the kettle properly with cold water.
6. Your kettle is clean and ready for use again.

 Vinegar is great for breaking down the build up of limescale in the insides of an electric kettle.

Doing it this way ensures that water doesn’t get into sensitive parts of your electric kettle which will end up spoiling it. Cleaning the outside is much simpler. A wet cloth is all you need to wipe the outsides of your electric kettle clean.

Final Thoughts on Why does water boil faster in an electric kettle?

An electric kettle is a handy appliance to have in your kitchen. They’re very popular, come in different sizes and designs. This means you have a much wider range of options to choose from. Even if you’re on a budget, you’d definitely find an electric kettle that caters to your needs and tastes.

 In this article we have seen that an electric kettle boils water super fast thus, saving precious time. However, not taking proper care of your electric kettle may affect how quickly it boils water. You should ensure to take proper care of your electric kettle always and change it when necessary.