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.
Kettle is much more convenient. Microwave is overkill, while a kettle is both a simpler machine and turns itself off when the water boils with no guesswork. It’s ergonomically designed for pouring into a cup.
The speed argument is irrelevant, they’re both quick enough.
Meh my British kettle heats a cup of water to boiling in 30 seconds.
Faster than a microwave
No my point is, as a British person that uses the kettle A LOT we went out and bought one that heats up a single cup at a time, which is quicker than boiling a whole kettle.
I fill it up like a kettle and it has a little chamber underneath that it fills and heats, then the boiling water comes out of a spout into the cup.
After owning this type of kettle for over a decade I don’t think I can go back to a conventional kettle.
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.
I do not say it is chemically different. I’m saying the tee does not taste the same! You cannot reduce the whole gustative experience to simply chemically composition but there IS something different.
