I've been making tea in the microwave since the 80s, which apparently brands me as an American. Back then, the British would heat a kettle on the stove. Now they all have electric kettles, so what's the difference? Hot water is hot water, and a microwave uses less electricity to heat it. But every culture has a right way and a wrong way to do things. This comic is from Chris Hallbeck at Maximumble.
mug + teabag + sugar + water + 4 mins in the microwave = one happy individual
ReplyDeleteBoiling water in a microwave?! nonononononono Kettle all the way.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-2452,00.html
Lots of comments but kettle on a gas range seems to win.
Hmmm, those estimates of efficiency are assuming that electricity comes from burning fuel. That may be the case in the UK, but on this side of the pond, a lot of places get electricity from the power of gravity. Hydroelectric energy from dams, that is.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit that gas is cheaper overall, but it only takes 90 seconds to heat a cup in the microwave, whereas a stove takes much longer.
Hot water is hot water. I just like the whole rigmarole of the teapot on the gas stove, with more teabags than necessary!
ReplyDeleteIn Britain, Aus., and NZ, an electric kettle takes just a minute or so to heat water for a cuppa. That's because the voltage is 240V. Here in the US, it naturally takes longer because of 120V, so most people use a microwave. Every hotel/motel room in those countries won't have a microwave, but they darn sure have a kettle.
ReplyDeleteThanks, CCroom! That makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDelete