As an American (and filthy microwaver of tea, though I do have a kettle now) I just stopped scrolling in the hopes of witnessing some rage at the idea, but everyone’s being really reasonable. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
Most Americans don’t get kettles with temp settings because we’re fucking plebs. Ask an American what they think a kettle is and 7 times out of 10 they’ll say it’s a busted, dented piece of metal with a strange flippy lid that their mom used to put on the stovetop for some reason.
I mean, I’m not. I have one with 6 different temps on it. Because tea is serious business. But most Americans, you know. 😂
I’ve read that water oxygenation is affected by microwaving water, so there is some difference to standard boiling. Whether this matters for tea or not is a different question, and I can’t find anything decisive on the matter.
They are pretty common in America, and have been for quite a while. Less so than in the UK (which is probably your point). But still pretty easy to find in my experience.
I got one about 20 years ago from Target - nothing too fancy, just an Oster or something. It finally died a couple of years ago and I got a new one from Amazon, where they had a very wide selection.
No disagreement. They’re available but less common than other heating methods. I feel like stovetop is probably the most common but microwave is certainly in there too.
As an American (and filthy microwaver of tea, though I do have a kettle now) I just stopped scrolling in the hopes of witnessing some rage at the idea, but everyone’s being really reasonable. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
Temperature is a state function. It is completely irrelevant if you boil or microwave you water.
We will continue to microwave because science
Does your microwave have an in-built thermometer which stops the heating at the right temperature like a kettle?
Most Americans don’t get kettles with temp settings because we’re fucking plebs. Ask an American what they think a kettle is and 7 times out of 10 they’ll say it’s a busted, dented piece of metal with a strange flippy lid that their mom used to put on the stovetop for some reason.
I mean, I’m not. I have one with 6 different temps on it. Because tea is serious business. But most Americans, you know. 😂
We’re not exactly high-tech about it, our kettles are usually a basic plastic thing, and the temperature setting is just “if boiling then turn off”!
I’ve read that water oxygenation is affected by microwaving water, so there is some difference to standard boiling. Whether this matters for tea or not is a different question, and I can’t find anything decisive on the matter.
Temperature affects dissolved oxygen.
To be honest, the microwave thing outrages me far more than the salt thing.
But why? The water will be hot either way. Who cares how it gets that way?
I’ve tried it. It tasted weird and I felt like I’d committed a crime.
Apparently microwaving affects levels of dissolved oxygen in the water, which may affect flavour, but I don’t know
Microwaves don’t hurt the water any.
Microwave tea?!?!?!?!?
No, microwave water to make tea.
shudders
What’s wrong with the kettle? Or are they not commonplace in the states?
American power is too weak for kettles.
Winner winner chicken dinner!
Nothings wrong with the kettle, but nothings wrong with the microwave either. I use a kettle and it’s fine.
Electric kettles are indeed less common, I understand that it’s because the 120V power is less effective for heating
They are pretty common in America, and have been for quite a while. Less so than in the UK (which is probably your point). But still pretty easy to find in my experience.
I got one about 20 years ago from Target - nothing too fancy, just an Oster or something. It finally died a couple of years ago and I got a new one from Amazon, where they had a very wide selection.
No disagreement. They’re available but less common than other heating methods. I feel like stovetop is probably the most common but microwave is certainly in there too.