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  3. How many of you microwave water for tea?

How many of you microwave water for tea?

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  • goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG [email protected]

    Seriousely how many of you do that? Sincearly a european

    thisisamanwhoknowshowtogling@lemmy.dbzer0.comT This user is from outside of this forum
    thisisamanwhoknowshowtogling@lemmy.dbzer0.comT This user is from outside of this forum
    [email protected]
    wrote last edited by
    #4

    I am an American. I got a stovetop kettle to boil water for my tea. My fiancée hates it and refuses to use it. My friends think it is weird that I don’t just use the microwave like a normal person.

    goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG [email protected]

      Seriousely how many of you do that? Sincearly a european

      F This user is from outside of this forum
      F This user is from outside of this forum
      [email protected]
      wrote last edited by
      #5

      Electric kettles are a waste of space for many people. Limited use, fills up the counter. So then either you use the store or the microwave. We both know which one is faster.

      venus_ziegenfalle@feddit.orgV M 2 Replies Last reply
      3
      • goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG [email protected]

        Seriousely how many of you do that? Sincearly a european

        leadore@lemmy.worldL This user is from outside of this forum
        leadore@lemmy.worldL This user is from outside of this forum
        [email protected]
        wrote last edited by
        #6

        I use an electric kettle but remember that in the US outlets are 120V, so they take a lot longer to heat water than in countries with 240.

        So the microwave isn't much less efficient than the electric kettle, mainly because some of the energy is heating the mug/container. The least efficient is a stovetop kettle on an electric stove.

        But I'm curious, why are Europeans so horrified by the idea of heating water in the microwave? Is it related to power consumption, or is there some other reason?

        A goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG 2 Replies Last reply
        2
        • goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG [email protected]

          Seriousely how many of you do that? Sincearly a european

          M This user is from outside of this forum
          M This user is from outside of this forum
          [email protected]
          wrote last edited by
          #7

          Wait, you guys have microwaves?

          Sincerely,
          Someone who does not own a microwave

          A 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • curious_canid@lemmy.caC [email protected]

            I live in the US and I heat my tea water in an electric kettle. It probably isn't as fast as yours, but it is still close to microwave speed. And I can heat up enough for several cups of tea and have it keep the rest hot. I usually drink more than one at a sitting.

            A This user is from outside of this forum
            A This user is from outside of this forum
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            wrote last edited by
            #8

            Unless I'm misunderstanding your statement, you're saying it's faster to boil water in the microwave than the kettle? How's that possible? I would think the microwave has more wasted energy

            curious_canid@lemmy.caC T 2 Replies Last reply
            1
            • A [email protected]

              Unless I'm misunderstanding your statement, you're saying it's faster to boil water in the microwave than the kettle? How's that possible? I would think the microwave has more wasted energy

              curious_canid@lemmy.caC This user is from outside of this forum
              curious_canid@lemmy.caC This user is from outside of this forum
              [email protected]
              wrote last edited by
              #9

              My microwave can boil a single cup of water faster than my kettle. My kettle can boil four cups of water a lot faster than my microwave. It all depends on the microwave and kettle (and the voltage available).

              A 1 Reply Last reply
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              • curious_canid@lemmy.caC [email protected]

                My microwave can boil a single cup of water faster than my kettle. My kettle can boil four cups of water a lot faster than my microwave. It all depends on the microwave and kettle (and the voltage available).

                A This user is from outside of this forum
                A This user is from outside of this forum
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                wrote last edited by
                #10

                Huh. I guess the kettle has some thermal mass to it making it less efficient for small amounts

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • F [email protected]

                  Electric kettles are a waste of space for many people. Limited use, fills up the counter. So then either you use the store or the microwave. We both know which one is faster.

                  venus_ziegenfalle@feddit.orgV This user is from outside of this forum
                  venus_ziegenfalle@feddit.orgV This user is from outside of this forum
                  [email protected]
                  wrote last edited by
                  #11

                  I honestly don't know which is faster since I've never used a microwave to boil water. An electric kettle is essential for me. It also boils water that can then be used for cooking so for me it's versatile enough to justify the space. Toasters imo have much more limited use and those seem to be common in US households too.

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • M [email protected]

                    Wait, you guys have microwaves?

                    Sincerely,
                    Someone who does not own a microwave

                    A This user is from outside of this forum
                    A This user is from outside of this forum
                    [email protected]
                    wrote last edited by
                    #12

                    So you heat a whole oven or stove every time you want some leftovers? cries in planet

                    R M 2 Replies Last reply
                    0
                    • leadore@lemmy.worldL [email protected]

                      I use an electric kettle but remember that in the US outlets are 120V, so they take a lot longer to heat water than in countries with 240.

                      So the microwave isn't much less efficient than the electric kettle, mainly because some of the energy is heating the mug/container. The least efficient is a stovetop kettle on an electric stove.

                      But I'm curious, why are Europeans so horrified by the idea of heating water in the microwave? Is it related to power consumption, or is there some other reason?

                      A This user is from outside of this forum
                      A This user is from outside of this forum
                      [email protected]
                      wrote last edited by [email protected]
                      #13

                      But I'm curious, why are Europeans so horrified by the idea of heating water in the microwave?

                      Not op. But I'm really curious about the whole "microwave water" thing.

                      For me it's just a completely foreign idea. Maybe because electric kettles are so ubiquitous over here. Like everyone has one, including office kitchens and hotel rooms.

                      I'm also curious over the practicality. Doesn't it spill over? What kind of container do you use to hold the water? For example if you want one cup of tea, do you just put a cup of water into the microwave? Depending on the container, do you watch it the whole time?

                      I understand why one may use the microwave to heat water, I also understand it works, but the idea of actually doing it is... mystifying.

                      leadore@lemmy.worldL 1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG [email protected]

                        Seriousely how many of you do that? Sincearly a european

                        L This user is from outside of this forum
                        L This user is from outside of this forum
                        [email protected]
                        wrote last edited by
                        #14

                        My in-laws do that. Just today I ordered them a lighted electric kettle.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • leadore@lemmy.worldL [email protected]

                          I use an electric kettle but remember that in the US outlets are 120V, so they take a lot longer to heat water than in countries with 240.

                          So the microwave isn't much less efficient than the electric kettle, mainly because some of the energy is heating the mug/container. The least efficient is a stovetop kettle on an electric stove.

                          But I'm curious, why are Europeans so horrified by the idea of heating water in the microwave? Is it related to power consumption, or is there some other reason?

                          goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG This user is from outside of this forum
                          goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG This user is from outside of this forum
                          [email protected]
                          wrote last edited by
                          #15

                          Why would you? Have some class!

                          And if you need such a small amount of warm water to cook. Then take warm water from your tap.

                          For everything else? Use a kettle!

                          leadore@lemmy.worldL 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • thisisamanwhoknowshowtogling@lemmy.dbzer0.comT [email protected]

                            I am an American. I got a stovetop kettle to boil water for my tea. My fiancée hates it and refuses to use it. My friends think it is weird that I don’t just use the microwave like a normal person.

                            goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG This user is from outside of this forum
                            goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG This user is from outside of this forum
                            [email protected]
                            wrote last edited by
                            #16

                            You are the only normal person there

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            2
                            • F [email protected]

                              Electric kettles are a waste of space for many people. Limited use, fills up the counter. So then either you use the store or the microwave. We both know which one is faster.

                              M This user is from outside of this forum
                              M This user is from outside of this forum
                              [email protected]
                              wrote last edited by
                              #17

                              Electric kettle is used more frequently than the coffee maker, and takes up less space. It's faster too. I think it's 2kw, while microwave is 800w. There are more powerful kettles too, up to 3kw i think.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • goldholz@lemmy.blahaj.zoneG [email protected]

                                Why would you? Have some class!

                                And if you need such a small amount of warm water to cook. Then take warm water from your tap.

                                For everything else? Use a kettle!

                                leadore@lemmy.worldL This user is from outside of this forum
                                leadore@lemmy.worldL This user is from outside of this forum
                                [email protected]
                                wrote last edited by
                                #18

                                Oh, now I see! You don't understand that a microwave can boil water, you think it can only warm it up a little. Thank you for clearing up my confusion.

                                Have some class!

                                Whenever I hear Europeans accuse Americans of being arrogant, I can only laugh. Feeling superior about something like how you boil water is hilarious.

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                1
                                • A [email protected]

                                  So you heat a whole oven or stove every time you want some leftovers? cries in planet

                                  R This user is from outside of this forum
                                  R This user is from outside of this forum
                                  [email protected]
                                  wrote last edited by
                                  #19

                                  Just eat them cold.

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • A [email protected]

                                    But I'm curious, why are Europeans so horrified by the idea of heating water in the microwave?

                                    Not op. But I'm really curious about the whole "microwave water" thing.

                                    For me it's just a completely foreign idea. Maybe because electric kettles are so ubiquitous over here. Like everyone has one, including office kitchens and hotel rooms.

                                    I'm also curious over the practicality. Doesn't it spill over? What kind of container do you use to hold the water? For example if you want one cup of tea, do you just put a cup of water into the microwave? Depending on the container, do you watch it the whole time?

                                    I understand why one may use the microwave to heat water, I also understand it works, but the idea of actually doing it is... mystifying.

                                    leadore@lemmy.worldL This user is from outside of this forum
                                    leadore@lemmy.worldL This user is from outside of this forum
                                    [email protected]
                                    wrote last edited by
                                    #20

                                    Most people would just put water in the mug (ceramic/microwave-safe of course) that they're going to make the tea in and microwave it until it boils or bubbles just short of a rolling boil, which takes 2 or 3 minutes, depending on the microwave's power--you'd learn the time yours takes and set the timer for that. At that point I don't see the difference between that vs. if you poured it into the cup from the kettle. Either way you now have a cup full of boiling-hot water to steep your tea in. No, it won't spill over if you don't fill it all the way up to the brim.

                                    1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • A [email protected]

                                      Unless I'm misunderstanding your statement, you're saying it's faster to boil water in the microwave than the kettle? How's that possible? I would think the microwave has more wasted energy

                                      T This user is from outside of this forum
                                      T This user is from outside of this forum
                                      [email protected]
                                      wrote last edited by
                                      #21

                                      Microwave is blasting radiation at 100% efficiency as soon as you turn it on. Kettles heating elements need to heat up before they can heat the water.

                                      A 1 Reply Last reply
                                      1
                                      • T [email protected]

                                        Microwave is blasting radiation at 100% efficiency as soon as you turn it on. Kettles heating elements need to heat up before they can heat the water.

                                        A This user is from outside of this forum
                                        A This user is from outside of this forum
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                                        wrote last edited by
                                        #22

                                        I wonder what the efficiency of absorption is, though. Does 100% of emitted radiation get soaked up by the cup, or does some escape into the surroundings?

                                        T 1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • A [email protected]

                                          I wonder what the efficiency of absorption is, though. Does 100% of emitted radiation get soaked up by the cup, or does some escape into the surroundings?

                                          T This user is from outside of this forum
                                          T This user is from outside of this forum
                                          [email protected]
                                          wrote last edited by
                                          #23

                                          It doesn't get absorbed so much as excite the water particles as it passes through. I'd imagine it would be more effective in the beginning when they're standing relatively still.

                                          1 Reply Last reply
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