Quote:
Originally Posted by ekbell
Given that electric kettles were THE gift to give to university students in Ontario, Canada, a few decades ago, different electrical systems can't be the main determining factor.
(I've wondered how American students heated water for their cup-o-noodles or instant soups without a electric kettle)
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It's certainly not a matter of electric kettles NOT being available or NOT working or NOT being useful here.
And there are certainly multiple factors for the comparative lack of popularity, the different popularity of tea being a big one, I still suspect, especially in CA vs. US.
But if an electric kettle in the UK can heat a cup or two of water in the veritable blink of an eye, and an electric kettle in the US takes as long or longer than a microwave, or a regular kettle on a stove/hot plate, then in the UK it's a no-brainer, while in the US there is simply not as much incentive to get yet another appliance if you already have those others, especially in a limited space, like a dorm room.
And by the way, the microwave oven is the most common answer to your student noodle question.