How Do Electric Kettles Heat Water So Fast? (Explained)

Thanks to constantly evolving technology, you can do things around the house faster.

With the invention of different kitchen appliances, you can reduce your prepping and cooking time.

One of the kitchen appliances that people use frequently is an electric kettle. Many households have an electric kettle because of its capability to boil or heat water in just a short amount of time.

Here’s How Fast Electric Kettles Boil Water:

Boiling times can vary depending on the brand and the wattage. On average, electric kettles can boil water in less than 5 minutes. A 1500W electric kettle can boil a liter of water in 4 to 5 minutes, while a 2500W electric kettle can in less than 3 minutes.

How Do Electric Kettles Work?

Inside each electric kettle is a metal coil made from heating elements such as nichrome, nickel, and chromium. This coil allows electrical energy to travel through it, which converts it into heat to warm the cold water inside the kettle.

This is what the process looks like inside an electric kettle:

  1. The kettle is turned on, allowing large electric currents to travel through the metal coil.
  2. The metal coil has an electrical resistance, which converts the electrical energy into heat as it travels through the coil.
  3. The heat produced by the coil is used to warm the water inside the electric kettle once it reaches boiling point.
  4. Electric kettles have a thermostat, which triggers the machine to automatically switch off once the water reaches the right temperature.

It may seem like a simple process, but thanks to this technology, we can enjoy our instant coffee or no-cook oatmeal in just a few minutes.

How Fast Do Electric Kettles Boil Water?

Electric kettles can boil a liter of water in less than 5 minutes.

Boiling times can vary depending on the brand and the wattage, but 5 minutes is the average boiling time for 1 liter of water for most electric kettles.

The higher the wattage is, the faster the boiling time can be. The average boiling time for a 1500W electric kettle with a liter of water is around 4 minutes. Meanwhile, a 2500W electric kettle boils a liter of water in just 2 to 3 minutes.

A lot of electric kettles have more than 1L capacity. So if you fill them up with 2 to 3 liters of water, the boiling time will be slightly longer.

How Hot Do Electric Kettles Boil Water?

Most electric kettles, or at least the ones we know, have a preset that allows water to heat up to a boiling point of 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

These electric kettles will automatically shut off once the water reaches that temperature.

Depending on the material used for the body of the electric kettle, some kettles can keep the water warm for a certain time, even if it is past the boiling point.

Some high-end electric kettles provide temperature ranges, which is useful if you have more specific uses for hot water. For example, some drinks like oolong and black tea are served best at certain temperatures.

Some kettles have buttons you can choose from depending on the type of drink you will be making instead of just displaying the temperature. This is great if you want better control over the temperature of your electric kettle.

While the temperature on your kettle is good, it isn’t required, especially if you do not frequently consume drinks that require a certain temperature. A regular electric kettle should be good enough for you to boil water.

Do Electric Kettles Heat Water Faster Than A Stovetop Kettle?

While both types of kettles have the same function, heat water, it is no argument that an electric kettle does it significantly faster than a stovetop kettle.

A stovetop kettle is a metal vessel with a flat bottom and comes with a handle, a spout, and a lid. It is used to heat water on the top of a stove.

Some stovetop kettles also have a steam whistle that signals when the water has reached boiling point.

If you want to spend less time boiling water, then an electric kettle is the smarter and better choice as it heats water faster than a stovetop kettle.

Depending on the amount of water, a stovetop kettle can boil water for 5 to 10 minutes. An electric kettle can do this in just a fraction of that time.

Plus, electric kettles are much more energy efficient compared to stovetop kettles. Even though stovetop kettles commonly use gas cheaper than electricity, it takes a longer time to boil water, so essentially, more energy is being used.

Which Electric Kettles Boil Water Fastest?

You may wonder which brands and models of electric kettles boil water the fastest, so we have created a list and ranked them based on boiling times.

Note: the boiling times of these kettles were based on how long it took to boil 3 cups or 0.75 liters of water.

1. Capresso 259 H2O Plus Glass Water Kettle – $59.86

With a 1.5-liter capacity, this water kettle from Capresso can boil water in just 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

This kettle is ranked the best and comes at an affordable price.

Check out the Capresso 259 Water Kettle here!

This kettle comes in a heat-resistant glass body with a handle that is easy to grip and a base that can swivel in just about any direction. It also has chrome accents for design.

2. Oxo Brew Cordless Electric Kettle – $83.95

The second fastest and most consistent overall, this electric kettle can heat water to a boiling point in 2 minutes and 26 seconds.

It has a sleek and simple build that would look good in any kitchen theme.

Check out the Oxo Brew Cordless Electric Kettle here!

This kettle has a 1.75-liter capacity and comes in a visually pleasing glass exterior, displaying how much water it contains.

3. Beautiful One-Touch Electric Kettle by Drew Barrymore – $63.99

While comparably cheaper than the other brands listed here, this kettle performs just as well.

This 1.7-liter kettle can heat water to boiling in 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

Check out the One-Touch Electric Kettle here!

It is made of a sturdy matte plastic material, which is also cool to the touch – even if the water is boiling inside.

It also has special settings for tea, like green tea, black tea, and oolong tea, which you can control with its digital interface.

4. Smarter Electric iKettle – $149.99

With a 1.8-liter capacity, this electric kettle by the brand Smarter has a bigger capacity than the other kettles on this list.

This kettle is made from stainless steel with a non-spill spout. It can boil water in just 2 minutes and 37 seconds.

Check out the Smarter Electric iKettle here!

What sets this electric kettle apart from the other brands and models here is that it can be connected to other smart home devices. It works with Amazon Echo, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

5. Zwilling Enfinigy Cool Touch Kettle – $79.99

This electric kettle has a capacity of 1.5 liters, with a sturdy build and a minimalist design.

Its exterior is cool to the touch, even if the water is boiling inside.

Check out the Zwilling Enfinigy Cool Touch Kettle here!

This sleek kettle is one of the fastest boiling electric kettle on the market. It can heat water to a boiling point in only 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

6. SMEG 50’s Retro Style Electric Kettle – $189.95

If you are looking for an electric kettle that is aesthetically pleasing and can boil water fast, then this may be a good option for you.

That is if you do not mind paying nearly $200 for an electric kettle.

Check out the SMEG 50’s Retro Style Electric Kettle here!

The SMEG electric kettle can boil water in 2 minutes and 40 seconds. As its name implies, this kettle comes in a retro-style design and will look stylish on your kitchen counter.

It is also available in different colors like pastel blue, pastel green, pink, red, black, and white.

7. Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle – $34.08

The most affordable on this list, this electric kettle by Amazon has a 1-liter capacity and can boil water in 2 minutes and 43 seconds.

Check out the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Electric Kettle here!

It has a cordless design, and its body is made from stainless steel and BPA-free material.

The only downside to this kettle is that it has a smaller capacity compared to other brands.

8. Ovente Victoria Series Water Kettle – $41.27

The cheapest one on this list is this electric kettle that can boil your water instantly.

Its boiling time is 2 minutes and 45 seconds, which is just a teeny bit longer than other brands here, but it is value for money.

Check out the Ovente Victoria Series Water Kettle here!

This kettle comes in a sleek stainless steel body with a good capacity of 1.7 liters. It is available in matte white, matte black, and silver.

9. Cuisinart Perfectemp Cordless Electric Kettle – $69.99

This 1.7-liter electric kettle from Cuisinart can boil water in just 3 minutes and 10 seconds.

While its boiling time is slightly over 3 minutes, it is still fast, considering how affordable this kettle is compared to the other brands here.

Check out the Cuisinart Perfectemp Cordless Electric Kettle here!

What makes it a bit pricey is has temperature controls so you can heat the water based on your drink. It has settings for green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. It also has a setting for French press coffee.

For the price, this kettle is very functional and is packed with multiple features.

10. Fellow Stag EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle – $159.95

Another electric kettle that comes in an aesthetically-pleasing design, this Fellow Stag kettle can boil water in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. 

This kettle lets you adjust the temperature to heat your water to a certain temperature.

Check out the Fellow Stag EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle here!

It has an LCD screen so you can check the progress as the water heats up, and it keeps the water warm for up to an hour even after it reaches its boiling point. 

While any kettle does the job of heating and boiling water, an electric kettle can do it faster. If you want one that boils water very fast, then any of the kettles listed here are great options that you may want to consider.

Sources:

How Stuff Works: Your Kettle

Explain That Stuff: How Electric Kettles Work

These Are The Fastest Electric Kettles You Can Buy & Yes, They’re Better Than The One You Own

The Best Electric Kettle Of 2022