Took my big electric kettle to work and left it there after I found a gorgeous olive-green vintage stove top one at Value Village. It takes longer to boil the water, but I don't mind - and I love the extra bit of counter space!

i love my electric kettle! it boils water so fast, which is awesome in the morning.

I love mine! And agree with Alllebasii—it heats water so fast!

I make tea and my boyfriend makes French press coffee every day, so the electric kettle gets a TON of use.

I love it for tea, hot chocolate and meal prep that could use a little boiling water. Doesn't take up counter space because I don't leave it out. I had my carpenter build a second, pantry like space in my kitchen that just houses appliances, bowls and other large items. I used to use a large zojirushi hot pot pump but recently switched to a dualit kettle.

The Capresso shown in the picture is really beautiful and I almost got that model but I hesitated to buy it due to the poor reviews about the handle breaking off with no warning.

I have that exact kettle as the picture! Boils 48 oz in less than 4 minutes. I use it to boil water to blanch vegetables or if I'm making a very small amount of pasta, and also endless cups of tea. Couldn't live with out it and it's very pretty to look at when the water boils too. I've also lived w/out a microwave for along time and boiling water in the microwave makes the container hot and harder to get out w/out spilling.

I never thought about owning an electric kettle until I moved in with my partner who had one. I now absolutely love it and would buy a new one in a heartbeat if/ when ours dies. It is super fast and easy and convenient; we make coffee using a drip filter, so its perfect and easy to use for that and I usually make tea with it all day long. We don't own a coffee maker and it really doesn't take up much space on the counter at all.

You certainly don't NEED one, but I LOVE mine. I live in an apartment with limited kitchen storage, but I don't mind the kettle taking up space. I drink a lot of tea! In England and Ireland, they're standard.

My favorite place to buy tea online, Adagio, has a new electric tea kettle on pre-order for $69. Considering we already have a functional one it won't be making an appearance at our house anytime soon, but the one we do have gets used every morning to make coffee and sometimes tea at night.

I love ours and use it all the time...but now I want the one in the photo here! Beautiful.

I have lived without one before, but it does save time and lots of energy. And since energy is so expensive in Europe, it's really worth buying.

I have mine at work, too. I don't have easy access to a microwave, and prefer this method for heating water anyway, so it's nice to have in my office for when I want tea.

I have an electric kettle, and I LOVE it. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I have at least one cup of tea a day, so this is perfect for me. Yes, it takes up counter space, but since I use it every day, it's worth it for me. I also find that when I need boiling water for a recipe, it's great to have on hand.

Using the microwave to heat water can be tricky and dangerous, so I love this method. I could do with a tea kettle to heat on the stove, but once you've tried this, I think it would be hard to do without!

There is a safety consideration here. I am older and perhaps a little bit forgetful. Left mine on all day, came home and all was fine - just a very patient pot full of hot water. This would have not been the case if I'd left something on the stove. The best outcome there would be a smoke alarm and a visit from the fire department. Worst case is quite a bit more dire.

For all of you sharp young folks out there that never do anything as bone-headed as leaving an appliance turned on for the day....

My family always had stove-top. My husband grew up with electric.. so eventually he won and we got an electric. You can get them for less than $40, but we quickly found out that this is a case where you get what you pay for; our cheap kettle never stopped leaving a plastic-y taste in my tea!

So we splurged and got a nice stainless one with different temperatures, labeled for different kinds of teas (and as a loose-leaf tea snob (haha!), that was a must!), and it's AWESOME. I barely have enough time to get ready in the morning as it is, so those few minutes saved with the electric are well worth it to me!

I use mine all the time - for tea, for coffee, etc. - but also end up using it for household cleaning things too, like pouring hot water down the drain to help clear it out. The safety aspect (of automatically getting turned off) is also nice for those of us who are younger but can get distracted by our kids!

The Capresso kettle does suck. We went through two of them before we gave up--two different problems (a leak; a refusal to turn on), and we weren't going to risk a third. Now we have a much less nice-looking one but it seems sturdier.

They're very key because it keeps junk off the stove, which we need for actual cooking.

I really love mine because it is so fast! I would hate to have to give it up. I actually have two of them because I got one that I could use to heat things like veggie stock in it (thanks Alton!) and on occasion I really make them work for me. If I want to heat a huge pot of water for say pasta I sometimes fill both electric kettles with water and start them with some water also in the pot. I can then add some boiling water to the large pot and get a huge pot going faster than if it had to heat up all by itself.

I have an electric percolator that I occasionally use to heat water for tea. I keep it clean so it does not add any coffee flavor. Two appliances in one!

We have a small amount of counter space, no microwave and a very small oven. The oven has a great cover that I like to keep on whenever possible, so taking it off to fire up the kettle was a pain. I bought a Kalorik Aqua cordless on One King's Lane at a great price - it's crazy sexy and looks great on the counter top. We have hot water at the flip of a switch, which is handy since the majority of my friends are British. Lots of tea happening around here...It was also extremely handy around the holidays - great to have on hand whenever boiling water was necessary for a recipe.

I think the design of most tea kettles is not very functional, so I love my electric kettle. It pours great with no mess all over the place. The handle doesn't get hot like it seems most do on regular kettles, and you can boil small amounts of water in very little time.

A really useful device if you have an easily-distracted tea lover in the house - much better than repeatedly finding an empty kettle over a lit burner. I use it any time I need hot/boiling water: I'll get it boiling in the kettle and then dump it into the pasta/soup/etc. pot.

My Russell Hobbes electric kettle is easily my most used appliance, second only to my refrigerator. I use it 4-5 times a day for tea. I don't know if it is a cultural thing but I noticed that Canadians (like myself) usually have one, and American households tend not to have one.

I guess the only thing holding me back has been the idea of boiling in a plastic pot, or a glass/metal pot with a some kind of plastic at the bottom where the heating element connects. Am I crazy? I don't want the water to have any kind of off-taste, let alone leach chemicals. Right now I just boil the water for french press coffee in the microwave but that's loud and takes a bit longer than an electric kettle.

I used mine all the time when I worked in an office and made myself a cup of tea daily. I still get plenty of use out of it at home.

I have one at the office for tea and hot cocoa, otherwise I use the stove, since I'm willing to spend a little extra time and energy to save money and counter space.

I use my electric kettle a couple times a day and have a hot shot, which heats about 2 cups of water in less than 2 minutes, in my office. I consume an insane amout of coffee, tea, and cocoa during our cold Alaskan winters.

I am constantly spacing out around the house -- I mean multitasking -- so an electric kettle offers not only a speedy and safe tool to heat and pour water, but I don't need to worry about leaving a (scentless) pot of water boiling on the stove (again). I use my kettle at least once daily. I just wish that it had a little bell when the water was done, however, a thermal carafe does keep the water hot for a fairly long time.

Having done a side-by-side comparison of boiled water (in a stove-top or electric kettle) versus "boiled" water from the microwave, the results from the kettles were overwhelmingly better for me. The kettle water produced a darker, stronger, faster-brewed tea, whereas that from the microwave was weak and the water just didn't get as hot.

I also second SharonT's comment that it's safer - no ruining a tea kettle on the stove by boiling all the water out of it and burning the metal. I use my electric kettle for tea and French press coffee, and my previously kettle-bound roommates have converted too.

I find stove-top kettles more aesthetically pleasing, but prefer the speed of electric. And I can be soothed by using a cute tea pot for entertaining instead.

I just pre-ordered the adagio one that heats to different temps (for tea) and can hold a temp for 20 minutes. No, I don't need it, but it's a graduation present to myself... I could get by without one, sure, but I use our current crappy plastic one it at least twice a day! And my husband always steals it and brings it to the bathroom for shaving, so now, the plastic one will live in the bathroom and be exclusively for shaving!

At my place we just have a stove top, and it takes FOREVER to boil. Especially when all I want is enough for a cup of tea. My parents electric one takes about 1.5 minutes. On the stove? 3-5.

WORTH IT. At my parents it just sits on the counter, a regular part of the landscape. Perhaps not as convenient in a places with really limited storage/counter space. But still, I think WORTH IT.

It's a staple in Canada too AFAIK.... I don't think I ever met someone here who didn't have one. The thought of boiling water in the microwave or on the electric stovetop boggles me.

I loved having my inexpensive hot pot when my kitchen reno was being done. Used it to make tea, boil noodles, etc. quickly. However, it has passed on and I've gotten my kitchen back. I may need to revisit this when funds become available again.

If I could be guaranteed that the electronics would never break and the inside would always be clean and scale free, yes I'd get one. They have auto-shut off and that's what I need. I've burned and melted too many stove-tops ones that had a removable (and annoying) whistle.

I'm using either the microwave or just a pot on the stove... go figure, I don't seem to burn the latter.

very useful, fast and convenient. I love mine!

O electric kettle, I do love you so. You give and you give, multiple times a day, quickly and generously, and save for a bimonthly shot of vinegar, you ask nothing in return.

My South African husband was astonished that Americans don't consider the electric kettle as standard as, say, a toaster. When he arrived in the country fifteen years ago, he had difficulty even finding one for sale!

I love ours. It's fast and shuts off automatically, and is pretty much the only small appliance in the house that gets used multiple times a day. (It gets more use than even the microwave.)

Ours cost a pretty penny, but with how much we use the thing it was worth it to have a good one.

I'll never forget what a revelation it was to see one of these in New Zealand for the first time. Back then we didn't have these in the US, or at least they were very rare. Now I consider it an essential appliance. As to price, there are decent stainless steel ones available at Costco for less than $30.

I think nearly everyone in Australia has one.. its normal.

I lived for a summer in college with no access to a kitchen, and I managed to cook everything for myself using a hotpot. If there are no exposed coils at the bottom of the electric kettle, you can easily make hardboiled eggs, steamed veggies, and pasta. Not to mention the tea, coffee and oatmeal. It cost $10 up front, and lasted for 6 years of seriously hard use the cord finally fried. Now that I have a stove, I tend to use my teapot to heat water at home, but I do still have an electric kettle in my office to feed my tea addiction....

Capresso!

I'm from England and Australia where electric kettles are 'the norm'. When we arrived in America a few years ago I was surprised at the limited choice of kettles here - although they are becoming more common. We have had the Breville one for 3 years and it's still going strong.

Interesting. I've never even heard the idea of not having an electric kettle anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. Maybe a hangover from being Brittish colonies in the not so distant past - must have tea available quickly at all times!

http://www.target.com/Aroma-X-Press-Stainless-Steel-Kettle/dp/B000KDVTJI/ref=sc_pd_gwvub_2_title

I have this one from Target, 28.99 (although I'm pretty sure we got it for 20) it's the greatest thing. I thought electric kettles were silly until my boyfriend, who grew up in the UK, insisted that we get one. Now I depend on it. We use it for tea and french press coffee, but also to quickly boil water for pasta or whatever.

I agree with Loloan. I've never seen anyone use a stovetop kettle in my life. It's just not done here in New Zealand. I'd imagine you would be talk of the town if you reverted back to these rustic ways. Maybe I can start a trend... I use my electric kettle for boiling water before using it to cook pasta, potatoes etc on the stove.

I live in Turkey where everyone has one and now I too can't live without mine. I use it to boil water for my french press, to make pasta/everything else and also to heat water to wash the dishes since I don't (by choice) have a dishwasher.

All the way from Cape Town, everyone here has a counter top kettle... I don't know anyone who doesn't have one... the one appliance everyone has - over and above microwaves and even stoves. Everyone has a kettle, even when I was a kid, the one thing everyone had...was a kettle. One or two friends now have a stove top kettle, but our electricity has gotten really pricey every drop really does count and they actually still heat their water in the kettle. Different cultures I guess!!!

I was surprised this was even a question! I'm from the UK and almost everyone has an electric kettle which is kept out on the counter top, and is use a lot through out the day. Must be all the tea we drink!

Also here they start at about £5 for a basic kettle.

I live in the UK and didn't know that you could actually survive without one of these. I use mine at least ten times daily... I just love tea!

It's the only appliances that is on permanent display on my countertops. I just can't live without it !

My "cordless auto-off" kettle sits beside a bread-basket filled with filters, boxes of loose tea and other tea-paraphernalia on a short run of counter. I use it nightly. I've lived without, and maybe it's because I grew up with an electric kettle, but I've always missed it when it's not there.

I'm with everyone here who says that boiling water has many uses and it's great to have it ready very quickly (I think I've already said this in another AT post...)

While I think of it as a convenience rather an essential for home kitchens, it's simply a MUST for office kitchens. Microwaves should not be used to heat water, and there's no other way to make a decent tea or powdered soup (my one delight).

I moved to the UK a few years ago and electric kettles are de rigeur - in fact I'd go as far as saying I've never seen a stove-top kettle in any of my friends' houses here.

My parents are tea-drinkers so we had one at home in the US for most of my life, but I do notice that the US-versions boil water significantly slower than the UK ones do. Perhaps some of the newer models havea caught up by now though.

When we bought ours, we also got a melitta-style coffee maker (the kind that sits on top of the cup) and put our coffee maker in storage. We never quite got the hang of making the right amount of coffee for two people. Now we just brew it by the cup. We waste less coffee and the electric kettle takes up less space than our coffee maker did. Plus, it also does all the other things everyone already mentioned. I'm a convert now for sure.

I drink a continuous stream of tea all day every day, starting with English Breakfast and ending with SleepyTime. I would have burned the house down many times over if not for my thrift-store electric kettle.

My Irish mum and bff both refuse to convert and use the stove-top whistling kettles. I still have a fondness for them, but a poorly designed one will injure you every time you use it. There are a shocking number of poorly designed ones out there.

Being somewhat skeptical about electric kettles (I don't like single-use appliances/tools), I tested one against my new electric stove and old microwave. The electric kettle boiled water faster than either. Since I drink french press coffee daily and make other hot beverages during the week, I was sold.

I've also discovered via Alton Brown that the kettle makes excellent hardboiled and softboiled eggs. I've always had trouble with the timing, either too soft or overcooked. With the kettle, I cover the eggs with water, turn it on, walk away. When it shuts off after boiling, I time it for about 12 minutes. Perfectly cooked hardboiled eggs for salad or noshing.

I have a Braun model, which is plastic with the interior metal heating "floor", so I'm looking at the stainless steel options of other brands. I don't particularly notice a plastic-y aftertaste, but I don't have anything for comparison. Still, less plastic in my life can't be a bad thing.

I have the Adagio temperature adjustable electric kettle a previous mentioned. I think it's lasted over 2 years now and is just so handy. I drink several pots of tea a day and the kettle is well worth the money spent!

I have one at home and one at work. Love them both and use them several times a day.

Since I nearly burnt my stove top kettle up a few times (I get easily distracted) having an electric kettle that turns it self off is great!

My mom should have one too! : )

I prefer using up stove space to counter space in my little kitchen, and I love my bright red kettle!

I used to have one from my grandparents and I used it all the time. However, when I married, it came to our attention that my mother-in-law (who's now 91) needed it much more than I did--she was getting pretty forgetful about heating water on the stovetop. (Me, I've only ever scorched two kettles, and I don't think that's a bad record, all things considered.)

That was three years ago, and the kettle just died. We found ourselves on quite the hunt to find a good kettle for her--not too big, auto shutoff, kettle- instead of jug-style ('cause she just can't lift those tall ones), preferably one without a base. The one I found that I thought would work best was a squat jug-style, and it did have a base she has to fit it to, but the handle is pretty easy for her to grip--much easier than the thick handles of the other kettle-styles available. I've decided that men are designing, rather inconsiderately, those thick handles.

I wouldn't say no to having another one for me sometime soon, too. (I just had a baby, and I'm a little distracted/distractable these days.)

I bought my electric kettle at a yard sale for a dollar about 4 years ago. It's so basic it doesn't even have a shut off valve so I have to set a timer, which I don't mind at all. It's also short and squat making it more of a cabinet hog than it ought to be. And the cord is so short I have to place it on a stove burner to reach the outlet. These inconveniences seem minor compared to the amount of time (not to mention electricity) it takes to boil water I still wouldn't trade it for anything. Microwaved water just doesn't cut it. And I really love being able to heat water for all those other little things previous posters listed, even making the dish water hotter. Guess I'm hooked.

My husband bought me an electric kettle - it is MUCH quicker than boiling water in a kettle (I don't know if it's just our crappy apartment stovetop, but it's a gas range and still takes a really long time to boil water whether in a kettle or in a pot). I don't like using the microwave to boil water, it also takes a really long time, and I don't think it's safe, especially since my microwave is above the stove and hard for me to reach. So in my particular case, the electric kettle is a must!

OMG - best 19.99 I EVER spent!

I bought my elderly dad an electric kettle after he almost burnt a regular kettle. He is happy to make his tea and I have a peace of mind.