Are Electric Kettles Allowed on Trains?
Calling tea drinkers and coffee enthusiasts out there! Have you ever experienced traveling by train and can’t seem to find a decent cup of Joe in a sleeper car? Ever wondered if you could just bring your own kettle and brew your steaming delicious coffee or tea to enjoy in the morning? How great would it be if you can! Imagine being able to brew your own warm cup, snuggled up in your sleeper car, and enjoying the views of the open road.
So, the question is, are electric kettles allowed on trains? The short answer is yes and no. It depends on the kettle you bring and the train you are on. Let’s break down the baggage and the train power outage rules below.
Why Bring a Kettle on Trains?
But first, why on earth would anyone even want to bring a kettle on a train? For convenience, of course! Trains are notorious for mediocre coffee or limited drinks and strict schedules for food service. When traveling, you want to be prepared and comfortable. Some people wake up before the crack of dawn and need that cup of warmth to start their day. Unfortunately, not all trains provide coffee in the morning. The ones that do usually wait until most travelers are already up and out of their beds.
Others even bring kettles on trains to assure that the water they’re drinking is clean. If bottled water is not available, this is a great extra step to purify drinking water.
Now, how about food? Train services usually have a pantry or a small cafe car where you can buy snacks and light meals but their prices tend to soar since it’s the only available food on board. For overnight routes, some trains have a dining car too. Some sleeper car trains do provide special food service like a three-meal package but in a long-haul journey, you’ll never know when you would be hungry and need a quick hot snack to carry you over until the next meal.
So, it’s clear. Yes, you might not need to use a kettle on board but it would be a sigh of relief when you are experiencing hunger pangs or in need of a caffeine kick. If you don’t use it on the train, it could be beneficial when you’ve already arrived at your destination too.
Train Baggage Policies
Each train service has different baggage policies depending on the company and even the country you’re traveling in. Most train providers allow hand-carry baggage and some allow carry-on bags aboard. Amtrak generally prohibits household items like large appliances, artwork, furniture, and other bulky items.
Generally, trains only allow two bags per person and with very strict size and weight specifications. Travelers may opt to pay an excess baggage fee to bring their extra belongings. There also isn’t much room for larger kettles on trains. For carry-on items, luggage can be placed on racks either above or under the seats but they have very limited space. So, the key here is to bring only a small travel kettle on trains if you choose to do so.
Trains Power Usage Policies
Unlike plane rides where you can only wish for a power outlet – which is usually limited to phone or USB chargers only, you can have more luck with trains. Thankfully, power outlets are available on most, if not all, trains for travelers to charge their electronics or use small appliances like electric shavers. These are usually available in most of the cars, seats, cafe cars and other areas of the train. These power outlets have limited wattage power. Using large appliances or anything that will use up a lot of energy is prohibited as it can cause the whole train’s power to be out. Even worse, it can be a fire hazard and risk your lives and the lives of all the passengers.
In Amtrak, coach and business class seats are usually affixed with one outlet per pair of seats. In the first class, you can expect your own solo outlet.
Depending on the country though, you’ll need to research the voltage that is used there to minimize any safety hazard that can occur with gadgets. For example, Amtrak plugs are the usual standard 110-American Volts with three prongs.
When traveling outside of the country or if you’re a tourist traveling to and within America, you’ll need the proper cables or adaptors to use kettles on trains. Please remember it is not recommended to use a converter. The key is to purchase mini dual voltage travel kettles which are perfectly made for these needs. Depending on your destination or route, you may need a 110 or 220 Voltage. Please do your own research on the country you travel to make sure your gadgets are compatible.
Small and Easy-to-Use Travel Kettles
There are many travel kettles available for tourists and anyone who just wants a compact and easy-to-use kettle for their drink and food. There are even dual voltage mini kettles that are foldable and can easily fit in the pocket of your bag. These ultra-thin kettles make it so much easier to bring while traveling. These kettles are made of silicone which is easy to clean and they can heat up to 555 mL of liquids, perfect for a solo cup of coffee or tea.
- 【Safe Food Grade Protective】: food-grade silicone and stainless steel contribute to consistent…
- 【Ultra-thin Design】: Folded size: 6.5″X6.3″x2.1″; Unfolded size: 6.5″x6.3″x5.1″.
- 【Portable Size】- The Collapsible Kettle folded size is 3.15in x 4.72in; Unfolded size is 7.08in x…
- 【5 Functions Selection】- HYTRIC Electric Kettle is equipped with an intelligent control panel with a…
- Travel portable：design from California foldable body removable telescopic handle. when folded, it is…
- Multi-function：portable electric kettle has boiling and insulation functions and can adjust…
- Healthy and Durable Material: WADEO Portable kettle is made of food grade silicone and stainless steel…
- Foldable Electric Kettle: Travel kettle is portable and lightweight, fast folding in 3 seconds, very…
- 304 stainless steel heating base + food grade silicone contact material, safty and healthy. This electric…
- With a 400 watt rating,our portable water heater can boil water quickly in about 9 minutes, if you’re in…
There are other available small travel kettles in the market but there are a couple of key things you need to look for when shopping for them. Make sure they are small, dual voltage, and easy to bring.
- 【Safe Food Grade Protective】: food-grade silicone and stainless steel contribute to consistent…
- 【Ultra-thin Design】: Folded size: 6.5″X6.3″x2.1″; Unfolded size: 6.5″x6.3″x5.1″.
- Water Temperature Visualization – This small electric kettle has a tri-color LED indicator to indicate…
- Anti-Limescale Coating – CHACEEF portable kettle is made of food grade materials and 100% BPA-Free. This…
- 【Portable Size】- The Collapsible Kettle folded size is 3.15in x 4.72in; Unfolded size is 7.08in x…
- 【5 Functions Selection】- HYTRIC Electric Kettle is equipped with an intelligent control panel with a…
- 4 Smart Temperature Preset – The portable electric kettle preset temperatures are 212-195-175-140°F,…
- Portable & Lightweight – The portable travel water bottle is only 8.8 inches and weight 1.45 pounds, the…
- Travel Companion – With a 7.9×7.3inch compact size and 0.8L capacity, the small electric kettle will fit…
- Cool Touch Design – Possessed with a double-layer made of an anti-scalding outer layer and stainless…
Should I Bring Kettles to Trains?
If the question is, are kettles allowed on trains? It depends on the train provider. It would help to check the items prohibited page of the train company you are boarding. If not, you can risk scolding or confiscation.
But, if the question is should you bring one? If you’re after convenience, ease, and comfort and it is allowed on the specific train you’re on, why not? Kettles are a great way to conveniently heat your drinks and food.
