Stovetop Kettle Vs. Electric Kettle: Which One is Better

In a world where speed and efficiency are the order of the day, electric kettles have found a well-deserved place as the go-to appliance that facilitates the preparation of your favorite hot drink. Of course, there is still a segment of the population that remains nostalgic for the golden days, the classic taste, or even the hissing of steaming water, and this is where the confrontation that is the subject of today’s article emerged: stovetop kettle Vs. electric kettle: which one is better?

Most of us feel better starting our day with coffee, tea or any other hot beverage. Various studies have even shown their beneficial nature. They help us with a sharper focus, better digestion, and even a feeling of satiety that can keep us focus on our work schedule. Kettles have made a huge contribution here: helping us heat water quickly and effortlessly. But when it comes to the purchase of such an electrical appliance, due to the abundance of variables on the market, we may feel overwhelmed.

Should we opt for the good, reliable, old fashioned stovetop kettle which reminds us of homey environments, smelling of our favorite cookies or opt for the modern, efficient electric kettle? Continue reading this post to learn the pros and cons for either option!

Stovetop Kettle Advantages and Drawbacks

Stove kettle facilitates a traditional way of making tea or coffee. It is capable of heating water above boiling point. Some people like to brew their tea in boiling water for extracting the true flavor of tea leaves. Stove kettles are easy to clean and work on induction, gas, electric stove and even over a campfire.

The Pros of Stove Top Kettles

Affordability

Stove kettles come at a more affordable price. Those with a tight budget need not spend extra bucks on electric kettles when stove kettles work just fine.

Beautiful designs

Although electric kettles are also coming in very elegant designs and colors, stovetop kettles have more variety in when it comes to looks and matching any designer fantasy. You can easily choose one that blends in your kitchen’s interior or stands out, depending on preference. They also come in various shapes and materials, though kitchen grade stainless steel and glass are the healthiest options.

Ideal for Coffee

The ideal water temperature for brewing coffee is around 202-206 degrees Fahrenheit. We don’t all have a temperature-controlled electric kettle at home, but water boils at around 212 degrees Fahrenheit, so we rely on the kettle’s whistle.

Because boiling water is a little too hot, pouring it directly on the coffee grounds can cause them to extract too much too soon, leaving a bitter taste in your cup. Violent bubbling water also unnecessarily agitates the grounds, which can result in uneven extraction.

Best stovetop Kettle

Among the variety of stove top kettles available out there there are 2 models that we consider worth mentioning: the iconic Hario V60 “Buono” drip, gooseneck, coffee kettle and the best seller, classic, Primula Stewart whistling stovetop tea kettle.

Everything You Need to Know About Electric Kettles

The Benefits of Using an Electric Kettle

Time-saving

Electric kettles heat water faster than stove kettles. These high voltage kettles take no more than few seconds to heat water and bring it to a boiling point. As compared to the electric kettles, stovetop kettles take longer to boil water.

Portability

Unlike stovetop kettles, electric kettles do not depend on the stove to work. The best part of having an electric kettle is that you can place it where you want, in the office, in the RV, in your student dorm, in the living room. All you have to do is plug it in and enjoy your hot drink in no time.

Temperature control

Technology has reached electric kettles too, making them smarter than the traditional stovetop kettle. Mere boiling water is not enough. Some teas are too sensitive to be boiled, and their real flavor and taste may be destroyed with over boiling. In the same way, some drinks like coffee, need water above boiling point. What some electric kettle models do these days is to give an accurate temperature control. You can heat water at your required temperature and extract the real flavor of green tea, coffee, white tea or any other drink.

Energy Efficient: Which Is More Energy Efficient Electric Kettle Or Stove Top?

An electric kettles performs better than a stovetop kettle when it comes to heating water. The electric kettle is more energy efficient than the stovetop kettle. The heating element below the kettle directly heats the water, and no electricity is lost. On the stove, the flames surround the kettles heat the air around as well as the water inside. More energy is wasted this way, and thus electric kettles save more energy.

Indeed, the kettle is particularly effective because it is specifically designed to heat water: its resistors are very close to the water tank, and therefore it heats it up very quickly. According to tests conducted by Tree Hugger magazine, the energy efficiency of a kettle exceeds 80%, while that of a microwave only approaches 67% and that of a gas hob 30%.

While the time it takes for the water to boil has no impact on cost, it can be important in terms of time savings. Stiftung Warentest gives the following values ​​for the energy requirement and the duration of 1 liter of water:

• Kettle : 0.115 kWh, duration: approx. 3:18 minutes
• Induction hob without boost function : 0.123 kWh, duration: approx. 4:36 minutes
• Gas stove : 0.27 kWh, duration: 5:18 minutes
• Glass ceramic hob : 0.169 kWh, duration: 5:42 minutes
• Stovetop : 0.208 kWh, Duration: 6:18 minutes
• Microwave : 0.231 kWh, Duration: 12:18 minutes

Based on the average gas and electricity these days average prices can be calculated for orientation. It remains to be seen how the values ​​will change in the future:

Boil water: average cost

If you take the values ​​from April 2022, the following prices result:

Appliance	Boil 1 liter of water	Annual cost of 1 liter of water per day
Kettle	4.2 cents	€15.59
Induction hob without boost function	4.6 cents	€16.67
Gas stove	3.7 cents	€13.57
Glass ceramic hob	6.3 cents	€22.91
Stovetop	7.7 cents	€28.20
Microwave	8.6 cents	€31.31

Of course, different nuances appear here too, considering that most of the time we heat more water in an electric kettle than it is necessary for a cup of tea, and then we still make a certain amount of waste. Also it is worth considering the gas price evolution since at the moment it is the cheapest resource.

Is Electric Kettle Faster Than Stove top Kettle?

If you want to be time efficient while boiling water, the obvious choice is the electric kettle: Seth Stevenson, writing for Slate, says an electric kettle will get the job done in about half the time.

Auto shutoff

Electric kettles come with an auto shutoff system. An electric kettle immediately shuts off when water reaches the required temperature. This feature prevents overheating but also saves energy. Stovetop kettles have whistling options, and a loud sound can alert when water is ready, but still, they cannot automatically shut off which can lead to serious domestic accidents.

Best Electric Kettle

Just like in the case of stovetop kettles, there are many attractive electric kettle models which come in a variety of shapes, sizes, various functions, but we selected two models that seem to be the most popular: the budget friendly, popular Ovente Electric Hot Water Kettle 1.7 Liter, 1100 Watt and the highly recommended COSORI Glass Electric Kettle with Stainless Steel Filter and Inner Lid, 1500W.

Final Verdict
We have discussed both types of kettles in detail, and now it is the time of the final verdict. No doubt, electric kettles take the lead in being more convenient, portable, energy efficient and speedy. However, it all boils down to one factor that is personal preferences. What you choose for you is a matter of your personal convenience and preferences.