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John Thornton |
One possible reason that electric kettles have never become popular in North America is that their mains power is not up to the job. At a voltage of 110V and a socket current limit of 15A, the maximum power available is only about half that from the 240V/13A system found in Britain. It really is quicker to boil water on a stove in the US.
Time for a cup of tea,
John Thornton |
Nicey replies: Surely NASA or Intel has a solution for this. Can't all the heat coming off all those Pentium chips in all those US PCs be put to good use to boil up water for tea. You can after all fry eggs on them. Come on sort it out the US, its only boiling water. |
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Sergio Fernandes
Wagon Wheel Review |
Many thanks to Biscuit Man for his exhaustive answer. I have since also received the following e-mail from Burtons Consumer Services department...
"We can now confirm that Wagon Wheels packs did at one time have the illustration you describe. It also had a save the coupon sheriff's badge on the back on special promotions.
Hope this helps with your dispute.
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to contact us it is always good to hear from our customers and we learn something new as well." |
Nicey replies: Yay, for Burton's Customer Services!
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Robert Williams |
Hi,
I once worked with an American who I once caught making a cup of tea. Instead of using the nice convenient kettle, he put a mug of cold water in the microwave and was completely surprised when I pointed the kettle out and told him what it was for. At least he should get some points for drinking tea in the first place.
When in the States, I'm always surprised when I ask for tea and get a cup of warm water and a separate tea bag.
Rob |
Nicey replies: I sense we have tapped a rich seam of anecdotes here. |
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Vivienne Wong |
Hi there,
In response to your strange "discovery" that the Americans don't have electric kettles, may I say that as a proud Canadian, electric kettles DO exist in North America. Many of my friends have them in their kitchens. Aside from our lattes and double espressos, we do love a nice cuppa every now and then.
Vivienne Wong
Ex-Vancouverite living in the UK |
Nicey replies: Ahh maybe it was a Canadian Kettle that was really responsible for the recent power outage. |
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Mark+Catherine Howard |
The answer to the riddle of why Americans don't have electric kettles is that their electricity supply runs at 110 volts, not our 240 volts. This means that although a fatal electric shock is less likely to occur, you can't boil up the water for a nice cuppa!
Catherine of Newport
PS I found out about your site from an old copy of the Sunday Times as I was lining the guinea pigs cage. Wonderful subject to have a site on! |
Nicey replies: I can't believe that about the voltage, I thought it was current flow that did the heating. That's how fuses work, too much current and they melt. Anyhow how would all their coffee machines work?
Nice to know that guinea pigs have slept on my face, one of the perks of being a biscuit critic I suppose. |
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