This is one of life’s biggest mysteries.
I thought that was fairly well known as being a simple matter of energy transfer because of electrical standards in the US being 110-120V at 15A (~1500W max) compared to most of the rest of the world being 220-240V at 13A to 16A (~3000W max). Simply put, it takes at least twice as long to boil water in an electric kettle in the US.
Sorry but I beg to differ 
When I need hot water for cooking, say for pasta, I always boil the water in the kettle, then pour it into the pan. It takes a fraction of the time in the kettle.
I think he’s comparing EU to US electric kettles. You are comparing an electric kettle to stovetop Kettle or stock pot boiling. It was certain to cause a debate though. Just say the word!
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Ah, I’m getting nostalgic… duvets, comforters, top sheets, kettles. Never mind politics, these are the things to be passionate about!
Decorative pillows be damned, who cares. 
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“The best little pillow is a cat.”
Or three…just sayin’…
Ooh, kettles … I miss Faheem!!
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I mean it takes twice as long as a 220-240V electric kettle, and taking twice as long just doesn’t have the same consumer impact.
Looks like a scene from “Blade. Runner”
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Anybody who is not finding enough in this thread need just google “do american kettles take twice as long to boil?”. Your rabbithole awaits.
If it was only a matter of voltage you could get the same power P by using 1/4 the resistance R across the same voltage V. P=V^2/R. I presume this is what they do for electric stoves since you don’t see America electric stoves only putting out half the energy or temperature which would be useless. Is it the case then that this only applies to kettles (and not say toasters)?
@JamJerrupSunset , that’s correct, but the side effect is that it doubles the current, and the wiring inside the walls is designed to safely supply only 15A and a 1500W kettle is already around 13A minimum. Doubling the current will overload the circuit (trip the breaker, blow a fuse, melt the wiring, etc.).
BTW, electric stoves in the US run on dedicated 240V circuits.
You guys can discuss your voltages and currents until the cows come home but I can definitely assure you that a kettle boils water quicker than the stove 
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No NO NO! 
Those are quite horrid!
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And that a watched pot never boils, whether electric or not…lol!
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Ah well, I see, the answer then is to place your kettle inside the oven and boil it that way.
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Y’know in Office Space where they take a baseball bat to the printer? I think you need to have a bonfire with similar intent. Video it and report back.
I just saw this thread. It is so funny because my wife puts a pile of cushions on our own bed. The one at home. The one WE sleep in. If I want to be asleep by 11:00 I have to go to bed at 10:30 to start unloading them.
There are seven or nine I think and one is more like a giant tube or roller of some sort. Maybe she gets a commission from some pillow maker.
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Oh dear, you’re too late. It’s all about kettles and voltage now.
By the way, maybe your wife is trying to tell you something…
I have no idea what that might be, though.
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cattle dog! I’ve got two of them!