The Difference Between an Electric & Steam Kettle

Kettles have undergone great strides in development from steam to electric.

Kettles are a staple home appliance that can be used to heat water for a cup of tea or boiling water for warming a baby's bottle. Prior to World War II, steam kettles were primarily made of copper. A shortage of copper during the war prompted the United States to commission Alfred Groen to invent the first stainless-steel steam-jacketed kettle, which has since become the basis for most steam-kettle designs. The electric kettle was invented in the United States by Arthur Leslie in 1922 and was introduced to the commercial market by General Electric in 1930.

Steam Kettles

The steam kettle is a stove-top appliance, usually made of stainless steel, with a spout for pouring. Pour cool water into the kettle and turn up the heat on the stove to heat the water. When the water reaches its boiling point, steam begins to form inside the kettle. The steam rises, creating enough pressure to force itself out of the spout, causing the kettle to whistle. The whistle indicates the water is boiling and ready to use.

Commercial and Residential Use of Steam Kettles

At home, steam kettles are often used to boil water for tea or french-press coffee machines. In restaurants, steam kettles can be used for everything from boiling water to sterilizing utensils and trays to steam-pressured cooking of raw food. Commercial-sized steam kettles can be very large, accommodating up to 40 gallons of food. The largest of these industrial items are often bolted to the floors or walls to prevent dangerous spillage. Tilting kettles are preferable when selecting large components. because the tilting mechanism makes them easier to clean.

Electric Kettles

Electric kettles are often more efficient and certainly faster to boil water than their steam counterparts. The electric kettle is essentially a plug-and-play appliance. Fill the kettle with water and plug the cord into the wall. Turn on the kettle, and wait for the water to boil. Electric kettles range in design from plastic to stainless steel to steel with plastic-lined heating plates. Some people prefer one material over another, citing differences in boiling time and taste.

Commercial and Residential Use of Electric Kettles

The use of electric kettles in the home is essentially the same as that of the steam kettle. Mainly used to boil water for beverages or food, the electric kettle is regarded in many households as a steam kettle stand-in. On the commercial market, large, industrial-sized electric kettles function much as appliances of convenience and necessity for having large supplies of hot, boiling water available and at the ready whenever a recipe demands its use.

References

• "Encyclopedia of Kitchen History;" Mary Ellen Snodgrass; 2004.