Boiling water is one of the most common kitchen tasks, whether you’re making tea, coffee, or preparing meals. Many people wonder whether it is cheaper to boil water using an electric kettle or a stove.
In this guide we compare the electricity usage of kettles and electric stoves.
How Much Electricity Does a Kettle Use?
Most kettles use 1800W to 2200W and boil water very quickly.
Example:
| Appliance | Power | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2000W | 3 minutes |
Energy used:
≈ 0.1 kWh
Cost:
≈ R0.30
How Much Electricity Does an Electric Stove Use?
Electric stove plates typically use 1500W to 2500W.
However, they often take longer to heat water.
Example:
| Appliance | Power | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Electric stove | 2000W | 8 minutes |
Energy used:
≈ 0.27 kWh
Cost:
≈ R0.80
Electricity Cost Comparison
| Method | Cost per Use |
|---|---|
| Electric kettle | ~R0.30 |
| Electric stove | ~R0.80 |
In most cases, boiling water with a kettle is cheaper and faster.
Why Kettles Are More Efficient
Electric kettles are designed specifically to boil water quickly and efficiently. Most kettles heat water directly, while stoves lose some heat to the surrounding air.
Because of this, kettles usually use less electricity overall.
Final Verdict
For boiling water, electric kettles are usually cheaper and faster than electric stoves.
Most households will save both time and electricity by using a kettle rather than heating water on a stove.