[bongodongobob]

We don't have a need for an exclusive water boiling device as we aren't obsessed with tea. Most people drink coffee and the heating element is already built into the coffee maker. Idk what else you'd use it for. The stove works fine for boiling water without needing a separate appliance.

[lazide]

They’re far faster than a stovetop most of the time, have auto shutoff so you can wander away for a minute or two or not pay attention to it and not boil off a lot of water, etc.

Many parts of the world, it’s a good idea to boil water before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, etc.

So it’s actually really convenient for many use cases besides tea or coffee.

[bongodongobob]

That's fine, but there are no use cases in the US. If we are boiling water, it's for food, and we're doing it on the stove, just like the way everyone else cooks. In the US, there is no use case for a specialized water boiling appliance.

[Kirby64]

We can agree they're less common than the UK, but saying they have "no use case" is a gross exaggeration. Pretty much everyone I know owns a kettle, given how cheap they are (~$15-20 for an OK one). Great for hot chocolate, coffee, tea, boiling water for a pot of water (to speed it up vs heating up your entire house), and numerous other reasons.

[ryao]

I have been known to heat water in a microwave after doing the calculations needed to know roughly when the water would reach boiling. It is rather quick once the microwave timer starts going.

[dragonwriter]

There are plenty of use cases in America, and electric kettles are not uncommon here, even if they are less common than in the UK.

[lazide]

I use it to make oatmeal in the morning. Fastest and easiest option.