Conference turris::cooks

    Laura,  Your friend might be able to find one at Lechmere's.  I have
    seen them there.  Don't know where your friend lives but there is a
    Lechmere's in Framingham (across from Shoppers world), Burlington (I
    think in the Burlington Mall) and Worcestor in the Greendale mall.
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Liz

    I think your friend might be disappointed even after finding one.  I
    had such a thing in my apartment in Dublin, and it heated up water
    almost *instantaneously*.  But the current there, and in the UK, is
    210 volts, and here it is only 110.  So nothing will perform as
    quickly...
    
    -ellie

-.1 is correct.  I have just returned from Europe.  The first thing my wife
wanted was an electric kettle to boil water - no such thing.

In the U.S. we do not have anything close to what is available and the norm
in the U.K.  The issue is the 240v vs. 110v - you just can't efficently
heat a liter of water with 110v.

Kent

Those kettle are quite common here, but as the previous folks said, lots slower.
However, a good revereware kettle on an electric (220) or gas stove works lots
faster.  It won't shut off when it hits boiling, but it will whistle annoyingly
until you come shut it off.

If your friend imports one, and uses a converter, it will probably be just as slow.
Unless their home has 220 outlets (it can be done...but that's a topic for HOME_
WORK).

You might want to check the Williams-Sonoma catalog. They list a model
imported from the UK. It may be specifically designed to heat just as
quickly on US 110V electricity. There's certainly no reason why 110V
can't heat just as quickly. It just needs to run at the same wattage,
which, at 110V, requires more current (and more copper in the power
cord). But that's no problem if you've designed it that way.

Or, as JP suggests, import one and wire your kitchen for 220V. It's not
as crazy an idea as it sounds.

    My wife and I also admired these when we visited the UK. So we ordered
    one from "The Corner Store" in Fairborn, OH. (This is a wonderful
    British import shop, which does mail order business -- they also have a
    nice tea room next door.) 
    
    The kettle, even though adjusted for US voltage, works wonderfully. It
    heats the water very quickly, and has its own cutoff switch when the
    water reaches a boil. We love it!

    Sunbeam Hot Shot is also good, but it is only 2 cups.  Heats water i
    about a minute.  I love mine.
    
    Linda
    

    RE: .6
    
    Can you post the address and/or phone number of "The Corner Store" ??
    
    My wife and I have been looking for this type of kettle for a while
    and would like to order one.
    
    Chris

    
    WOW.....
    
    We have had one in my home for as long as I can remember.........
    Would not be without one....
    
    Robbin
    

    I got the newest Williams-Sonoma catalog yesterday.  They have an
    electric kettle for $79.95.
    
    L
    

    re: .8 (&.6)
    	I got the name slightly wrong... it's "The Corner Shop".
    
    The Corner Shop
    114 N. Broad St.
    Fairborn, OH  45324
    (513) 879-5404
    fax (513) 879-7050
    
    	The catalog (last year's) that I have lists three versions, all
    priced at $69.95:
    
    9780 Polished stainless with white handle - model C330
    9781 Polished stainless with black handle - model C330BP
    9782 Brushed stainless with black handle -model C330B
    
    
    We may have gotten the "brushed" type... what they have available in
    stock seems to vary from time to time. In addition to British foods and
    drinks, they also have cook books, calendars, tea towels, mugs, flags,
    posters, thimbles, videos, etc. A piece of heaven for Anglophiles!

    
    My parents have had an electric kettle for years.  My parents are
    from Canada, where they are also very popular.  Although the kettle
    they have is larger than 2 to 4 cups, they must have others that
    are similar but smaller.  They bought their last one at SPAG'S.
    If you're not familiar with SPAG'S, it's a basic PAY-CASH-YOU-BRING
    A-BAG kind of store on Rt. 9 in Shrewsbury Ma.  I know they didn't
    pay more than $30 in the past 5 years.  It has a button on the bottom
    that can be set for auto-shutoff.  Sorry, don't know the brand name.
    
    
    Lori

    THis maybe a bit late, but Lechmere's sells a Russell & Hobbs electric
    kettle - the type you find in England - that cuts off very soon after
    the water boils - not when the kettle is dry.  It goes for around U.S.
    $59 reg. price.
    Good luck - Anna (ex pat. who drinks tea galore but doesn't have a
    kettle but has succumbed to the microwave!!
    Fill mug with cold water and add teabag. Microwave for just over 2
    minutes - not bad. (Better than heating water in microwave and then
    adding the bag).
    

    Teabags? Microwave?
    
     gak ptooiieee.
    
    
    :-)