3 Kitchen Gadgets that WORK! | By Request
Today I'm testing out 3 kitchen gadgets by request, all of which I found to work well.
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• Butter Crock: geni.us/butterbell
• Omelet Maker: geni.us/omeletmaker
• Kettle: geni.us/muellerkettle
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0:00 Butter Crock
3:32 Omelet Maker
8:23 Mueller Kettle
12:05 Conclusion
#kitchengadgets #butter #kettle
When i moved to the US from the UK, I was surprised how few people owned an electric kettle. No British home can be found without one.
technology connections has a video on this
I've has an electric kettle since the 1990s here in the US. I forget how I even knew they were a useful kitchen appliance. I really should buy one of the new attractive ones with the cool led lights. My old one is very plain and utilitarian but boils water really quickly.
>moving to the UK 🤢🤮
@@Clown_the_Clown hey genius, they said to the us FROM the uk. That means they moved to America, not the UK.
@@MostlyLost nah, USA is best
It’s amazing to watch someone trying out an electric kettle as if it were something new!
I have used a butter bell for a few years and am very happy with it. I use a soup spoon to pack the butter into the bell. Since butter and water don't mix, even if the batter falls out of the bell (which has never happened to me) all you have to do is put it in the refrigerator to harden, wipe off any excess water and pack it back into the bell. When softening the butter to put into the bell, you should keep it in the original package, not open to the air where bacteria could settle on the butter. Changing the water and occasionally washing the bowls is very easy.
It's made of ceramic or metal and can the butter knife scratch the lip of it?
@@beetroot7156 ceramic like a plate
@@beetroot7156 The butter bell I have is made of ceramic. My bell has no scratches after a few years of daily use. I think you would have to try to purposely damage it. Ceramic doesn't scratch easily.
American here, over 60 years old. My mom used one pound blocks of butter. She put them on a butter dish but threw the top cover away. The butter sat out until it was gone. Never went rancid. I buy butter in quarter pound sticks. I put them in a butter dish but use the lid. It never goes rancid but is always spreadable. I might try the bell as the color seems better than my method.
butter bells have been around for 100's of years. it was kind of strange to see it reviewed here.
You _can_ keep butter out on your counter, as long as it's covered (I use an old-fashioned butter dish, and have NEVER had an issue with it going rancid, which usually only happens after quite a long time). Plus it doesn't get wet! SUGGESTION: a good 'old fashioned' (well, maybe a modern version) *percolator!*
Hear hear!! We keep our butter in a butter dish and it says fresh for about 3 weeks probably longer but it doesn't last us 3 weeks. I only keep a spare in the fridge ready replace when my butter dish is empty. My butter is ALWAYS ready for spreading.
This is exactly why they're no longer popular. Why bother with water changes every 2-3 days when a covered butter dish works EXACTLY the same?
A butter dish will work fine for salted butter, but you might need a crock to keep unsalted butter out
Unsalted butter will go bad
@@complainer406 I can confirm this: unsalted butter kept covered but not in a crock will go rancid pretty quickly. In my glass crock it lasts just over two weeks, and I change the water daily.
I figured I would give the omelet maker a try. Funny that the price is different depending on the color. I bought a yellow one since it was the cheapest. Crazy that a red one is almost $16.00 more. I guess the omelets taste the best when you make them in a red one. LOL
Red makes it faster.
@@benrogers5058 🤣🤣I guessed too. I choose my first bread maker in red too.
Maybe you were looking at the Metallic Red? *The Metallic Red is more expensive than the regular Red one. And the regular Red is a little cheaper than the Yellow.
Red makes them cook faster! Duh.
Placebomelette.
We keep our butter in a butter dish on the counter… never had an issue. My grandparents (lived to a ripe old 85 and 91 respectively ) had no AC and very hot summers… did the same.
same here, never a single issue, and my mom did the same thing.. the whole water thing is just unnecessary
Yup, my parents are 97 and 94 and have always kept their butter in a butter dish on the counter. I do the same.
Yep
Same here...still do it....
Same here. I can only imagine this being needed if you take a long time to finish that stick of butter! The water change every 3 days would irritate me too.
I just leave half a stick of butter in a small Tupperware container on the counter. It lasts just fine for about a month or so. Usually I clean out the container long before I ever see any hint of mold (because I used all the butter).
Tips for the butter crock: 1. A spoon is the best tool to pack the butter. 2. Do not wash the crock in the dishwasher, it seems to create a ‘film’ that prevents the butter from sticking and this seems to cause butter falling into the water. 3. Add salt to the water 4. Change the water every 2 days
If there's a film on your dishes coming out of the dishwasher, you're probably using too much detergent. When I was younger my ma had a bottle of everclear she would use for the crock. Never really have to change it.
I know someone else already said it but truly, if you have films on your dishes its probably due to overuse of detergent. Never use those pods unless your water is super hard well water with no treatment before it reaches the machine, powder is cheapest but gel is fine if you wanna pay extra to ship water with your soap. I don't use a dishwasher at all right now, but when I did most loads in a quite large dishwasher with 4+ people using it with about 1.5tbps depending on how dirty the dishes were and the film that appeared when others did the dishes would suddenly vanish. (we did have a water softener, though)
Check the instructions manual to change the amount of detergent on your dishwasher settings
Agree with the spoon as best tool, hand washing the bell, but why add salt to the water?
As a tea drinking Brit living in the USA, one of my first purchases was a kettle. I use one very similar to the one you reviewed and have been very happy with it for a number of years. I just wish we had 240V here rahter than 120V so the water would boil quicker though haha.
6 minutes to boil a kettle!!!! I could never
Even a 120V electric kettle will be faster than a gas stove. I bought a smart kettle, and I have been enjoying it so far.
You mean we’ve been missing out?!?! Galling really! 🙏🏻🤣❤️
@@kiplinght Well if you visit the USA you can probably find a 240v outlet near your washing machine or in the garage. Just plug an 240v kettle in there hehe
The only thing faster than an electric kettle is the regular kettle on an induction cooktop. We've stopped using our electric kettle since the induction boils water in record time.
I have been using a butter crock like that for some time now. The people who had problems with it falling out were doing one of two things. Either storing it close to a heat source like a toaster oven or putting the butter in while the cup was wet.
Or they’re no actually packing the butter in. Or they’re foolishly leaving a crock glazed in a dark color in a sunny spot. I’ve known about butter crocks for a long time and whenever someone tells me they don’t work, I usually get them to admit to doing any one of the things we’ve both mentioned.
@@ItsJustLisa I make my own butter too which helps.
or lives somewhere with high temperatures and no air-con
@@ItsJustLisa What kind of "room temperature" doest the bell/crock works? I'm living in South East Asia, so room temp would be around 25-30 C
@@valconir1619 room temp is generally 22°C but it will work fine at 25, I'm not sure about 30 an above, most people have AC and never let their house get that hot
I own and have used an electric kettle for the past few years. It was a gift. In my opinion, boiling water in a microwave oven works just as good without necessitating another item to clutter the kitchen.
It's also horribly inefficient.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade I misunderstood your comment. Are you saying that microwave is horribly inefficient? Because I agree with that Electric kettles are quite efficient
Didn’t know there was that big a difference between microwaves and electric kettles.
@@Ivehadenuff When you compare wattage to boil water, it’s a big difference
The butter crock works well in cooler temperatures. If one lives in South where it is very hot and one adjusts the a/c to warmer mode when off from home, the butter might get too warm and slide off. Also the water does not need to be changed daily if one adds some salt to it. I live in Houston and have a small, tight glass, click lock top container that fits perfectly the Irish butter block I buy. The butter stays perfectly in it for a few days. That crock system was used in USA before refrigerators became common. A water kettle heats up water pretty much as fast as an induction cook top. The stove top shown in this video is much slower, I use it myself, but plan on getting a new stove that is only induction. They are safer. As a warning, one day I was frying food on a pan, some oil splattered on the stove top ( amount about 1 tsp+). When I lifted the pan off the oil around that orange glow started to burn 1 foot high flames. That stove type is dangerous, especially if used by people with joint problems that have slower and difficult movements of wrists.
I'm 65 and I have never owned anything other than an electric kettle and I have used a butter crock since I was a kid, I think the one I use now is older than I am. I have no problem making omelettes the usual way, in a skillet, but that little omelette maker is really cool and I want one! 😁
That is a long time to go with nothing but an electric kettle
Watching you learn about an electric Kettle was good viewing. We've had them here for over 50 years
I have used an electric kettle for over twenty years. It is definitely the fastest way to boil water
Wait what, they don't have electric kettles? 🤯🤯
Yeah, I wouldn't have called it a gadget.
@@dukegeche they aren't as omnipresent as in Europe, I suppose it is because the 120V wiring.
The US is a coffee drinking nation. You would have a harder time finding a home in the US without a coffee machine than with an electric kettle.
My husband is a native of Denmark and loves his tea. He wanted a water kettle over here as they've had them in Europe for decades. We've had the same water kettle for about 20 years now and it's still going strong! It was a little difficult to find them here in the US back then. They are now pretty common though. They do boil water much faster.
I will always be flabbergasted by the fact US Americans and most British folks don't seem to know about electric kettles. They are considered kitchen essentials in most Central European countries. Then again, we probably seem like technological Neanderthals in other regards, I guess :D
@@DeutschmannGG I'm British and I don't know anyone that doesn't have an electric kettle. Up until the 80's when tea was made the old school way your statement would have been true, but since the advent of the one cup tea bag everyone has an electric kettle.
@@darnstewart when I was in Britain in the early 80’s, my country didn’t have electric kettles and they were considered an essential part of a British kitchen, so I would say perhaps the statement wouldn’t have been accurate even in the 70’s!!
It really depends on your stove and the amount of water. Mine can boil 2 quarts in a approx 4 minutes. I've seen induction ones go significantly faster.
That must be a good brand... the first electric kettle I ever bought lasted only a few months with very light use -- it melted itself in short order.
I've been using that same electric kettle for about a year now. Still works great and it gets daily use
I used the same Asda basics one (all plastic) for about two years regularly Always filled to just above minimum, A crack slowly appeared above that line (unnoticed)and one day at max boil it BLEW up Popping the lid open and spraying boiling water onto the roof. During boil, water got through to the mains and violently short circuited
I’ve used one for over 40 years lol. (Not the same one obviously).
I've owned an electric kettle for about a year. I love it. It holds 57 ounces (1.7 liters) and boils water in about 5 minutes. I use it to make tea, instant oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes, etc. I use it cut time on boiling water for everything from fresh corn to pasta. Boil the water in the kettle first, transfer it to a pot on the stove and bring it back up to a boil. It's great for soaking dried beans, cranberries, etc. I pour the boiling water in a bucket with soap and use a brush to clean things like tires, outdoor furniture, tennis shoes and entryway rugs. It's a big help when I need extra-hot water to wash dishes from a cookout or after making sticky candy.
Good detailed comment
Good idea to boil water for things like corn!!!! The stove takes forever!! I'll try to remember next time and just pour it into the pot too cook.
Are you in the UK?
I have the omelette maker and the kettle. The omelette sits collecting dust. The kettles, (I have 3) are in constant use. Water for cooking, tea, coffee, etc. so much faster. For me it’s also about safety. I have a tendency to forget the stove is on even with a whistling kettle. So an electric kettle that turns itself off is a must.
i have gas, so i run the fan when its on and usually never go far. which is actually more of an incentive to boil water in the kettle actually
Me, too. I'm BADDDD at forgetting things are "on".
I use a KitchenAid kettle and have been for years (tea drinker), it takes less time than this one and overall I've been extremely happy with the purchase. I think with the butter crock, the people with the errors were not doing it correctly. Great reviews!
I make my own butter so the butter crock might be useful. For those who would like to as well the recipe is simple - pour a quart of whipping cream into a stand mixer, salt and season to taste (ie/garlic powder for garlic butter or Italian seasoning for a more exotic butter), set to whip level 6 or 7 depending on your model and just stop and scrape down the sides ever two or three minutes - the cream will turn into butter in about fifteen minutes. Drop the chunks into some water with ice to wash the butter milk off of it, gently squeeze and pat off the water and that's it - you'll have a grapefruit sized ball of butter which is as good or better than whatever you can get in the store and potentially cheaper too.
I'm going to try that!
@@sandychilds3253 Well worth it - I hate to admit it, but I still get a thrill when I start seeing the buttermilk pooling in the bottom of the bowl and the butter chunking up on the whisk.
@@seanfoltz7645 That DOES sound thrilling, because I love buttermilk! So making your own butter comes with a bonus. I've already decided that the first time I make it, I'll be adding Himalayan pink salt. It will be so pretty!
@@sandychilds3253 Not being a buttermilk fan, I can't say how good that part is as I dump that part, but the wife shares your taste in salt so I can confirm that it works fine - half a teaspoon or four grams seems to work nicely.
@@seanfoltz7645 I made a note of that. Thanks!
I just put a stick of butter in a sealed tupperware out on the counter and it lasts for several weeks, lot cheaper too.
The trick to the butter bell is to be sure and seal the butter against the sides so that the water can't travel up behind the butter and break the seals, i.e. fall out. We've used one for 10+ years, love them.🎉
I bought one from a second hand store, took me awhile to figure out what the heck it was 🤪😁
@@russhall856 The biggest trick is to make sure the butter is stuffed along the edges so that the water cannot get up behind it because it can drop the whole thing out. Plop!
Just use a butter dish. No need for this nonsense contraption. I've been using a butter dish for 50 years and my parents and grandparents probably in total for nearly 200 years and our butter stays on the counter and never ever spoils. Butter stays safe for around 3 weeks in a covered dish.
I've been using a butter bell for several years now and absolutely love it. I have 2 actually that I use in rotation. As one gets near empty, I'll fill the other up and and as soon at the first one is empty into the dishwasher it goes. That way I've always got fresh spreadable butter on hand. :) and I do use a soup/teaspoon to pack the butt in as well. I use the back of the spoon to spread the butter into the bell in about 1/3 stick portions, forcing out any trapped air that might cause the butter to fall into the water. I have had zero problems. The key is for the butter to be softened enough to spread easily but not so soft that it feels nearly melted. They original BB crock is a bit expensive but they are worth it IMO.
That's such a great idea. I used a butter dish which doesn't normally have issues, but last summer in the UK temps got up over 35° and I've seen that the butter bell helps stop the butter melting, if it's kept out of direct sunlight, because of the water.
The omelet makes me hungry for omelets. I might consider getting this one. I have heard about the butter bell but never saw a demo. It's an interesting concept.
It’s a technology from France in the late 1800s. They started to become staples for potters at art fairs about 50 years ago. I learned about them in the mid-80s when I started working at our local renaissance festival.
Why bye shit to make shit that you can make yourself with out the shit.
I make omelets in my microwave. Always fast and fluffy.
Some beverages require less than boiling temperature for optimal flavor (many teas). Having an electric kettle that has a temperature maximum dial would be beneficial.
It's only 100°C at the moment it boils, when you stop the boil and poor the water the temperature drops down to 90 pretty quickly. I've made tea like this for quite a few years without any issues. Add a tiny bit of cold water to the cup if you want to bring the temperature down even further.
@@Tomazack I drink a lot of matcha tea so 60-80C is what I would want.
@@Sarafimm2 temperature guage and add water until desired temp then, guessing that's how you have to do it with regular boiled water.
You can get them.
I love my butter bell and electric kettle, both of which I've had for years. I do like the glass one you tried- it's fun to see when it's boiling, also useful if you want to stop it just short of boiling, for white tea or what have you. Mine is completely opaque and looks like a traditional stove-top type.
1) After years of bread-tearing frustration, I sceptically tried giving spreadable butter a go - and I've never looked back! - 2) Those omelettes looked yummy for sure! but I'd need to see the results of a few sweet options before giving precious cupboard space? - and 3) 40 years ago when I was a 10 year old Brit, Mum invested in our first electric kettle after I'd managed to completely wreck our stove-top version by letting it boil dry whilst I took a bath, resulting in a kitchen full of the acrid smoke of its plastic components that somewhat understandably, was enough to put me off the traditional kind for life! And as I can't abide the taste of our (hard but delicious) water once microwaved, my kettle is of course on from dawn to dusk, though despite my heritage I'm no longer much of a tea-drinker any more - the unconscionable heathen within me through, simply couldn't survive without her instant coffee (and the occasional hot chocolate drink), so...!😳😳😆
Great read!
@@cynthiakeller5954 Thank you kindly!😊
@@Tricia_K I really needed that laugh on this cold gloomy day, lol!
The kettle review was so funny because it’s just such a standard kitchen item in every British home. I don’t even drink tea or coffee and I still have a cheap one.
It is true that such appliances are underused, and underappreciated in the US. Though I don't have problems just microwaving water as needed. I have sufficient appliances taking counter space, that it takes significant need to make me want another.
@@stevewebber707 sorry... Microwaving water? 😮
@@NichHustler I'm at a loss what you are asking.
@@NichHustler, why not? that is the main … no, the only task of a microwave oven: To get water molecules moving. In other words, what a normal stove or an electric kettle also do. Admittedly, an electric kettle is much more convenient.:-)
@@knutjunker2019 it feels like an incredibly in effective way of doing that when kettles both exist, and are dirt cheap.
LOONG time follower. Love your channel. Keep up the great work. (I especially love the videos with your son - you guys crack me up!)
The stovetop kettle makes that cool whistling sound though.
I have MANY different mini to omelet maker size around my house for egg cooking and I love them all! From the flat pancake maker to the heart-shape mini waffle. They all work amazing!
I bought the omelette maker after watching your video and LOVE it! Sooo easy and delish omelette I added sliced cherry tomatoes and grated cheese to 3 eggs plus a teaspoon of cream and it made two perfect fluffy omelettes in 6 minutes. Thanks for another interesting, useful and entertaining video. Really enjoy watching them
Could just use a pan
@@CCP_Operative yes absolutely could except I make a mess when I try to flip the omelette in a pan. This is so easy
Nothing wrong with leaving butter on the kitchen counter in a some what air tight container
Long shallow tupperware-ish container has been my family's go-to for years.
As long as you use enough butter to go through it on a regular basis. Otherwise, I would use a butter crock. Also, with a butter crock, do not refill it when there is still butter left in it, always wash it out first and fill it with fresh butter to avoid it going rancid.
I don't use butter a lot so I refrigerate it and soften it in the microwave. I have heard that you can leave it in an airtight container on the kitchen counter. I just choose to refrigerate it because of how much I use it. I also buy it in bulk and vacuum seal it and then freeze it.
Never heard of putting butter in the fridge until I moved to the US.
Does it need to be airtight? Growing up our butter was kept on a plate on the counter.
I was so excited about my butter bell when I got it. Then I kept forgetting to change the water and ruined about two pounds of butter. I eventually accepted that butter bells and ADHD don't mesh well so I that sucker to the thrift store and went back to keeping butter in my ordinary covered ceramic butter dish. lol I got tired of refilling and re-boiling a kettle several times a day and got a Zojirushi water boiler/warmer instead. It keeps the water at my preferred temperature all day long. It was a bit pricey but I regret nothing. That Mueller kettle was a rockstar while I had it though. I know some kids who would love that omlette maker. I might have to pick up a few of them.
I have kept butter on the table in a covered butter plate, and it never spoils before I use it up. I have done this for many years. I just refrigerate when I go out of town, or if it’s very hot in the house. Much simpler than the butter bell idea.
The best way to load the butter crock is to leave the butter wrapped while on the counter getting room temp. Then open one side of the package and push it into the crock with the wrapper covering you hand. No mess and it seems like the butter gets more compacted into the crock than with a spoon.
That’s the way I do it. I also found a bigger butter bell than what he shows there. I also use distilled water for the bottom, then you don’t have to change as often. But now seeing people saying add salt, I’m going to do that too.
6 minutes for a kettle to boil? As a Brit I am shooketh 😮
110V (US) vs 220V (UK)?
@@KitLake Yup. Technology Connections has a great video on kettles in the US
Me too!😲But this kettle is ony 1500 Watt.Mine is 3200 Watt.A full kettle takes about 2 minutes to boil.And in Belgium we have 220 volt.😏
6 minutes is long enough to forget you have pit the teabag in the mug to make a brew. When you remember you’ll then have to wait another 6 minutes to boil again
@@ajayramtohul - you would not fill a kettle with that much water just to make a mug of tea. My 220v 3000W kettle takes around 40 seconds to boil enough for one drink.
Omelette maker seems to be a must-buy. Definitely jotting that down my Amazon’s cart 🛒 😊. Thanks for the review!
I have used a butter bell for years. Never fell out of the bell. Love it! Soft butter!
You should check out the Ninja DualBrew Pro CFP301. It can do a pot of coffee, kcups, has a frother built in and has a separate water line to be used for hot and boiling water where you can fill an entire carafe. It also lets you do specialty drinks like lattes and iced coffees and you can select how many ounces you want, even with the carafe. We’ve had ours for about a year and absolutely love it. My wife especially loves the separate water line so she can make her tea without any issues, retired her plug in kettle because of it.
I have that same kettle. Love it. I use it for canning when I need to add boiling water to jars.
The operation of the butter device reminds me of a structure that once existed near a coal burning power plant in the Chicago neighborhood during my early years. I've been fascinated by "gasometers". They used a water sealed chamber to hold a byproduct coal gas that would be used when demand required it.
I have one of those fast-heating water pitchers, although a different style from the one you had here. I love it. With just a cup of water, it's done almost before I finish getting the tea bag out and into the cup. Way faster than the traditional kettle on the stove. I love it, and recommend it for anyone that likes hot tea, pour-over coffee, hot coco, etc.
Im glad to see this quick review just got myself an electric kettle about a month ago not the same brand as the one your reviewed but similar design with led lights. I like it heats water quick and the handle stays cool. If you need notes for the year later review I'll have some. Keep up the good work man.
Couldn’t stop laughing when you reviewed an electric kettle 😂 every home in aus has one- you usually buy your toaster with it, comes as a cute matching breakie bundle. Always the first kitchen appliances you buy when you move out of home!
Tea sucks. Get a coffee maker.
@@dano9411 I’m not a huge fan of tea ether , but everyone still gets a kettle regardless. How else you going to make those 2 minute noodles, sinus rinses or a hot water bottle?! And you must have the ability to serve tea to someone who wants it. And of course I have a coffee machine!! That’s different lol
How else? By using the oven top just like in the video
When it comes to electric kettles, I have used them and still use one, but I can't explain the joy of hearing that whistle from an actual metallic kettle. Yes, it takes more time to heat the same amount of water and yes, it takes up one of the burners/heating-elements; but man, that whistling sound is still amazing! Makes me think about the things we lose with convenience....
It's not just about time. You don't need to watch an electric kettle since it has an auto shut off feature so it's safer. Newer models also can allow you to set the temperature at a certain level (ie for drinking or baby formula) and keep it there for as long as you need. Saves energy too.
I don’t think it takes any less time.
Ive been watching your channels since you first started many years ago. It makes my heart happy to see that you have so many subscribers and views now. Keep it up! God bless you and your family.
Great show as always! Entertaining and informative.
I’ve had a handmade butter crock for years and love it. Can’t believe that someone(s) on Amazon complained that it was difficult to change the water.
What is the point of it, though? Butter can be safely left out at room temperature in a butter dish without any of the trouble.
@@circedelune The point is that the crock with a water seal allows the butter to last longer than just a regular dish before it starts to spoil.
I've used butter crocks for yeeeears, they're amazing. I learned as a child when visiting my dairy farmer families that you didn't actually need to keep butter in the refrigerator (I think for a long time I was convinced that my Aunt just ate SO MUCH butter that she went through a stick a day. I was dubious but shocked when I tried the butter crock and it worked wonderfully! Even without it, we've stored still packaged butter on the counter for at least a couple of months before it was used. And with the butter crock, you can squish whole stick of butter in there when you fill it. Anyone who's had problems with butter falling hasn't squished the butter down all the way so it's fully touching the crock (which is what holds it in place). The water helps keep the airtight seal (although it's fine without that really). So, in my office of many years (before I started working from home during the pandy, I had a snack cabinet. And for a while I was really into bagels as work snacks/lunches, so I would just keep the butter crock in my snack cabinet and toast it in the office kitchen. Then I got out of that habit, but never moved the butter crock. This may have even been a year or two before the pandy. When it hit, I went home with what I thought I needed, and no idea I wasn't going to step back into that office for 3 years. Eventually I was given the choice that my team and I could continue to work from home, work back at the office, or hybrid, they just needed to know to allocate space. We all wanted to work from home, which meant that with a touch of sadness, gave up my nice office in favor of working from home in my lovely office there. SO, a team of friends came with me to clear out my office. The butter crock was still there, so, like 4-5 years after last use. The water had dried up, but there was still butter in it. It still looked FINE. I still threw it away, but like, DAMN. GO BUTTER CROCK!
It’s crazy to think that electric kettles are rare in America 😅
Kettles are so much better. Been using one all my life!! 😅Can’t believe USA are so behind the times!! LOL
It's so bizarre. I didn't realise that kettles weren't commonplace in the US. I'm in Australia and I would expect any household to have one. I even have 2- one for my hot water bottle in winter where I recycle the water!
Most of my friends in the states either have induction stoves which boil water way faster, or use espresso machines. No need for it. They also don't drink nearly thr amount of tea.
Can’t think what I would need one for. Can’t see that it boiled faster than a whistling kettle on the stove. Seems like something that would take up counter space for little benefit.
Its not Crazy when you See how fast they work in UK on 220 volts and how much slower they are in USA on 110 volts. Its faster to just microwave a cup of water in USA.
Thanks for all the demos. Very good video.
Thank you for the review. I really enjoyed the tea kettle. I went and ordered myself one after watching this video. I’m a big tea fan. I drink a lot of hot tea. I also thought the butter gadget was cool, but I don’t use much butter myself. Thanks again!
I have that exact electric kettle. It's a great product imo. One thing I do to dry it out is turn it on to boil the remaining water and after it turns itself off, dump out the water, leave the lid open, and let the left over evaporate. Just a tip from me.
I just leave the lid open and let it dry out w/out boiling, then again it's in a dorm so......
Why?
Yup. Mine is a Krupp. I always leave the lid open when I’m not using it.
why do you even bother? as a brit, my kettle just keeps getting refilled, as does all brits kettles, you do not need to dry it, just top it up.
@@Bookofwords, if you have hard water, repeated boiling of the same water can cause buildup. I don’t know if that’s an issue where you are, but here in the US, some places have very hard (mineral-y) water.
I had a similar butter container except it was for a stick of butter. The water was in the bottom then a separate insert went in for the butter. The butter never touched the water. Wish I hadn't lost it in my last move 😢
It's called a butter BOAT and I love mine. You can find them on "A". I have them in full stick or half stick capacity.
My brother has one like that. It's cool.
They have them on Amazon. Love mine
I have that kettle and I absolutely love it. It's great not only for french press coffee but does water for raman or anything else you need boiling water for in a hurry. Absolutely do recommend this one.
In summer I use salt water in my butter bell. It helps keep the bacteria away. But I love mine and wish it was bigger lol
I have the same Mueller as my first electric kettle. Liked it so much I bought a second to have in my office at work. Great piece of kit!
If you don't mind me asking, how long have they lasted?
@antiisocial I've had them both for 6 months, so longevity I can't speak to unfortunately.
@@advres ok. Cool. Ty
I have an electric kettle and it gets used a good bit. Works really well especially considering our 120v outlets. It mainly gets used for making tea and coffee in the Aero Press.
Yes I always thought what's the point with a microwave. But I was kinda shocked how much use I get out of my electric kettle and I love it now that I have it.
Electric kettles are very common in Europe throughout. We also have 240V power sockets, so it goes *a lot faster* in our kitchen than in an American 120V. Regardless, you can "start and forget" with an electric kettle which you can't with a stove one. That feature alone is great. I don't say walk away from it if you start it, but if you're in the kitchen you don't have to rush over to take it off the heat and it's way more energy efficient.
My Mom has used this kind of butter dish for decades. It keeps the butter the perfect softness: A little cooler than just on the counter and a lot warmer than the rock in the fridge. I've experienced having the butter fall in the water a couple of times, that's it. Works like a charm. I highly recommend.
Butter bells changed my cooking life. If you make sure there are no gaps at the top with the butter, water cannot sneak up the sides…probably the most common reason butter fall into the water. I have three and LOVE them.
THANKS . I needed that tip
Water shouldn't sneak up regardless unless the air is getting out some how. Just like holding a glass upsidedown and putting it into the sink.
I didn't think i would see a gadget from my country (austria) on this channel. 😅 Interesting that electric kettles aren't very popular in the US. Great video as always.
Most of us drink coffee instead of tea here, that's why
@@hectorg5809 Still really useful for just boiling water faster than you could on most stovetops. Great for pasta or instant noodles.
Yeah, I didn’t realise there was anyone who didn’t use an electric kettle, it was interesting to watch (from the uk).
@@Fantasyish and @Sebastian They're slowly gaining traction here. But yeah, as someone else pointed out, most Americans drink coffee and few indulge in tea. However my wife loves tea, so we got a kettle...and I never knew what I was missing until we got one. It's such a great little appliance for getting water a boil fast (useful for not only tea, but to preheat water and get it to a boil then transfer to a pot for pasta, etc...)
The US uses lower voltage, so a typical socket can deliver less power than in Europe (1800W vs. 2400W). Because of that electric water kettles in the US are much slower and consequently much less useful and not as popular.
I got my mom the same kettle a couple years ago and it still works perfectly, one of the few things that gets near-daily use long after purchase!
On my first visit to the UK I discovered the electric kettle. As soon as we got home I ordered one on Amazon. This is an appliance I would not do without. So many uses and a quick way to boil water.
That omelet maker reminds me of a gadget I bought years ago. I THINK it may have been an “as seen on TV” appliance where a woman named Cathy tried cooking all sorts of things. I remember her cooking a corn dog mix with a half hot dog weiner in each side, a chocolate cake mix with a small candy bar in each side, and several other things. My daughters were all small (30’s now) and they loved it! Wonder if this gadget would do all that?
I'm sure it would, as this is a duplicate of the GT Express 101. If you look online, you can find a recipe book in PDF format for that gadget, which provides many more recipes than just omelets
Butter bells and butter boats are awesome. I personally prefer the boat style because it's closer to a normal butter dish, the water is nowhere near the butter, and there's no risk of accidentally getting the butter wet or it falling into the water. Also, with a butter boat, you just throw a stick in without having to smush it into a bell. I'd love to hear your thoughts on one of them sometime.
What is the point of the water if it is not in contact with the butter? I understand why it's present in the butter bell (to occlude the air), what is it doing if it's not doing that?
@@KrikitKaos it's not in contact with the butter in the bell either. Some say it's to keep the ceramic from getting too warm and the butter becoming too soft, whiole others think the moist air in close proximity keps the butter fresh. However, lots of peope use them wihout even adding water, especially bells because of the risk of the butter getting wet.
@BoogieDaddy According to a quick Google, the butter in the bell is very much meant to be in contact with the water, which is also apparent in this video - that bell has a visibly wet rim and the butter runs right up to the edge. But I'll run with your moist air theory for the butter boat.
@Krikit interesting I've lived in the south my entire life and have never seen anyone have the water touch the butter. My mother's and my old one had glazed fill lines inside as well and they weren't near high enough to cause the butter to get wet. When I saw this video my first thought was he had overfilled it.
@BoogieDaddy You're one up on me, I've never encountered either version in real life. Maybe some day.
A friend gave me a lovely red Butter Bell with a fleur-de-Lis motif and I love it. I don't always remember to change the water every three days but the butter is still smooth and nicely packed. I'm impressed with the glass electric kettle, especially the turn off when done feature.Thanks for testing these!
I've used a butter boat, not a butter bell/crock, for about 30 years. I have one that holds 2 sticks, but they come in 1 stick size as well. Never any issues, even during hot summers.
I would love to see power usage comparisons between appliances, especially for items such as the kettle and omelette maker, etc. I think that is where a real deciding factor may rest…
For electric kettles (in the U.S. anyway) the standard is 1500 watts. There are some lower wattage versions though like a couple models from Chefman at 1100 watts.
@@SquishySenpai ok, that’s great information, (I’m in Australia), however, I have used several different kettles and some will use a constant amount of electricity while others will start higher and slowly consume less as it begins to boil. The usage I am referring to is the amount of electricity that, the appliance will consume per cycle/use, not it’s rated wattage. A kettle that is equally rated but of different design/material could and can use varying amount of electricity. This goes to other appliances such as toasters, ovens and air fryer’s/dehydrators. So it is impossible to say that everything rated at a certain wattage will consume the same amount of power.
Our buddy at Technology Connections has a nice obsessive episode on kettle vs range vs time vs price.
When comparing to an induction stove, it'll barely be different. It might make a slight difference but it'll be extremely negligible. Gas vs electric kettle is a whole different matter... Even an old-fashioned electric stove might make a difference... but with induction and an electric kettle it's both pretty much heating the water through direct contact with hot metal. Any difference will be smaller than opening your fridge even once, probably.
@@StaitlyNatters a kettle/jug is always going to use the most wattage. Using less takes more time to boil and ends up using the same amount of power regardless.
The omelette maker is great for making little cakes too.
Is there somewhere one might get directions for those cakes? :)
@@vitazgal9933 It's just regular cake mix. Nothing special. Start at about 7 or 8 minutes and adjust as needed I'd day.
Another great review, Thanks James
I've been using a butter keeper for about 4 years, love it. Since my wife uses pretend butter and only use softened butter for toast and such, I usually just put a half stick in it. Land of lakes makes half sticks very convenient, always use salted butter.
If you had a gas stove or a basic electric stove I think it probably would of kept up. My kettle when full is pretty fast on an old style electric stove. Glass top stoves work by convection from the burner to the glass so it's alot slower than a direct heat conduction from fire or the coil.
I have a gas stove. Electric kettle heats much faster. Also I have destroyed store top kettles because thy have boiled dry. Electric faster and safer.
As an Australian the water kettle discussion between brits and Americans is always fun to watch. Americans use them just like brits go to the dentist, almost never.
shots fired from down under 😂
Aussie too here: kinda perplexed that people still use stove top kettles, just like the imperial system 😂 thought stove top kettles died out in the 50s lol
@@addyl3423 What people from outside the US fail to understand is that while we do have electric kettles we don't use them because we don't drink as much tea as you do. We mostly drink coffee and we have coffee makers for that, which BTW you people don't use because you don't drink as much coffee as we do.
@@poluticon pretty sure for countries that have electric kettles, the way people drink their coffee is instant, since its the type of coffee that best works with the most favoured tool.
@@kr555wizard instant coffee? Gross.
Butter crocks are the BEST! Absolutely love mine. We have never had any butter go off and it always lasts until we're out and need to buy more. And this is in the hot Australian Summer. 👍😘
I’ve known about French butter crocks for many years because I used to work at our local renaissance festival where several potters made them. It’s actually an old technology from the late 1800s. Butter Bell is one of the best known makers, so butter bells is becoming like Kleenex and bandaid, the common name from the brand name. The omelette maker seems nice, but I just don’t have space for another gadget. My electric kettle, on the other hand, is an absolute must! I got my Krupps kettle about 6 years ago for Christmas and it gets used every day. I even use it to speed up cooking pasta. I boil about 8 cups of water and then put it in the pan to cook my pasta. Mine is stainless steel with vertical windows so I can see the progress. When this one eventually dies, I may get a glass on.
Electric kettles have a bad rap in the United States. Not without _some_ justification (our outlets draw less power, so they're not as fast as their European counterparts), but, hands down, in every side-by-side comparison, they're faster and use less energy than a stove (even a gas one). I've had one for years, and I love it. Any application that you boil water regularly for, it will save time. Even pasta; get some water in the pot and start it heating, do the same in the kettle, and add the kettle water to the pot once it gets going. You can easily shave a good three to five minutes off waiting to get the water boiling.
The electric kettle is the exactly the one I use all the time! Love it!
You definitely got me sold on the kettle. I really like that butter crock, but I don't need butter easily accessible in my life. The omelet maker looked great too, though I'm not much of an omelet person. Great reviews!
You didn't follow the directions with the Butter Bell. It said to firmly pack the butter. You did not. You just plopped it in by spoonsful and then smoothed out the surface. You're supposed to pack it to eliminate air pockets. Those pockets contain oxygen which will cause the butter to spoil. Also, if you pack it so that it's tight (firmly against) the walls, the butter will not fall out. I've used one of those in the past for years and it all depends on if you allow air into the bell or not. I know, some will say that the surface being used isn't air free. True, but you're constantly removing the surface butter exposed to the air and thus any butter that may have started its oxidation process.
I've had more problems with mold using a butter crock than I have with a traditional butter dish.
Technology Connections actually had a really interesting video 9 months back on electric kettles, and it's no surprise it beat the stove top method.
Hi! I like your easy-going optimistic style; like Bob Ross without the perm. Liked and subscribed, dude
I love my butter crock. I wish I had opted for the larger one. But being the only person in my household, it is fine.
Butter spoiling?? Our grandparents would beg to differ.. it sat out for ever.. I don’t think I ever saw it in the refrigerator…
@@amandak.4246 lmao
I have the silicone collapsible travel kettle and it sure came in handy when I was evacuated due to wildfires 2x in one summer! It's awesome!
I do have the exact same electric kettle. I like that it is glass so that you can see when it needs to be cleaned with vinegar. I have had the butter bell and stopped using it. It was a pain to remember to change the water. You had to have the butter softened to fill it, and it certainly didn't hold enough butter. I now keep my butter in a glass pyrex dish on the counter and it has never gone bad. As for the omelet maker it would be something else that I would have to store.
I’ve had my Mueller kettle for about 2 years now and I still love it. Very easy to use. Looks nice on the counter. Has held up very well.
If you're going to do an electric kettle, get the cuisinart one with built in temperature presets. Absolute game changer for tea.
I've used a butter crock in Australia for years now and it's the best thing ever, especially in this hot country. I can't believe you guys don't use electric kettles so much. I have to say, that the kettle you trialed, took a looonng time to boil, usually a full kettle will boil within a couple of minutes. The omelette maker has peaked my interest though, normally I'd just give things like that a miss now (after so many useless gadgets), but you have changed my mind on that one. 😊
We have a kettle and have used one for a several years. I used to have a Keurig until a power surge blew it out and I switched to a 4-cup coffee maker, while my friend drank tea. I’ve now switched to Taster’s Choice Instant Coffee, which is pretty decent so we only use the kettle. It boils faster than our stovetop so I boil water in the kettle to speed up the cooking pasta on the stove and it works well. It also gives me very hot water to clean my glass cook top. If you don’t use hot water daily, then it may not be worth it to own since it does take up counter space.
Great video! I have a butter boat, electronic tea kettle like this one & I've never seen the omelet thing but now I want one 😂
I absolutely LOVE my Mueller kettle. I've had it for years and it still works great!
I have been wanting a butter bell for a while now.. one will be in my kitchen soon... and I was an old fashioned stove kettle for the longest time, but when I.. clears throat.. left it on the stove too long in 2021 I realized I needed to replace it. I was picky about finding something that had the old fashioned look, and found one on Amazon. love mine.
We've used an electric kettle for years and love it! My husband thought I was nuts when I bought it, but now he uses it every day, too. After awhile the bottom will get hazy, so when that happens I put vinegar in it, let it sit for a few hours and then rinse well. Looks as good as new after that!
Classic vinegar, age old technique and it works great
I recently started using one of these butter bells/keepers and they are fantastic! I was worried I'd forget to change the water often enough, but it hasn't been a problem at all. I have oodles of fresh tasting but perfectly spreadable butter. My expanding butt is all the proof anyone needs that these things are the bomb!
i use an electric kettle daily, saves on energy. i had a butter crock for years and loved it, but you do have to change the water every day or two. good for people that use butter daily. i had one of those little grills years ago. i didnt really use it for omelets, i prefer french style, but i would throw an egg or two in there for sunnyside up. i would use it for a lot of other things, little tortilla wraps, or put some prepared stovetop stuffing in there with some sausage, or make little mini meatloafs. basically anything you would use a contact grill for. all good products
My wife and I had a butter bell, but it was in Arizona. The dry air there evaporated the water at a pretty quick rate, so if you forgot to check it every couple of days, you'd end up with bad butter. We've had the Mueller kettle for about 3 years and have been pretty happy with it. Before that, we had a Braun kettle that lasted nearly 20 years of daily use.
I have that Mueller and have had for years. I love it; nothing like a hot cup of tea when sick and only having to flick the button.
Good presentation with practical items. Thank you