Quite. I sold my microwave a few months ago and can't remember why I ever thought I needed one.

Warming up yesterday's leftovers?

I'm one of those people without a microwave. Instead, I have a toaster oven. For warming up leftovers, the toaster oven or stove does just fine, and most of the time it turns out better than the microwave, as it doesn't get mushy.

This is the second apartment I've lived in without a microwave, and I think I've missed it all of twice. Once, when I wanted some popcorn, and a second time when I was in a hurry to heat something up.

A frying pan can do that too.

You would reheat lasagna in a frying pan?

No, but a casserole in a slow oven will do a much better job reheating lasagna than a microwave will.

Don't get me wrong, if it was just for my lunch, I'd use the microwave, but if I was plating something for family dinner, I'd use the oven.

Why an electric kettle and not a regular one? It seems like an electric kettle is just another single-use appliance taking up counter space.

Plus, I mean, look at this kettle and tell me you don't want it: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97984435/retro-80s-seibel-bubble...

I'm as appreciative of the "multitaskers only" kitchen mentality as anyone, but an electric kettle is a "single use appliance" in much the same manner as a Pyrex measuring cup is: it's a pretty important "single use".

A distinct advantage of electric kettles over stovetop kettles is precise temperature control. High-end loose-leaf white and green tea wants 70c-82c water; Aeropress coffee wants 80c-90c.

Speed is obviously another benefit. Good electric kettles are significantly faster than stovetop kettles.

Also, electric kettles take up counter space, but stovetop kettles take up space on your cooktop. Space is more constrained on the cooktop; you probably only have 4 burners, and on my stove, if the front two burners have skillets on them, it's awfully hard to maneuver with the rear burners.

Also, I hate the ergonomics of cutesy round tea kettles, and, obviously, that's a tea kettle: most electric kettles hold more water.

I want to clarify that I'm not looking to get into a holy war about tea kettles o_O.

I didn't realize electric kettles could control water temperature. Which one do you have? I've always just boiled water, and then let the temperature fall to where I want it, even when using an electric kettle.

Also, for me, the fact that the regular kettle is on the stovetop is actually better, because that space is almost never in use (only during cooking), and when I do need, I can temporarily shift the kettle elsewhere. My counter space, on the other hand, is always at a premium (I only have 2 squares.)

The one in our office and the one at my house both have temperature settings, but I'm not sure of the brand on either.

interestingly, here in Australia an electric kettle is one of the required basics of any kitchen. Even the cheapest nastiest hotel room will contain a toaster and an electric kettle

I don't want it. I want a cordless one with a dock and a zillion-watt element that can boil a litre of water in forty seconds.