TheaterFire

What products are Americans missing out on due to having 110V mains electricity instead of 220V?

Posted by supinator1@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 181 comments

Either products simply not available in the United States or having a less capable version.

Reply to Post

181 Comments

JoeMorgue@reddit

Literally the only context this ever gets asked is the stupid "Water Kettle" thing.
View on Reddit #65255876

concrete_isnt_cement@reddit

I have an electric kettle (that usually just gathers dust in the corner). It works just fine, the water boils in about 20 seconds
View on Reddit #65299338

FinancialEvidence@reddit

Not a chance its 20 seconds, a UK kettle is around a minute and is roughly twice as fast.
View on Reddit #71604931

battleofflowers@reddit

And Americans just aren't tea drinkers the way Brits are, for example. They drink tons of tea all day long and we just don't.
View on Reddit #65256629

Suitable_Tomorrow_71@reddit

That's because, generally, we prefer coffee to tea. And most coffee makers can make tea anyway, just stick some teabags into where you'd normally put the coffee grounds.
View on Reddit #65259424

FinancialEvidence@reddit

disgusting
View on Reddit #71604890

shelwood46@reddit

You can also get Instant Hot faucets that mount next to your sink that dispense kettle-hot how water instantly; there are so many ways to get hot water
View on Reddit #65266228

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

Americans win on home appliances overall, so I can accept the fact my electric kettle doesn't heat up quite as fast.
View on Reddit #65255511

ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit

Right, I'll take that slightly slower kettle I rarely use if it means I can have a clothes dryer, air conditioning, and a sink garbage disposal.
View on Reddit #65256024

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

My wife's a tea junkie and the kids are hooked on Ramen so we use ours a LOT. Still... not a problem, I'm grateful for all the rest.
View on Reddit #65256266

FinancialEvidence@reddit

If you are actually interested, its not the complex to have a 3000w kettle. If you already have a **dedicated circuit receptacle** in your kitchen (doesn't connect to any other receptacles/fixtures), all you really need is a 15/20 amp 240V 2 pole breaker, nema 6-15p/6-20p receptacle, and nema 6-15/6-20p plug. Its about an hour of work to install and ~50 bucks of parts. Then buy your UK/EU kettle and install the nema 6-15p plug on the end.
View on Reddit #71604674

Vyckerz@reddit

You can also get an instant water heater hot water unit
View on Reddit #65259414

chabadgirl770@reddit

Why don’t you just get a hot water urn? So much easier and then you have on demand
View on Reddit #65256431

Foxtrot-Uniform-Too@reddit

Why could you not have a clothes dryer, aircon and a sink garbage disposal on 220V? Or do I misundertand your point?
View on Reddit #65256719

ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit

It's that these appliances are much less common in, say, the UK despite their much-vaunted voltage. Our appliance situation is more modern overall.
View on Reddit #65257123

DoinIt989@reddit

The UK has a lower rate of clothes dryer ownership (~60% vs ~80%) but interestingly, a higher rate of washing machine ownership (95% vs ~80%). Some of that is cultural, not financial. They just don't like using dryers. And the UK doesn't really need AC like most of the US does.
View on Reddit #65350496

Foxtrot-Uniform-Too@reddit

Ahh I see, so not really connected to the 110 vs 220V.
View on Reddit #65257898

shelwood46@reddit

We easily get both.
View on Reddit #65265668

Foxtrot-Uniform-Too@reddit

Obviously. It is not like higher volts is a European thing. Any country can have any volt they want. Easily. You can have 480V or 3 phase volt if you need it. And we all do, Europe and the US alike. I was asking because I did not understand if 110V had anything to do with a clothes drier and air conditioning etc. And it does not. I live in Norway, we have 220V, I have a washer and dryer in my bathroom with several separate outlets for my toothbrush and electric shaver. I have aircon and whatever - except garbage disposal. That is not a thing in my country because it is considered a rat feeder. So sans garbage disposal, we have the same things, but different voltage. And fridge models. We have smaller fridges :)
View on Reddit #65280466

SnooRadishes7189@reddit

Correct. Central air is directly wired into the home's electrical system as are furnaces and electric water heaters. Electric Dryers and Stoves use 240V outlet which are just a different version of the normal 110V wiring in the house. Some houses in the northern parts of the U.S. use Natural gas for stoves, dryers, furnaces and water heaters. Natural gas is usually cheaper than electricity. Gas stoves and dryers heat up faster than electric ones.
View on Reddit #65263333

Cheap_Coffee@reddit

>I can have a clothes dryer That's actually on a 240v circuit.
View on Reddit #65256944

drunkenwildmage@reddit

I have a gas clothes dryer on standard 120v outlet.
View on Reddit #65271530

ALoungerAtTheClubs@reddit

That's true!
View on Reddit #65257157

devnullopinions@reddit

This is one of the reasons I really like having an induction stove. It can transfer the energy to boil water in like 30 seconds
View on Reddit #65316436

AllYallCanCarry@reddit

In ten minutes you could add a branch line from behind your oven to service a 220v electric kettle. Just don't run them both at the same time.
View on Reddit #65257440

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

Gas stove, but thanks for the tip!
View on Reddit #65257517

AllYallCanCarry@reddit

Damn! It can still easily be done, it'll just cost you a little more!
View on Reddit #65258640

parker9832@reddit

I have 120V and 240V service in my home. All my electric heaters, hot water heater, and clothes dryer are 240V
View on Reddit #65255590

DBDude@reddit

It's not the same. US houses are at 240V. Then they tap off one wire to be 120V throughout the house, but let 240V pass through for things like stove outlets. So regular wall outlets in the US are 120V at 15A, or 1,800W, and 240V is usually provided at about 30A, or 7,200W. But for example in Germany power comes in 400V 3-phase, and it's tapped off to 230V for regular wall outlets at 16A (3,840W). The stoves and such get that 400V 3-phase, at I believe at least 30A, so a whole lot more power than your heater outlet.
View on Reddit #65258748

danhm@reddit

Our 240 volt outlets can do up to 60 amps, which is more power than 400 volts at 30 amps.
View on Reddit #65259385

DBDude@reddit

Don't forget it's 3-phase for more consistent power. I'm not an electrician, but I do remember that a three phase motor can put out much more power for the same wattage as single phase motor.
View on Reddit #65260574

Zaidswith@reddit

Are we trying to electrocute an elephant in the kitchen? What's actually different in use?
View on Reddit #65948720

DBDude@reddit

Stoves can be more effective. But it also helps running better equipment in the garage. You have to pay a lot extra to get 3-phase in a home in the US, not just installation but recurring service charges.
View on Reddit #65994424

danhm@reddit

We're also 3 phase (to the pole, at least). But that stuff only matters for factories and other heavy duty applications outside of the home -- they also have 400 volt service in America.
View on Reddit #65260995

cohrt@reddit

Yeah unless you’re trying to run a machine shop in your basement 3 phase power doesn’t really matter for residential use.
View on Reddit #65263348

DBDude@reddit

I was watching one US guy who wanted to get three-phase to his garage to run heavier tools, but the power company wanted to charge him a commercial rate recurring connection fee.
View on Reddit #65263252

WhatABeautifulMess@reddit

So what are we missing out on? This question seems to be asking the wrong people. We don’t know what we don’t have.
View on Reddit #65268843

parker9832@reddit

My heaters are hard wired to the panel
View on Reddit #65260689

DBDude@reddit

So you get the US version of high voltage.
View on Reddit #65262999

parker9832@reddit

I believe so. The house was built in the 60s. All electric. Water pump, heat, everything. It used to have separate panels, 120 and 240. Before we closed on the house the inspector made us combine to one panel, Half and half. I was able to get the seller to pay for that.
View on Reddit #65263653

Lothar_Ecklord@reddit

What an odd question. What are you missing? Exactly nothing because we actually do have it lol
View on Reddit #65256061

vwsslr200@reddit

Electric kettles are really it. There's a reason that's the only appliance you hear talked about with regard to 120V, and nothing else. Not many appliances actually max out a 15 amp circuit. Pretty much everything else either does not have reduced functionality on 120V, or runs on 240V in the US. Sometimes modifications are made to enable equivalent functionality on 120V - for example, in the US, dishwashers are connected to hot water instead of cold like Europe. The boost from the central water heater enables similar functionality despite the reduced power of the dishwasher's heater. Similar deal with washing machines - they're econnected to both hot and cold water in the US for the same reason.
View on Reddit #65256186

Zaidswith@reddit

We have kettles though and the difference can't be more than seconds.
View on Reddit #65949466

vwsslr200@reddit

Generally, UK kettles are 3000 watts, US kettles 1500 watts. So take about twice as long. Of course with kettles being so fast anyway, US kettles are still quite quick at boiling. But UK kettles significantly faster. The actual time saved depends on the amount of water being boiled.
View on Reddit #65960112

Zaidswith@reddit

Yeah, I just can't imagine it's a life changing amount of time. If you really cared, an induction stove with a stove top kettle would be just as quick.
View on Reddit #65962564

Avery_Thorn@reddit

The things that Americans are mostly missing out on are electrical burns and electrocution.
View on Reddit #65256484

Joel_feila@reddit

We do have a lower per Capita rate of electrical fatalities 
View on Reddit #65298898

Zaidswith@reddit

I've never looked that up. Do you have a good source?
View on Reddit #65948902

Joel_feila@reddit

I did the math self lok at a report from the eu and america. 
View on Reddit #65949723

Chemical-Mix-6206@reddit

Wait, isn't my clothes dryer 220? Are there other appliances in Europe we don't have?
View on Reddit #65257064

GaryJM@reddit

>Are there other appliances in Europe we don't have? [Beans on toast machine?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/QBwAAOSw~dllfLZW/s-l1200.jpg) [Teasmade?](https://www.teasmade.uk/content/images/2024/09/swan_newpic-1.jpg) [Sandwich toaster?](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/4ZEAAOSwfodleun5/s-l1600.webp) [Pie maker?](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81wxxNsyLOL._UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg)
View on Reddit #65259637

Zaidswith@reddit

You could use a toaster oven for the first one. We have the last two But what's going on with that tea thing? It's a clock, a kettle , and...?
View on Reddit #65949172

GaryJM@reddit

Alarm clock, kettle, teapot, serving tray and photograph holder.
View on Reddit #65949527

Zaidswith@reddit

Oh, ok, that definitely makes it more useful.
View on Reddit #65949659

SnooRadishes7189@reddit

We have the sandwich toaster and pie maker. No Teasmade but a we do have automatic coffeemakers. Beans on toast is a very British thing so not much draw to that.
View on Reddit #65265613

Lovebeingadad54321@reddit

There is a beans on toast machine? Don’t you just make toast, then throw some beans on it? We have toasters in America.
View on Reddit #65291163

TheJokersChild@reddit

Just about all of what we need comes in 120 so we're not missing anything. And our electric stoves and dryers are 240, which must mean yours run on 480. But you can probably charge an EV in like 5 minutes, unlike us.
View on Reddit #65266752

Zaidswith@reddit

Their dryers are frequently ductless and terrible. They're slow. If they're in a combination washer/dryer they're completely useless.
View on Reddit #65949396

Remarkable_Table_279@reddit

Not sure we’re the people to ask. I literally can’t think of anything because we can actually add 220 Outlets if we need them. (I had a 220 AC)
View on Reddit #65255492

Granadafan@reddit

Charger for electric cars and super fast kettle for hot water.  However we are able to have outlets in the bathroom unlike the UK. 
View on Reddit #65255672

waka_flocculonodular@reddit

You can't have outlets in the bathroom in the UK? That is WILD
View on Reddit #65255888

jayakay20@reddit

Yes we can, we just don't. Electricity and water aren't a great mix.
View on Reddit #65256323

Kellaniax@reddit

What do you plug hair dryers or straighteners into if there’s no plugs?
View on Reddit #65365167

The_Law_of_Pizza@reddit

I love how Europeans are so incredibly smug that they think Americans couldn't have possibly figured out a solution to the bathroom outlet problem. They gave up, so there must not be a solution at all.
View on Reddit #65256657

ENovi@reddit

It’s astounding. There was a question here a while ago from a Pole who *insisted* that our use of garbage disposals were destroying our pipes and polluting our sewer systems. People kept trying to explain how they work (going so far as to explain the differences between the two sewer systems) until someone finally snapped and said “Don’t you think we would have fucking done something about this if all our major cities pipes started bursting and our sewers were overflowing?!” This is the same thing. We don’t have outlets in the shower and we’re not sticking our wet fingers into sockets because we’re not morons. Outlets/voltage, garbage disposals, AC, houses made of different material, etc. It doesn’t matter what it is, if it’s different from them then they assume it must be wrong.
View on Reddit #65286736

vwsslr200@reddit

Don't say Europeans, everywhere else in Europe has outlets in the bathroom no problem. This is just a British hangup that nowhere else in the world has (except maybe Ireland). But, like this person, most of them have convinced themselves the rule must be there for good reason.
View on Reddit #65256923

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

We have GFI outlets for a reason.
View on Reddit #65256455

machagogo@reddit

They have to have switches on every outlet in the UK because they think electricity can jump out of unused outlets and start fires...
View on Reddit #65266707

vwsslr200@reddit

They have whole house GFCI protection so don't even need GFCI outlets. They can put outlets in the bathroom no problem, they just don't because they're weird.
View on Reddit #65257168

Ceorl_Lounge@reddit

The separate taps for hot and cold are weird too.
View on Reddit #65257230

vwsslr200@reddit

Reason for that is traditionally their plumbing systems used open tanks of water in the attic to deal with expansion. They could get nasties in them like bugs, rodents, etc. So nobody wanted to drink from a faucet that had hot water going through it, hence separate taps. Nowadays with houses moving to combi boilers or sealed hot water tanks more like the rest of the world, this is becoming less of an issue and there has been a shift towards mixer taps.
View on Reddit #65257931

Peachy0715@reddit

How do you blow dry your hair? Use a curling iron/straightener? These are all things I'd prefer to use in the bathroom. And yes, this is why GFI outlets exist.
View on Reddit #65256909

jayakay20@reddit

We use them in the bedroom. It's also wear we dress and get ready.
View on Reddit #65257327

TsundereLoliDragon@reddit

Brits when GFCI exists.
View on Reddit #65256662

jayakay20@reddit

We have a 240v system here so GFCI are difficult. That's why we use RCD instead
View on Reddit #65257200

vwsslr200@reddit

Australia, New Zealand, and everywhere in continental Europe has 240V too and they have outlets in the bathroom no problem. This is just a non-issue.
View on Reddit #65257285

devnullopinions@reddit

I literally helped a friend install a 240V charger last weekend.
View on Reddit #65316786

Granadafan@reddit

Yeah we have one at our house as well. My point was the default plugs and voltage are 110 but you can obviously install 220v for heavy appliances or more for chargers. It just should be inspected for code. 
View on Reddit #65324902

rawbface@reddit

We do have 220V car chargers though. My neighbor has one in his garage, which makes sense because my 220V clothes dryer is right next to my garage.
View on Reddit #65256215

danhm@reddit

You can also charge a car on a regular 120 v outlet just fine too. It takes longer but it'll probably be plugged in overnight anyway and most people won't be driving enough to fully drain the battery everyday either.
View on Reddit #65259032

wooper346@reddit

> Charger for electric cars and super fast kettle for hot water.  I feel like these are two extremes on some kind of appliance scale. "On a scale of car charger to kettle, rank your appliance."
View on Reddit #65258326

battleofflowers@reddit

Americans, by and large, don't drink a cuppa twenty times a day, so most of us don't have kettles we use constantly. I personally own one, but I'd be just as happy with heating up water on the stove with the amount of tea I drink.
View on Reddit #65256341

YborOgre@reddit

American with a kettle here. It takes about 15 to 20 seconds seems plenty fast..
View on Reddit #65257019

Saltpork545@reddit

Literally nothing. For high voltage appliances, we have different, higher voltage outlets because power in the US on the lines is 240v. We do a three phase system that makes residential 120v. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMmUoZh3Hq4 This explains it.
View on Reddit #65354795

PuzzleheadedPea6980@reddit

Based on ohms law, they both use the watts, so the benefit to 220v is you have lowers amps running through the lines. 220 will be more efficient but its like 5% savings over 5 years of use, so its mostly negligible. In general, the 110 is just safer. Where it matters, we still have 220v run.
View on Reddit #65336511

Riker_Omega_Three@reddit

Nothing There is nothing appliance wise that we need that we don't have As a nation, we don't drink hot tea all that much and those that do will simply wait a little bit longer for their water to boil Instant boiling water is not a necessity
View on Reddit #65317807

travelinmatt76@reddit

You are mistaken, practically all US homes have 240 available if needed.  Our dryers and electric stoves and ovens run on 240.  You can have a 240 outlet in your kitchen if you want.  We have every appliance you have
View on Reddit #65306803

nothingpositivetoadd@reddit

Houses in the US have 240 VAC coming in and splits to 2 legs of 120 VAC. To use 240, the breaker taps in to both legs. Ovens, Water Heaters, Clothes Dryers, HVAC systems all use 240 VAC. So we're not missing out on anything. If we wanted a 240 volt countertop kettle, we could have an outlet installed and buy a kettle. Nobody I know has a constant water boiling need. If we do, we'll boil it on the stove, which is 240 VAC.
View on Reddit #65255949

BallsOutKrunked@reddit

huh, thanks for 220 history, I always wondered why people will say 110 or 220
View on Reddit #65304830

Heavy_Gap_5047@reddit

This is the best answer I see so far. Technically household voltage varies 110/220 is two legs of a three phase electrical grid. 120/240 is a two phase grid. These vary by location but most these days are 120/240 . Most kitchens already have 220/240 outlets for the range/oven. Wouldn't be hard to have more 220/240 outlets, there's just no point to it. My home is two phase and I already have 240 outlets in the kitchen, laundry, and garage. There's really only one aspect I think we miss out on. Cheaper high draw appliances. We can get things like portable AC units, heaters, kettles, air compressors, etc. in 220, but they're much more expensive than common 110 stuff. Right now I'm cooling with a cheap window AC unit. It's cooling ability is limited by our 1500 W limit. If 3500W outlets where common in the US, it's likely that more powerful window AC units would be available for cheap.
View on Reddit #65257561

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Top of the list is an electric kettle that doesn't operate at the speed of continental drift.
View on Reddit #65255451

BathBrilliant2499@reddit

Weird how they're super popular in Japan, which also uses 120v. Maybe they're just not that useful if you don't drink tea. No, that can't be it. If that was it there would be no reason to call Americans stupid for not having them on the internet. /s
View on Reddit #65256843

WulfTheSaxon@reddit

Also weird that nobody bothers making a 2400W model in the US even though they could.
View on Reddit #65292377

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I'm an American, so take your poor-me whining elsewhere. Tiresome.
View on Reddit #65260403

Medium-Complaint-677@reddit

To be fair 110v takes about 6 minutes and 220v takes about 4 minutes. So yeah, 220v is faster, but it isn't as dramatic as you want it to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMMTVVJI4c&ab_channel=TechnologyConnections
View on Reddit #65255778

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I don't want it to be anything, except faster.
View on Reddit #65256018

Medium-Complaint-677@reddit

What would you do with the extra 2 minutes?
View on Reddit #65256158

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Anything I like, which is kind of the point.
View on Reddit #65256237

Medium-Complaint-677@reddit

I'm just curious - my wife drinks tea and I drink coffee. When I come downstairs in the morning I hit the switch on the kettle and I hit brew on the coffee maker, by the time I'm done feeding the dog, both are done. I could absolutely understand your point if it took 10 minutes to boil or whatever, it just seems kind of odd to be so worked up over a hypothetical 2 minutes, especially because unless you're insane, I can't imagine you're just standing there looking at the kettle waiting for it to boil.
View on Reddit #65256542

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I'm not worked up. I'm merely pointing out that higher voltage = faster boiling. I grind my coffee beans and put together my breakfast in the morning while it's going. You're imagining things that simply aren't real, which is clearly skewing your reaction to a statement of very simple fact.
View on Reddit #65260622

jephph_@reddit

>I'm not worked up. I'm merely pointing out that higher voltage = faster boiling. That’s not true It’s higher wattage. You could use a 30 amp breaker at 120v which would give you 3600 watts. The fast heating kettles in the UK max out at around 3000 watts The voltage isn’t really anything to do with it Watts = Volts * Amps Remember? That was a school lesson
View on Reddit #65279054

thatsad_guy@reddit

Can you not do things while it's heating up?
View on Reddit #65257176

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Of course, but that doesn't change the fundamental facts. It's slower. It's not really a matter of contention. You can either argue it or grant it's true.
View on Reddit #65260342

thatsad_guy@reddit

That wasn't the point I was asking about
View on Reddit #65262778

Fit_Permission_6187@reddit

What if I told you, you don't need to stand there and watch it for x minutes.
View on Reddit #65258741

fromwayuphigh@reddit

Nobody's doing that, mate. We have lives.
View on Reddit #65260242

rawbface@reddit

I mean at 6 minutes you might as well use fire, with an acoustic kettle
View on Reddit #65256441

rawbface@reddit

I just use an 'acoustic' kettle. Fire boils water just fine.
View on Reddit #65256583

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I live in a third-floor urban apartment, so analog kettles are in short supply, but I if I had fire, I'd use it.
View on Reddit #65260503

Hotwheels303@reddit

Dang I got a super basic one from target and it boils water in under 3
View on Reddit #65256495

distracted_x@reddit

I don't know what people are talking about when they say that. My electric kettle boils water in like 2 or 3 minutes. I put in in there and walk away and before I know it it's ready. How must faster can it be in the UK?
View on Reddit #65256038

fromwayuphigh@reddit

About 1/3 faster.
View on Reddit #65256166

lacaras21@reddit

I've heard this one a lot, but idk I haven't noticed a difference between the one I have (110V) and the ones I remember using in the UK during my visit a few years ago.
View on Reddit #65255656

fromwayuphigh@reddit

I definitely have. The ones I found in the US before I moved back to 220v land also seemed much poorer quality. Not, it should be said, that they don't sell cheap kettles in the UK, by the way. Just that it's much easier to find one of adequate quality in the UK.
View on Reddit #65255866

ijuinkun@reddit

How odd. My electric kettle takes barely five minutes to boil a full liter, even on a 110v circuit
View on Reddit #65255680

BracedRhombus@reddit

What are Europeans missing out for America appliances? Ice makers?
View on Reddit #65256058

angrysquirrel777@reddit

Despite a microwave being 100% capable of heating up water it blows the mind of some people
View on Reddit #65257272

JudgeWhoOverrules@reddit

It's worse because microwave ovens are specifically engineered to output a 2.45 ghz frequency to heat up water molecules by vibrating them at their resonant frequency. Heating up water is all it's useful for!
View on Reddit #65261453

TrixieLurker@reddit

But it is oh so useful.
View on Reddit #65291079

battleofflowers@reddit

Ice makers, dryers, air conditioners mainly.
View on Reddit #65256673

Remarkable_Table_279@reddit

AC…dryers that work
View on Reddit #65256302

PoopdatGameOUT@reddit

Who tha hell uses kettles,what in Tom Sawyer it’s this
View on Reddit #65256165

Lovebeingadad54321@reddit

Not what in Tom Sawyer…. He’s American…. What  in Sherlock Holmes w this? Is the question 
View on Reddit #65291053

Lovebeingadad54321@reddit

Having never traveled to Europe, and only twice outside the United States at all, I have no idea what things I have never seen that I am missing out on. It’s like asking someone born blind if the miss seeing colors.
View on Reddit #65290909

Red_Beard_Rising@reddit

We can always install a 240 outlet where we need one. It's common to install a 240 outlet for specific appliances. Since most appliances and tools work fine with only 120, there is no need for the higher voltage in most receptacles.
View on Reddit #65287811

geri73@reddit

I prefer using an old-fashioned tea kettle for tea and coffee.
View on Reddit #65284039

TillPsychological351@reddit

I've lived in the US and in Europe. I can't say I remember any electrical appliance available in Europe that isn't also in the US, or even much performance difference. Even electric water kettles.
View on Reddit #65281585

GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit

I can't weld an F-150 frame in my kitchen. Its a serious inconvenience. 
View on Reddit #65256063

Fappy_as_a_Clam@reddit

That's why I got a Tacoma, it fits in my kitchen whereas a full size wouldnt.
View on Reddit #65278086

Conchobair@reddit

Look behind your oven. That probably has the outlet you need.
View on Reddit #65258670

mrinformal@reddit

Sounds like you need a bigger door to your kitchen.
View on Reddit #65257321

therealjerseytom@reddit

I know it's a joke, but, you can get inverter TIG's that run on 110 and do a pretty damn good job.
View on Reddit #65256410

Bluemonogi@reddit

What electrical products do you use in your country that you think we might not have some version of? I only know what is available here so can’t tell you if we are missing out on anything. I expect we have most things and they probably work fine.
View on Reddit #65274897

Raving_Lunatic69@reddit

I dunno. Please tell us so we can haz sadz.
View on Reddit #65268085

Particular_Owl_8029@reddit

we also have 220v for heavy electric items like dryers and stoves
View on Reddit #65255659

No-Lunch4249@reddit

Yeah feels like OP's question started from a false premise. Because I'm pretty sure most homes have that same setup with 220 in key rooms like the kitchen and laundry, just not throughout the house
View on Reddit #65256751

machagogo@reddit

Of course it did. Facts don't matter when the topic is AmeribadEuroJerk.
View on Reddit #65266792

SnooRadishes7189@reddit

All houses are capable of having a 240 volt outlet. It is just a rewiring of the existing lines to the house.
View on Reddit #65262692

eyetracker@reddit

Going to ask the Canada or Japan subs the same question?
View on Reddit #65262436

CalmRip@reddit

Since we have actual electric outlets *in our bathrooms,* we are able to use hairdryers, curling irons, and electric shaves in the room meant for grooming, so on that account, we're ahead of the UK (guessing OP's country based on the reference to electric "mains").
View on Reddit #65261331

illegalsex@reddit

I don't think we're missing anything. Can you? We have 240v outlets for the appliances that need them.
View on Reddit #65260889

danhm@reddit

A lot of people don't understand how electricity works. It's not just volts. Our circuits have higher amperage. Volts (electric potential) * amperage (current) = watts (power). European outlets are typically at 10 amps so they are a little higher (2300 watts) compared to a typical American outlet of 15 (1800 watts). In reality American appliances tend to max out at around 1500 watts so they don't trip the breaker if you use your toaster oven and the microwave timer at the same time.
View on Reddit #65260524

G17Gen3@reddit

Every single day, all Americans gnash their teeth, beat their chests, and howl in lament that a kettle of our water takes us 12.8 seconds longer to boil than our British betters.   Come back, come back King George!  We were so very wrong!  Please come back and lift us from our squalor! 🥺
View on Reddit #65259384

DBDude@reddit

If nothing else, our cables have to be thicker for the same wattage we expect them to carry.
View on Reddit #65258976

JimBones31@reddit

I don't know, they aren't sold here.
View on Reddit #65258054

cbrooks97@reddit

This is America. I'm pretty sure if someone wants it, they make a version that'll work on our power grid.
View on Reddit #65258024

bryku@reddit

Electricty comes in 3 lines: 120, 120, and neutral. Meaning we get [240 volts](https://www.electricaltechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Difference-Between-120V-and-240V.png). That being said, 240 isn't really needed outside some larger appliances like driers, water heaters, and chargers.   There have been attempts to remove it and you can find some houses without it. This is because you are far more likely to survive 120v than 240v. It all depends on the path and and other factors.   Since most houses still have it, we can still use it for the few things that require it. A great example are car chargers, which have become more popular over recent years.   However, I don't really think there are many other benefits.   I've heard electric kettles get hotter a minute or two quicker, but if that is your only problem you can probably microwave it even faster. Although, there are probably other heating appliances that may be a bit slower, but the difference is so small. Is saving a few minutes really worth the increased risk and expensive?  
View on Reddit #65258005

SquidsArePeople2@reddit

None
View on Reddit #65257833

Joel_feila@reddit

nothing
View on Reddit #65257760

ProfPretzelMan@reddit

Some phones have slightly faster charging speeds in other countries. For example the OnePlus 13 is 85w in the US and 100w in countries with 220v.
View on Reddit #65256172

ShoddyRevolutionary@reddit

A general use 15 amp, 120V circuit has capacity of 1800W. There is no reason a phone couldn’t charge at 100W in the US. I own several 100W USB-C adapters. There might be other reasons for the difference but it isn’t because of the voltage at our receptacles.
View on Reddit #65257414

Quicherbichen1@reddit

The last time I bought a new washer and dryer, they each came with 2 power cords that had to be attached to the machines. One for US hook-up the other for European connections. We're not "missing" anything...we just have different connectors.
View on Reddit #65257125

LizaBlue4U@reddit

Not missing a single thing. It’s easy to add whatever voltage we need.
View on Reddit #65257103

ShoddyRevolutionary@reddit

I kind of wish we had three phase residential. I know some countries do. Would be good for car chargers and other high draw appliances. Higher voltage would also be nice for the ability to use smaller gauge wires for the same wattage but that’s generally not as big of a deal as Europeans make it out to be. Either way, I doubt Japan gets nearly as much condescension for their 100V residential. And somehow both Japan and the US seem to get along just fine without higher voltage.
View on Reddit #65257016

Help1Ted@reddit

Honestly sounds like you’ve put more thought into this than I ever could. What do you feel we are missing?
View on Reddit #65256054

battleofflowers@reddit

I lived in Germany for years and I didn't notice any difference whatsoever in my life by using 220.
View on Reddit #65256507

Help1Ted@reddit

Exactly! We have and use higher voltage where needed. I don’t feel like I would even need it for anything else.
View on Reddit #65256832

thirdeyefish@reddit

We have access to 240 Volts for any major appliance with a heating element like stoves and dryers. And, increasingly, electric car charging. Most of our stuff doesn't require a lot of power, so while the copper on cords may need to be thicker, that tends not to add substantially to the cost. Most of our electronics need low voltage DC and so transform and rectify the incoming power anyway. Refrigerators, fans, all fine. The one rub would be, in regions where we use gas for heating, apartment dwellers may not have a 240 receptacle available for air conditioning. Which has led to the mass proliferation of 120V window and portable air conditioners, which has in turn lowered the consideration for making sure we have a 240V outlet by the window.
View on Reddit #65256220

MrsBenSolo1977@reddit

Window and portable a/c units use 110.
View on Reddit #65256776

12B88M@reddit

As others have said, we aren't missing out as American homes use 120V for most things, but we have 240V available if we need it. We can also have single or 3 phase power. I think a lot of Europeans don't understand that 120V is just half of 240V. So you get 240V run to the house and just split one leg off to get 120V.
View on Reddit #65256546

TucsonTacos@reddit

Most outlets are 110V but the house itself is a dual 110v which acts as a 220v if need be. That’s why the plug for your larger appliances looks different. My microwave doesn’t need the same power as my washing machine
View on Reddit #65255785

velociraptorfarmer@reddit

It's know as split phase power. Our homes get 220V in on 2 separate phases, each with 110V. Which means we can split them to get 110V, or use it as is for 220V.
View on Reddit #65256438

Responsible_Side8131@reddit

My clothes dryer uses a 220v outlet. There’s one in my laundry room specifically for that.
View on Reddit #65256359

TsundereLoliDragon@reddit

Nothing?
View on Reddit #65256205

HegemonNYC@reddit

What a silly question. What appliances explode in flames when plugged in in your country?
View on Reddit #65256190

silvermoonhowler@reddit

Not too much, as not everything we use needs 220 If I'm not mistaken, 220V is only needed for large appliances like washers and driers and stuff, and also if you have an EV (which yes, you could get away with charging only on 110V, but it'll take all the longer to charge compared to if you just had a 220V outlet installed in your garage/where you park it)
View on Reddit #65256143

Lean_Lion1298@reddit

Ya know, I didn't even know this was a thing. I'd say I'm not missing anything.
View on Reddit #65256118

virtual_human@reddit

You know we have 220v electricity in our houses, right? I have a clothes dryer, stove, oven, water heater, table saw, and dust collector all running on 220v. Nothing else in my house needs that kind of power. As for electric kettles, we drink a lot more coffee than tea. My coffee maker has a timer so the coffee is ready when I get up so the extra few minutes it takes to heat the water is irrelevant to me.
View on Reddit #65256089

velociraptorfarmer@reddit

Our homes have 220V where needed. My old house had a 220V outlet in the garage on its own circuit that could be used for an electric car or a welder. My current home has 220V in the garage for the water heater, in the kitchen for the stove, and in the mudroom for the dryer.
View on Reddit #65256032

Hot_Car6476@reddit

I can’t think of a single thing.
View on Reddit #65255942

Solomon_knows@reddit

Our stove/oven and dryer are typically 220V.. all other appliances are made for 110V.. we aren’t missing anything.
View on Reddit #65255908

LiveMarionberry3694@reddit

We have 220v…. My dryer runs on it 110 is just the standard for the rest of my outlets
View on Reddit #65255904

Yeegis@reddit

Kettles are really the only one. And even then they’re still decently fast (4 minutes or so) We do actually have 220v readily available but it’s not the default for safety reasons.
View on Reddit #65255802

DuelJ@reddit

I'll first point out we are the least qualified people to talk about what we're missing, and also 240 :p
View on Reddit #65255742

anneofgraygardens@reddit

I've spent a lot of time in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and nothing really comes to mind. People have said that an electric kettle doesn't heat up as fast but I've had electric kettles in a few countries and while there might be a difference, it's not particularly noticeable to me as an average person who isn't standing over the kettle with a stopwatch.
View on Reddit #65255738

fakesaucisse@reddit

I always hear electric kettles, but mine heats up to boiling in 30 seconds. I don't feel like I need it to be any faster than that.
View on Reddit #65255720

ShipComprehensive543@reddit

nothing.
View on Reddit #65255701

rawbface@reddit

Absolutely nothing. People who drone on about electric kettles are forgetting the fact that most Americans DO IN FACT own an electric kettle already. We just call it a "coffee machine". Guess what it spits out if you don't put coffee in it?
View on Reddit #65255687

albertnormandy@reddit

Anything involving heating elements. To make up for lower voltage we require higher amperage for the same wattage. Amperage is limited by wire size, so the end result is that products like electric kettles are just undersized compared to overseas.  Larger loads like stoves and water heaters use 230V, so no real difference from Europe. 
View on Reddit #65255649

ApprehensivePie1195@reddit

I'm not missing anything
View on Reddit #65255591

therealjerseytom@reddit

Nothing comes to mind.
View on Reddit #65255528