Boiling water to make coffee, tea or instant soup in the microwave can be a chore. Although we are told that microwaves can cook just about anything, they simply aren’t designed to boil water (or to cook chicken). Most of us have found that out the hard way. Because when we place our coffee cup with water in the microwave, not only does it take several minutes to actually boil, but we have to keep a constant eye on it make sure it doesn’t overflow and spill all over. Then when the water does finally boil and we go to retrieve it, we quickly discover that it’s almost as hot as the water. So, we wait a few more minutes for the cup to cool off, by which time the water is too cold to correctly brew tea, instant coffee, or make soup.

Of course, we can also use the stove, but that takes even longer and requires cleanup, and when you’re in a hurry in the morning you simply don’t have the time. That is why many people are turning to an electric water boiler. What is a water boiler? As you might expect, it is a countertop device that looks a lot like a coffee carafe that will quickly and easily boil water for your coffee, tea or soup.

The average electric water boiler is extremely cheap at about thirty-five dollars and will boil up to fifty ounces of water in about three minutes. Three minutes? Do you know how long it takes to boil that much water in a microwave or on the stovetop? Let’s be charitable and say at least ten minutes.

The reason the electric water boiler is so good at its job is because that is what it was designed to do…boil water. It uses up to 1500 watts to heat water and keep it at a high temperature. But, you needn’t worry about possible electrical fires because electric boilers turn off soon after the water starts to boil. And because these carafes are specifically designed to hold in heat, the water will remain hot for quite some time, unlike water heated in the microwave or on the stove.

Another great benefit of an electric water boiler is portability. That’s right! Many boilers are cordless, which means that you can take them to the office in the morning. All you have to do is plug in the heating base to boil the water and then you can remove the carafe for easy serving.

As with most kitchen appliances, the electric water boiler is available in a variety of colors, styles and materials. The most expensive models are often constructed of stainless steel, which is known to hold in heat better than any other material. You can also purchase more affordable models that are made of plastic or glass. Just like your average coffee carafe, most boilers come complete with a water level gauge, which will let you know exactly how much liquid is in the device. Many units also include a built-in thermometer that tells you how hot the water is.

So buy an electric water boiler and benefit from it now.