Not Having a Kitchen Has Let Me Discover So Many Secret Uses for My Electric Kettle

You think about appliances differently when you don't have a kitchen. We're a month into our kitchen renovation, and while I miss our stovetop tea kettle (and stove, for that matter), I've come to love my electric kettle.

Yes, it makes sure my family of tea drinkers doesn't have to forgo our daily cup in winter, but it also does so much more. In the past few days, I have made soft-boiled eggs, hearty bowls of oatmeal topped with cinnamon and brown sugar, and steaming cups of ramen noodles in minutes. I've also used boiling water to get stubborn red wine rings out of mugs—a huge help since we're currently washing everything in our bathroom sink.

So I understand why thousands of Amazon shoppers are devoted to the Mueller Ultra Kettle, a no-fuss electric kettle that's currently 30 percent off. Made of heat-resistant glass that glows via a blue LED light as your water starts boiling, the Mueller kettle features an anti-slip handle and cordless design for easy pouring. It also shuts off automatically 30 seconds after the water reaches a boiling point or when the kettle is out of water.

To buy: $35 (was $50); amazon.com.

While the kettle won't take up a lot of counter space (or bookcase space if you happen to be redoing a kitchen too), it can hold 1.8 liters of water (a little over 7.5 cups) which is more than enough to boil half of a 1-pound box of pasta.

You could also use the electric kettle for a brief spa moment, perhaps after a day of listening to hammering and power tools. Add 4 to 6 cups of boiling water to a bowl along with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Cover your head with a towel, place your face roughly 6 inches above the water, and relax in the steam for about 10 minutes.

The versatility of the Mueller Ultra Kettle has made it a hit with Amazon shoppers, with more than 33,000 five-star ratings and a whopping 9,000 perfect reviews. I'm not the only one who has discovered an electric kettle is as useful for making meals, as it is for hot drinks.

"It heats water FASTER than in a pot on my gas stove. No mess, No fuss," wrote one shopper. "I use it daily for my morning and afternoon hot drink of cappuccino, chai, or tea. I use it to start cooking rice, macaroni, Ramen, spaghetti, or other foods that start with boiling water. When fish, chicken, or beef is cooking too hot or too fast in my skillet, I just add a few [tablespoons] of boiling water to help it cook more evenly."

Another shopper wrote that they were "literally obsessed," before adding, "I use it multiple times every day with a pour-over for coffee... It's fast and a super clean cup. It's a high quality product, works exactly as described and I love it."

While I can't wait to have a full kitchen again, I'm now an electric kettle convert. It's an appliance that's earned a spot on our counter. If you're ready to see how useful the gadget can be, shop the Mueller Ultra Kettle from Amazon while it's on sale.