Can I boil potatoes using electric kettle?

Hi Muhammad,

You COULD do it, but it would have certain risks...the elements in electric kettles are designed to be in contact with ***water*** at all times, while the unit is switched on. Putting diced potatoes into the kettle adds starches and sugars to the mix, which the kettle was not designed to handle. There could be minor 'scorching' and resultant hardening of the potato pieces if they are in direct contact with the heating element for the many minutes it takes to cook them. Not so nice for mashed potatoes! (I can think of a half-dozen "engineering" solutions, but they would cost more in time, trouble and money than the entire project is worth!)

A $20 rice-cooker (new, retail price) would work much better! [Couldn't you borrow a rice-cooker from a fellow-student for a short while?] Eggs are OK in any type of electric kettle, as long as you make sure the water doesn't boil away before the eggs are cooked.

Another idea is to check out the "op-shops" or garage sales that sell gas cookers and saucepans for a few bucks.

Electric kettles can make very good *instant* mashed potatoes, if you add the butter, milk and seasonings to the water (but don't blame ME if your tea or instant coffee has a funny taste afterwards!)

Best of luck.

Peel and cut the potatoes very thin. When the water boils, pour it over the sliced potatoes and cover the bowl tightly. the heated water might soften the potatoes. Don't cook them in an electric water kettle. I only used mine for water. There are electric steamers to use for vegetables. They come with a single tier or several. You could safely use that. You do have to keep the heating element clean with vinegar solution. There are also electric fry pans and heating elements on which you could put a pot. That would probably provide the best versatility. All of those items need to be in the rules of what is acceptable in the dorm.

No, of course you can't. Haven't you got an ordinary saucepan? Just buy (or beg) a cheap one, and then there are endless things you can do - vegetable soup, for example.

Edit: having read some other replies, I think an electric kettle in the USA must be something different from what I know. Here, an electric kettle switches off automatically as soon as the water boils, so there's no way one can cook anything like a potato in it.

U could bake them in a micro wave. Wash the potatoes

Cut an "x " at the top

Wet the bottom of the microwave bowl abit of water will do.

Put in the micro wave for 6 to 8 minutes.

Peel out the skin.

Mash it

Add gravy.

Well, I know others may frown at this suggestion, but here goes. I would suggest that in your case, it might be easier to think about using instant mashed potatoes. Then all you have to do is boil water.

As a backpacker/camper, I've used a lot of brands, but Idahoan are a particularly good brand:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_7?url=sea...

Of course your supermarket should carry this brand.

Add butter and grated cheese and perhaps other veggies to bulk them up - less mess to clean up for yourself and your dorm room situation. Also keep some dry milk to add for that extra richness (unless you can keep fresh milk around.

Well - it's a thought, anyway.

Trade in the electric knife for a large pot. Fill with water-it comes free from the tap in the bathroom. Dump in potatoes and heat till boiling till done. Drain and eat.

It will work just fine!

Here is my "breakfast routine" from over 40 years ago while in college. In my "Poly Hot Pot" coffee percolator, I would put three eggs in it , then add my coffee and water. I would then take a shower, and dress, then toast some bread and eat toast, boiled eggs and coffee! That pot was also used to boil potatoes, noodles, heat soup and stuff!

Elements are not exposed to the food and will come to no harm if you boil potatoes in it.

You might consider one of these: https://www.google.com/search?q=electric+skillet&r... I have even baked cakes and pizza in one of those.

I sold pizza by the slice from my dorm room, and made enough to pay for all my food costs! We didn't have the fast food options that are available today.

not sure think so