+9 votes
i am looking for a practical method to prepare standard store-bought sausages using an electric kettle for a quick dinner. my current living setup does not have access to a regular stove or pots, so i need to rely on basic appliances to heat food.

i would like to know the exact step-by-step process for boiling sausages in a kettle safely. specifically, should the sausages be placed directly into the water before turning the kettle on, or is it better to boil the water first and let them sit inside the hot water with the lid closed? also, please explain if standard plastic or metal kettles work better for this, how long they need to remain submerged to heat through completely, and the best way to clean the kettle afterward to remove any residual smell or grease.
in Kitchen Appliances and Tools by

5 Answers

+3 votes
Best answer
Hello neutral_cook. While electric kettles are designed strictly for water, you can certainly use one to heat standard pre-cooked sausages if you follow a few precautions to protect both your health and the appliance.

First, the most reliable and safest method is to boil the water first rather than cooking the sausages while the kettle is actively heating. If you place sausages directly inside while the kettle boils, the fats and proteins can leach onto the heating element, causing burnt residue that can damage the internal components or trigger the dry-boil safety switch prematurely. Instead, fill the kettle with enough water to fully submerge the sausages, bring it to a rolling boil, and then unplug the appliance. Once unplugged, gently lower the sausages into the hot water, close the lid securely, and let them steep in the residual heat.

Regarding the material of the kettle, stainless steel or glass models are vastly superior to plastic ones for this purpose. Plastic kettles readily absorb meat oils and odors, which can permanently impart a sausage flavor into your future hot water and morning tea. Metal interiors are non-porous and will clean up much more reliably.

For standard precooked hot dogs or frankfurters, letting them sit submerged in the freshly boiled water with the lid closed for about 6 to 8 minutes is generally sufficient to heat them completely through to a safe serving temperature. If you are using slightly thicker sausages, you may want to leave them for 10 minutes, but avoid leaving them too long so the casings do not burst.

Cleaning the kettle immediately after use is crucial. Do not submerge the kettle base or electrical contacts in water. Empty out the cooking water, add warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap, and gently sponge down the interior walls. Rinse thoroughly, and then fill the kettle halfway with clean water and a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice. Bring this mixture to a boil once and discard it. The mild acid will break down any remaining grease film and completely neutralize any lingering meat smell.
by leon-bernard (39.9k points)
selected by chef
+10 votes
1. Put the sausages inside the kettle first and submerge them in cold tap water!

2. Turn the power switch on and bring the kettle to a full boil with the sausages already inside! If the kettle shuts off automatically, immediately flick the switch back on two or three more times to ensure high heat...

3. Remove the sausages after boiling for 5 minutes! Stainless steel units work best for heat retention and avoid oily residues.

4. Wash the interior with hot water and liquid dish soap right away! Boil one round of clean water afterward to sanitize everything completely!
by
+10 votes
Step 1: Pour fresh water into the electric jug and turn the switch on until it boils completely.

Step 2: Unplug the appliance immediately! Put your store-bought sosiski directly into the boiled water and shut the lid tight...

Step 3: Wait approximately 5 to 7 minutes for them to warm through.

Metal jugs are much better for this because plastic catches fat very easily! However, I honestly do not know how to remove the meat smell if you use a plastic one... Maybe baking soda helps? I am also not completely certain if thicker smoked sausages will warm through safely with only residual heat, so proceed with caution!
by
+4 votes
Boil the water first, place the sausages inside, and leave them submerged for ten minutes. Any kettle material works equally well.
by
+3 votes
I tried this once during a kitchen renovation. You can just drop the sausages into cold water and let it boil. A plastic kettle works just fine for heating them in about five minutes.
by