Surprisingly Americans tend to use stovetop kettles while Europeans (and Canadians) use more efficient electric kettles, according to Slate Magazine. If you elected a propane stove, go with the stovetop kettle in keeping with a goal of minimizing electrical loads. If you chose an electric stovetop, go for an electric kettle for energy efficiency. AAmpere (amp), SI unit of electrical current kettle will consume 1.5 kWhKiloWatt hour (see ElectricalCapacityAC). But pack a stovetop kettle as an emergency back up. Tea is mandatory in an emergency.