- Three-fifths of Gen Z (58%) admit to boiling the water for a cup of tea in a microwave – with one in six (17%) doing so every day[1]
- Once considered a cardinal sin, microwave tea-making is becoming more popular with each passing generation
- Only 6% of the Silent Generation (those aged over 79) and 10% of Baby Boomers (ages 60 to 78) admit to the habit[2]
- Londoners are worst for tea-microwaving, with two-fifths (39%) admitting to the habit, while only 11% of Plymouth dwellers confess to doing so[3]
- Uswitch.com offers tips to bring your beverage bill down, including saving energy by not over-filling your kettle.
A shocking three-fifths of Gen Z (58%) boil the water for their cup of tea in the microwave[1], according to research by Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Tea experts recommend boiling water in a kettle for the best cuppa. Microwaves are discouraged as they heat the water unevenly, and can create scalding, super-heated areas.
But centuries of tradition are being thrown out of the window by youngsters, with every passing generation increasingly likely to favour the microwave.
Gen Z are nearly ten times more likely to use the microwave than the Silent Generation – those aged 79 and older. Meanwhile, Millennials (those aged 28 to 43) are more than twice as likely as Gen X to commit the unforgivable habit[2].
PG Twits: What proportion of each generation make tea in a microwave
| Generation | Ever use a microwave to make tea |
|---|---|
| Gen Z (18-27) | 58% |
| Millennials (28-43) | 32% |
| Gen X (44-59) | 15% |
| Boomers (60-78) | 10% |
| Silent Generation (79+) | 6% |
Source: Uswitch.com
Men are more likely to be microwave users, with nearly three in ten men (28%) microwaving their tea – compared with a fifth (19%) of women[1].
London is the nation’s ‘Nuked Tea’ capital, with nearly two-fifths (39%) of the city’s residents resorting to the speedy solution. Plymouth is the most traditional part of the UK, with only one in ten (11%) admitting to using the microwave[3].
Brew-haha: How UK’s cities compare
| Location | Ever use a microwave to make tea |
|---|---|
| London | 39% |
| Birmingham | 26% |
| Leeds | 26% |
| Liverpool | 25% |
| Bristol | 24% |
| Edinburgh | 22% |
| Manchester | 21% |
| Glasgow | 17% |
| Newcastle | 17% |
| Southampton | 16% |
| Norwich | 15% |
| Cardiff | 14% |
| Belfast | 13% |
| Brighton | 12% |
| Sheffield | 12% |
| Nottingham | 12% |
| Plymouth | 11% |
Source: Uswitch.com
Households debating which method uses the least energy should rest easy. Whatever option you prefer, the cost of boiling your tea water is still only about 1p per cuppa.
Table: Cost of boiling water for tea
| Cup of tea (300ml water) | Electric kettle | Microwave | Gas hob (uncovered pan) | Gas hob (covered pan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power rating (kW) | 3 | 0.8 | 1.95 | 1.95 |
| Time to boil (seconds) | 52 | 180 | 245 | 217 |
| Total cost | 1.11p | 1.03p | 0.84p | 0.74p |
Source: Uswitch.com
Uswitch.com is urging households to live and let live, and concentrate on good tea-making habits that can save them money – such as not over-filling the kettle.
Natalie Mathie, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “We nearly spat out our tea when we saw how many Gen Z tea-drinkers were making their cuppa in the microwave.
“It’s possible that many younger people use a microwave because kettles are often banned in student accommodation, but this is a trend that’s growing with each passing generation.
“While it seems like an affront to basic tea-making traditions, if it works for people, who are we to argue?
“However you’re boiling your water, make sure you only put in the amount of water you need, as heating excess water can waste a lot of electricity.”
Check out the latest energy deals by running a comparison at Uswitch.com.
For more information
Beverley Noble | Energy PR Manager
beverley.noble@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes to editors
Add notes to editor here.Research conducted online by Opinium, 6th to 11th June 2025, among 2,002 UK energy bill-payers, weighted to be nationally representative.
1. Respondents were asked ‘How often do you do each of the following? Boil water for tea or coffee in the microwave.’ 24% of respondents said they had done this. 28% of men and 19% said they had done this.
2. See first table in release for generation breakdown.
3. See second table in release for regional breakdown
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to find their energy, broadband and mobile deals than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.