The present invention provides a short-chain polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of less than about 1,200 g/mole and produced by alkoxylating an initiator in the presence of a basic catalyst having at least one cation chelated with about 0.5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a polyoxyethylene-containing compound, wherein the weight percentages are based on the weight of the short-chain polyether polyol. The inventive short-chain polyols may be used to produce rigid polyurethane foams and non-cellular polyurethanes.