By heating water in just a few minutes, electric tea kettles save you time, energy, and effort. From stainless steel and bright pinks to clear glass and customizable temperature units, kettles vary greatly regarding their features, design, and price. When choosing the right kettle, you want to ensure you choose something long-lasting and safe to use. In addition, your office staff will be much happier if they can boil enough water for everyone in one go than having to wait their turn with a small dorm-room size unit. Here is everything you need to consider when choosing the best electric kettle.
Choosing The Best Electric Tea Kettle
Whether you are making coffee, tea, soup, hot cocoa or need hot water for cooking, a kettle is one of the handiest kitchen appliances to own. To ensure you get good value for money, consider the following factors.
Kettle size
One of the most important things to consider when buying a kettle is the actual kettle size and the water capacity it holds. If you only use the kettle for one or two people or need to take it with you when traveling, a kettle holding 2 to 4 cups worth of water will be sufficient. If the whole family needs water for coffee, tea, and oatmeal in the morning, get a larger size at 1.7 liters.
Also, consider the counter space you have available. Some designs are sleek and fit compact spaces, while others have a fairly broad design.
Appearance
Although kettles are mainly there for functionality, they also come in a wide range of contemporary, sleek, and funky designs. From stainless steel and clear glass to popping bright colors, you can get something to suit your style and kitchen. Some glass units feature a blue LED light around the base which lights up the unit when used. This feature makes even watching water boil fun.
Speed
Electric kettles are all about convenience and being able to access hot water quickly. Most kettles take three to four minutes to boil water but can take anywhere from 90 seconds to 6 minutes, depending on the capacity. Check the speed on the production description and look at some customer reviews for user feedback to the manufacturer's claims.
Temperature control
You will appreciate some kettles' customizable temperature settings if you consider yourself a tea connoisseur. Delicate teas are best steeped at 160°F, while the optimal water temperature for green tea is 175°F. Oolong tea tastes best when made with 190°F water and herbal teas and French press coffee extracts, should ideally be made with water heated at 200°F. Water for black tea, oatmeal, or cooking is usually heated to boiling at a temperature of 212°F.
Choosing the water temperature with a preprogrammed unit allows you to enjoy your tea and coffee at its best-tasting quality. Certain models will also allow you to maintain the water temperature for a certain amount of time, similar to an urn.
Cost
If all you want is hot water in an instant, then a cheaper kettle between $15 to $30 will suffice. Kettles can, however, range up to $100 in price depending on their temperature control features, high quality, durable materials, sleek designs, and water capacity.
Noise
Although beeping signals can be handy, make sure you can mute these as well. Not only can it get annoying, but late-night tea making shouldn't wake the entire household.
Durability
Durability is an important feature to consider for an electric appliance. The very cheapest brands don't always last that long. However, the two best ways to determine the durability of a product are customer reviews and whether the device is backed with a warranty. Brands that offer a warranty on their product are willing to stand behind the quality they offer.
Material
Electric kettles are usually made from plastic, stainless steel, glass, or a combination.
Plastic kettles are cheaper, lighter, and not as hot to touch. If you choose a plastic electric kettle, make sure it's BPA-free and keep in mind that it can influence the taste of the water. Stainless steel and glass are higher quality materials and more durable. They are popular choices for contemporary kitchens where aesthetics play a big role.
Weight
If your kettle stays in one spot on your kitchen counter, its weight will most likely not be of concern to you. However, if you need to transport it to work or take it with you when traveling, a plastic lightweight option is your best bet. The packaging should indicate the product's weight to compare different options easily.
Safety Features
A few safety features that you definitely want to consider are:
Auto shut-off: The kettle will switch off automatically once it has reached boiling temperature.
External heat protection: Stovetop kettles get very hot on the handle and exterior of the kettle. Although most kettle handles are usually heat-proof, metal kettles can get hot on the exterior. Plastic and glass kettles are generally the best options to avoid getting burnt. Electric versions can provide somewhat better protection.
Dry-boil protection mechanism: This causes the kettle to switch off automatically when it detects that there is not enough water in the kettle
Hidden or covered element: An element not exposed to the water will be more durable and less prone to rust.
Extra Features
Base cord storage
This provides space underneath the kettle base to keep the cord neatly hidden and out of the way.
Cordless
Having a cordless kettle makes refilling and pouring much more convenient. It may seem like a small thing, but it plays a big role in the ease of use.
Water gauge
Ever needed to make 4 cups of tea but only boiled enough water for 3? A water gauge or measurement mark allows you to track how much water is in the kettle and measure out exactly the quantity you need.
Keep warm feature
This feature keeps the kettle water at the selected temperature for around 30 minutes. This is a handy attribute, especially when you get distracted midway through making your tea.
How To Clean Your Electric Tea Kettle
Although hard water does not pose a health threat, it contains calcium and magnesium mineral ions that leave insoluble mineral deposits in the form of white limescale. To descale your kettle, fill it with two cups of water and one cup of vinegar or lemon juice. Let the kettle boil and stand for 2 hours. Throw out the water and use a cloth to wipe out the kettle, including the spout. Rinse with clean water and dry.
