Rules and criteria for choosing a good electric kettle for the home

An electric kettle has long become as common an attribute of the kitchen as pots and pans.

The abundance of models available on the market forces us to seriously consider the issue of choosing this device for the home; this material will help you understand this issue.

The table contains models that have received the highest reviews on the Yandex.Market service.

Page navigation:

Electric kettle device

Most high-quality modern models consist of 5 elements:

• stand with power cord,
• the kettle body itself,
• flask inside the body,
• heating element,
• thermostat.

In the most budget models, the stand and flask may be absent ; in more expensive ones, a control board for additional functions or temperature is added.
A heating element is a tubular electric heater, which is the main element for the operation of any model of electric kettle.

The effectiveness of the main function of your device depends on it.

The operating principle of any electric kettle can be summarized in two sentences:

1. The kettle is connected to the outlet , after which the button is turned on , supplying electricity to the heating element.
2. The heating element heats the water to the maximum temperature for this device, after which the thermostat automatically turns off the current supply to the heating element.

Note! There are models with a choice of water heating temperature and with a mode for maintaining a certain temperature.

In this case, the thermostat either turns off the power supply when the desired degrees are reached, or the current is supplied continuously.

How to choose an electric kettle: what to look for?

Considering that the price of any electric household appliance is influenced by many factors, before making a purchase, everyone asks the question, how to choose the right electric kettle so that its cost matches the quality?

What should you pay attention to before purchasing an electric kettle? Which one should you choose among the many models presented on the household appliances market today?

Before purchasing, you should pay attention to the following parameters:

• technical characteristics of the electric kettle, in particular the power of the selected household appliance and the heating element
• material from which the body of the electric kettle is made
• volume
• additional functions

Advantages

The main advantage of an electric kettle over a regular one is the speed of heating water .
Modern medium-capacity models heat water 3-4 times faster compared to a conventional kettle heated on the stove.

The second advantage is ease of use .

The time it takes to maintain the temperature of heated water in an electric kettle will be higher, especially for those models that are designed like a thermos.

Stay up to date! The plastic handle of the kettle is also more comfortable and will not burn the user.

An important positive point will be higher safety during operation , especially in the presence of small children.

It is almost impossible to get seriously burned on the body of a high-quality electric kettle.

In addition, modern electric kettles are fireproof, which is of no small importance in kitchen use.

Power: the larger the kettle, the more power

Since we are still choosing an electrical appliance, the first thing we need to pay attention to is the power of the electric kettle. Which one should we choose - high or low power? After all, it depends on how long you wait until the water boils in it.

Here we are guided by the rule: the larger the kettle, the greater the power

, but at the same time we take into account the following nuances.

If you decide to give preference to the most powerful electric kettle - 3 kW,

then remember the following: in old houses (and most of us live in such houses), the maximum load that is allowed in the network is
2.5 kW.
By choosing a 3 kW kettle, you, of course, will boil water not in 3 - 5 minutes, but in 1 - 2, but it is possible that your plugs will often fly out - this is in the best case, and in the worst case the wiring will catch fire.

Power 1000 W

This is quite enough for a small kettle, but to boil water in an electric kettle for the whole family, this power will not be enough - focus on a power of
2000 W (2 kW).

Flaws

In most cases, the main shortcomings are identified only in budget models.

For example, the smell of plastic when heated and the slight taste of it in the water; very cheap devices from an unknown manufacturer can release harmful substances .

Know! A conditional disadvantage for models of any price category is the faster failure of the heating element in the event of the formation of a large amount of scale.

But this refers rather to improper operation of the device.

Saving yourself from scale: filters, not a golden heater

An eternal problem that developers and those who do not know which electric kettle to choose are struggling with is scale, the nature of which depends on the quality of the water itself used for boiling.

Many buyers who are looking for which electric kettle to choose are attracted by consultants by the advantages of purchasing this household appliance with the so-called “golden” heating element

, which is equipped with some models of electric kettles.

If a sales consultant assures you that kettles with such an element are forever protected from scale, this is not entirely true.

• Firstly, it is not gold that is used as a coating, but a corrosion-resistant titanium compound
  (the so-called samovar gold).
• Secondly, a composition has not yet been found that protects against scale:
  it forms over time even on a “golden” heating element.

Those who are looking for how to choose an electric kettle need to pay attention not to the “golden element”, but to the type of filtration,

which the device is equipped with. Today, manufacturers, taking into account the quality of tap water, have taken care of equipping the kettle with 1, 2 or 3 filters. Very rarely are models produced without filters. As a rule, these are cheap models. Well-known companies always think about how to protect boiled water from scale.

Filters with so-called two- and three-stage cleaning are effective.

Water goes through three stages of filtration:

1. when pouring water into a kettle through a mesh (in 2-stage filtration there is no this stage)
2. when dropped into a cup
3. When the water remains in the kettle, the particles settle on the filter and no longer fall into the water.

Therefore, those who are looking for a good electric kettle should pay attention not to the “golden heater”, but to the degree of filtration.

The more filters, the more expensive the electric kettle, which we help our readers choose. You can save on your purchase and choose an electric kettle even with 1 filter if you install the filter on the faucet or water pipe.

It will be ideal if you use pre-purified water

– the taste of the tea will benefit from this. With good water, a kettle with one filter near the spout will suffice.

Criterias of choice

The question “which kettle to choose and how to do it correctly” is faced by almost any buyer.
After all, there are a great many models on the market, from venerable manufacturers, priced at 700-800 dollars, to cheap “noname” models that can be bought for 200 rubles.

Those who are serious about purchasing should pay attention to a number of factors that determine the price of this most useful device .

Housing material

Important! This is, perhaps, the case when the choice is between a useful component and the desire not to make a mistake with the design of an appliance for an already equipped kitchen.

There are four types to choose from.

Plastic

Plastic teapots take first place in sales . The main reason is the price.

The advantage of plastic models is the very low level of heating of the body , it is difficult to get burned on it, so it is quite safe for small children.

The disadvantage of this material is its composition; there is an opinion that it releases chemical elements that are unsafe for the body when boiled .

But this is critical only for cheap models, because certified products from well-known manufacturers undergo all possible checks before going on sale.

In addition, with active use, plastic eventually loses color, becomes dull, and becomes faded.

Therefore, the service life of such a product may be limited to several years.

Ceramics

It is worth noting! Devices created from these materials have a certain charm and elegance.

The appearance of a ceramic teapot is often similar to its classic counterpart ; many models have a characteristic design in all components - the shape of the body, lid, handle, spout.

But
its functionality is much broader, it is environmentally friendly, does not create scale during operation, and is silent when heated .
In addition, it holds heat well and is easy to clean.

The disadvantage of a ceramic device is that it takes longer to heat the water ; such kettles are much heavier than plastic and even metal models.

At the same time, they are less durable, and their price falls into the highest price segment on the market.

Glass

You should know! A glass teapot, like a ceramic one, is highly environmentally friendly and has also found its niche among aesthetes because of its appearance.

The downside is its lower impact resistance and the ability to easily get burned on the body during operation.

Stainless steel

Metal models of teapots are perhaps a kind of “ golden mean” among the variety of other materials.
Their obvious advantages : durability, appearance. There are no questions about the environmental component, but a slight metallic taste may be present.

The design of these appliances can also be quite varied and you can choose the appropriate type for the user’s kitchen.

The disadvantages are the high temperature of the case when heating, weight (which is important for a child or fragile woman), and significant noise when heating.

Keep in mind! There are combined models on the market, for example, glass or metal coated with plastic.

In this case, when choosing, you should take into account the combination of the advantages of these materials, because disadvantages often disappear when used together during production.

Volume

With this parameter everything is simple; it is recommended to decide on the number of people for whom the device will work .
If this is one person, then the volume up to a liter will be “over the top.”

A small family of 2-3 people will need a 1.5 liter kettle; for a large family it is worth choosing a model that holds at least 2 liters.

Sometimes there are portable models for heating water for 1-2 cups of tea, they are also in demand.

For your information! If there is a need for a large “corporate” kettle, then you should look at thermopots, large-volume kettles that can constantly maintain the desired temperature.

Power

And there will be no difficulties with this issue: the higher it is, the faster the user will receive boiling water.

But at the same time, you should not forget about the condition and quality of the electrical wiring - if the power is very high, and the wiring is not of very high quality, then plugs can be knocked out regularly.

Therefore, it is recommended not to choose models more powerful than 2-2.5 kW. The average heating time for 1.5 liters of water with this power will be about 4-5 minutes.

A heating element

There are two types: open and closed.

The open heating surface is most often a stainless steel plate or spiral mounted into the bottom of the kettle body; it is this that heats the water.

Such surfaces are most often found in budget models; in this case, scale forms faster, slowing down the heating of water and giving it a specific taste.

Note! The closed heating surface is isolated from contact with water, which is a significant help in the fight against scale.

This type of surface is found in teapots of medium and high price categories; they are easier to clean and water boils faster.

Stand

An element that is usually not paid attention to, but in vain.
There are two types of stands.

The more modern one allows you to put the kettle as convenient for the user as the contact group is located in the center.

The outdated type had a contact placed on the side , and the kettle had to be placed in a strictly certain position.

In addition, it is worth paying attention to the weight of the stand; cheap models are usually guilty of light weight.

Reference! In everyday use, such a small thing as a stand following a raised kettle for some time can be quite annoying.

Additional functions

Any modern home appliances often perform not only the main function, but also a number of additional functions.

Electric kettles are no exception to this list; there are many such functions, the most common ones are:

Thermostat , which allows you to select the desired temperature for different types of tea.

This option will also be important for preparing infant formula.

A blocker for turning on an electric kettle without water is an important element for families with young kitchen helpers.

This function may well save the heating elements of your device.

The presence of a filter for water purification , most often it is a nylon fine mesh or a gold-plated steel grid.

Important! Light and sound indication will show whether the kettle is on and whether the water has boiled.

In addition, modern models are even equipped with special light games for small children, which can buy mom some time in the kitchen.

Separately, it is worth mentioning
the lighting , which has either a decorative function (you can choose a color that matches the design of the room), or the teapot can serve as a prototype for a certain night light for the room.
Top models are equipped with a pump that allows you to pour boiling water without lifting the kettle from the stand.

Remote control is becoming increasingly fashionable. The ability to turn on the kettle using your phone or select the desired temperature will please many.

Reference! The list is completed by a panel lock button if additional control is located on the handle of the electric kettle.

What general details should you pay attention to when choosing?

There are a number of recommendations for those who are choosing an electric kettle for the first time, they are listed below:

• look at the overall build quality , starting from the quality of installation of the window for assessing the water level, ending with the condition of the contact group and the convenience of placing the cord on the stand;
• lift the kettle, simulating pouring water. Evaluate the convenience , not forgetting that it will be heavier for the selected displacement, thinking about the ease of use of the device by physically weaker family members, if any;
• check the effort applied when opening and closing the lid, the smoothness of its movement and fixation , depending on its type (removable or not, in the first case it is easier to wash, in the second it is easier to draw water).

Note : If your budget allows, it makes sense to look at double-walled models that operate on the principle of a thermos.

They have significant advantages: firstly, the water temperature is maintained much longer, and secondly, it is impossible to get burned upon contact with the body of such a kettle.

Popular manufacturers, the price segment of their products and their features

Which manufacturer should you choose? The market allows you to choose any model for a specific budget and requirements - from material to design.

There are good reviews about budget electric kettles from
Vitek and Scarlett ; more famous models are kettles from Moulinex and Braun .
A wide range of high-quality devices of a high level of environmental frequency produced by Bosch and Tefal, Phillips is provided.

By the way, these manufacturers have kettles of different price ranges, including the middle price category.

Appearance and build quality

Remember! If such a parameter as appearance is completely different for all manufacturers and you can choose a model for any design, then the build quality can vary greatly.

extremely important to pay attention to a number of parameters when choosing :

• general condition of all elements of the electric kettle;
• quality of installation of the contact group (controller), which is located at the junction of the device with the stand;
• quality of installation of the window for monitoring the water level, if available;
• presence of markings responsible for the level of chemical safety (REACH or ROHS) and a quality mark, market approval (GS).

Guarantee

Warranties that apply to electric kettles most often correspond to the name of the manufacturer .

A cheap Chinese product may have a 3 or 6 month , mid-priced models usually have a one-year warranty , and top brands offer a 3-year warranty.

Reference! The rules for replacing an electric kettle if it fails are carried out in accordance with the regulations specified in the warranty card.

Reviews on the Internet

Online reviews should be treated very carefully.

After all, seller representatives often hire people to write reviews on those products that are in the sales plans or have become dusty in the warehouse.

Therefore, it is still worth making a choice on your own.

But it still makes sense to use additional information, especially if it comes from people you know with experience in using a particular electrical appliance.

Price

This is perhaps the most painful question for the buyer, because you always want to buy something cheaper, but at the same time of high quality, although the well-known saying “the miser pays twice” has proven its relevance more than once.

The most budget models of electric kettles (which are scary to even hold) can be purchased for an amount starting from 200 rubles .

Of course, such a purchase will be on the conscience of the buyer himself.

Need to know! Budget teapots cost around 1.5-4 thousand rubles, models in the mid-price category are aimed at 4-10 thousand.

The top positions are occupied by models priced from 10 thousand and above , some of them can surprise you with a price of around 40 thousand.

Good producers

Manufacturers monitor the quality of devices and constantly improve them. The most popular models on the market are those produced by well-known companies.

1. Bosch : produces from the most basic kettles to more advanced ones that maintain a given temperature; equipped with an auto-shut-off function with a sound signal.
2. KITFORT : electric kettles are made of different materials: plastic and glass; plastic and metal. They can be made entirely of metal and have double walls. Equipped with thermostats and lighting. Can be controlled using touch buttons on the stand.
3. Redmond : the product line includes regular and “smart” models, controlled from a smartphone or tablet, equipped with thermostats. The functionality of the SkyKettle G210S model includes: 5 heating modes, games, light music. The SkyKettle G200S model maintains temperature for 12 hours. The brightness of the backlight is adjustable.
4. Braun : extra powerful (up to 3000 W) small 1 liter kettles boil water in 40 seconds. The models are distinguished by functionality and high reliability. Durable plastic does not melt when heated. The covers are protected from accidental opening during operation.
5. Philips : reliable products that are functional, durable and beautifully designed. The models have a stepwise heating and temperature maintenance system and are equipped with microfilters.

The rating is based on expert opinions and reviews from experienced users. More recently, we have already looked at how to choose the best toaster for the kitchen, now it’s time for dummies.

Polaris PWK 1715 CGL

4.7/5

104 reviews

Buy Yandex Market

average price

RUB 3,260

Characteristics

• volume 1.7 l
• power 2200 W
• closed spiral
• installation on a stand in any position
• plastic and glass body
• case lighting

On the seventh step of the TOP is Polaris PWK 1715 CGL . Kettle with glass body, volume 1.7 l. The scale is printed on both sides for easy control of the water level. The base is made of temperature-resistant stainless steel, and the remaining parts are made of plastic. Polaris features WATERWAY PRO water filling technology, which makes it easy to fill with water without opening the lid. But if necessary, it can be removed to carry out internal cleaning.

A simple stainless steel filter is installed in the spout. The Strix controller, designed for 15,000 cycles , which corresponds to 10 years of constant use, is responsible for the durability of the model. is carried out quite quickly due to the high power - 2200 W. The kettle is equipped with a backlight that lights up when turned on.

Pros:

• Nice design. Transparent handle.
• Bright backlight.
• Rapid boiling of water.
• Quiet.
• Convenient to fill with water.
• Ergonomic handle shape.
• Fully removable cover.

Minuses:

• Plastic parts quickly lose their appearance.
• The water cools down faster than in a metal kettle.
• There is no option to select the backlight color.
• There is a single case of breakdown.

Price from 4,000 rubles. This kettle with a comfortable handle and a lid through which you can pour water without removing it looks stylish. The glass body makes it easier to control the water level and adds aesthetics to the appearance, especially given the bright lighting during operation. 93% of users recommend this model for purchase.

Reviews on Yandex.Market

Useful bonus or marketing ploy?

Not all of these features are equally useful. Let's evaluate the most “fashionable” of them:

A heating element

They come in only two types - open and closed. To make it easier for you to decide which one is better to choose, we have compiled a comparison table with an overview of each type by parameters.

As you can see, in this aspect the choice is obvious:

Electric kettles with an open spiral are gradually becoming a relic of the past - the closed version is much more convenient, functional and safer.

If our opinion is not enough for you, we recommend reading reviews on any popular service - for example, here. The quantitative imbalance in public opinion is noticeable, isn’t it?

More and more people prefer closed heating - and rightly so!

Braun WK 3100

4.7/5

46 reviews

Buy Yandex Market

average price

RUB 1,989

Characteristics

• volume 1.7 l
• power 2200 W
• closed spiral
• installation on a stand in any position
• plastic case
• blocking switching on without water

In eighth place in my TOP is Braun WK 3100. 1.7 liter plastic kettle. It is equipped with a hinged lid and a handle moved away from the body, which makes use more convenient. The model, like most electric kettles , has an auto-shut-off function when removed from the stand, a lock from turning on without water, and a lid lock.

Behind the handle there is a wide viewing window with a scale printed on it to control the water level. The scale is indicated in liters and cups. The Braun's power output is similar to the Polaris PWK 1715 CGL.

Pros:

• Build quality.
• Wide neck (easy to fill with water).
• Large viewing window for monitoring water level.
• Comfortable handle.
• Easily rotates on the stand. The stand does not slide on the tabletop.
• Fast water heating.

Minuses:

• Condensation forms along the edges of the lid (not closing tightly).
• New kettle smells like plastic.

Price 2,500 rubles . This is a traditional plastic kettle. Braun differs from Polaris PWK 1715 CGL in design, material, lack of lighting and special technologies for the convenience of filling water. In terms of other characteristics, the models are similar, but Braun is cheaper (due to the plastic body). 90% of owners of this model are completely satisfied with their choice.

Reviews on Yandex.Market