# Buying a kettle, is there really a difference with the higher priced models? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905 "2018-07-14T17:21:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/1 "2018-07-14T17:21:22Z")
I’m looking to buy a kettle to quickly heat hot water for tea, perhaps the occasional Starbucks Via, and use for those instant noodles that just require hot water. I was surprised to see such a price range for a simple device. Is there any reason I need to spend money for an expensive one? Here’s a sample of the price ranges. [https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb\_sb\_noss\_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=black+and+decker+kettle](https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=black+and+decker+kettle) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/2 "2018-07-14T18:00:13Z")
I like the look of the red one. That handle might be a problem. My stove top kettle has a fold down handle it bugs me, sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/3 "2018-07-14T18:06:57Z")
The rule of thumb is, more watts = better (at least 2000 or 2500 W is good), and glass or metal is nicer than plastic. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/4 "2018-07-14T18:27:20Z")
My experience is that longevity is affected by price. I’ve gone through several of these. Here’s my latest purchase: [PowCube Stainless Electric with Temperature Gauge](https://www.amazon.com/PowCube-Stainless-Electric-Temperature-Rotational/dp/B0758FBPTM) I am very happy with it. One thing I would caution: Don’t buy one with a lid that operates with a push button. Those get gunked up and stop working way before they should. Get one with a manual removable lid. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/5 "2018-07-14T18:35:01Z")
Not really. a kettle is a kettle is a kettle. Our most recent one cost us £8 ten years ago. It holds water, it boils water, it pours water. The scope for elaboration is limited. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/6 "2018-07-14T18:42:48Z")
There’s a bit of a difference in longevity and speed between the very cheap and the not quite as cheap- there’s broadly two different styles of heating elements, one’s more effective, but slightly pricier and some models do last better. There are also fancy models that will, for example, heat to different set temperatures, rather than just to boiling; my former housemate bought one that had one button for boiling, and one that heated to a adjustable range, with an LCD display of the current temperature, it also had LED lights which changed colour when it reached the desired temperature. It was pretty easy to accidentally hit the wrong button, so you thought you’d turned it up, but what you’d actually done was put it in the mode to adjust the settings. I don’t recall anyone using it to heat water to any temperature other than boiling, except by accident, but it did look quite cool. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/7 "2018-07-14T18:58:28Z")
I’d recommend getting a metal kettle. There are many that are plastic, but there could be issues with chemicals leeching into the water and durability of the plastic from repeated heatings. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/8 "2018-07-14T20:10:58Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > The rule of thumb is, more watts = better (at least 2000 or 2500 W is good) Not in the US. At 120v, 2000W is above the breaker of a common 15 amp line, and 2500 is over even an upgraded 20a circuit. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/9 "2018-07-14T20:22:41Z")
2 mins in a microwave will almost boil a mug of water. Any longer and it will boil over. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/10 "2018-07-14T20:34:25Z")
I have a $17 Presto kettle that boils a quart of water. Works great. I use it for guests when several mugs of hot water are needed. [https://www.target.com/p/presto-174-electric-tea-kettle-02703/-/A-650451?ref=tgt\_adv\_XS000000&AFID=google\_pla\_df&CPNG=PLA\_Appliances+Shopping&adgroup=SC\_Appliances\_Food%20Dehydrators&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9025854&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvqbaBRCOARIsAD9s1XCYlgFtnlq13VuGjaIrJrVmulu-\_Z5NC7BLmf9Y1jvG\_dE3IG40wd4aAn1XEALw\_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds](https://www.target.com/p/presto-174-electric-tea-kettle-02703/-/A-650451?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Appliances+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Appliances_Food%20Dehydrators&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9025854&gclid=Cj0KCQjwvqbaBRCOARIsAD9s1XCYlgFtnlq13VuGjaIrJrVmulu-_Z5NC7BLmf9Y1jvG_dE3IG40wd4aAn1XEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-kettle-is-there-really-a-difference-with-the-higher-priced-models/817905/11 "2018-07-14T23:54:44Z")
I like the more upright design. The flatter kind, based on the look of a stovetop whistling kettle, often has the handle placed so that you scald your hand while pouring. Whichever kettle you choose, if your water is hard, make sure you descale it regularly. I do it weekly, or I see _flakes_ swirling in my tea. Ugh.