# Electric kettle/hot pot that warms, but doesn't boil **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 20, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086 "2019-01-20T01:02:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/1 "2019-01-20T01:02:11Z")
I need an electric kettle or hot pot that has a setting that will warm water, but not boil it. I need something that will warm to 120-125 degrees Fahrenheit (48-52 C) and hold it at that temperature. Several years ago I got a Proctor Silex hot pot, which has a dial that goes from “warm” to “boil,” but even on the lowest setting, if I don’t put a thermometer in it and watch it carefully, it will go straight to full boil. It doesn’t even have an on-off switch, so I have to yank the plug out when it gets to the right temperature, at which point, of course, it will begin cooling. Is there any device you know of that I can set to warm water to below-scalding temperature and keep it there? ---
**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:** [January 20, 2019, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/2 "2019-01-20T01:07:20Z")
One of those tiny crock pots for warming dips. They don’t boil. I don’t know the temp they get to, though. I assume the web site could tell you. Of course, it won’t work if you need it to be for pouring. There are 100s of electric kettles on Amazon. I just got a new one, but it boils water, quick like. Which is what I wanted. So…look around Amazon is my best advice. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/3 "2019-01-20T01:08:47Z")
You could put a [temperature controller](https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Fahrenheit/dp/B00OXPE8U6/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=temperature+controller&qid=1547946455&sr=8-14) on a regular hotpot. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/4 "2019-01-20T01:12:11Z")
An [immersion circulator](https://www.seriouseats.com/2013/12/sous-vide-circulator-review-sansaire-nomiku-anova.html) (or other sous vide apparatus) will let you bring water to a precise temperature and hold it there. [Here’s plans for a cheap homemade sous vide rig](https://www.instructables.com/id/Sous-vide-cooker-for-less-than-40/); might give you some ideas about adapting an electric kettle, too? edit: ninja’d ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/5 "2019-01-20T02:00:44Z")
Hmm … those are all things to consider. My Proctor Silex was acquired from Amazon just by searching for a hot pot with a warm setting, and that didn’t work out. I do need to pour, and I’m not sure I want to take up so much counter space with a regulator. Just FYI, I use this water for shaving, not cooking. ---
**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:** [January 20, 2019, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/6 "2019-01-20T02:07:39Z")
Ooooh! A microwave in the bathroom. As soon as I get the tv installed, I’m looking into it. I swear. Maybe SharperImage would have something. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/7 "2019-01-20T02:51:26Z")
I expect it will be hard to find a kettle meant for tea or coffee that will keep water at that low a temp, since that’s the same temp as your typical hot tap water - no heating necessary. [There’s this one that’s meant for baby formula](https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Noah-Temperature-Sterilizer-Technology/dp/B07J1BVF6K/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3KHITWJGVQ101&keywords=water+warmer+for+baby&qid=1547952414&sprefix=water+warmer+for+%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1) - it looks like it will heat to a lower temp and stay there. You might want to look at grooming products too - I do know there are things such as hot lather machines and lotion warmers, so maybe there’s also something in that category too. ---
**Author:** ![Littleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ccd318/32.png) [@Littleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Littleman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/8 "2019-01-20T02:56:38Z")
How about a simple crock-pot Even if you needed to pour you could easily keep a pouring container immersed in it. I’ve seen some very small crock-pots ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/9 "2019-01-20T03:06:42Z")
If you have a rice cooker, they tend to default to “on at keep-the-rice-warm temperature” when you plug them in. I don’t know what that temperature is, but it’s below boiling? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/10 "2019-01-20T04:23:02Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > I expect it will be hard to find a kettle meant for tea or coffee that will keep water at that low a temp, I don’t think hot pots are for tea or coffee. Even so, the fact that the dial goes from warm to boil suggests that a major producer is familiar with the idea of someone wanting merely to warm water and not boil it. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/11 "2019-01-20T04:29:58Z")
[How about this?](https://smile.amazon.com/Secura-Temperature-Electric-Controls-Technology/dp/B073449B6T/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=electric+kettle+temperature+control&qid=1547958479&s=Kindle+Store&sr=8-6) Electric kettle, adjustable from 100F-212F. I found it by searching Electric kettle temperature control, by the way. There’s a number of others, but their minimum temp seems to be 160F. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/12 "2019-01-20T08:55:07Z")
One of these? [https://www.amazon.com/Ovente-Countertop-Infrared-Burner-Temperature/dp/B07456SPMF/ref=sr\_1\_3?crid=GQQ1ENHI2AZZ&keywords=electric+hot+plate&qid=1547974453&sprefix=electric+hot%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-3](https://www.amazon.com/Ovente-Countertop-Infrared-Burner-Temperature/dp/B07456SPMF/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GQQ1ENHI2AZZ&keywords=electric+hot+plate&qid=1547974453&sprefix=electric+hot%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-3) ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/13 "2019-01-20T16:03:32Z")
Cooks Illustrated did reviews of Adjustable Electric Kettles a few years back. Zojirushi, of course, makes one of the best: [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0166OD5M8/ref=dp_cerb_2) They also recommended this one from Chef’s Choice: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I1BH98/?tag=cioequippilot-20](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001I1BH98/?tag=cioequippilot-20) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/14 "2019-01-20T18:06:53Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I don’t think hot pots are for tea or coffee. Even so, the fact that the dial goes from warm to boil suggests that a major producer is familiar with the idea of someone wanting merely to warm water and not boil it. Did you look at the link I posted? Because it will do what you want. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/15 "2019-01-20T18:39:25Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Did you look at the link I posted? Because it will do what you want. Yes, I now see several options in this thread. This baby warmer thing looks like it might be the most compact one, which is good. I tend to drop everything. Is this droppable? ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/16 "2019-01-27T00:23:08Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Just FYI, I use this water for shaving, not cooking. okay, if you have time, I would love to know what your shaving routine is/will be that would require this appliance! Seriously curious (and not going to give you the “just use a rusty steak knife and a bar of soap like I do” treatment, I promise). ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/17 "2019-01-27T01:32:20Z")
I saw somewhere (beauty salon?) a wax heater with a metal pot and an electric thermostat dial going from 30 to 100 degrees or so. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/18 "2019-01-27T05:44:17Z")
Can you just boil a kettle then pour the water into a thermos? How long do you need to hold the water at temp for? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/19 "2019-01-27T15:31:38Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > Can you just boil a kettle then pour the water into a thermos? How long do you need to hold the water at temp for? 1. I don’t want to increase the number of devices involved, so adding a thermos to the sequence isn’t in the cards 2. I don’t want the water to boil at all. I want it to teach a designated temperature and stay there. Currently I have to monitor the temperature of the water with a stick thermometer. I want to eliminate that step and just have the warming device to it automatically. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086/20 "2019-01-27T16:20:30Z")
I’m also curious about your hot water supply? Can you set the water heater to produce water at the temp you want out of the faucet? Mine is adjustable. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-kettle-hot-pot-that-warms-but-doesnt-boil/828086.md?page=2)