# Sell me on your electric kettle **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 14, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218 "2013-10-14T15:13:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/21 "2013-10-14T23:00:41Z")
I just boil a mug of water in the microwave… Am I missing anything? (For instance, am I, over time, paying more in electricity charges than I should?) ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/22 "2013-10-14T23:04:45Z")
Am I really going to be the first person to say that, whatever you’re making with hot but not boiling water, it’s not a proper cup of tea. [/pretentious Englishman] ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/23 "2013-10-14T23:07:04Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I just boil a mug of water in the microwave… Am I missing anything? (For instance, am I, over time, paying more in electricity charges than I should?) Be careful with that. [Superheated water](http://chemistry.about.com/b/2013/09/25/the-myth-about-superheating-water-in-the-microwave.htm) doesn’t sound like much fun… ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/24 "2013-10-14T23:20:47Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I just boil a mug of water in the microwave… Am I missing anything? (For instance, am I, over time, paying more in electricity charges than I should?) You are making shit cups of tea 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/25 "2013-10-14T23:39:30Z")
I have an Oster kettle - this one or maybe a model before it [http://www.herbergers.com/shop/home/kitchen/coffee-tea/water-teakettles/oster-1-5-liter-electric-water-kettle\_634824.html?ci\_src=17588969&ci\_sku=634824&utm\_source=GOOG&utm\_medium=CSE&utm\_campaign=CI&CID=GOOG-CSE-CI](http://www.herbergers.com/shop/home/kitchen/coffee-tea/water-teakettles/oster-1-5-liter-electric-water-kettle_634824.html?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=634824&utm_source=GOOG&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=CI&CID=GOOG-CSE-CI) Its held up fine - its three years old and gets nearly daily use, often several times a day. I’m happy. It was the cheapest one at Target when we bought it. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/26 "2013-10-14T23:53:36Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > You are making shit cups of tea 😃 Okay… Why? The water is boiling. What’s the difference? (I boil a mug of water and drop in a tea-ball full of loose stuff. I’ve got a supplier for a nice Jasmine tea I like a lot.) Give me some help here; don’t drop the “s” word and then just go off grinning. A little actual information, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/27 "2013-10-15T00:05:15Z")
My coffee maker just broke the other day… I’ve been using a coffee filter in a screen sieve pour boiling water over it into a cup. Just like the old days. 😉 If I was ingenious id tie the filter up and just stick it in the boiling water for a min or two. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/28 "2013-10-15T00:44:39Z")
I have a cheapo Breville one, stainless steel is a must and a flip open lid with auto off. The rest you are paying for is design. Just buy one with the above things and off ya go. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/29 "2013-10-15T02:32:23Z")
As a slightly different take on it, I use an [Instant Hot like this](http://www.costco.com/Quick-%2526-Hot-Instant-190-Degree-Hot-Water-Dispenser-with-Faucet.product.11226344.html) paired with my French Press. It’s basically a hot water tank under my sink, with it’s own faucet. It may be overkill for your needs, but if you make a lot of coffee/tea (and are happy with the temperature…), it’s something to think about. I added one when I remodeled the kitchen last year. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/30 "2013-10-15T03:03:03Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > I second this recommendation. We’ve had the [Breville electric kettle](http://www.amazon.com/Breville-SK500XL-Cordless-1-7-Liter-Stainless-Steel/dp/B000A790X6/) for 6 years, and we probably use it about 4 times a day on average. It’s fast (powerful), it’s convenient, and durable. It’s simple as can be - fill it up, put it back on its base (which stays connected to power), turn it on. Water boils, it goes “ding” and turns off. I have no idea if it’s easy to clean because I’ve never had to clean it - there’s no scaling inside, and it only ever has water in it, so why would I need to? The light in the level indicator doesn’t work anymore, but it was never really necessary, and that’s the only thing that’s gone wrong with it. This is the model we have at my workplace. Considering we break everything, and have been through three microwaves, two toaster ovens, three coffee grinders, and more coffee makers than I can remember, the Breville kettle linked above has survived through all of those. The same one has been on the counter and reliably boiling water for at least 5 years now. At home, I just use a regular whistling kettle on the stove, I don’t see the point in an extra appliance that does the same work, but I know people love theirs. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/31 "2013-10-15T03:26:53Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Okay… Why? The water is boiling. What’s the difference? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had a container that could bring water to a proper “rolling boil” in a microwave and not spill over everywhere. It’s probably because water gets heated from all directions. By contrast, a kettle only gets heated at the bottom, so it creates a good strong circulation (convection) and brings all the water to a boil. And a properly hot (boiling) water seems to make for good black tea. (Green tea, on the other hand, wold be ruined; you need to let the water cool down to around 175F.) ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/32 "2013-10-15T04:30:00Z")
I’ve got this [Hamilton Beach](http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/electric-kettles-stainless-steel-17-liter-kettle-40880.html) one which is consistently $20 at Costco. If you have access to Costco, then I can recommend it. It’s simple with a metal body, detachable base, and auto off. Well worth $20, or better still $15 if you catch a sale. More expensive ones might be better, but this has lasted 2.5 years so far with no problems. It doesn’t compare to the 240 volt one I imported from the UK and attached to a convenient 240 outlet in my old condo. That could boil 1.8 litres in less than 3 minutes. The 120 kettle takes about 7.5 minutes. As for making coffee, since December I’ve switched from a French press to pour over. I just use a cheap [filter holder,](http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Filter-Medium-Coffee-Maker/dp/B001S353EQ/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1381810110&sr=8-13&keywords=pour+over) boil water, and pour. No coffee snobbery required. The cleanup is much easier than French press. The thing that makes it much better is brewing into a thermal cup. I use a metal vacuum one from [Timolino](http://www.amazon.com/Timolino-PCT-46KMBW-16-Ounce-Vacuum-Tumbler/dp/B0038XNXR8/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1381810671&sr=1-1) which can keep coffee hot for hours. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/33 "2013-10-15T05:15:01Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > At home, I just use a regular whistling kettle on the stove, I don’t see the point in an extra appliance that does the same work, but I know people love theirs. For me, it’s the problem of burning the kettle dry. I’ve done it way too often, so I turn to something I can’t hurt! ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/34 "2013-10-15T05:34:22Z")
We have a GE that we got from Walmart. It’s pretty much identical to the Faberware one that **saje** linked to upthread, so much so that I suspect that they both come from the same factory in China. About the same price, too. Ours has been reliable and it has held up to a fair amount of abuse. It’s about 3 or 4 years old and gets used multiple times per day, every day, 365 days per year. It’s cheaper than a lot of the fancier ones mentioned in this thread, but it also doesn’t have any temperature control either. When the water boils, it shuts off. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/35 "2013-10-15T05:55:35Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > . . . And a properly hot (boiling) water seems to make for good black tea. (Green tea, on the other hand, wold be ruined; you need to let the water cool down to around 175F.) Lum! This, I did not know! I have been doing it wrong all this time! ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/36 "2013-10-15T07:16:54Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Lum! This, I did not know! I have been doing it wrong all this time! This a subject that Brits can talk about forever. I’m currently the only Brit in the country who doesn’t drink tea, but apparently if the water isn 't hot enough, the tea is too weak, or ‘tastes like ash’ according to my girlfriend. It’s causes major trauma when we are travelling across Europe, not helped by the local supplies of weak black tea. It’s got to the point where we travel with a mini electric travel kettle and our own teabags. I’m a french press (cafetiere as we call it) coffee drinker - I find the pour over/filter method way to weak for my tastes. Same reason I struggle to find a good coffee in the US - I prefer a good stiff Italian or french style. No milk or sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Gullible\_s\_Travels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de0a6/32.png) [@Gullible\_s\_Travels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gullible_s_Travels)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/37 "2013-10-15T09:16:50Z")
I think any reasonably well-known brand would be fine so pick something you like the look of. Avoid plastic but otherwise just make sure it has automatic cut-off although I can’t imagine kettles without auto cut-off are even sold these days. Most (all?) metal kettles are ‘cordless’ (meaning you can lift the kettle off the base) now too. The very cheap plastic kettles are often not cordless so you have to unplug the power cord every time you want to fill it up which gets tiresome very quickly. I have a shiny red kettle and I love it but kettles are so cheap for something that is used many times a day, every single day, that if I get sick of the red I’ll just buy another one :). Glass kettles are nice and they look great but you’ll see every bit of scale build-up so you’ll be cleaning it all the time if your water is hard. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/38 "2013-10-15T14:06:48Z")
Thanks again, everyone! This is really helpful. That Breville does look great, but damn! It’s at least twice the price of some of the other kettles. Then again, if it ends up lasting twice as long, it’s well worth it. I’ll give it some thought. I don’t think I really need the continuous hot water machine right now, but it’s good to know that exists. Same goes for the pour-over style filter. Always good to have multiple methods of staying caffeinated. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/39 "2013-10-15T22:44:12Z")
Just to add my counterpoint. I have a [plastic bodied jug](http://www.sunbeam.co.nz/products/kitchen/ke1600/) (Sunbeam, so I don’t think you’d get one in the US) that I’ve used for over fifteen years. It doesn’t have a lid, just a wide spout where you fill it as well as pour out of it. I have never noticed any plastic aroma or taste. There is no scaling, but that is going to vary depending on your water supply. The jug holds 1.4 litres and will boil it in less than 5 minutes, then automatically shut off. For black tea, it should be made with boiling water. Take the pot to the jug and pour while it is still boiling. If you use tea bags or a tea ball, you should pour the water over it, not drop it into a mug or cup that has been microwaved. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218/40 "2013-10-17T14:17:49Z")
> [@Kiwi\_Fruit](#): > > Just to add my counterpoint. I have a [plastic bodied jug](http://www.sunbeam.co.nz/products/kitchen/ke1600/) (Sunbeam, so I don’t think you’d get one in the US) that I’ve used for over fifteen years. It doesn’t have a lid, just a wide spout where you fill it as well as pour out of it. > > I have never noticed any plastic aroma or taste. There is no scaling, but that is going to vary depending on your water supply. The jug holds 1.4 litres and will boil it in less than 5 minutes, then automatically shut off. > > For black tea, it should be made with boiling water. Take the pot to the jug and pour while it is still boiling. If you use tea bags or a tea ball, you should pour the water over it, not drop it into a mug or cup that has been microwaved. All very well with the no-lid feature until the day you’re pouring out your boiling water and you notice a twig poking out the spout. Because you’ve been doing a lot of gardening, you brush this off, drink your tea. Later you’re going for another brew and absentmindedly pull on the twig. It’s attached to a cockroach. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sell-me-on-your-electric-kettle/671218.md?page=3)