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A kettle has always been a popular way to boil water for a variety of purposes. Whether it is to make a cup of hot tea to relax at night or used by a college student to make ramen noodles, a kettle makes it easy to boil water and then pour it in a cup or bowl afterwards without spilling it everywhere or burning yourself.
However, there is one drawback for using a kettle and that is that a stovetop is required. Since most college dorm rooms, smaller camping trailers, and hotel rooms are not equipped with stoves, how do you get boiling water? An electric kettle is the easy solution.
Intro: What is an Electric Kettle?
Contents
An electric kettle is similar to kettles that you put on the stovetop. However, the difference is that instead of using a stovetop, these kitchen appliances are plugged into an outlet. The power from the outlet is used to generate heat, which allows the water within the kettle to boil.
This is a great way to boil water for a variety of different needs when you are without a stovetop but have access to power. These kettles look like traditional kettles, featuring a large area where water is stored, as well as a spout for easy pouring.
What are the different types?
Whether you want one for your home kitchen or you’d like to take one on your next outdoor adventure, an electric kettle is a great item to have for when you need to boil water. Before you make your purchase, consider how you plan to use your kettle and which of the two options available best fit your needs.
Electric models
As described above, these are similar to regular tea kettles in that they are filled with water and work with electricity to create boiling water in just minutes. The boiling water can then be added to bowls or cups as needed for a variety of different foods and drinks.
Electric tea and coffee kettle brewers
These are a bit different in that you can brew your tea or coffee in just one step. These kettles come equipped with filters where you can add loose lead tea, coffee grounds, or tea bags. As the water boils around it, fresh tea or coffee is brewed in just one step, which can then be poured into your cup or mug for instant enjoyment. These aren’t as versatile as traditional electric models, but if you plan to use your kettle for hot water for tea or coffee, these products make it possible in just one easy step.
What are the Advantages of Owning an Electric Kettle?
If you need boiling water fast and you don’t have access to a stove or microwave oven, an electric kettle is the best small appliance for the job. You can have access to boiling hot water in just minutes without fumbling with pots, cups, or bowls that can get too hot and burn you when used in microwaves.
The design makes the water easy to pour, so you don’t spill it on your personal items or yourself, they are extremely portable, and they can be used anywhere you have access to electricity.
Who are the contenders for Best Electric Kettle?
Hamilton Beach 40870 Stainless Steel 10-Cup Electric Kettle
Get boiling water in just minutes with this affordable kettle, which holds a full 10 cups of water. You can detach the cord so it’s easy to serve, and it’s loaded with great features, including 1500 watts of power for fast performance, a water level window, and auto shutoff mode when the water is too low for safety purposes. This model boats a sleek design in your choice of two colors, and its low price tag just can’t be beat.
Ovente KG83B Glass Electric Kettle
Get a lot of great features packed into one kettle when you purchase this model from Ovente. First, make your choice from eight great colors, then see just how easy it is to boil water. It has a hidden element to prevent buildup, cord storage in the base for cordless serving, and blue LED lighting that shows when your water is boiling. It has a washable filter that keeps your water fresh, pure, and clean, and it has boil dry protection so it won’t operate dry, which could be a fire hazard.
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle
This high-end kettle has all of the features you could ever want. With 1500 watts of power, you can have boiling water in just minutes. There are six settings available that can be used to brew the perfect tea with just the top of a button. Other great features include a streamlined stainless steel design, memory function, and 30-minute keep warm option, making this kettle the only one you’ll ever need.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Kettle
Once you’ve made up your mind that you want to add one of these to your small kitchen appliance arsenal, it’s time to get shopping. However, you don’t want to just make a purchase without knowing anything about what you’re buying. Before you drop money on a new kettle, keep an eye out for the following features to make the best purchasing decision for your household.
Price
These kettles are available at varying price points, so it’s easy to find one that meets your budget. Just remember, if you want more than just very basic features and a simple design, you’ll likely have to increase the amount you’re willing to spend.
Capacity
If you just want to enjoy a cup of tea every night, the capacity of the kettle really doesn’t matter. However, if you share a dorm room and you plan on making instant soup for more than one person or you’re making hot water for several cups of instant coffee, you’ll want to make sure you buy a kettle that holds more water.
Warranty
Sometimes, issues happen that you can’t prevent, including dropping your product and breaking it and wear and tear that occurs over time. However, there are some defects that occur in the manufacturing process that may affect the functionality of your product, and you shouldn’t have to pay for such errors. With a manufacturer’s warranty, any defects in the craftsmanship of the product will be covered at no additional expense to you.
Temperature settings
If you make different foods and hot beverages, you want to be able to adjust the temperature. Additional features like keep-warm functions are also convenient to have.
Price
Hamilton Beach 40870
You’ll pay in the low range for this model, which is a great option for anyone following a tighter budget.
Ovente KG83B
This kettle comes with a retail price tag which is about average when compared to similar kettles.
Cuisinart CPK-17
This kettle retails in the high-end category when compared to other kettles.
Capacity
Hamilton Beach 40870
This kettle holds and heats up to 10 cups of water.
Ovente KG83B
This kettle has a capacity of 1.5 liters.
Cuisinart CPK-17
This kettle is on the larger side, holding up to 1-2/3 liters of water.
Warranty
Hamilton Beach 40870
Your purchase of this kettle is backed with a 1-year limited warranty directly from Hamilton Beach.
Ovente KG83B
A 1-year limited warranty comes standard with this Ovente kettle.
Cuisinart CPK-17
A limited 3-year warranty comes with your purchase, which is one of the best warranties you’ll find.
Temperature settings
Hamilton Beach 40870
This does not have adjustable settings. It will get hot enough to boil water.
Ovente KG83B
This kettle has an off/on function, and it does not have adjustable temperature settings.
Cuisinart CPK-17
This model has six different heat settings, as well as a keep-warm setting.
Conclusion: Our Electric Kettle Reviews Are In
Hamilton Beach 40870 Kettle – Best Cheap Electric Kettle
If you want a basic kettle to bring along in your RV or with you on vacation, this is a great option. Because of its low price, it’s also a top choice for college students to use in dorm rooms. This kettle is easy to use and holds up to 10 cups of water. The stainless steel design looks great, and it helps the water retain its heat as you pour.
It has a hidden heating element for safety, and it is designed for cordless serving. You can easily see how much water is inside your kettle through the viewing window, and if the water level is too low, the device automatically shuts off to prevent a safety hazard.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Comes with a limited warranty
- It has a drip-free spout
- The heating element is concealed
- Boils water very quickly
- Can be used for serving without the cord for your convenience
Cons:
- No varying temperature settings
- The stainless steel body gets very hot
- The handle is thick and not very easy to grasp if you have smaller hands
- It measures in liters, which may be an issue for some people who prefer cups and ounces
Ovente KG83B Glass Kettle – Best Electric Kettle for the Money
This kettle puts the fun in function with its choice of eight great colors, including Black, White, Red, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Maroon. This kettle has been shown to be up to 85 percent more efficient than your traditional stovetop kettle. The body is made up of glass that is both durable and resistant to stains, so it always looks great.
The handle stays cool, so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself on accident, and if there isn’t enough water (which you can view with the measuring lines right on the glass body), the kettle will shut itself off to prevent damage. The storage base ensures it sits level on any surface, and it is also used to conceal the cord while you serve. The blue LED lighting shows you when your water is ready, and a reusable filter provides you with pure water every time.
Pros:
- It is affordable
- It comes in many colors and looks great
- The base stores the cord for cordless and convenient pouring
- It is easy to use
- Washable filter keeps your water clean and free of impurities
- It boils quickly
- It is very efficient
- Comes with a warranty
Cons:
- The plastic lid may warp over time
- The metal bottom and plate may show rust spots over time
- Plastic trim and pieces feel very flimsy when compared to more expensive kettles
Cuisinart CPK-17 Kettle – Best Electric Kettle Overall
If you like drinking different types of teas that require different water temperatures, this is the kettle for you. With just the touch of a button, you can set the temperature for your water from 160 to boiling. Can’t get to your kettle immediately? There’s a keep warm button that keeps the water warm until it’s ready to use.
The swivel power base provides you with cordless convenience. The viewing window has a blue backlight that’s easy to see in any lighting, and the blue LEDs indicate when your water is the perfect temperature. The heating element is concealed to prevent buildup, and it has a built-in, washable water filter to keep water pure. The handle stays cool for your comfort and safety, and it has an internal memory setting.
Pros:
- It is easy to use
- It has multiple heat settings
- The stainless steel design looks great
- It can be used without the cord
- It has one of the best warranties available
- Boil dry protection
- It has a sleep mode
Cons:
- It has a pretty high price tag
- The water lines fade over time
A Last Word
You won’t believe how convenient an electric kettle can be when using it for cooking or making hot beverages. From hot cocoa to warm tea or boiling hot instant soup, these kettles really do it all. If you want the most versatility, an outstanding design, and a kettle that’s easy to use, the Cuisinart CPK-17 should be your top choice for best electric kettle. This bestselling kettle has everything you could ever need, including multiple functions, one touch water boiling, and multiple safety features, as well as one of the best warranties you’ll find on this type of product. From the dorm room to your campsite, you won’t regret purchasing this high-end kettle.