An electric kettle is the ideal kitchen appliance for heating water in record time. Whether for your tea or for cooking, know that it is now possible to find a quality model at a really attractive price.
If you feel confused by the number of models available on the market, this article is for you. I will start by presenting you the 3 best kettles of the moment and then we will see how to use it daily.
Which is Best Electric Kettle with Temperature Control to choose?
Comparison of the top 3 electric kettles
Cuisinart CPK18E: the best kettle with adjustable temperature
The Cuisinart CPK18E electric kettle allows you to prepare all kinds of hot drinks thanks to its adjustable thermostat. Its sleek design allows it to be easily and discreetly integrated into your kitchen.
The adjustable thermostat allows you to prepare your infusions at the perfect temperature. You have the choice between 6 different temperatures ranging from 75 to 100 ° C. Once the water is at the desired temperature, an audible signal alerts you and you can choose to keep it warm for up to 30 minutes, which saves you having to heat the water a second time. This saves you time and energy.
Finally, its stainless steel finish ensures easy maintenance and a longer lifespan than plastic kettles which deteriorate more quickly.
The temperature preselection keys as well as the water level are backlit in blue which allows you to use your kettle even when the lighting is dim.
The strong points
The heating cycle is very fast and takes less time than the average of other kettles. While a basic kettle takes up to three minutes to boil 1.5 liters of water, the Cuisinart CPK18E takes less than two minutes to do so.
The appliance contains very little plastic and no bisphenol A so it is a healthy kettle.
Its capacity is large so it is very practical for cooking.
It is not very noisy so it can be used in the morning without disturbing other members of the family.
The pressure opening of the lid is very practical to avoid burns.
The different temperatures offered are consistent and do not substitute. Indeed, some infusions must be infused at 80 ° C only which is often impossible with an electric kettle unless you have a thermometer.
The weak spots
Spare parts are difficult to find in stores so it is very difficult to replace a faulty part.
When the kettle is full, the weight of water and stainless steel are combined and the kettle is relatively heavy.
It is not thermally insulated and therefore heats up outside, which increases the risk of burns.
Riviera & Bar BBT340: the best quality / price stainless steel electric kettle
The Riviera & Bar BBT340 electric kettle is very affordable and still of excellent quality. It allows you to prepare your teas and infusions at the perfect temperature thanks to its selection of six different temperatures.
Equipped with two backlit level indicators, you can easily adjust the amount of water you are going to boil. This electric kettle is suitable both for preparing hot drinks but also for the preparation of dehydrated dishes and instant soups.
With its adjustable temperature, you can directly enjoy your tea at the comfortable temperature of 80 ° C without having to let the water cool 15 minutes before drinking it. Finally, when the water is boiling, an audible signal warns you and two situations are available to you: you can either pour the boiling water into a container, or keep it at room temperature for thirty minutes in the kettle and use it later. .
This kettle does not contain bisphenol A despite the plastic sensor at the bottom. As a reminder, bisphenol A , even if its impact is still debated, is classified as an endocrine disruptor and should therefore be avoided as much as possible.
The strong points
The Riviera & Bar BBT340 is very intuitive and easy to use even for children or the elderly.
The temperature is adjustable and therefore adjustable to different types of teas, herbal teas and instant dishes.
The sound signal at the end of the cycle warns us that the water is at the desired temperature, so there is no need to stand next to the kettle to find out. You also won’t risk forgetting the water in the kettle.
The weak spots
Presence of a plastic sensor at the bottom of the kettle. Plastic is not dangerous but it is better to use metallic materials for heating objects.
It is necessary to heat the water two or three times and then empty it before using it because the first times, a plastic smell may appear. This odor leaves by itself after two or three cycles and does not affect the quality of the water.
Philips HD4646 / 20: the best inexpensive electric kettle
If you are looking for a kettle and are on a tight budget, rest assured: you don’t have to choose between price and quality. Indeed, Philips offers a kettle for less than 30 euros of excellent quality.
With a simple and elegant design, the Philips HD4646 / 20 plastic kettle gives you quick boiling thanks to a flat resistance. Its filling is easy because it can be done directly through the spout or through the lid.
Finally, the anti-limescale filter can be removed and cleaned, which prevents the formation of scale and thus avoids the unpleasant taste of limescale in the water. As the lime scale is reduced, the kettle remains efficient for longer.
The strong points
The plastic composition ensures that the kettle, even when filled, remains light enough to be easily handled.
The handle is ergonomic and facilitates the grip.
The use is very simple, just turn on the kettle for the water to heat up.
The base allows the cord of the kettle to be wound around it, so it can be stored easily and without taking up too much space.
Since filling can be done through the spout, you can fill the kettle without needing both hands free.
The weak spots
The kettle is made of plastic. Plastic is not dangerous, but it is better to use metallic materials for heating devices.
There is no light indicating that the kettle is on, which increases the risk of burns, especially for children.
How to choose an electric kettle?
To make sure you’re choosing the right electric kettle, here’s a quick guide to the features to consider.
Utilisation facility
Some brands offer you programmable kettles which can be useful for the morning for example if you want your tea to be ready as soon as you wake up. For example, you can program your kettle so that the water is hot at 7 a.m.: this is a small time saver for your morning routine.
Plus, cordless electric kettles are more convenient to use because you can move it around your entire kitchen without needing to unplug and plug it back in every time.
Finally, a transparent fill gauge allows you to measure the amount of water very precisely: this is a very important detail, especially if you are using your kettle not as a teapot kettle but for cooking.
Heating speed:
If you use your kettle to heat large amounts of water, you have surely noticed that it takes a long time. To avoid wasting time, you can find high-speed kettles on the market that raise the water temperature to 100 ° C in a very short time. The difference in heating speed can be due either to the shape of the resistance or to the power of the kettle.
The power is often indicated on the packaging of the device or directly on it. If you prefer a quick kettle, choose kettles with high power.
Noise pollution:
It is well known that a whistling or electric kettle, just like a coffee machine, is very noisy and does not allow discreet use. If the noise bothers you, be aware that some brands offer silent kettles that are more comfortable to use. Be careful though, not all silent kettles let you know that the water is hot without standing next to the appliance.
The impact on health:
The components inside the kettle can be harmful to health. Indeed, when the water heats, it can catch constituents of the kettle that you will find in your drink. To avoid this, be sure to choose kettles made without BPA (bisphenol A) and favor stainless steel rather than plastic.
In addition, it is important to descale your electric kettle properly to prevent the water from tasting like lime.
The price
A non-negligible element when choosing the tea kettle is obviously the price. You will find price ranges from 20 euros for the cheapest to more than 150 euros for the most sophisticated. However, you will find very good quality kettles with a low price or even kettles that are less resistant over time but with a higher price. In addition, depending on the use of your kettle, beware of equipment that would be useless to you on a daily basis.
For example, if you plan to use only your kettle to heat the pasta cooking water, a kettle with possible selection of several temperatures would be unnecessary.
How does an electric kettle work?
Not all kettles work the same. Indeed, there are electric kettles that you plug into a power outlet as well as kettles that must be placed on a heat source for them to work.
Metal kettles are the oldest and are often referred to as whistling kettles because they have a stopper that hisses when the water boils. These kettles are very practical and have a vintage look, however they can only work if a heat source is available.
Electric kettles, on the other hand, work with a resistance that heats up enough to boil the water. They are often preferred by buyers because they can be used from anywhere provided they have access to a power outlet. It is the base of the kettle that is connected to a wire but the kettle itself is wireless and therefore easy to use.
How to descale an electric kettle?
If your electric kettle is covered with scale, it is not necessary to change it. You can easily descale it yourself with the products you have at home.
We’ll show you six different techniques to get rid of tartar and regain shine.
The descaler recommended by the manufacturer:
Often, on the instructions of the kettles, the manufacturer indicates which industrial descaler you can use. All you need to do is spray the product in question in your kettle, leave it to act and rinse. This technique is efficient and fast, however there are more natural and ecological solutions.
Baking soda
Easily found in pharmacies, baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a white powder used for the household but also in cosmetics. You just need to dilute a tablespoon of baking soda in a liter of water and boil the mixture in your kettle. Then you just have to rinse well.
White vinegar:
White vinegar is the most effective vinegar on tartar. To use it as a kettle descaler, simply dilute 1/2 volume of water in 1.5 volumes of vinegar and pour the mixture into your kettle. Let stand for about 30 minutes then rinse several times with clean water. The smell of vinegar may linger for a few hours, but eventually it will wear off on its own.
The lemon
Lemon naturally contains citric acid, the descaling power of which has been proven. Diluting the juice of a lemon in 1 L of water forms a solution whose acidity dissolves tartar without the need to rub. You just need to let the citric acid act for about an hour before rinsing and allowing it to air dry.
Coca-Cola:
Strange as it may sound, sodas such as coca cola have compounds capable of dissolving tartar and thus making its elimination easier. To do this, pour coca cola in your kettle and leave it on without boiling for an hour. Then rinse your device thoroughly and wipe the inside with a clean cloth.
The clay stone:
Using clay stone with a sponge to descale your tea kettle is a very effective technique but requires a little more effort on the part of the user. To do this, you need to slightly moisten a sponge and collect a little clay on it. Then gently brush the tartar with the sponge until it disappears completely. Then rinse your kettle thoroughly.
For information, clay stone can be found in supermarkets and DIY stores in the cleaning products department.
You now have all the keys in hand to properly maintain your electric kettle.
