What should you look for when buying a kettle?

Nowadays there is so much choice of different kettles, they come in all shapes and sizes. What features are on them and what exactly do they do?

A kettle is not to be missed in kitchen appliances. Whether you want to make a cup of tea or need water to cook pasta, a kettle makes the water hot quickly and easily. With so many different options on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right kettle. In this blog, we discuss the most important factors to consider when buying a kettle.

Kettle capacity

The capacity of a kettle can range from about 0.5 liters to as much as 2 liters. The most common size is 1.7 liters, which is enough to make about six cups of tea. If you use the kettle primarily to make tea, then it is useful to look at the size of the teapot you use and match the contents of the kettle to that.

Lime filter

A limescale filter is a useful addition to a kettle. It prevents limescale and other impurities in the water from getting into your cup. As a result, your tea tastes better and your kettle lasts longer. If you live in an area with "hard" tap water, a limescale filter is definitely recommended.

Keep warm function

Some kettles have a keep-warm function, which keeps the water at a constant temperature. This can be useful if you regularly want to make several cups of tea in a row. The water then stays hot and you don't have to keep turning the kettle on. Just keep in mind that this function uses more energy.

Power of kettle

The power of a kettle is expressed in wattage and indicates how fast the kettle can heat the water. Generally, the wattage is between 1500 and 3000 watts. The higher the wattage, the faster the water is heated. This can be useful if you need hot water quickly, it does use more energy.

Temperature setting

Some kettles have the ability to set the temperature, such as theKitchenAid orCuisinartkettles. This is useful if, for example, you brew green tea that needs to be prepared at a lower temperature than black tea. As a result, you will always get the perfect cup of tea without having to let the water cool down. You can also save energy with the lower temperature setting.

Water level indicator

A water level indicator is a handy function that allows you to see exactly how much water is in the kettle. This prevents you using too much or too little water for your tea, coffee or other purposes. It also helps you to determine how much cups of tea you can make. The water level indicator can be displayed in various ways, such as a transparent strip on the side of the kettle or a digital display on the handle.

The heating element

There are two types of heating elements used in kettles: open and closed. An open heating element is located directly in the water, while a closed heating element is located under the bottom of the kettle and heats the water indirectly.

An open heating element can heat up faster and is easier to clean, but it can also be more susceptible to scale build-up. A closed heating element can heat up more slowly and can be more difficult to clean, but it is less susceptible to scale build-up and therefore more durable.

Brands

Brands such as Alessi and SMEG focus on designing stylish and unique kettles. Alessi is an Italian design brand with creative designs that feature an automatic shut-off function and a limescale filter. SMEG on the other hand, has a retro design, an output of 2400 watts and features an automatic shut-off function and limescale filter. Although these brands are often more expensive than others, the high quality and unique design is definitely worth investing extra in, and they combine functionality with style. Looking for a quieter design kettle? Then check out the WMF brand.

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