An electric kettle is one of the simplest appliances to have in one’s home – be it for drinking tea, making hot water for instant noodles, or even simply heating up some beverages.
But, not all electric kettles are created the same. Small changes and differences in capacity, body material, heating performance, safety features, convenience and even ease of cleaning can change the overall experience of using one.
Before purchasing an electric kettle, it is important to understand what exactly to look for in a kettle. Here is a list to help determine which kettle would be the best fit for one’s home.
Choosing the Right Capacity
Capacity is arguably the first and perhaps most important consideration when purchasing an electric kettle. The size and capacity of one’s electric kettle should mainly depend on how many people would be using the kettle and the general volume needed.
For one or two people: 0.8 to 1 litre electric kettle should suffice for making tea, coffee, hot water or even small portions of cooked meals. For three or four people: a 1.2 to 1.5 litre electric kettle would be more appropriate to boil more servings of drinks or meals at once
Lastly, for bigger households or for people who tend to host often: a 1.7 to 2 litre electric kettle would be the most convenient.
Although a larger capacity kettle can fulfill the needs of smaller households, it can be wasteful to boil large amounts of water when only small servings are needed. On the flip side, smaller capacity kettles require more frequent boiling for larger households. Hence, the most appropriate size should be chosen based on individual preferences and needs.
Body Material: Stainless Steel vs Plastic vs Glass
The next determining factor for an electric kettle is its general material. Stainless steel, plastic and glass are some of the most common materials for electric kettles.
Stainless steel electric kettles are generally durable and built to last while also having a high-quality feel and appearance. Hence, stainless steel kettles are best suited for daily use and individuals who are looking for something long-lasting.
BPA-free plastic kettles tend to be lighter and are generally more affordable than stainless steel kettles. However, the strength of a plastic kettle can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and its intended daily usage. Lastly, glass electric kettles are mostly elegant and sophisticated in appearance. Having a glass kettle can make boiling water seem more enjoyable, although they do tend to be more fragile than their plastic and stainless steel counterparts.
Ultimately, which electric kettle material is the most preferred would mostly depend on the individual. Those who enjoy the aesthetic appeal and elegance of an electric kettle may find glass to be the most appealing. On the other hand, those who value the overall durability and feel of a kettle may find stainless steel kettles more preferable over plastic or glass kettles.
Key Safety Features to Look For
With an electric kettle, there are a few prominent and key safety features that one should look out for. Since electric kettles operate on electricity and can reach very high temperatures, the right set of safety features can make the difference between a safe or unsafe use of an electric kettle.
For everyday use and purposes, an automatic shut-off function is arguably the most important safety feature for an electric kettle. Automatic shut-off basically means that the kettle will automatically shut itself off once the water inside has reached the boiling point.
Another key safety feature one should look for when purchasing an electric kettle is boil-dry protection. Boil-dry protection basically means that the kettle will turn itself off if there is insufficient water inside the kettle.
Lastly, a cool-touch handle is also highly recommended for safety purposes. A cool-touch handle ensures that the general handle area of the electric kettle will not be extremely hot when the kettle is in use.
Finally, a 360-degree swivel base is also a useful safety feature that is found in many higher-end electric kettles. A 360-degree swivel base is useful for ensuring that the electric kettle can be placed anywhere on the kettle stand for added convenience and ease of use.
Other Useful Features
Other than capacity, general material, and safety features, there are some other useful features that one should consider when purchasing an electric kettle.
The first feature that one should look out for is a wide mouth. A wide mouth opening is great for filling the kettle with water as well as general cleaning of the electric kettle.
Another handy and useful feature that one should look for in an electric kettle is its water level indicator. A water level indicator basically helps indicate how much water is needed and how much water is inside the kettle. Having a water level indicator can be especially useful for measuring the appropriate amount of hot water needed for everyday use.
Lastly, a detachable filter can come in quite handy for removing general scale or impurities from the water. A detachable filter is especially useful for people that live in regions with hard water. Furthermore, a detachable filter is more convenient and easier to clean as compared to a built-in filter.
Other than these general features, one should also ensure that the handle of the electric kettle is comfortable to hold. In addition, the spout of the kettle should also be convenient to pour water out of. Such seemingly small features can prove to be rather inconvenient and tedious in daily use.
Ease of Cleaning
An electric kettle requires minimal cleaning, but the ease of cleaning for each kettle can vary significantly. As such, when purchasing an electric kettle, it is especially important to ensure that the kettle under consideration is easy to maintain and clean.
Hard water tends to leave scale deposits or mineral deposits as residue on the inside of an electric kettle. As such, a good way to prevent the formation of scale deposits is by ensuring that the electric kettle chosen has a wide opening, is generally easy to reach, and does not have any unnecessary hard-to-reach areas. Furthermore, a detachable filter (where applicable) can also help to prevent the formation of scale deposits.
Think About Your Every Day Usage
A lot may seem trivial when purchasing an electric kettle, but the overall use and daily purpose of the electric kettle is arguably the most important factor to consider. If one is only looking to boil one or two cups of water for tea or coffee, then a smaller electric kettle may be appropriate for the individual. On the other hand, if the electric kettle is going to be shared by multiple members of a family, then a bigger and larger capacity kettle would be more appropriate.
If one only needs to boil a small amount of hot water, then a kettle with a small capacity would be more appropriate. Furthermore, the appropriate body material should also be chosen based on general convenience and use. Ultimately, the most suitable electric kettle is the one that is the most convenient for the buyer.
Don’t Ignore Build Quality
As mentioned above, there are a few seemingly minor factors that should be taken into consideration when purchasing an electric kettle. Apart from capacity, general material, safety features, convenience, ease of cleaning, and water-level visibility, it is also very important to take a close look at the overall build quality of the kettle. When in the store, one should try to hold the kettle and get a general impression and feel for the item before purchasing it. Does the kettle feel stable enough when placed on the base? Is the handle comfortable to hold? Such considerations are very important in ensuring that the kettle is both convenient and safe to use in one’s home.
Final Thoughts
An electric kettle may seem like a simple and simple-minded appliance, but there are actually a few considerations that one must take into account when purchasing an electric kettle. First, the appropriate capacity should be chosen based on one’s general needs and usage of the electric kettle. Next, one should consider what body material they prefer. Lastly, the various safety features, convenience features, general visibility of the kettle and its water-level capacity, as well as the overall build quality should also be taken into consideration.
Electric kettles with auto shut-off and boil-dry protection features are some of the most common and convenient safety features offered in the market today.
At VINAYO, our electric kettles are built with practical and useful safety and convenience features such as reliable auto shut-off and boil-dry protection, amongst others. We believe that it is important to make electric kettle use as safe, convenient, and practical as possible – and we strive to fulfill these ideals in our daily work and production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your electric kettle.
