Kettles Buying Guide

Kettles have certainly moved on a lot over the last few decades which means there’s much more choice available. But more choice means that it can be difficult to make sure you pick the right kettle for you.

Take a look a tour kettles buying guide to find out everything you need to know about kettles and ensure you pick the one that’s ideal for your needs.

Price

The price you pay for your kettle will depend on the make, size and capacity. You can find small kettles available for less than £5 or can pay more than £100 for a designer model. For a mid range kettle that is likely to be reliable opt to spend between £20 and £40. At this price you are more likely to be offered a warranty so if your kettle breaks you will be able to get a replacement.

Style and capacity

Most kettles hold between 1.5 to 1.7 litres of water which equates to between around seven and ten cups. It is possible to buy kettles with larger capacities, for example for office use, but most people prefer to use a different device like an urn if they need to make a lot of drinks often.

You can also buy smaller kettles like travel and mini kettles which are ideal for holidays or if you live alone. There are so many different kettle designs available that it’s easy to choose one that suits the style of your kitchen. You can even find old fashioned looking kettles with modern components that fit perfectly into older homes.

Cordless vs corded kettles

Cordless	Corded
Cordless kettles sit on a base that’s attached to a power source and can be picked up and moved around. You have the freedom to move the kettle around as you please although it needs to sit on a base in order to boil. Corded kettles are attached directly to a power point via a cord.	Some corded kettles are available with cord storage at the base to reduce the risk of children pulling the cord and tipping the kettle over.

You can also purchase a kettle with a swivel base so it’s easier to place the kettle onto it, especially if you have mobility problems, are older or are left handed.

Wattage

As with any electrical item the higher the wattage you have the faster and more effective it will be. In general, kettles that are 3000W or over are considered rapid boilers because they can boil a full kettle of water much more quickly than a less powerful model. Bear in mind that the more powerful your kettle is the more it will cost to run so if you want to economise then choose a less powerful model.

Element

The element is the thing that causes the water in the kettle to boil. When the kettle is switched on the element heats up until the water boils. When the water is boiling a sensor automatically switches the kettle off.

The majority of elements are made of steel although kettles with gold elements can be purchased which are more limescale resistant.

Filter

Limescale is a common problem in households with hard water and often builds up on the element and around the inside of a kettle. When the limescale reaches a certain level it can taint the water and leave limescale residue in drinks, which although is not harmful to health is unpleasant to drink.

A filter in your kettle can help attract limescale particles out of the water or filter at the spout to stop limescale from going into your drink. You can opt for washable and removable filters so they can be cleaned from time to time.

Water gauge

The water gauge on a kettle tells you the volume of water that’s inside the kettle. It also shows the maximum and minimum amount of water that can be put into the kettle. If you put too little water in the kettle the element won’t be covered with liquid and can burn out and if you put too much water in the kettle it can boil over.

Some kettles show the water level in litres whereas others show you how many cups worth of water you have, which can be useful for filling the kettle top the right level.

Safety

A good kettle should include safety features such as a cut out mechanism to stop the kettle from boiling dry, handles that stay cool and a locking lid to help prevent burns.

Noise

If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen then it’s a good idea to opt for a quiet kettle so that the noise of boiling water does not become an irritant.

Kettle and toaster sets

If you like your kitchen gadgets to match then you could consider buying a kettle and toaster set. You can find lots of reasonably priced kettle and toaster sets available online, on the high street and in supermarkets. If you need a toaster too it’s worth considering buying a set as it usually works out cheaper than buying both items separately.

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