How to choose an electric kettle - experts reviews

Go to any home appliance store - you will gasp from the abundance of electric kettles of all shapes and sizes. But even if you outwardly liked a certain model, this does not mean that you need to immediately carry it to the cashier. Perhaps it will be inconvenient for you. In order not to get lost in the store and even without the help of a consultant to be able to find a good kettle, first read the recommendations of our experts.

The best manufacturers of electric kettles - which company to choose

Of course, it is better to buy household appliances known manufacturers. Serious companies not only monitor the quality of their models, but also constantly improve them. The competition in this market is very high, and no one wants to lose trust in the brand.

The most popular manufacturers of electric kettles today are:

1. Philips

2. Bosch

3. Tefal

4. Redmond

5. Delonghi

You can get acquainted with specific models of these brands in our ranking of the best electric kettles. However, the choice of a teapot should not be limited to only the name of the manufacturer. You will have to delve into the design features of this uncomplicated technology.

The principle of operation and the device electric kettle

Modern electric kettles all come with special supports made of plastic or metal-plastic - they connect to the outlet through a thick cord with ground connection. Three pins are brought to the platform, supplying voltage to the heating element in the tank itself, when you put the kettle on this “heel”.

The device itself has a traditional in shape or slightly elongated body made of plastic, glass, ceramic or stainless steel. And inside it hides the most important detail - the heating element. To close the circuit and apply voltage to it, just press the button or the lever of the kettle switch. Next to it, a bimetallic plate is installed in the case, which is responsible for automatic shutdown. As soon as the water in the flask boils, the contacts will heat up and open, turning off the device.

Types of electric kettles

With open spiral

Electric models with an open heating element were among the first such devices. They received their name due to the fact that the twisted into a spiral heating element here is located directly in the flask with water. These kettles are one of the cheapest, but they have a serious drawback. On an open heater that is constantly in contact with liquid, scale builds up very quickly, which is difficult to completely remove.

Pros:

• Low cost;
• Easy to use;
• Fast boiling water;
• Economical power consumption;
• Minimum noise.

Minuses:

• The need to constantly clean the heater from the scale;
• You can not boil a small amount of water - the spiral should be completely covered with it.

Disk drives

Kettles with a closed heating element have a slightly more complex structure. And although there is the same spiral heating element, it is no longer located in a flask with water, but hides under a metal plate and transfers heat directly to it. Due to this, the resource of the heating element is significantly increased, and the struggle with scum ceases to be an actual problem.

Pros:

• Long service life;
• Less scale;
• Simplicity in leaving thanks to a flat bottom without speakers of elements;
• Higher level of electrical safety.

Minuses:

• Are more expensive spiral - about 10-20%;
• Noisy.

With thermostat

Unlike conventional models with a single button on / off, this electric kettle can not only heat water, but also maintain the desired temperature for a specified time. It also provides for the possibility of heating below the boiling point (for example, up to +80 or +90 ° C). Kettles with thermostat are ideal for brewing different varieties of tea, each of which requires a certain temperature of water.

Pros:

• Heat water quickly;
• You can independently set the temperature; There is a heating function.

Minuses:

• High price;
• Greater power consumption due to temperature maintenance.

Brewing

Now there are such electric kettles. They are designed for people who can not imagine their life without this leaf tea. Thanks to this device, the process of its preparation takes only up to 5 minutes, and the desired temperature for the selected grade and the time to maintain it can be set independently.

Pros:

• Adjusting the temperature of boiling water;
• The presence of a timer;
• Simplified, but proper preparation of leaf tea.

Minuses:

• High power consumption.

Smart kettles

In fact, we are talking about ordinary electric models that can be controlled through the application on the phone from anywhere in the world. However, the rich functionality is also present here (sound alerts, timer, water temperature adjustment, etc.). A smart kettle is smart in its own way and everything can be done - except that it does not bring coffee to bed.

Pros:

• You can set any heating temperature;
• A large set of additional features;
• The ability to control the operation of the kettle from your smartphone.

Minuses:

• Very expensive;
• High power consumption.

Options for the selection of electric kettles

Power and volume

The amount of energy consumed depends on the power of the electric kettle. The minimum figure for such devices 350 W, the maximum reaches 3 kW. But do not hope that you will be able to deceive fate. The laws of physics are unchanged, and if it takes about 100 Wh per hour to heat 1 liter of water to a boil, this is the energy that a kettle spends. The only question is how long it will take him. Do not want to wait long - take a more powerful model.

Also, the time of boiling water in the kettle depends on its volume, but this option is better to choose according to the composition of the family. Today, manufacturers offer us a choice of equipment with a capacity from 400 ml to 2.5 liters. Look for a suitable model based on the fact that 200-300 ml should fall on one person. And do not forget: the electric kettle can not be poured to the brim - only to the MAX mark.

When choosing a volume, take into account the weight of the device itself (without a platform), because you have to lift it with water. A light plastic model may well hold 2.5 liters, but it will be inconvenient to hold heavy ceramics of the same capacity - here more compact appliances of 1-1.5 liters will show themselves better.

Body material

1. Plastic

The cheapest and easiest material. Plastic teapots are easy to maintain, have less weight and serve for a long time, although you cannot call them eternal. Of the minuses, it is possible to isolate possible harm to health if low-quality plastic was used (it is easy to recognize it by chemical smell when heated) and low resistance to mechanical damage.

2. Stainless steel

These kettles are durable, durable and are considered the most reliable. Unlike plastic, they cool longer, but their body heats up so much that sometimes it is impossible to touch it. Because of this, today most of these models are equipped with an additional internal plastic bulb. The air gap between the walls protects you from burns, and at the same time well retains the heat of heated water.

3. Ceramics

These cozy teapots today conquered many. But they are not only loved for their attractive appearance and antique styling. Ceramic electric kettles produce less noise, do not collect scale on the walls and retain heat of heated water for a long time. However, they require careful handling, since ceramics is a fragile and very heavy material.The disadvantage of such models is also considered to be slow and uneconomical heating, because heating elements not only have to boil water, but also warm up thick clay walls.

4. Glass

These teapots are also chosen for their beauty and the fascinating picture of boiling water (especially if there is a colored light inside). They also have other advantages: hygiene and the complete absence of extraneous odors. Alas, all their drawbacks - great weight and fragility - glass teapots were adopted from ceramic models.

Stand Type

Platforms for electric kettles come in 2 types:

1. Stationary - here the contact group is located on one side of the site, because of which the kettle must always be put in one position. Today, such devices are becoming less, because they are not particularly convenient.

2. Pirouette is a more popular option, where all contacts are moved to the center of the platform.

Filter material

The filters in the electric kettle are necessary, especially if you use untreated water. Depending on the chosen construction, they can be 1 or 2 here. In the first case, the grid is located only on the nose, in the second case an additional cassette is placed on the neck.

The following materials can be used for the production of filters:

• Nylon thread is the cheapest option;
• Metal wire - durable, but unpopular material;
• Gilded wire - it is believed that it does not affect the taste of water, although in addition to the transcendental price is no different from the options considered.

Additional functions

Their presence increases the final cost of technology, but in some cases, various options and modes can be very useful:

1. Long boil

In this mode, the water in the kettle boils for up to 5 minutes, which allows you to completely destroy all germs, and at the same time get rid of dissolved chlorine compounds.

2. Presence of timer

A convenient feature for those who drink tea or coffee at the same time. By setting the timer to start, you will come to the kitchen to an already heated kettle.

3. Sound alerts

An electric device and without a whistle will let you know that the water is already boiling.

4. The presence of a thermostat

It allows you not only to set the temperature to a certain temperature, but also to maintain it for a long time.

5. Protection against switching on without water

It is especially relevant if there are small children in the house or the button of the kettle is pressed too easily.

Which electric kettle to choose

1. Those who are interested in cheap models for summer cottage or office, a good purchase will be a plastic kettle with an open spiral. Volume choose within 1-1.7 liters or to a liter, if you use boiling water alone. Power is also needed minimum (about 350-500 watts), especially if you have a weak wiring.

2. True gourmets can use multifunctional models with a thermostat that can heat water to the “right” temperature required by green or herbal tea. Well, if the kettle turns out to be glass or ceramic, then the drink will definitely not have any foreign taste. In addition to the main unit, you can buy an electric teapot or find a combination appliance.

3. If you are a perfectionist in everything and advocate a healthy lifestyle, feel free to take an electric kettle of heat-resistant glass. Choose a model of small or medium volume from 1 to 1.7 l - so it will be easier for you to lift it, and it is undesirable to boil one portion of water several times.

4. So that modern technology does not stand out from the vintage or ethnic interior of the kitchen, you can buy painted ceramic teapot, which perfectly matches the chosen style. Just look for a small unit up to 1.5-1.7 liters, otherwise it will be hard to lift. But the power is needed maximum, otherwise you will have to wait a long time until the water in the ceramic "thermos" boils.

5. If you have problems with home appliances or you constantly drop something, it’s better to buy a metal kettle right away. The maximum that can happen to him in case of careless handling is a small dent on the body. An ideal model for a garage or a room in a student dormitory.

6. Progressive owners of a “smart home” need an equally advanced smart kettle that can be controlled remotely. Run the application on your phone, and it will boil water at your command. A convenient solution if you like to relax in a bed for a few minutes in the morning or later return from work and want to drink tea right away.

Electric kettle cost

1. The simplest electric kettles with an open spiral and a plastic case cost from 200 to 2,200 rubles.

2. Metallic have a higher price threshold - their cost starts from 700 rubles.

3. The largest price run is observed in the mixed family of electric kettles with a closed spiral:

• plastic models are in the range of 200-8500 rubles;
• metal start from 300 and reach 19 thousand;
• Ceramic disc kettles are sold for 900-6000 rubles;
• glass is on average more expensive - from 800 to 15 thousand rubles.

4. Models with a thermostat will cost no less than 1.5-2 thousand, well, and the ceiling will already determine the case material:

• plastic limit is 7500 rubles;
• the combination of metal with glass can pull up to 12 thousand;
• pottery will be released no more than 6000.

5. Electric tea kettles are all in the same price range from 3 to 12 thousand rubles. The exception is made by models in the plastic case - here the ceiling is 8000 rubles. Metal tea pots are even cheaper, such ones can be bought at prices ranging from 800 to 6500 rubles.

6. Ultramodern smart teapots are made only of plastic and stainless steel. In the first case, they will cost from 1 to 38 thousand rubles, in the second, the price may increase to 55 thousand.