Type
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Electric kettle.Electric kettles are traditional water heating containers that come with built-in heaters. Unlike thermopots (which are designed to maintain the temperature of the liquid), electric kettles are primarily intended for boiling water and do not have advanced temperature control features.
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Thermopot. Thermopots are hybrid devices that incorporate features of both electric kettles and thermoses. They have thick walls, often double-layered, and a tighter lid, which provides improved thermal insulation compared to traditional electric kettles. Additionally, they typically have a built-in pump for dispensing water. The primary advantage of a thermopot is its ability to both heat water and maintain its temperature for an extended period, thanks to the enhanced insulation. This makes them ideal for situations where a constant supply of hot water is needed. However, they are slower to heat water compared to regular electric kettles, so it's essential to plan ahead.
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Hot water dispenser. A kind of kettles, outwardly similar to thermo pots, but according to the principle of operation, it resembles the “hot water” function in
coffee machines. The dispenser is designed to store water and does not have a built-in heater. Instead, the heating process occurs when water is dispensed, resulting in hot water being availabl
...e within seconds. This process is energy-efficient since only the volume of water dispensed is heated. Dispensers usually offer a range of temperature controls, and some models allow for a predetermined amount of hot water to be dispensed. However, the main drawback of these devices is their relatively high cost.
— Brewing.These are kettles that are specifically designed for brewing tea and other beverages. They feature a strainer or a similar device for steeping tea leaves or herbs. Many of these models come equipped with a thermostat, which makes it easy to select the ideal brewing temperature for different types of tea. Glass is the preferred material for the body of such kettles, often in combination with metal, as it allows for monitoring the brewing process, controlling the colour and transparency of the contents, while not affecting the taste or aroma of the beverage. These kettles can also be used to heat water for other purposes, by simply removing the strainer or leaving it empty.
— Brewing kit. A hot drink preparation kit that includes two separate vessels, a kettle and a teapot. The kettle is used to heat water, while the teapot may not have a built-in heater and can be a traditional vessel. This option may be more suitable for certain types of tea that require immediate infusion with hot water. However, two-piece sets tend to be heavier, larger, and more costly than multipurpose kettles with brewing capabilities, which makes them less popular nowadays.
It's worth mentioning that samovars in the form of electric kettles are also considered brewing kits, but they have unique features that distinguish them from other types and warrant their classification as a separate category (see below).
— For brewing coffee. Kettles with an elegant "swan neck" design feature a thin, curved S-shaped spout that allows for precise pouring of water. Some models for making coffee also have the ability to control the water temperature accurately. This allows for a gradual and even supply of hot water through the spout, resulting in a well-extracted coffee during the brewing process. These kettles are also suitable for making certain types of tea that require precise temperature control during preparation.
— Samovar. Electric samovars are modern devices designed to imitate traditional samovars. These models usually have a retro design (see "Design"), but there are also original-looking devices within this style. Typically, an electric samovar consists of a main vessel for heating water and a teapot, which is placed on top of the main vessel and is heated by its heat. While electric samovars are functional, they are bulkier and more expensive than regular electric kettles. As a result, they are not commonly produced and are mainly aimed at enthusiasts of antique items and those who enjoy unique kitchen accessories.Volume
The nominal capacity of a kettle refers to the maximum amount of water that can be safely poured into it, and it is typically indicated by the water level indicator. In the case of brewing sets (see "Type"), the nominal capacity refers to the main kettle, while the capacity of the teapot is listed separately (see below).
The capacity of the electric kettle directly affects the amount of water that can be heated at once. A larger capacity allows for heating more water, but this also means the kettle will be larger and heavier. Additionally, heating a larger volume of water requires either more power or a longer time. Therefore, it is important to consider one's actual needs when choosing a kettle based on its capacity. For example,
mini-kettles for travelling (or for one person) have a volume of up to 1 liter. For home use in a family of 2 – 3 people, a 1,5 – 2 liter model is enough. Devices for
2 – 3 liters are already well suited for a small office or a similar situation. The most spacious electric kettles are designed to hold 10 liters or more, and are typically used in public places such as canteens and cafes for dispensing hot water.
Temperature adjustment
The temperature adjustment capabilities refer to the specific temperature values that can be programmed into the electric kettle. It's important to note that this refers to automatic adjustment, where the kettle turns off or switches to temperature maintenance mode once the desired temperature has been reached.
If this paragraph contains several options separated by commas (for example, “60 °С, 80 °С, 90 °С”), this means that this model has several fixed temperature options. However, there are also devices with
smooth adjustment, which allows you to adjust the temperature in steps of 5 °C, or even 1 °C; for such devices, the entire adjustment range is indicated here, for example, "60 — 100 °C".
The greater the number of temperature setting options available in an electric kettle, the more versatile it becomes, allowing for precise selection of the optimal brewing mode for various types of drinks. Here is a simple table of recommended temperatures:
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white tea — 60 °C;
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yellow tea -70 °C;
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green tea — 80 °C;
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black tea — 90 °C;
— rooibos, hibiscus — 100 °C (up to boiling);
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baby food — 40 °C.
Of course, there are exceptions to such rules — depending on the specific type of drink. For example, some
...varieties of green tea can be brewed at 90 °C.Thermometer
A device that displays the temperature of the water in the kettle. The presence of a
thermometer is useful if the water needs to be heated to a certain temperature. However, the thermometer does not automatically turn off the kettle, unlike a thermostat — this must be done manually. Also, the thermometer allows you to assess how much the heated water has cooled over time and whether it can be used without heating again.
Delay start timer
A function that allows you to pre-set
the start time of the kettle. For example, you can pour water in the evening and set a timer for the morning, so that by the time you woke up, it has just boiled. This eliminates the need to turn on the kettle manually and wait for the water to heat up.
Removable lid
The ability to completely remove the lid of the kettle. Such a possibility is not of particular importance during regular use, however, it provides additional convenience if the kettle needs to be washed from the inside — a
removable lid, unlike a traditional non-removable one, will not hang on the fixture, hit your hands and create other discomforts. On the other hand, there is a certain risk of losing this lid, so this feature is not common.
Body shape
The general shape of the body of the electric kettle.
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Conical. The most popular option: a body is wide at the base and tapering upwards. This form contributes to stability: the centre of gravity is maximally displaced downwards. However washing such a kettle from the inside may not be very convenient due to the relatively small size of the opening in the upper part.
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Cylindrical. The cylindrical shape provides more or less the same width of the body at the base and at the top. With the same height and base diameter, such kettles hold slightly more water than conical ones; in addition, such a device is easier to clean due to the wide opening for the lid.
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Inclined. The body which is inclined forward; the width of such a body is usually more or less the same over the entire height. Such kettles have an unusual, eye-catching appearance; in addition, it is easier to pour water from them — the device must be inclined at a smaller angle than with a cylindrical and even with a conical body. However, this option does not provide fundamental advantages over the same cylindrical shape, but it is more expensive, and therefore is not common.
Controller
The name of the controller installed in the device.
The controller is called an electronic circuit, which is directly responsible for managing the operation — primarily for turning off the heating when boiling or turning on without water. In our catalog, the name of such a circuit is specified if we are talking about an advanced controller that significantly exceeds most solutions on the market in terms of quality and reliability. At the same time, the specs indicate not a specific model, but a general brand — this is quite enough in this case.
The most reliable, durable and safe nowadays are the controllers of the British manufacturers Strix and Otter. There are no fundamental differences between these options in this regard, any of them is a sign of a quality kettle (even if the overall functionality of the device is rather modest). On the other hand, such equipment affects the price.
Backlight
Decorative lighting of the body or capacity of the kettle. It has mainly aesthetic value — it improves the appearance of the device. Sometimes it can serve as a kind of indicator, for example, change the colour when water is boiling.
