Design
The design in which the electric kettle is decorated. In addition to
the classic design, nowadays there are more original styles, namely:
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Retro. Devices stylized antique — mainly for kitchen utensils of the 30s — 50s of the XX century. The degree of stylization in this case can be different: for example, some appliances are not different from ordinary kitchen kettles that are placed on the stove. Also note that almost all samovars are performed in retro style (see "Type"). But thermopots and teapots in this design are almost never produced. Anyway, a retro kettle will be indispensable for a kitchen in the same style, but it can also fit into a modern interior.
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Hi-tech. The devices that have a technological, sometimes even futuristic design — using unpainted metal, transparent glass, as well as a minimal amount (or even complete absence) of decorative details. At the same time, the design can be quite unusual: for example, there are models that taper upward and vaguely resemble laboratory flasks. Like the retro style, almost no other devices are produced in this style other than classic kettles.
When choosing a device in a specific design, note that the design inevitably affects the cost — sometimes quite noticeably, despite the fact that it usually does not provide functional advantages.
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.Control via smartphone
The ability to remotely
control the kettle from a smartphone, tablet or other similar gadget with a special application installed. The connection can be made via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
This feature does not only allow you to control the device from a distance, but often gives you more options than the classic control method. For example, special "chips" like a timer or thermostat can only be accessed through the application. In addition, the information about the operation of the kettle is transmitted to the application — for example, thermometer data, status (on/off), etc. Due to plenty of features, models controlled from a smartphone are often called
“smart kettles”. Their main disadvantage is their high cost.
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.
