What variable temp kettle do you use and how long have you had it?

I have been doing a lot of review reading and haven’t found one clear winner. Even Breville has a lot of reviews that suggest it doesn’t last well. The Cuisinart has issues with the numbers rubbing off and it cracks. It goes on and on. Cost isn’t a factor, I want a good kettle.

What do you use (really only interested in variable temp) and how is it for you, and how long have you been using it?

Thanks!

88 Replies
Dexter said

I have an Oster. I bought it on sale for about 55.00. The reviews on it aren’t good (glad I didn’t read them before I bought – saw it onsale in a local store and just bought it), but I haven’t had any trouble with mine. I like that I can set any temp (within 5 degrees) rather than just having it pre-programed for white, green, black etc.
I bought mine about 10-11 months ago, use it ALL the time – no issues at all.
http://www.amazon.ca/Oster%C2%AE-Litre-Kettle-Variable-Stainless-Steel/dp/B0048BPWQE

Haha! I read your post after I wrote my answer, I have that one too ;-) I also love it!

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sansnipple said

I’ve had the cheap ($40) Hamilton-Beach one for about 9 months now (used like 10x a day) and it’s still really great, and if it does eventually die I won’t really mind as much and just get a new one since they’re really cheap.

Janefan said

I’ve had mine since October. Use it ~3-5x daily. Love it! I def drink more tea because of how quickly it heats up, accuracy of temp settings, and the “keep warm” hour. No problems yet. If it does die, I will probably replace it for $40. I think the stainless steel/black look is attractive too – it matches most of my other appliances.

Cheri select said

This is the one I got for Christmas. I really like it.

Cwyn said

I had a Hamilton Beach stainless for 6 years, got a leak finally around the water gauge. Tried JB Weld, but it leaked again. Too bad, the kettle was still working well.

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I have the Cusinart too http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ
I’m on my second one, but it was because my roommate and husband treated mine like crap, but treating it like crap it still lasted 2 years, being used at least 4 times a day. My current one I only use it and it looks brand new, and is 4 or 6 months old.

Do not turn it on / keep warm without the minimum water amount inside! It WILL crack.
Do not slam it back on its base.
Only put water in it (uggg my husband put chicken stock in it).

Mine died because of cracking – I caught multiple times roommates turning mine one without any water and hearing the viewfinder waterlevel crack. It then started leaking, then finally stopped working. But yeah, I still love the kettle, it just needs to be treated with care. I was able to score it around $70 with a coupon at bedbathbeyond.

Ubacat said

I have this one too and it’s been working great for me. My only beef is all the numbers for the temperatures wore off. If I had a good memory that wouldn’t be a problem but half the time I forget the temperatures. I remedied this by using my label machine to stick the temperatures back on .

I buy Cusinarts as well. So far, the only issue I have had is the numbers do rub off. They have taken a lot of abuse and last really long.

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Tealizzy said

I have the Bonavita gooseneck kettle and I LOVE it! You can program it within 1 degree, and it has a button that will hold the temperature, so you can come get your water when you’re ready. It was $80, but so worth it! I think I’ve had it about a year.

looseTman said

Is there a recommended supplier for Bonavita?

Tealizzy said

I think I ordered it from Amazon.

I’ve got the same one and also have had it for about a year. Seems to be holding up fine! Husband got it for me for my birthday last year in June :)

looseTman said

Let’s here it for all the thoughtful Steepster husbands! ;-)

Indeed!

looseTman said

Tealizzy & Stephanie,
It would be helpful if you could share your Bonavita experience here: http://steepster.com/teaware/bonavita/39130-1-liter-variable-temperature-digital-electric-gooseneck-kettle
Thanks!

Good call!

looseTman said

Thanks Stephanie!

looseTman said

I just snagged a very good deal on the Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle at Amazon: http://steepster.com/discuss/365-miscellaneous-sales?post_id=146001#forum_post_146001.

Many thanks to all the following people who have posted very helpful comments or reviews on this variable-temp. kettle: Tealizzy, Stephanie, Sarsonator, Dinosara, Kat_Maria, Cheri, Kevin, Kokabel, Lion Repshire, Chris Van Patten, and Terri HarpLady. I’m so looking forward to easily brewing with the correct temp. water.

YAY! Can’t wait to hear how you like it :)

looseTman said

Today we received our new Bonavita variable-temperature gooseneck kettle. Wow, this is going to make brewing temperature-specific teas so much easier! Very pleased! I won’t know how to behave!

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Dr Jim said

I have the Cuisinart. I absolutely love it functionally but am disappointed with the cheap construction. Within two months, there was rust on the hinge pin of the lid. It is now 5 months old and very rusty, to the point that the spring no longer opens it fully (I have to pull on the lid). Also, the weld on the spout has been showing minor corrosion for a month or two.

I use it 8-10 times a day, which is fairly heavy duty. I received it as a gift and was surprised when I saw the cost. I assumed that cheap construction meant a lower price. None of the problems prevent function so I’m still enjoying it, but I can’t recommend it.

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I’ve used a Hamilton Beach Variable Temp for over a year now and I love it. It’s gone ‘camping’ with me and gone through an all day tea blending/tasting party a few months ago. Lol. I think there’s a minimum water amount that I should be using, but I generally just put in the 12 oz I need for my cup and it works fine. Lol. x.x; Granted I have to adjust the temp down to accommodate the water amount, but it’s still marvelous. And it’s cheap enough ($40) that when this one does break I don’t mind getting another. /knocks on wood that doesn’t happen any time soon/ XD;
Though I think if money were not that big of a deal I’d get the Breville one-touch kettle. I’ve heard pretty great reviews about it and, if something does break, about their return/exchange policy.

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TeaLady441 said

I have the Hamilton Beach Pro 1.7L (http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/hamilton-beach-hamilton-beach-pro-1-7l-kettle-41000-stainless-steel-41000/10261214.aspx?path=537c8ee81299072574239dbe620d6b35en02), and I really like it. I got it for $50 around Christmas, and use it several times per day.

It heats up fairly quickly, has a nice digital display and DOESN’T beep or anything when the water is boiled. For me, that’s a plus. I don’t see how I could expect more from a kettle than what I get from this.

TeaLady441 said

I guess I should add that it has variable temps – you can go up by 10F increments which is close enough for me to do whites/greens/oolongs successfully.

It will also keep the water at that temperature for an hour, which is great when you want to pour a second cup!

When I’m at home I pretty much drink out of my perfect cup exclusively so I don’t think I’d never the Breville – I would rather clean my cup/filter than worry about rinsing the kettle out.

I hope you find one you’re happy with though!

VariaTEA said

I have the same one and really love it. The other thing that I don’t believe Cavo mentioned is it switches between F and C and you can adjust within 5C so if one of the F temperatures isn’t close enough for my liking, I just switch to C and that works for me.

The only thing is this doesn’t hold a boiling temperature, as soon as the water boils, it switches into “keep warm” mode which stays at either 95C or 200F. That isn’t a big deal though since every cup I brewed at those temperatures have been fine (or if I really want boiling, I just wait by the kettle which heats up fairly quickly anyways).

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carol who said

I use the Breville Teamaker and have been nothing but happy! It costs a lot more but I’m a happy girl! Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is just around the corner! LOL

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SarsyPie said

I just received my Bonavita Gooseneck yesterday, but I’m already in love. It’s gorgeous and easy to use. I’m really liking the custom temps.

Can’t. Stop. Brewing. Tea!!!!!!!

looseTman said

Congrats!

looseTman said

Sarsonator,
It would be helpful if you could share your Bonavita experience here: http://steepster.com/teaware/bonavita/39130-1-liter-variable-temperature-digital-electric-gooseneck-kettle
Thanks!

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I have an Aroma, it looks pretty similar to some of the kettles mentioned. Mine has lasted 2+ years of heavy use and going strong. It has served me well. Nothing to complain about.

http://www.amazon.ca/Aroma-AWK-290SBD-Digital-Electric-Stainless/dp/B0044WWB9I/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_40?ie=UTF8&refRID=13SV4GB4NJVW9MZV6W50

I have considered the Aroma, if only for the fact that I can take it back to Walmart if/when it breaks and not deal with shipping. I live in a small town and we don’t have other options unless it’s online.

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