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

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Breville one touch. I’ve owned it for 2 years. I use it about 3 times a day, still working great :)

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moraiwe said

I still have an 8 year old utiliTEA kettle from Adagio. And while I prefer to know the exact temperature on the kettle, through experimentation and time, I’ve pretty much mastered that one. I love the spout on it, too, no drips ever.

I also have a Presto Heat & Steep, though I don’t recall ever using it as anything other than the heating part. It’s not the most convenient kettle I’ve ever used because there’s no auto off, just a temperature reading on the outside, but it works well in my upstairs tea station with an outlet that has an off switch and was inexpensive ($25ish).

The Cuisinart PefecTEMP is definitely on my wishlist, though.

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looseTman said

Marzipan,

It looks like this has been a very popular topic! Which of the many variable-temp. kettles looks most appealing to you at this point? Do you have any questions about a particular model?

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I ended up going with the stainless Aroma and bought it from Walmart, so it will be easy to return if there are issues. I read so many reviews on others that it seems that many have issues. Originally I was leaning toward the Cuisinart but the rust and text rubbing off turned me off, plus I used to have a Cuisinart bread maker that turned into a doorstop and their CS wasn’t great.

looseTman said

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I sort of want that Breville One Touch, but tooooo spendy for me right now. I think I am going to order the Bonavita Variable Temp Gooseneck Kettle on payday. My kettle lost it’s whistle so I need a replacement.
I am really surprised at how few choices there are in the U.S. When I lived in Australia, there were TONS of different brands and types of electric kettles. EVERYONE had one.

I know I’m in the minority here, but I really don’t like the gooseneck look.

looseTman said

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I don’t mind it. Mostly just need something with variable temps that will hold a temp for an hour or so.
Is it just the look or have you found them hard to pour?

It’s the look.

looseTman said
teaenvy said

I dont mind the gooseneck look but its a slower pour. Apprearance aside pour speed might be an issue in temperature control.
I bought a cheap oster for home. Its OK, but temp control is limited to 10 degrees. However the kettle does show falling temp so I just wait for the kettle to cool to the exact temerature I want.
Frankly Im not a big fan of the electric kettle. I mostly bought one to get water to sealevel boiling temps instead of the 200° I can achieve at my altitude on the stove.
For that the electric kettle works well.
But in general I can heat enough water for any tea session faster in a stove top kettle. But thats limitung what I hheat to just what I will use.

looseTman said

The Gooseneck provides greater pour control which may be helpful when brewing with a gaiwan or yixing.

For those who want precise temp control, but don’t need greater pour control: http://www.bonavitaworld.com/products/kettle6.asp

“But in general I can heat enough water for any tea session faster in a stove top kettle.”
The Bonavita should be pretty quick as it use a 1500w heating element.

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lolainred said

I have this one:
• Hamilton Beach 40996 Programmable Kettle, 1.7-Liter:
20 1&2-star reviews out of 95 = 21% = 79% satisfied, 30-day warranty.
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/product-reviews/B0083I7THI/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

I’ve had it for about 6 months are I’m pretty happy with it. I don’t notice that it has the problem of overheating the water like some reviewers have suggested on Amazon, but I might not notice it since I am usually waiting for it to hit the right temp. I do wish that it made a noise when it reached the set temperature, because when I’m not right there when it’s heating up. But overall it’s a good electric kettle for what I need it for. Might upgrade down the line, but for now it’s exactly what I need.

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Okay, so I got this one
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/product-reviews/B0083I7THI/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
The Hamilton Beach Programmable. It was the only one they had at Bed, Bath and Beyond and I had a $20 voucher so I got it for $30. Liking it so far. I MOSTLY drink black tea, so I want boiling water for that, but sometimes I like green tea so the variable temp is great. I haven’t tried the programmable on yet.
It heats the water fairly fast and seems to keep it warm, which is nice. I also like that the element is not in the pot itself, so maybe our moderately hard water won’t ruin it right away.

Really? I never thought to check Bed Bath and Beyond. I think you just saved me 10 bucks!

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Ysaurella said

I am using Riviera & Bar variable kettle and I am very satisfied :
http://www.greenweez.eu/riviera-bar-electric-kettle-p24833
I own it since 3 years and I made my choice for this one because it was BPA free and PFOA free.

That is the same kettle I bought but branded differently.
http://www.amazon.com/Aroma-AWK-290SBD-Digital-Electric-Stainless/dp/B0044WWB9I/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1401019472&sr=1-4&keywords=aroma+electric+kettle

Ysaurella said

except on the lid they look very very similar , I do agree.

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Cwyn said

After my Hamilton Beach crapped I looked around and just wasn’t happy with the choices. Every kettle I saw had some part of the construction that won’t last. Ended up buying a vintage 1970s Japanese ceramic kettle on EBay. No plastic, no water meter, nothing to leak or taste bad. It is small, only holds two cups maybe, but enough for two fills of my gaiwan or small teacup, or one fill of my grandpa mug with infuser, one fill of my Yixing pots or lidded mug. The kettle doesn’t have variable temps, but I can tell by lifting the lid.

weegeebee1 said

yep, I agree. I did about 5 days of hardcore research and believe it or not could not find one variable temp kettle that doesn’t have a silicon or plastic piece that is in contact with water (either directly or through vapors).

I can’t believe in this healthy day in age not one manufacturer has jumped on this. Either the lid, water level scale, or little washer around the thermometer comes in contact. I could probably live with the latter since you need something to seal, but don’t understand why they can’t make an all glass or all stainless steel body.

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