LoveThemCUTigers said

Suggestions for variable temp kettles?

It my Anniversary today and I get to choose a gift for me. Of course, I have to choose something that we can BOTH use, so Im thinking about a kettle that will heat water to certain temps and hold it there for my steeps. I know about the Breville here – http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/breville-variable-temperature-kettle/3245619?skuId=16292451&mcid=CSE_pricegrabber_paid_kitchenelectrics_&zmam=77312802&zmas=1&zmac=7&zmap=16292451 but what are some other ones that are good? 129 is doable, but really don’t want to spend that much if I don’t have to.

Any thoughts?

20 Replies

Grill said

Most of them are that price or less. https://www.cuisinart.com/m/products/tea_kettles/jk-17.html that’s the one I’ve been using for a few months now. The lid started breaking almost immediately and now one side of the hinge is disconnected making it a delicate process to open and close. Customer service wants me to pay for shipping back the old one and for shipping the new one to me. Still haven’t had time to call and yell at them to see if I could avoid that. The pour is decent I think the bonavita kettle win out there. The boil time is really fast. Under 4 minutes with close to 2 liters of water I’m it which might be the fastest of any kettle. Wish it had some more temperate options. Hopefully some more people will chime in with their experiences. Also there are some existing threads on teachat about electric kettles that should have some useful information for you

cookies said

I live my Bonavita gooseneck, but honestly this inexpensive kettle I keep in my studio is just as good. http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI No need to break the bank in my opinion. I do really appreciate the gooseneck for gong-fu though.

Grill said

I was going to buy the gooseneck but had received the Cuisinart as a gift first. Really liked how precise you could pour with the bonavita

Equusfell said

I love my Bonavita to DEATH. And if you watch it for a while it will go on sale.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=rr_xsim_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440800841&sr=0

boychik said

I like to buy electrics in bed bath and beyond . They have a great return policy of accepting if something goes wrong without expiration. I got my breville variable. It’s great. If it will die one day I will return it. I don’t have to go thru breville or cuisinart customer service. I’ve heard that cuisinart cust service is awful

Grill said

They have been a complete joke through email so far. Calling them is the next step. Have no issue pretending to be really pissed off and having a little fun with them. By the time I’m done I might have them sending me a dozen at their cost lol

LoveThemCUTigers said

I just picked this up tonight on Amazon! Ill have it tomorrow! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YE3RNG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

Flyawaybirdie select said

I have this one! I love it!

My cap died the same way Grill’s cusinart one did, eventually it disconnected completely from the body, but Bonavita CS were really great about sending me a brand new one to replace it. Just remember when you bought it because warranty is only 1 year.

Equusfell said

Sweet! Changed my life!

Angrboda said

We are very happy with our red KitchenAid kettle.
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KEK1722ER-1-7-Liter-Electric-Display/dp/B00DBQ0WX0

Before that we had a Bodum, but I don’t think that particular model is made any longer. We were happy with that one as well, but had to replace it because something went wrong with the base (probably some spilled water having got inside it in an unfortunate way) and it would randomly turn the keep warm function on and off. It was driving us bonkers. (Plus, of course, potential fire hazard)

LoveThemCUTigers said

WOOT! Got my kettle and just made my first cup! It is holding temps like a champ! This this is gonna be AWESOME!!!

Cwyn said

Post a photo of your set up on Instagram, would love to see it :)

ZhenTea said

I really don’t think the variable temp kettle is necessary for brewing tea well…

LoveThemCUTigers said

probably not, but I want my teas to be right.

Uniquity said

There’s not much that is “necessary” for good tea, other than good tea and water. I happen to be one of the many that loves variable temp kettles though. Mine goes in 5 degree celsius increments and allows me to have an idea of temp without any thought. Mine was $30, which is comparable to many non-variable kettles. Totally worth it, and most used appliance in my house other than fridge/freezer.

ZhenTea said

I agree with you. If a variable temp kettle helps you brew the cup of tea you like, why not? :)

Rasseru said

which one did you get which goes in 5 degree increments? mine is only 70/80/90/100 which is ok, but id like a bit more control, or i might just get a thermometer. i could use one for making jams i guess. (mines a bosch something-line)

Uniquity said

I’m pretty certain they stopped selling them years ago, but it was a Sunbeam Variable Temp Kettle. I think the lowest is 50 or so (possibly 60) but you then set it in 5 degree increments. I’ve used it regularly for about three years now with no issues, surprisingly.

LuckyMe said

I would LOVE to get a variable temperature kettle but I’m a plasticphobe and can’t find even one that doesn’t have plastic parts coming in contact with hot water or steam condensing on a lid and then dripping plastic-y water.

So until manufacturers produce a plastic-free kettle, I’ll continue old schooling it by boiling water on the stovetop and either using a thermometer to measure it or guesstimating the temp – after years of drinking mostly green tea, I’ve gotten pretty good at the latter. :-)

TeaNTees said

THIS :)

Suggestions for variable temp kettles?

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