Looking for variable temp kettle suggestions
Hi everyone,
So, I actually already own and mostly love the Bonavida 1l variable temp kettle, but there are a few issues with it that if remain unresolved, I could still live with and use, but in the event that a more suitable solution exists, I’d be happy. Worst sentence ever, omg.
So here’s what I’m looking for.
1. A beep or other sound when the desired temperature is reached
2. A small kettle. One l is preferred, but I know not every manufacturer makes one this small.
3. As controlled a pour as possible
4. Pre-set temps, with a designated button for each temp choice. This, along with the audible sound when the desired temp is reached are probably the most important features. Currently with the bonavida, I need to press the temp button a certain number of times, and it cycles through the options. As I’m blind, this means I need to count how many times I press a button, and sometimes the number of times I need to press the button varies depending on how many split seconds i wait to press buttons after turning on the kettle, which is a bit crazy-making.
So, any suggestions?
Thanks!
I have both the Cusinart Perfect Temp and the Bonavita. These are the two popular kettle choices.
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ
The Cusinart beeps when up to temp. It has presets – 160/ 175/185/190/200/212. It holds temp and all you have to do is pretty the temperature you want and start. The buttons glow so it’s pretty easy to read. My father is legally blind and can see the lights to know if it’s on and on the right temp.
However, the view finder for water level is really hard to see, even for someone with decent vision. You’ll want to be careful to ensure it doesn’t run dry as the blasted thing will crack on the plastic. It is also bigger, 1.7L.
Side note, if you hit the Temp/Set button on the Bonavita it cycles through some of the temperatures (I think 175/180/205). You still can’t make it beep though.
I’m pretty certain Keychange is “blind” blind, if that makes sense. Documentaries have led me to believe there is no single state of blindness but I recall her previous posts which suggest a (nearly?) complete lack of vision. For those of us with bad eyesight though, that is good to know! I am okay with glasses but my grandmother is legally blind but with enough light can distinguish some things. Very interesting stuff!
Thanks for the suggestion. I have almost no vision at all, (as in I read braille, use screenreading software, and travel with a guide dog), so I won’t really have to worry about the water level window. When you say the Cusinart has presets, does it have a button corresponding with each temperature? Have you successfully been able to boil a cup’s (a drinking cup, about 8-12 oz or so) worth of water? or is that too little water for the kettle to boil?
The best I can describe dad’s vision is super blurry mega astigmatism and worse is his close up vision. He can walk around fine without assistance, though he cannot see detail on faces so he won’t recognize anyone if you pass him in the street and not say anything. He can see lights well though shapes just screw with him. The text has to be hella big to read and uses a bunch of special magnifiers to read anything – with light he can see it well.
I think the big thing is glasses do not correct the vision. In very strange, he was playing pool and was doing terribly until he took his glasses off and someone told him which was the cue ball and which balls he could hit. He actually cleaned the table!
Oh, and about the temp button on the bonavida, the problem is that being blind, I can easily bypass the temp I intend, and without knowing it, am boiling at another temperature, whereas with the kind of kettle I’m looking for, each pre-programmed temperature has its own button, so that when you choose that button, you know for sure that the water will boil accordingly. Love the bonavida otherwise though!
Ah, got it. I’m “blind blind”, as in aside from my own home and other settings I am very very familiar with, I don’t walk around without my guide dog, a sighted guide, or white cane.
It has a button each for the preset temperature, with 6 buttons in three rows of two. The top left is 160f and the bottom row right is 212.
The minimum recommended water level is 0.5L, but I’ve gotten away with around 12oz of water but you’ll want to not leave it keeping warm on boiling for long.
It cracked on my roomates turning it on with no water or just a little water.
I do prefer this kettle over the bonavita. The bonavita requires too much buttons. THe Cusinart you can select the temp, select the “keep warm” then it’ll keep warm, whereas the bonavita you have to press that hold button every time to hold temp and yeah, hate how it doesn’t beep.
I’m being rude by not reading the post to drop this:http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KEK1722ER-1-7-Liter-Electric-Display/dp/B00DBQ0WX0
Makes me happy every single tea session, tea party, and kitchen cleanup.
It’s my best friend.
Nope, this one wouldn’t work for my purposes. I require a different button for each temperature preset. Pleased you could acknowledge it was a bit rude to just suggest a kettle without reading the OP, though :).
It’s too large for your preference as well, anyway. :)
KitchenAid also makes this one, though, which has a sliding pin for the temperature and holds 1.5 liters. I can’t figure out if the sliding pin moves freely, though, or if you’d be able to feel when it hits one of the set temperatures. Probably best if you can find one in a shop and feel it up a bit first. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CT9XQ7Y/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_g79_i3_sh
I have never actually seen a smaller kettle with variable temperature. I have a small 16oz Kettle that I had used at work but it only boils and doesn’t hold temperature.
I also have the cuisinart 1.7 liter pot. I was disappointed that it developed several spots of corrosion within a month or two of receipt (it was a gift) but stabilized, and has given me nearly 2 years of heavy duty service. I use it 10-15 times a day, often more. I would buy another to replace it.
If you run it with too little water, it makes a distinctive alarm and turns off. I’ve done this a few times without damage (knock wood) but have never started it up completely dry.
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