Electric Kettles Buying Guide

There are far more electric kettles  on the market than the plastic "ten dollar special" hot pot that is found in most college dorms. Electric kettles are a convenient way to boil water quickly for tea,  hot cocoa,  instant noodle soups,  or any other recipe calling for boiling water. They boil large quantities of water faster than a stovetop kettle. 

Types

Pouring Kettles  Shaped more or less like a conventional teapot  or water purifier.  May be made of metal or plastic. Keep in mind that if you have a large pot, it will be heavy when filled with water. Therefore, a countertop hot water dispenser might be better if you have problems lifting heavy items.	Hot Water Dispensing Pot  Dispenses water down into your mug or bowl. No lifting involved. Can be bulky. Can also drip, so make sure you have a good place to put it.

Important Features

• Cord vs. Cordless
• The usefulness of a cordless model cannot be overstated. These models have a base station that plugs into an outlet. The kettle sits on the base to heat the water, and when it's ready you simply lift the kettle off the base. No cords to hold out of the way while you pour.
• Automatic Shut-off
• Simply a must, especially for the absent-minded. Avoid boiling off all the water and burning the kettle.
• Water Level Indicator
• It's good to know how much is in there.
• Water Cleaning/Filtering
• A nice feature if you don't already have filtered water.The difference between filtered and unfiltered water is particularly noticeable in tea.
• Easy-to-Clean
• Consider a non-stick surface and materials that are easy to clean like plastic.
• Multiple Temperature Settings
• Some products may require water that is just below boiling. Also, if you don't like to drink your tea scalding hot, you have options for how boiling you want the water to be.
• Capacity
• Do you make tea just for yourself or for all of your friends?
• Safety Lock 
• If the lid has a safety lock this could be very useful when pouring out your tea to make sure you don't burn yourself.
• Swivel Base 
• A useful feature on dispensing models that allows you to pour from any angle.

Recommendations

Vitesse Kettle 1.7 Liter  This kettle has multi-level temperature controls, an exterior water level indicator, and can be rotated on its base for maximum ease of use.	Black and Decker Brushed SS Dome Kettle  This kettle is cordless and has a swivel base that rotates the full way around. It filters particles out of your water and is easy to clean and wash.	Black and Decker Smart Boil Electric Kettle  This cordless kettle unit will automatically shut off when the pot is empty or water has boiled. It's large capacity allows for boiling and making multiple cups of tea at once.	Black and Decker 32 oz Hot Pot  This heavy duty pot has a non-stick coated heating surface that provides for easy clean up. It has a locking lid, automatic shut off, and can boil a cup of water within one minute.

Related Guides

Water Filters	Everyday Glassware	Tea	Coffee	Tea Kettles