Which electric kettle would you get?

[ojinsa]

I'm slow to join the ranks of pour-over drinkers, but I'm here now. As I research which kettle to buy for my set-up, I'm stumped as to which kettle to get. I know I'm going to get a goose-neck electric kettle, but the questions that keep popping up in my head are: is a variable temperature control necessary? And, assuming it isn't necessary, which is simply built better? Based on build quality alone, it seems that the Hario is the better option, am I right about this?

 

[Mick]

I have a Bonavita temp controlled 1 liter (1000 watts) and I like it. Nothing to compare it against as far as another goose neck kettle goes.

I also have a Russell Hobbs 1.7 liter tea kettle (1500 watts).

They both heat up about the same rate even though one has more heating power than the other. I guess the difference in water volume makes them get to boil in about the same amount of time

 

[ojinsa]

Thanks Mick. In your experience is the temp control a necessary feature? Also, it seems you have quite a bit of experience with these sorts of items, how is the build quality of your kettle? I ask because I read a review that was disappointed with the construction of the kettle.

 

[mretzloff]

I would make sure to get one where no plastic touches the water. It should be all stainless steel or stainless steel with a plastic handle, like the one Mick showed.

 

[Mick]

Thanks Mick. In your experience is the temp control a necessary feature? Also, it seems you have quite a bit of experience with these sorts of items, how is the build quality of your kettle? I ask because I read a review that was disappointed with the construction of the kettle.

It is more of a convenience than a necessary feature. I turn it on, select the temp hold function, and walk away. When I get ready to use the kettle it is right at 200° (+/- 2°) which is the temp I like to brew my coffee at. That makes it a nice product to use. No thinking required as it is always ready.

You could just as easily use a normal kettle and be there when it turns off to make your coffee. I would test any new kettle with an accurate thermometer so that you know what temp it turns off at and how long you have to wait until the temp drops to the level you want to use to brew coffee.

The quality of the Bonavita is not even in the same ball park as the Russell Hobbs but I don't think there are many that come close to the tank like build quality of that kettle with its massive twin coil immersion heating element. If it were not so awkward to use as a pour over I would favor it over anything but it is a tea kettle so designed to pour out as fast as possible into a teapot while the water is still boiling. It dribbles down the spout if I try to pour slow into a dripper which is why I got the Bonavita.

The Bonavita is all stainless (except for the handle and the cap finial which are plastic).

I can't say how the Bonavita stacks up against any other kettle as I only have owned two electric kettles over my lifetime. I've had that style of Russell Hobbs kettle since they came out with them and I still have the first one I purchased (as a backup stored in the basement). All in all I believe I have 4 Hobbs kettles (one of which is cordless).

 

[Pattorashu]

The bonavita kettles were very popular when I sold kitchen supplies, and I never saw one come back.

 

[StillShaving]

If you think you might want to brew loose leaf tea at some point in the future, then I would definitely recommend getting a variable temperature kettle. If you know you are only going to do coffee pour-overs the benefit is not as great, since you can wait 30 seconds or so off the boil, once you find an overall brewing technique that you like.

I have an early production Bonavita non-variable temperature kettle that works the same as it did when new. A few water deposits needed to be cleaned out a few months ago, and now it still looks brand new on the inside. I have seen a few photos on the internet where other people have reported some rust deposits around the bottom edge of the interior, to the extent that some people recommend leaving it empty between uses, but my kettle rarely runs dry and it always sits with some residual water on the bottom. I do not believe those rusty kettles are the norm, but I wanted to point out the issue in case you want to research more.

A few months ago I compared the pouring ability of the variable temp Bonavita versus my non-variable temp model. The spout shape was a little different (better) and the variable temp kettle provided a little more control, to pour slower if necessary. I don't know if Bonavita has changed/improved their goose necks in general, but between the two I tried the variable temp model was better at a slow pour.

 

[ltjaw]

I use the same model of Bonavita kettle as Mick and highly recommend it, Oscar. I think the temperature control setting is a very nice feature - just put the water in the kettle, set the temp and hold feature, and when you come back, your water is ready at just the right temp. I also like the built-in timer. Once you remove the kettle from the base, you can press the "+" button to start the timer. I like to keep track of time for all of my brewing methods, whether it be Aeropress, pourover, vacpot, etc. I will also mention that the gooseneck spout on this kettle is perfect for pourover. I am extremely pleased with my Bonavita kettle, and I don't think you can go wrong with the purchase.

 

[JeremySeattle]

Zojirushi.

Bought one from Costco 6 years ago and LOVE IT!

Has multiple pre-set temps for coffee and tea and will reboil for making soups or couscous.

-J

 

[ojinsa]

Good stuff y'all, thanks! Bonavita with variable temp on order.

 

[Alexgcohn]

I have the Bonavita Variable Temp 1L Gooseneck kettle. It works perfectly. My only complaint is that I wish it held more water like the the 1.7L Non-gooseneck version, but it heats up a new batch of water fast enough that it isn't really an issue.

 

[Mick]

I have the Bonavita Variable Temp 1L Gooseneck kettle. It works perfectly. My only complaint is that I wish it held more water like the the 1.7L Non-gooseneck version, but it heats up a new batch of water fast enough that it isn't really an issue.

I've gotten in the habit of putting a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup of water in the microwave and heating it to a boil to rinse my pour over filters and warm the carafe. I found that if I used the kettle, I came close to running out of water before I finished with 4 cups.

 

[barneykiller]

I've used a Saeco Electric Kettle at work for the past year and a half. No problems. Heats to 105, 150 and 212 degrees. Good stuff.

 

[ltjaw]

Mick has a great idea - use hot water from the microwave to rinse your filters. The largest volume I typically use in a pour over is 750-780 ml. The Bonavita handles this nicely, but can cut it close if I use too much water to rinse the filter (only an issue when I'm using Chemex paper filters; I'll often use a Kone metal filter which does not require a rinse). The gooseneck on the kettle is a key feature for me. It really makes the pour over more precise.

 

[ojinsa]

I agree with you Andrew, the gooseneck is key, which in turn really limits the options, especially for electric kettles. I've found that precision isn't all that necessary for using an aeropress, but is necessary for pour over.

 

[Mick]

I try to match my "in" pour so that the volume of water leaving the filter (going into the carafe) is the same as the volume of water I am pouring out of the kettle into the dripper.

I find that keeping the water the same level in the dripper while brewing (i.e. the grounds covered with a consistent amount of water) this makes for the best tasting coffee.

When I "pour and dash" (fill then walk away letting the coffee drain out) the finished coffee does not have the same flavor as it does when I "mind the dripper" and keep a slow steady pour going in which matches the brewed coffee coming out.