Best Deals hamilton beach electric kettle

Okay for Tea Drinker, November 10, 2007

I looked at many electric tea kettles before purchasing this one. My intention was to find a fast way to brew tea without using my gas stove. I also wanted to avoid plastic, and this was attractive because the pot is stainless and the heat element is under the stainless and doesn’t come in direct contact with the water. Alas the water level is plastic, too bad, could easily do without that level if there were level lines inside the pot.

Another reason I selected this was the possibility of making tea IN the pot, alas this is not the case. But the description of the mesh filter is a little misleading. The kettle cannot be used with loose tea. The point of the filter is to prevent any calcium deposits from pouring out with the water, but this isn’t really necessary if you clean the pot as recommended. The filter is a little plastic one that slides into a slot inside where the spout hole is. The filter is removable though, and isn’t needed to heat water.

On the plus side, the water heats fast. The directions say to boil water and throw out the first 2-3 kettles full plus rinse 2-3 more times. I did this and had to throw out the next kettle full because there was a strong unpleasant taste. After 4 boils though, the taste is gone.

When full, the kettle is heavy. If your hands are not strong, a shorter and wider pot rather than this tall one might be easier to lift and pour.

Heat element shuts off quickly, and the pot heats fast. Takes some getting used to, if you are accustomed to waiting awhile for your water to boil, you’ll have to move more quickly because the water is boiled and done and the pot is off in no time.

Looks nice on the counter and the heat element is a round glass stand.

Great, will use and enjoy, but still am looking for the perfect tea kettle, preferably not made in China.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comments (4)

looks good BUT …….., February 4, 2009

By 

P. Pearce – See all my reviews

  

Looks good BUT the lid is very difficult to get on and off, there is no light to indicate the kettle is on, and it is difficult to tell when the automatic switch has switched the kettle off. If it had a light then the light could switch off, or it could make a loud ‘click’ sound as the switch turned off.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment

A great kettle for a good price, August 22, 2008

By 

R. M. Straight “Sporadic reviewer” (Ohio in body, Taiwan in heart) – See all my reviews

  

I purchased this to put on my desk at work so I didn’t have to keep heating up water in a communal microwave in order to make tea. It’s a tad slow to boil and the cord is a little short, but aside from that it’s very nice. The flavor of the water is great (even cold), and, unless you have a hard time carrying a gallon of milk, it’s not too heavy even when full. It does get very hot, being metal and not insulated, but if you keep it out of the way, it’s not a problem. Remember that the spout allow copious amounts of steam into the air, so you don’t want to point it at anything that can be easily damaged by that.

Overall, great for adults, but should be kept out of children’s reach. A good buy.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

Was this review helpful to you? 

>Report abuse
| Permalink

 Comment