- What to consider before buying your electric kettle?
- Power and consumption in electric kettles
- 7 ideas to use your electric kettle
Electric kettle - for your tea and much more
Some seemingly simple kitchen appliances end up having a significant impact on our everyday lives, saving us time and effort when we go home to relax and enjoy our free time. Along with coffee machines, electric kettles are certainly one of them, since they allow us to heat water much more quickly than the classic method of the pot on the cooker. This great little ally, not only in the kitchen but also at work or in any situation in which hot drinks are consumed, has always been very popular worldwide, thanks to its practicality and ease of use.
To prepare a tea, herbal tea or infusion in just a few minutes, but also to heat the water and cook pasta or a broth, more and more people are relying on the convenience offered by an electric kettle, saving precious minutes. The kettle's operation is simple and based on the transformation of electrical energy into thermal energy. When you switch on the electric kettle, the internal electrical resistance heats the water to boiling temperature. However, there is currently a wide range of offers, varying in material and power output, capacity, and additional features. So how do you choose the right electric kettle for your needs?
You can find a wide range of kettles on sale at Klarstein, from the cheapest to the most sophisticated, including hot water dispensers designed for use in the office and models with a design resembling an electric teapot. They're all made with great care for materials and innovative design, from simple to extravagant, like our vintage retro kettles. Whether they're fixed or removable, our fast boil kettles are not only handy but also add that extra touch of originality and style to your kitchen. Find out what's right for you by browsing our product gallery, and buy conveniently online, taking advantage of our offers!
What to consider before buying your electric kettle?
The first factor to consider is the capacity of the electric kettle. Suppose you are not just looking for a kettle for tea and plan to use it to heat water for pasta or prepare baby food as well. In that case, it's best to choose a larger model, for example with a 1.7-litre capacity: this capacity will allow you to easily get at least seven cups of hot water in just a few minutes. On the other hand, if you don't need large quantities, you could opt for a small kettle with a capacity of up to 800ml, which is roughly equivalent to three cups. The intermediate size is around one litre, which corresponds to four cups.
A second factor worthy of consideration is the kettle’s design, starting with the materials it is made of. You can find glass, stainless steel and plastic kettles on the market. Glass and steel are the most resistant materials, less prone to dulling and scratches, while plastic is lighter and is normally used for lower-end models. For ease of use, check how the electric kettle is placed on its base, i.e. whether it is free-standing, rotate 360 degrees, or whether there is a specific docking position.
High-end electric kettles are generally equipped with a limescale filter, which is very useful as it retains the deposits in the water that you boil, resulting in purer water and protecting the coil, and thus ensuring optimum operation over time. Depending on the model, there is often a cable compartment under the base, which is very handy for keeping out of the base only the part of the cable necessary for connection to the electrical socket. In the cheaper models, the kettle handle does not normally have any special coating, but as you go up the range, you will find handles made of non-slip rubber to guarantee a more secure grip.
The best electric kettle: coil or flat heating element?
An important element affecting the electric kettle operation is the type of heating element. The coil heating element, typically used in a small electric kettle, is visible when the lid is opened and is characterised by its spiral shape. It takes longer to heat the water, but the main drawback is that its shape makes it more susceptible to wear, as it tends to accumulate limescale deposits. On the other hand, a flat heating element does not have this problem, as it is not placed entirely inside the kettle, where only its metal bottom can be seen. It generally allows shorter boiling times and is much easier to clean.
Main features of an electric kettle
Virtually all electric kettle on the market are equipped with an automatic switch-off system triggered when they reach the boiling temperature. Similarly, there is often a water level indicator for precise dosing, and an indicator light shows that the appliance is in operation and should not be touched. Many models also have a spring-loaded lid-opening system, allowing to open the device at the push of a button.
High-end electric kettles also allow adjusting the desired water temperature to less than 100 degrees. Some teas require temperatures around 70 degrees, which makes it easy to achieve the desired result. Alternatively, some of our models, such as those in the Aquavita Chalet series, feature a small integrated thermometer, to monitor the increase in temperature of the water inside in real-time and precisely.
Power and consumption in electric kettles
The electric kettle’s power determines how quickly the device brings the water to the boil for the same amount of water. Just to have an idea, imagine boiling one litre of water:
- a 2400 watt kettle takes about 3 minutes to boil
- a model with 2200 watts takes about 4 minute
- with 1000 watts of power it will take around 6-7 minutes
However, some systems make it easier to optimise the amount of water used, for example by indicating on the scale not only the millilitres but also the number of cups to which this amount corresponds. When choosing the most suitable electric kettle, you should always consider how you mean to use it. Suppose you plan to use it very often to prepare herbal teas and hot drinks and speed up the cooking of the pasta. In that case, we recommend opting for an electric kettle with a capacity of around one and a half litres and made of steel or glass, for extended durability. If you plan to use the kettle sporadically, a cheaper model with a smaller capacity may also be the solution for you.
7 ideas to use your electric kettle
We would like to reveal 7 ideas for making the most of your electric kettle and that will change your everyday life.
- Your elettric kettle as a teapot
With the electric kettle, you can make tea or coffee in the morning, when you have a thousand things to do before leaving home and little time to spare. And in the evening, after running around all day, you can relax on the sofa with a good book and herbal tea. You may not want to wait for the water to boil in the pot, but with a kettle that doubles as an electric herbal tea maker, it's ready in seconds. - Cook pasta quickly
How many times have you given up on a great dish of pasta because you didn't have time? With an electric kettle you can bring more than a litre of water to the boil in 2-3 minutes, drastically reducing the waiting time. Then simply transfer the water to a pot, add salt and throw in the pasta. With this tip, if you are always in a hurry at lunchtime, youcan save many precious minutes. - Reduce preparation time for broth
Another food preparation can benefit from the use of an electric kettle: broth. Simply boil the water, transfer it to the pot and add the ingredients for vegetable or meat stock. If you prefer to use stock cubes, the preparation will be even shorter. If you prefer to use stock cubes, the preparation time will be even shorter. With this little trick, you will soon have stock ready for preparing risottos, soups or minestrone. - Hot water bottle
The hot water bottle is an old but effective remedy for a variety of situations. It can be used for stomach aches and pains, to help warm up on cold winter evenings, to relieve night-time coughing attacks or, as some suggest, to stimulate the liver in its waste-elimination process for a detox action. Often, however, this is not done because of the time it takes to bring the water to the boil. That's where the electric kettle comes in, thanks to which you can prepare your bag in just a couple of minutes. In addition, the spout on the kettle allows you to fill the hot water bag without using a funnel. - Disinfecting microfibre cloths
The kettle can also be used to disinfect microfibre cloths that we use to clean our kitchen worktops, for example. Simply pour boiling water into an old saucepan with a little washing-up liquid and a drop of dish degreaser, place the cloth to be disinfected inside and bring it to the boil over a moderate heat for about ten minutes. After this time, the cloth will be perfectly disinfected and ready for use again. - Do-it-yourself humidifier
Humidifying the house properly is important to safeguard the health of adults and children, as well as to avoid damaging wooden furniture. Apart from humidifiersThere are a number of products available, such as diffusers or trays that can be attached to radiators. If you want to opt for a temporary, do-it-yourself solution, you can boil water, put it in a container and add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil or your favourite fragrance. Your DIY humidifier could also become an elegant centrepiece. - Cleaning your face
Hot water is also very useful for making vapours for deep cleansing of the face. Simply boil water in your electric kettle, pour it into a small pot and lean over it with your head covered by a large towel. If you want, you can add a few drops of essential oil to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. The steam could also help you to clear your nose in case of a cold!