Electric kettles have already become one of the symbols of our time. More and more buyers prefer them, rather than ordinary models.
Advantages of electric kettles
Their advantages are visible to the naked eye:
1. They save time. We all know how much it takes to wait until a regular kettle boils. Given the constant rush, this process with a clear conscience can be called long and troublesome. The electric brother does the same task in a matter of minutes.
2. Also, electric kettles guarantee us safety. If suddenly you accidentally forget about the device, it will shut itself off.
3. Another important fact: such models will not allow us to scald with steam. After all, they are equipped with a cover that fits snugly against the walls. And for the release of steam, there are special holes.
As you can see, these are very good reasons for giving preference to electric models. When planning a purchase, we are faced with another problem, experiencing the torment of choice: which electric kettle to choose.
Secrets of good shopping
Of course, it has long been known that avaricious pays twice. However, after giving a certain amount, we want the new thing to suit us and serve for quite some time. How to choose an electric kettle? It is important to determine the main parameters of the future unit. What should I look for when making a purchase?
- Per displacement (in other words, per volume). This characteristic directly depends on the number of people in your family. The most common kettles on sale are from 1.5 to 1.9 liters. There are, of course, more, but do you need such a capacity?
- On power. If you want to know how to choose the right electric kettle, then remember: this indicator can be safely called one of the main ones. It is from him that the speed of boiling water will depend. Most often, there are models on store shelves whose power ranges from 1800 to 2200 watts. But in the case when this device is bought for a summer residence, it is better to choose smaller indicators. We all know how electricity works in our country. Corks are often knocked out, so a lot of power can easily turn from advantage to disadvantage.
About controllers put in a word
Not sure how to choose a good electric kettle? Consider all the little things that are actually little things and are not. For example, a contact group (the so-called controllers). This is one of the most important indicators of a good kettle. If you lift the model from the stand and carefully examine the bottom, there you can notice a kind of pin. It is he who provides the contact between the two parts and is called the controller.
Only 2 companies produce such parts: OTTER and STRIX. This is written next to the controller. When choosing a model to buy, do not be too lazy to look at the bottom of the kettle and find out about the manufacturer of the contact group. If nothing is written there or the name of another company is worth it, it is better to immediately abandon such a dubious acquisition. Such a pin will quickly fail, which means that there will be no contact between the stand and the case.
What will the heating element tell?
Want to know how to choose an electric kettle? Pay attention to the heating element. Each kettle has a heating element. This is the tube with which heating is carried out. In some models, it is presented in the form of a spiral, in others it is inserted into a metal disk. If you want to buy a good kettle, it is better to choose a disc heating element. It has many advantages over spiral:
- Such a heater without protrusions, which means it is easier to clean from scale.
- It has a higher heat transfer, since less foreign particles adhere to it.
- This item is durable.
Are you still puzzled by the question of how to choose an electric kettle? Then look at the case material. Today, various models are on the market. For their manufacture, plastic, stainless steel, ceramics and glass can be used. Which electric kettle is better to choose? Let's talk about this in more detail.
Plastic appliances
A wide range of plastic models are on the market. This is not surprising in our age of plastic. What are such teapots good for?
1. They are durable, because plastic has a long service life. Although you should not lose sight of one nuance: over time, their appearance deteriorates more than models of other materials. For example, from metal.
2. These teapots are durable. They are difficult to break or deform. Of course, provided that this is not a fake.
3. Plastic models have a nice design and fit easily into the interior of any kitchen. Just look at the wealth of colors and shapes on store shelves!
But not a single barrel of honey is complete without a spoonful of tar. There are doubts about the environmental friendliness of such products. And recently, we have been in fashion naturalness. Plastic can enter into various reactions with liquids, when heated, this phenomenon progresses. Of course, good quality models are made of special food-grade plastic, which does not affect the taste of water. And even if you buy a fake made of plastic, you are unlikely to have any diseases. However, this fact is also worth considering when buying a teapot.
Stainless steel products
On the shelves of our stores you can see metal teapots. They look modern, shining with their smooth walls. How to choose an electric kettle made of metal? Check the details of the material of which the housing is made. The most dangerous are aluminum models, because this metal reacts even with cold water, not to mention hot. But stainless steel kitchen workers are in high demand. They have a pretty appearance, are not afraid of bumps. But they have a small unpleasant feature: users note that such devices become very hot.
How to choose a stainless steel electric kettle? When buying, pay attention to some details:
- It is better to choose a model with two walls: the outer one is made of stainless steel, and the inner one is made of plastic. Such electric kettles will delight you for a long time. The water in them cools slowly, and the case practically does not heat up.
- Pay attention to the handle of the device. Choose a model with a gasket that will contribute to a more comfortable use of the kettle and will not allow your hands to burn.
Ceramic appliances
Not so long ago, ceramic teapots appeared on the market. Of course, if we talk about design, they can easily give odds to everyone else. Remember the elegant china sets, and you yourself will understand how attractive such a thing will look in the kitchen. There is another feature of such models - they can be used without a stand, put directly on the table. Sometimes, along with the kettle, cups are sold in tone to it. This is a complete kit. It will cost a little more, but for aesthetes this is the best choice.
How to choose a ceramic kettle?
- Please note that such products are quite fragile. If you have children, it is better to choose models with thicker walls.
- On the other hand, the thicker the body, the longer the water boils in it. Here you choose only which is preferable. Although this has its own plus: tea cools in such dishes much more slowly.
Of course, such models are more expensive than their counterparts from other materials. But, as noted in the reviews, the water boiled in a ceramic teapot is much tastier.
Glass Products
Today, glass models have become available to us. This is not just a tribute to modern fashion, it is also an excellent choice for any housewife. Such kettles have a whole range of advantages.
- The water boiled in such a device will never have extraneous smacks and smells.
- The level of content in glass models is very clearly visible, and this is rightfully considered an additional convenience.
- Glass retains heat well, so the liquid boils quickly, and cools slowly.
How to choose an electric kettle made of glass?
Pay attention to the details of the case. The glass is very hot, so the handle, lid and stand are most often made of another material. Such models are the most practical and safe. However, when making a purchase, do not forget that glass beauties require more thorough care. Indeed, on this material both scum and fingerprints, dust will be clearly visible. Therefore, you need to wash it much more often. And remember the fragility of such products, although they are made of heat-resistant glass. If such a kettle is dropped, it can easily break.
Backlit Models
There is one more attractive aspect in glass devices. Many of them have a backlight. It looks quite elegant and mysterious. One has only to turn on the kettle, and instant metamorphosis is provided for you. This is not just a device for boiling water, but a stylish accessory.
How to choose a backlit electric kettle? It all depends on your preference.
If you want - get a simpler model when the backlight lights up only when the kettle is working.
It is interesting to admire the multi-colored bubbles of boiling liquid in the dark. There are other patterns. They are equipped with double lights. For example, when the product is turned off, the inside glows with the same color, but if you turn it on, the hue changes immediately.
Do not forget about the little things. User reviews
It would seem that all the important details have already been discussed. However, you can still give a lot of useful tips on how to choose an electric kettle. Reviews will help you purchase quality products. Many buyers are advised to pay attention to the following functions:
- Shutdown in the absence of water. As users note, not all models have such a function, but it is the key to your safety.
- Thermostat. Some teapots allow not only boiling water, but also heating it to the desired temperature. Let's say that a temperature of 80-90 degrees is considered necessary for brewing tea, and 60-65 degrees will be sufficient for breeding infant formula.
- Automatic heating. This function is simply necessary for those who constantly need hot water.
- Pay attention and on the stand. It can be of two types: classical (with a contact placed on the side) and with a central round contact. The second is durable and practical. On it, the kettle can stand in any position.
- And of course filter. Any model has a filter that protects against scale in the mug. It is located in the neck. But there are other varieties of electric kettles. They are equipped with a filter that purifies the liquid from harmful impurities. This is especially true if the quality of the water in your taps is poor.
It turns out that choosing a good electric kettle is a real art that requires certain knowledge. Now you are armed with everything you need, and therefore, it's time to go shopping.