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“Come for tea” is the most common way for a friendly hostess to invite someone to her home. The kettle has been around for a long time and is always improving. At the end of the 1800s, the first electric kettles were made. This device has gained a lot of new “skills” and features since then. We sometimes find it hard to choose because there are so many different models, but having options lets us pick the one that’s best for you.
Material
Today, the market presents electric kettles made of plastic, metal, glass, and ceramics. Most often, the choice falls on one or another material solely for design reasons. The eye of any housewife rejoices when the walls, curtains, and kitchen furniture match in style, even with such a small appliance as an electric kettle. But the material also affects many other factors. Let’s consider each option in more detail.
Plastic
The best thing about it is how cheap it is. But plastic is not the same as plastic. Read carefully to find out what material is used to make this. Some kettles are made of polypropylene, which is marked with a “PP,” When heated, they can give off chemicals that are bad for you. Choose polycarbonate instead, which is a different kind of plastic. It is strong and light at the same time, and it doesn’t smell sharp or bad. Pay attention to the compliance sign, a circle with a sharp shamrock in the middle when you buy something. This mark shows that the product was made legally and meets the standards of Ukraine.
Glass
Glass is much better for the environment than plastic. It doesn’t rust like metal and doesn’t give off bad smells even when it’s hot. Most glass teapots are made of plastic or metal, which makes them less likely to break. The teapot looks very beautiful and expensive because it has clear glass and lights inside.
Ceramics
Such teapots do not rust, come in different patterns and designs, are easy to wash, and some models come with cups with the same pattern. But ceramics are just as fragile as glass and much more expensive. However, ceramic teapots retain a high water temperature for a long time after boiling.
Stainless steel
The price of this material is higher than that of plastic, but it will last much longer. Most teapots are made of stainless steel, but teapots can be made of any metal. If the metal device falls, it will be less damaged, and the surface won’t get scratched or cracked. The weight is big, which isn’t always convenient, and the surface is very good at transferring heat. The metal gets hot on the outside and inside, so it’s easy to get burned by the kettle. If you have kids, choosing a model with metal inside and plastic on the outside is best.
Power and volume
The higher the power, the faster the kettle heats the water. Each volume has its optimal power indicator. For traveling, a device with a volume of 0.5-0.7 liters is enough for you – such a kettle will have a power of 1000 W. A kettle with a volume of 1.2-1.5 liters, and a power of 2000 W is suitable for a small office and a family of two or three people. Anything larger than 2 liters must have a power of at least 2200 watts. But you should be careful when choosing such a powerful kettle if you have old wiring in your house or possible voltage drops.
Heating element
It is the most important part of the electric kettle, on which the device’s service life depends. There are two types of elements: open and closed. The first is a spiral on the bottom or wall of the kettle that comes into contact with the water. It is very important that the water always completely covers this element to avoid burning; for this, you will need at least half a liter of water. Such models of kettles are a cheaper option. The disadvantage of this heating element is the slow water heating due to the small contact area with the liquid. The closed element is a metal disc that completely covers the bottom of the kettle. In this way, the water heats up faster, and it is easier to wash the scale from the inside of such a kettle. You can boil even a small amount of water in it, for example, for one serving of tea. Among the shortcomings, it is possible to note a noticeable noise during operation and a higher price.
Additional functions
We have considered the main parameters you should pay attention to when buying. But several additional functions can be very useful and important when choosing a particular model.
Long boiling
- This function removes chlorine from the water, allowing it to boil for 4-5 minutes instead of turning off the kettle immediately after boiling.
Timer
- Convenient in that it will allow you to heat water to a certain time.
Thermostat
- It allows you to heat water to the desired temperature and not just boil it. It is convenient for preparing baby food, coffee, or fast food.
Temperature maintenance
- Energy-saving function – maintains the optimal temperature after boiling for a long time, eliminating the need to turn the kettle on again and again.
Sound signal
- Remember how often you found yourself in a situation where you turned on the kettle, went into the room to watch TV or talk on the phone, forgot about the kettle, then turned it on again, and everything happened again. The signal will prevent you from repeating a similar mistake.
Protection against work “for nothing.”
- The kettle will not turn on or stop working without water.
