Your questions about temperature control kettles answered
What is the best temperature control kettle?
Smeg’s kettle is a great luxury option, however, those who feel £170 is a little excessive should go for Bosch, our best buy overall. It covers the basics well – it’s comfortable to hold, and easy to fill and clean – but the control panel is also a doddle to use. It may not offer the lowest temperatures, but the heating options are more varied and precise, which is more than enough for speciality tea and coffee lovers alike.
If you don’t want to spend £100 or more on a kettle, and just need a few temperature options to test on your favourite hot drinks, Salter’s powerful, easy-to-use kettle, with its extra-long ‘keep warm’ function, is a bargain at under £35.
How I tested temperature control kettles
Over a few days of endless cuppas, I tested each kettle with a range of hot drinks including fresh coffee, green tea and herbal teas. Making a drink shouldn’t be complicated so I assessed each kettle for ease of use, before sampling the results. This is an appliance that will claim a permanent spot on your countertop, so size and looks are important too. Finally, I looked at whether each model justified its price point.
- Features: I noted whether it had a wide range of functions, how precise you could set the temperature, and the length of any ‘keep warm’ function.
- Ease of use: Let’s not overcomplicate this everyday task. I tested how simple was it to use as well as other basics, such how easy it was to view the water fill line, and get inside to clean it.
- Appearance: This is a kitchen appliance that will set up permanent residence on your worktop rather than being stored away after use, so style is a key factor, as is how much space it takes up with its chunky or discreet base.
Why choose a temperature controlled kettle over a standard kettle?
Boiling water can be too hot for some tea leaves, ground coffee beans and other fruit or herbal tea ingredients (such as chamomile). Too hot and the water will over-extract compounds, leading to a bitter flavour, altered aroma or destroyed nutrients (such as beneficial L-theanine). Being able to set the maximum temperature on these kettles means that you can heat to the perfect level, with no guesswork or waiting around for it to cool down from 100oC. Also, avoiding boiling point when you don’t need it means more energy-efficient heating.
How should you use a variable temperature kettle?
The best temperature controlled kettles will be the simplest to use. But I noticed that even if the kettle is great at hitting the right temperature, it’s best to pour as soon as it indicates it’s ready. On some kettles, the residual heat can increase the temperature by several degrees for a minute after switching off. However, the common ‘keep warm’ function, and the live temperature gauges (common on several models), will keep you updated on the exact temperature of the water in your kettle at given time.
Are temperature control kettles energy-efficient?
Energy consumption will depend on features such as a kettle’s power, but in theory these appliances can help you save on energy use by avoiding a full boil to 100oC if you only need a lower temperature. However, these kettles often have a ‘keep warm’ function which automatically switches the kettle back on to maintain your set temperature. If you no longer need the water you must remember to switch off this function to avoid unnecessary reheating.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Over the years, lifestyle writer Kerry Law has tested and scrutinised the marketing claims of all kinds of home appliances, and has previously tested Salter’s slushi maker, the best portable BBQs and the best juicers for IndyBest. She works from home so is often breaking up the working day by heading to the kitchen to make a cuppa.
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