We can’t deny how speedy this thing is at getting water from cold tap to boiling hot, and it also boasts a “keep warm” setting which keeps your water hot for up to 30 minutes (about half the length of Fellow’s one-hour warming period). Another perk is that you can remove the kettle for up to two minutes and then return it to the base, all while retaining its “keep warm” setting.
More Electric Kettles We Like
OK, take all the things we like about the Stagg EKG, ditch the gooseneck, and you have the Fellow Corvo. Pour your precisely heated water quickly and have hot water for as long as you need (up to 60 minutes). It’s still on the pricey side when it comes to electric kettles, but of all the electric kettles we’ve ever used and tested, Fellow’s always feel the most sturdy and high-quality.
Balmuda, the brand behind the infamous $300 toaster oven, made an electric kettle that looks a lot like Fellow’s but less heavy and with a smaller water capacity. It’s cute and squat, and it does its job well, but it’s on the more expensive side and doesn’t have the ability to choose a water temperature.
What to Look For in an Electric Kettle
A great electric kettle will allow you to boil water to the exact temperature you want quickly—and keep it there. An electric kettle with an adjustable temperature is also a great option for tea drinkers, since different kinds of teas are meant to be brewed at different temperatures. It’ll also be well-balanced and comfortable to hold. That way, when you’re trying to pour perfect spirals into your small dripper, you won’t accidentally dump a ton of extra water and splash your coffee onto the counter.
Gooseneck kettles are great at regulating the speed at which the water comes out—a necessity for pour-over coffee so you’re not flooding your grounds, while ensuring proper coffee extraction. Still, that unique shape makes it somewhat annoying for other tasks that require boiling water, say, brewing tea or prepping a big pot of pasta, because it takes quite a long time for the water to actually flow out.
Your own preferences may vary, but we prioritized high-tech models that can help you get ultra precise with your pouring, while still holding enough water for a variety of other tasks, too. Through plenty of research and testing, we’ve found a handful of excellent kettles that’ll be automatic upgrades to your coffee game.
What Do I Need an Electric Kettle For?
Electric kettles provide flame-free boiling water and offer set temperature options for various uses and, on some, variability to the degree. There’s a great variety in the market, some with a classic spout for pouring and others—aimed toward the pour-over inclined—boasting a long, slinky spout (known as a gooseneck) for added control of the water’s speed and accuracy in pouring. Electric kettles bring water up to temperature much faster than conventional ones, and they free up stovetop space (though obviously eating into countertop space). Electric kettles are also great for heating up water to specific temperatures, a must for tea and coffee lovers, who can appreciate the finer flavor profiles of their brews.
How Do You Clean an Electric Kettle?
Your kettle will collect mineral buildup (i.e. scale) and bacterial buildup from your water, especially if you’re not filtering it, so it’s important to both flavor and your health that you take care. Many companies will sell you descaling solutions and a cursory google search will tell you that solutions of either vinegar, citric acid, or baking soda will do the trick. We recommend that you use citric acid for descaling, then use a healthy soapy scrub for getting rid of bacterial buildup. Be careful to not get the electrical components of your kettle wet, and boil and empty a full carafe of heated water to ensure it’s been fully rinsed out.
What Is a Gooseneck Kettle?
Some kettles will feature a long, curvy spout, which is called a gooseneck. These are excellent for precision pouring, especially for brewing pour-over coffee. Water comes out much slower so you can evenly saturate your coffee grounds for better extraction—though if you’re not in the pour-over game, you might find these gooseneck kettles take too long to pour water, and we’d recommend a regular spout for everyday use.
