Buying Guide
How to Buy an Electric Kettle
This quick guide helps you pick the right electric kettle for everyday hot water, tea and pour-over coffee. It covers what matters most, the main types, the specs to check, where to buy and smart shopping tips.
What to consider before you buy
Think about how you will use the kettle and what matters most to you.
- Capacity: Do you need a compact 0.8 L for single cups or a 1.5 to 1.7 L for family use and refills?
- Speed: Higher wattage (about 1200 to 1500 W) boils faster and is better for larger volumes.
- Purpose: Basic boiling, precise temperature for tea and coffee, or pour-over precision?
- Counter space and storage: Footprint, cordless base and lid opening style affect everyday convenience.
- Materials and taste: Stainless steel or glass inner surfaces reduce plastic contact with water.
Types available
- Basic rapid-boil kettle - simple on/off, fast and affordable.
- Temperature-control kettle - presets or custom temperatures for different teas and coffee.
- Gooseneck kettle - narrow spout for precise pouring and pour-over coffee brewing.
- Glass kettles - let you see the water and brewing, often with removable infusers for loose leaf tea.
- Double-wall stainless kettles - better heat retention and a cooler exterior surface.
Key features and specifications to check
Use this short checklist when comparing models.
- Capacity and wattage: Match 0.8 L for single-serve or 1.5-1.7 L for shared use; 1200-1500 W gives the quickest boil.
- Temperature control: Look for presets (5 to 9 common options) or precise adjustment if you brew specialty teas or pour-over coffee.
- Precision and hold: Tight temperature accuracy (some claim ±1°F) and a keep-warm function (from 10 minutes up to 120 minutes) are useful features.
- Safety: Auto shut-off, boil-dry protection and cool-touch handles reduce risk of burns or damage.
- Materials and contact points: Prefer food-grade 304 stainless steel or borosilicate glass for any surface the water touches; check for plastic-free spout or stainless inner lids if taste is important.
- Cleaning and maintenance: Wide-mouth design and removable infusers make descaling and cleaning easier; concealed heating elements are easier to keep scale-free.
- Pouring control: A precision spout or gooseneck is essential for steady pour-over brewing.
- Interface and indicators: LED or LCD indicators, audible tones and a cordless base add convenience; check if beeps can be muted.
- Power and compatibility: Ensure the kettle is designed for Canadian mains (120 V) and has appropriate plug type.
- Price and value: Expect solid options in a range roughly around $40 to $90 CAD depending on features.
Where to buy, common mistakes and expert tips
Online shopping gives selection and user reviews; retail stores let you inspect build quality and try the weight and finish.
- Check return policy and warranty before buying online.
- Avoid models that let boiling water contact lots of plastic if you care about flavour.
- Do not buy solely on looks; confirm capacity, wattage and safety features first.
- Common mistake: choosing a too-large kettle for single-cup use. Smaller kettles save energy and boil faster.
- Common mistake: ignoring cleaning access. Narrow mouths and fixed filters make descaling harder.
- Expert tips: Choose a gooseneck for pour-over coffee and precision pouring. Choose temperature control if you drink multiple tea varieties. Pick double-wall stainless if you want heat retention and a cool-to-touch exterior.
- Quick checklist to act now: decide capacity, confirm wattage 1200-1500 W, choose material (stainless or glass), verify auto shut-off and boil-dry protection, read recent user reviews about durability.
Final Thoughts
Match capacity and wattage to your household, prioritise safety and the water-contact materials, and pick temperature control or a gooseneck if you brew specialty drinks. Shop where you can check warranty and returns, and use the quick checklist above to narrow choices fast.
