Question for Utilitea Owners

[Chip]

I removed the filter of my Utilitea on purpose. Maybe I'm OCD (common in the Green Tea forum) but I place a thermometer in the spout to measure the temperature more precisely than the dial permits.

Also, I always use filtered water to prevent scale buildup.

Does the filter just pop out?

Also, I use tap water and I haven't gotten any scale buildup, and I've been using the kettle for a year. Now that I think about it, it would be a good idea to clean the kettle again... it's been a while...

Wow, that is amazing. 1-2 weeks w/o a water purifyer and I have to descale. With the GraviTea I never have to descale.

A purifyer like the GraviTea also removes chlorine!

[Geekgirl]

what filter?

[JRS22]

It's a mesh filter in the spout. Mine just popped right out w/o breaking - I saved it as I've always assumed I could put it back if necessary.

As for the scaling issue - maybe it depends on your water. Since I always filter my drinking water anyway I've never tested the impact of using unfiltered water in the Utilitea.

[Poohblah]

As for the scaling issue - maybe it depends on your water. Since I always filter my drinking water anyway I've never tested the impact of using unfiltered water in the Utilitea.

I would imagine so. I'm at a pretty high altitude close to the water source; water here is pretty clean.

[thibaulthalpern]

I'm curious as to why Utiliea is so popular when it seems to be there are better alternatives like the Zojirushi electric boiler dispeners. Other companies like Tiger, Supentown, etc. also make similar eletric boiler dispensers.

See for example this Zojirushi model:
http://zojirushi.com/ourproducts/elepots/cv_dyc40.html
This one can boil water, then keep it heated at 208, 195, 175.

There are also many other models such as this one:
http://zojirushi.com/ourproducts/elepots/cd_wbc.html
which can also keep water heated at 140 in addition to the three other temperatures.

You can buy these types of pots at Asian supermarkets or even from Amazon.com. Why go Utilitea?

[Poohblah]

I'm curious as to why Utiliea is so popular when it seems to be there are better alternatives like the Zojirushi electric boiler dispeners. Other companies like Tiger, Supentown, etc. also make similar eletric boiler dispensers.

See for example this Zojirushi model:
http://zojirushi.com/ourproducts/elepots/cv_dyc40.html
This one can boil water, then keep it heated at 208, 195, 175.

There are also many other models such as this one:
http://zojirushi.com/ourproducts/elepots/cd_wbc.html
which can also keep water heated at 140 in addition to the three other temperatures.

You can buy these types of pots at Asian supermarkets or even from Amazon.com. Why go Utilitea?

Not only are they $100+ greater than the $50 Utilitea, but they also do things that I have no use for at all, so there is little point in buying them.

Furthermore, they are limited in that you cannot pour as one would traditionally, you can only "dispense."

[Chip]

I want something that will just boil water, I don't even use the variable temp setting, boil each time.

[thibaulthalpern]

Not only are they $100+ greater than the $50 Utilitea, but they also do things that I have no use for at all, so there is little point in buying them.

Furthermore, they are limited in that you cannot pour as one would traditionally, you can only "dispense."

Is that that much more expensive? Not really. Depends on what model you buy.

This one:
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-CD-WBC3 ... 824&sr=8-2
is only $100 from Amazon.

Here's one for $72, and keeps 4 different temperature level (from Panasonic)
http://www.veryasia.com/pancelthpot3.html

And here's a smaller capacity one for $65 which also keeps variable temperature
http://www.veryasia.com/pancelthpot2.html

I find the features useful in that it can keep temperature at at least three different temperature levels which is useful for different kinds of tea. If one just wants a boiler, I think one can get one for much cheaper than $50

I also don't see what the great difference is between "pour" and "dispense". It dispenses quite quickly.

[thibaulthalpern]

I want something that will just boil water, I don't even use the variable temp setting, boil each time.

In that case, then a regular kettle for $20 will suffice. No need for the Japanese water boilers or for the Utilitea. Too fancy for just that

[Poohblah]

I also don't see what the great difference is between "pour" and "dispense". It dispenses quite quickly.

There are several. When you pour, you have:
1. control of pouring height (the dispense mechanism limits the height)
2. control of pouring rate
3. ability to pour into vessels of any shape or size (the dispense mechanism cannot accept vessels which interfere with the water tank when the water is poured)
4. ability to move the pouring device rather than the vessel

But obviously this is all a moot point since you find your kettle to be adequate as I do mine.

[Geekgirl]

Why UtiliTea? Hmmm... low entry level ~$50, looks nice. Mostly stainless. Don't need a stovetop + no cord. Boils quickly. Easy to clean. Good choice for my office, where I only make tea 3-4 days/week. I use a zoji at home every day, so that's a better choice for home.

I also looked at a Capresso variable temp cordless kettle, but it was $20 more + shipping, and I had a gift cert for Adagio, and didn't really need more tea at the time.

[clanier]

I purchased a UtiliTEA Oct. 12, 2010 and I love, love, love it. However, it began leaking water at the base of the window. It looks like the seal came off at the bottom from heat. So be cautious about this problem. I am curious if anyone else has had this happen since I just purchased two more of these for gifts a week ago before this happened to mine. I only had it for 2 months which is not acceptable.

[JRS22]

I purchased a UtiliTEA Oct. 12, 2010 and I love, love, love it. However, it began leaking water at the base of the window. It looks like the seal came off at the bottom from heat. So be cautious about this problem. I am curious if anyone else has had this happen since I just purchased two more of these for gifts a week ago before this happened to mine. I only had it for 2 months which is not acceptable.

Mine is 3 years old and it doesn't leak. Have you contacted Adagio?