Kamjove kettle meltdown!

[subdude1]

After 14 months of daily use, my Kamjove (V80 model) has stopped working. Upon inspection, I found one of the spring loaded contact pins in the base seized up. I'm not sure if it somehow got hot and melted into the plastic base, or if the spring broke...either way it no longer works I guess I gotta boil water the "old fashioned" way...on the stove top.

Although the Kamjove has some minor annoyances, I've grown used to it. I like the way it pours and it's small enough to fit on my tea cart. I'll probably order another one 'cause I haven't been able to find any other electric kettles that I like. They are all either too big with a stubby spout, or they don't have a removable lid (makes cleaning easier).

Ooh...I hear a whistling from the kitchen. Must be time for tea

[IPT]

That is odd. I have 6 Kamjove Tea kettles and have had no problems. My two oldest are 5 years old and they are still working fine.

[MarshalN]

For what it's worth, those guys are pretty reliable and good. I used mine every single day for a year and half without a hitch. Now it's in storage in Hong Kong, waiting for my return...

Can't complain for something that costs only $10

[subdude1]

Thanks for the positive remarks IPT and Marshal. Just the push I needed to order a replacement As a bonus, I'll have spare parts if I ever need them.

[IPT]

For what it's worth, those guys are pretty reliable and good. I used mine every single day for a year and half without a hitch. Now it's in storage in Hong Kong, waiting for my return...

Can't complain for something that costs only $10

That's all they cost in the US? $10.00? Here they cost me around 100rmb.

[Geekgirl]

Several of you guys have kamjove - would you prefer it over something a little more like the Utilitea, or the Smart Kettle by Chef's Choice, both of which are variable temp?

[wyardley]

I guess it depends to some degree on what kind of tea you like to make, but to me, the control of the pour and balance are the most important thing, along with not having any weird plastic-y or metallic flavors.

Variable temperature isn't important to me, and I think really shouldn't be necessary for most people.

[MarshalN]

IPT -- no, that was me in Beijing buying the kamjove. It was about 60 RMB.

[IPT]

60rmb is a pretty good price.

[subdude1]

Several of you guys have kamjove - would you prefer it over something a little more like the Utilitea, or the Smart Kettle by Chef's Choice, both of which are variable temp?

Geekgirl, I've never felt the need for variable temp. Granted, I drink mostly oolongs and puerhs so temp isn't really an issue. If the tea requires slightly cooler water, I just let it sit after the boil for a minute or two. Or for greens, use a cooling vessel.

As wyardley mentioned, the pour and balance are more important to me, along with the smaller footprint. I tried kettles with stubby "spouts" (similar to the Utilitea), but found it difficult to pour into a small yixing pot or small gaiwan (what I use most often).

The negative side of the Kamjove is that it needs to be at least one third full in order to operate due to the safety system being weight activated so a near empty kettle won't boil dry. This usually requires one refill per session, and I just add to the water already in the kettle. I know it's not best for the tea, but by that time I'm into the fourth or fifth steep and don't notice the "flat" water.

Btw, I did order another V80 to replace the one that died.

[Geekgirl]

Thanks for the feedback. V80. Has anyone used the induction style? I'm reasonably convinced to go with a kamjove, especially since I found a vendor in the States that sells them, so no paying $35 for shipping, and also 110v.

Any other models I should be considering? I was looking at the TP-680 or the KJ-10H which is the induction model.

[IPT]

I don't care for the induction models because they beep a lot. They beep everytime you push the button. They beep several times when they've heated up. It sounds like my alarm clock and not something I want when drinking tea.

[TomVerlain]

I have the induction one, the metal kettle itself is a bit thin, but it works fine. Boils very quickly, low power use, has multiple settings, but I use just the full boil. No auto shutoff though. I will probably at some time get an all glass (inside) induction kettle to put on top. I tried a very heavy tetsubin and the induction worked well with it. I looked at a normal induction cook top and found they were pretty expensive and not tea centric.

Overall, the kamjove induction kettle does what I want it to, and does it pretty well.

edited to include the beep can be disabled by desoldering the beeper.

[subdude1]

Ditto what IPT said. You can hear the beeping in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh8m5nO_t5M

The TP-680 was my first choice because it has a long spout (better control) and the handle on the side (no burned hands). But I don't like the closed loop handle as it looks rather small. The V series handle is easy to grip (unless you have very large hands). Also, I prefer the removable lid of the V series as opposed to the flip-up style of the TP series (easier to fit under faucets which may be a consideration if using in the workplace). Both units have a good pour.

[wyardley]

I don't care for the induction models because they beep a lot. They beep everytime you push the button. They beep several times when they've heated up. It sounds like my alarm clock and not something I want when drinking tea.

Yeah. It's possible to de-beep them pretty easily, though. Just open it up and desolder the little piezo element. I did it when I had one (sold it since).