A question about kettles

[Odinsfury]

A previous thread raised a small concern for me. There was some talk about plastic electric kettles making the water taste like plastic. I have a stainless steel electric kettle, but I can't use it because it trips the breaker and power goes off in half of the house. I've been using the cheap plastic kettle (because it has a lower power requirement) so I can keep the power on. So, my question is does the water taste better from a stainless steel kettle as opposed to a plastic one?

[Rainy-Day]

A previous thread raised a small concern for me. There was some talk about plastic electric kettles making the water taste like plastic. I have a stainless steel electric kettle, but I can't use it because it trips the breaker and power goes off in half of the house. I've been using the cheap plastic kettle (because it has a lower power requirement) so I can keep the power on. So, my question is does the water taste better from a stainless steel kettle as opposed to a plastic one?

For me, either metal or teflon electric kettle do not taste as good as gas range heated water (in either glass or enamel-coated kettle). I have not used a plastic kettle, but it just feels wrong to have plastic next to boiling water. I would recommend using a gas range, at least for chinese greens, yellows and whites. For blacks, oolongs and puerhs, the difference is not as apparent.

[auggy]

Personally, I have not noticed a difference between using my Zo, using my plastic kettle, boiling water in my stainless kettle or heating it in a microwave (though that one MIGHT have been a little flat). My biggest water-taste issue is if the water is spring, filtered or tap. But it is possible that my tastes aren't developed enough to note the difference.

[Odinsfury]

Personally, I have not noticed a difference between using my Zo, using my plastic kettle, boiling water in my stainless kettle or heating it in a microwave (though that one MIGHT have been a little flat). My biggest water-taste issue is if the water is spring, filtered or tap. But it is possible that my tastes aren't developed enough to note the difference.

Yeah, I can definitely tell the difference between spring, filtered, tap, or distilled. I prefer filtered or distilled with added minerals.

[JP]

I'm sure that cheap plastic kettle has a metal lining inside, which means no plastic taste.

[Oni]

Plastic kettles and microwave boiling result in bad tea water, I use an induction kettle:
But if 2000 W energy consumption is too much, and conventional whistling kettle takes forever to boil and needs to be put on as alcool burner during the ceremony to keep it hot enough for gong fu tea.
I think this model http://cgi.ebay.com/Touch-Top-Cover-Ele ... 1|294%3A30 , could help it consumes only 400 W.
The best solution would be a conventional electric single burner and an original japanese tetsubin, but that costs too much, only the hardcore fanatic afford to buy.

[Odinsfury]

Oni, the one that you posted wasn't the right voltage for the United States but I found this one from the seller. I'm thinking about getting it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Touch-Top-Cover-Ele ... .m20.l1116

[Oni]

Those classic Kamjove kettle are used by many, so I hope it will be a good daily companion in your tea drinking, and it is certainly a way better kettle than those plastic ones.

[tea fish]

Odinsfury, if you're interested in a glass kettle like the one that Oni suggested, here's an American version by Capresso:

http://www.abt.com/product/21332/Jura-C ... gn=froogle

I haven't used this one but I use one similar to it, by a company named "Prestige" (lame name, but whatever). Bought it in Canada at Canadian Tire a couple of years ago and it has served me well. Can't find an American company that sells it (tho some UK sellers do).

Happy kettle shopping...

[Chip]

Odinsfury, if you're interested in a glass kettle like the one that Oni suggested, here's an American version by Capresso

I used this one til it died after only 92 days (I know this because the store had a 90 day return policy). It was fun to watch, but not for small amounts of water. It also requires using a pretty high amount of water for minimum, much more than most electric kettles.

[t4texas]

Odinsfury, if you're interested in a glass kettle like the one that Oni suggested, here's an American version by Capresso

I used this one til it died after only 92 days (I know this because the store had a 90 day return policy). It was fun to watch, but not for small amounts of water. It also requires using a pretty high amount of water for minimum, much more than most electric kettles.

I've had a Capresso for almost three years with no problems, and that includes with it being left on dry accidentally overnight a few times. You can heat as little as 16 ounces of water, which has not seemed to me to be a large amount.

Did you contact Capresso? I have found that some manufacturers and retailers will make good on a problem if it's past warrantee but that close.

[Dresden]

I've been using this kettle for a couple years now and it has never let me down.
Bought it from Wal-Mart for $30


GE Cordless Kettle

[Chip]

Did you contact Capresso? I have found that some manufacturers and retailers will make good on a problem if it's past warrantee but that close.

Good to know it has served you well. Fortunately, the store was nice enough to take it back even after the 90 days. I loved how it looked when boiling a full kettle, not so cool with 16 ounces.

I have since acquired a UtiliTea which is serving me well.

[Odinsfury]

The Capresso one looks really cool but if you can't boil small amounts of water then it would be a hassle. The GE one is 1500 watts again... the same problem i run into with almost all electric kettles I see. American's are so fascinated with power... we need more power than a vacuum cleaner to boil water.

[t4texas]

The Capresso one looks really cool but if you can't boil small amounts of water then it would be a hassle. The GE one is 1500 watts again... the same problem i run into with almost all electric kettles I see. American's are so fascinated with power... we need more power than a vacuum cleaner to boil water.

I am certainly open to finding a watter kettle that is better for tea, or more aesthetically appealing, so I am trying to get a better handle on this. How small an amount of water are you wanting a kettle to heat? How little will the other electric kettles heat?

My limited understanding of electric power suggests that a 1500 watt pot simply heats water faster than a 1,000 watt or 700 watt kettle, not necessarily less efficiently. Am I way off base here?