I have been asked to do a kettle review for a while and so I got a little geeky on this one to tease out the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
First of all a big thank you to all of the manufacturers who sent a kettle for review. We actually spoke with about 10 different kettle manufacturers and were led around the garden path of people that we had to speak to but these guys came up trumps. So thanks to Russell Hobbs, Sage and Smarter.
A kettle is the workhorse of the Gong Fu setup and if it functions properly then nobody notices but if it is bad then we all complain! A good kettle can elevate your sessions to a smooth and more enjoyable brewing experience.
Here are the fundamentals:
1. Looks, build quality and ergonomics
Get a kettle that looks and feels good for your setup. I would avoid plastic kettles because of controversy surrounding the dangers of heating water in plastics. The feel and weight is important and make sure that you test out the accuracy and smoothness of the pouring.
2. Temperature control
Ideally you want a kettle that you can set a temperature and be confident it is accurate. Second option is that it at least shows a live temperature so that you can adjust by heating or adding cold water.
3. Capacity
Refilling the kettle means less time brewing and enjoying.
4. Noise
Something I did not mention in this review (because all kettles had relatively low noise). A loud kettle with lots of beeping can disrupt your Gong Fu session.
5. Extras
Do you want a kettle that holds the water at your desired temperature? What about a ketlle you can control remotely? Some kettles come with bells and whistles that may interest you.
If you would like to find out more about these kettles:
