BIFL kettle recommendations

Submitted by Batking28 t3_101qk8y in BuyItForLife

Looking for recommendations for a good long lasting kettle.

Just picked up a Dualit classic toaster on recommendation from here and looks to be build great and to last. Foolishly I assumed Dualit’s classics kettle would be more the same and seeing it next to the toaster in the store advertised as replaceable element I thought “great another BIFL product” and picked it up. Luckily I checked out a few reviews once I got home before I opened it to see what people say about the kettle and can’t find a single positive experience (switches going bad, not boiling all the way and the element is only replaceable if you send in the whole kettle, not diy like the toaster), basically all parts of what should be a simple device to build to a good standard break so back to Costco’s it’s going.

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ConBroMitch t1_j2pvzjf wrote

BIFL = Stovetop kettle

Sorry to be a wet towel, but the electronics will fail at some point.

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brandeis16 t1_j2q1cyz wrote

I’m in the market for a stovetop kettle. Do you recommend any in particular?

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ConBroMitch t1_j2q38bu wrote

Depending on your style (in no particular order) and if you want a whistler or not.

  1. Alessi
  2. Demeyere
  3. Richmond Kettle company (I mean, wow, I you can swing that, this is the BIFL answer it’s a work of art)
  4. Takasaki

I opted for the Demeyere, it was on sale last year at way too good of a price to pass up. It’s 18/8 stainless steel, should last several lifetimes.

There are also a ton of vintage options if that’s your thing. I’m just less familiar with those.

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bad-monkey t1_j2siq2n wrote

Every time I use my Hario V60 Gooseneck, I'm amazed by its elegance and it's durability. 10 years on and still going strong, I could not say the same for the Le Crueset it replaced (enamel failure).

Holds 1.4L, full stainless steel construction, outside of the handles, and the gooseneck provides precision pouring for all your pour-over/chemex coffee needs.

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edhitchon1993 t1_j2p0n3k wrote

Where do you live? Kettles are one of the big things which differ between the 230v 50hz world and the 120v 60hz world.

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Batking28 OP t1_j2s2uib wrote

UK,

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edhitchon1993 t1_j2sgrv6 wrote

In which case we have a Bosch TWK4P439GB (which is currently reduced to £29 at Euronics) which has served us very well so far, Mum's previous Bosch lasted until someone left a pan on the on switch causing it to boil dry and then fuse.

It's well built although not user serviceable, the contact on the base is more robust than the likes of Russell Hobbs which we've had (and had problems with) previously.

If you have an induction hob a stovetop kettle is pretty much your best option, same cost to boil but literally nothing to go wrong with it (except the whistle I suppose).

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javaavril t1_j2p0jm0 wrote

I've had a Breville Icon sitting next to my Dualit toaster for 15 years trouble free. It's used daily. It also has a very satisfying analog bell that dings when it hits boiling, a nice happy sound every morning.

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davew_haverford_edu t1_j2p0qgm wrote

I don't know brands, have been living with various hand-me-down kettles for decades, but ...

With so many cities turning toward "no new fossil gas hookups", and "green methane" and "hydrogen stove" being, at best, a maybe, I'd stick with an electric kettle or something with a flat metal bottom so that it can go on an induction cook top.

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littlestranger1982 t1_j2pnggn wrote

Assuming you’re in the states, I have a cuisinart electric kettle (the perfectemp one) that I love, but have only had it about three years.

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ichwilldoener t1_j2s9504 wrote

While I agree a stove top is your best bet, I also have a simple stainless steel Farberware electric kettle that I bought 10 years ago and have had zero issues with it. It‘s nothing fancy, but it does the job. Little switch is blue while it‘s boiling, then auto turns-off once it‘s done. Keeps water hot for a couple hours after.

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shannon_g t1_j2ttvy7 wrote

I got 5 years out of my dualit kettle so not bifl but i was happy enough given multiple boils every day . This is in US though so the lower voltage makes a noticeable difference in boil time. I like the cleanable stainless scale filter where most brands you pour through plastic

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t3hs4v4g3 t1_j2zx6hu wrote

I got a staub cast iron kettle and I love it. It’s a bit clunky but still.

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Very_Small_Bunny t1_j2p91d1 wrote

Can't speak for sure about the longevity of it yet, but the Secura water kettle has an all stainless steel interior, so you don't have to worry about plastics breaking down over the years. It's real simple, only one on/off switch. If you're in the US and want a plug-into-the-wall type electric kettle, I'd say it's a decent 30 buck choice

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