Prime Day Deals
Stainless steel kettle: This is what you need to pay attention to when buying
Stainless steel kettles are popular kitchen gadgets
© AleksandarGeorgiev/Getty Images
Stainless steel kettles are popular because they do not release any harmful substances into the heated liquid. However, a kettle is never completely plastic-free. Read here why this isn’t a big deal and what devices are available.
They are available in numerous designs: kettles made of stainless steel, glass, plastic or ceramic. The former is said to be particularly robust and easy to clean. The smooth surface should avoid limescale and dirt deposits and be more durable than models made of glass or plastic. In addition, stainless steel is said to have no influence on the taste of the water and does not emit any pollutants. However, a kettle cannot be made exclusively of stainless steel. But that’s not a bad thing because it can be almost plastic-free. The power cable and base are usually made of plastic, but do not come into contact with the heated water inside the device. The following is a comparison of stainless steel kettles as well as general buying tips for the popular kitchen helper.
Stainless steel kettle: models in comparison
Using a kettle instead of an electric stove or microwave to heat water saves electricity and protects the climate. In addition to benefits for the environment, the devices also offer health benefits because they are low in pollutants. Models like this in particular Stainless steel.
Compact stainless steel kettle
The Model “Stelio” from Wmf is made of stainless steel and has a capacity of 1.2 liters. There is also a larger device that holds 1.7 liters of water. It is an electric kettle with a limescale water filter and an output of 2400 watts. A water level indicator also shows how much water is in the device.
Retro stainless steel kettle
This Ascot stainless steel kettle also runs electrically with 2,200 watts and a capacity of 1.6 liters. The retro design is a beautiful eye-catcher and the wireless kettle sits on a matching stainless steel base.
Large stainless steel kettle
The Philips kettle holds a full 1.7 liters and therefore offers plenty of space. The material is made of stainless steel and the kettle runs at 2,200 watts. There is also LED lighting and a large opening for easy filling. The removable anti-limescale protection filter is intended to guarantee more cleanliness and easy cleaning.
Kettle buying tips
The consumer magazine Öko-Test carried out a kettle test in May 2020 and tested a total of 15 devices – including models made of plastic and glass. You can read the result in an e-paper for a fee. Apart from the results, Öko-Test reveals which criteria they looked at and what is important when buying a kettle.
- The higher the wattage of the device, the faster the water boils.
- The lid should be easy to open and easy to close with the push of a button on the handle.
- A fine-mesh pouring filter filters out annoying limescale particles.
- A stove with a hidden heating element is easier to clean than one with an exposed heating coil.
- The price of a kettle says little about its quality.
- Plastic kettles do not heat up from the outside as quickly as stainless steel models.
- Kettles with temperature selection are particularly suitable for tea drinkers, especially green tea. This is how you bring water specifically to temperatures below 100 degrees.
When purchasing, consumers should also look for a clearly visible water level indicator that makes it easy to dose smaller amounts of water. The “Blue Angel”, an environmental label that has been awarded in Germany since 1978 for particularly environmentally friendly products and services, offers further guidance on the energy efficiency of kettles. The symbol is carried by the Federal Environment Ministry.
The mark guarantees that the products and services meet high standards in terms of environmental, health and usage properties. In order to reflect technical developments, the Federal Environment Agency reviews the criteria every three to four years.
Kettle made of stainless steel, glass or plastic?
Stainless steel kettles are just one option, there are also models made of other materials. Basically, metal or plastic are more resilient than glass. Plastic, on the other hand, has the advantage that the surface of the kettle remains cooler than devices made of metal (such as stainless steel). Kettles made of glass, stainless steel or ceramic do not release any harmful substances into the heated liquid, but this can happen with devices made of plastic. While more expensive kettles do not have to be of higher quality, they undoubtedly offer more additional functions such as selectable temperature levels, automatic timers and keep-warm functions. However, the latter is not recommended in terms of energy efficiency.
Sources: Eco test, Environment Federal Office
You might also be interested in:
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.