Confirm how the handle is attached. With most stainless steel kettles, their plastic handles are either riveted on or welded on. If you’re able to find a good quality kettle for a great price with a handle that’s riveted on, go for it. The welded ones tend to last, but they’re prone to breaking. It’s safe and comfortable. I don’t love how the handle looks, but it works. It doesn’t matter how hot the water is, it protects your hands very well. Additionally, it’s relatively easy to use.

Regarding stovetop coffee kettles, we love the Cof f ee Gator and the Barista Warrior. The latter is lighter, but the Coffee Gator includes a practical silicon sleeve with some nice design tweaks. Furthermore, you will find dozens of recipes that consider different water temperatures. It isn’t only because hipsters love their kettles. On the contrary, it is easy to explain why. The acidity, sweetness, and bitterness inside coffee beans come in different proportions depending on the water temperature. The base is practical. It’s easy to set and read the desired temperature, and the built-in timer is also sharp. Timothy Johnson is the Head of Education and Training at Vibe Coffee Group. Timothy has worked in the coffee industry for 16 years. Vibe Coffee Group is the parent company of three Washington-based coffee brands: Victrola Coffee Roasters, Whidbey Coffee, and Seattle Coffee Works.

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Even though you’re only boiling water in your kettle, you’ll occasionally want to make sure you’re removing any built-up scale residue. Kettles with a large opening may let you fit your whole hand into the pot for cleaning, while a smaller opening might require a brush. Some stainless steel kettles are also prone to rust if not properly maintained. The warranty and customer service are a plus. Most users feel happy about it. OXO tends to offer an extended warranty and excellent customer service. It’s gorgeous and comes in different colors, with wooden accents and details. It’s great for people who love creating a beautiful setup with matching colors and elegant construction. Most of the kettles with thermometer we reviewed come with a one-year warranty, and some of them also have a 30-day no quibble return policy. Some models, such as the water kettle with thermometer Cuisinart PTK-330W, for example, come with a lifetime warranty that covers the kettle when you use it according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Dimensions

The user experience with temperature control is outstanding. I love this feature because pour-over coffee requires great attention to detail, and I value a pleasant experience. The temperature gauge, the built-in timer, and the dial are sleek. Finally, it beeps when reaching the desired temperature. Many users value this feature. Filter brewing methods are a sweet combination of art and science. They require practice to master both the principles and the techniques. If you want to learn more about the best tips to improve your coffee game, I wrote a piece about it. The dimensions of the kettle are particularly important if you don’t have enough room in your kitchen. Some kettles take up a lot of countertop space, so make sure the model you choose will fit in the place you want to use it. The weight of the appliance is also very important, as a heavy model may be difficult to maneuver for some users. Ease of use The thermometer doesn’t resist too much steam. Many users complain that the plastic on top of the thermometer melts. Arguably, it’s better to avoid boiling temperatures with this or any kettle, as most brewing recipes recommend between 197 °F (92 °C) and 205 °F (96° C). However, we would expect that some steam shouldn’t wear or damage anything in the kettle. Temperature control is crucial to replicating most filter coffee recipes, which might be the main reason you’re interested in getting a pour-over kettle in the first place.Nigel Price is the founder and owner ofDrip Coffee Makersin New York City. Nigel has worked in the coffee industry for more than a decade. Established in 2015, Drip now has multiple locations. If you don’t prefer the bells and whistles of an electric kettle, go with a stovetop kettle. There’s no need to spend extra money on features that you don’t care about.

Most people think about the typical home barista and immediately visualize an espresso machine and a powerful grinder. Yet, drippers are an excellent alternative for coffee lovers.

The verdict: Temperature control kettles

A regular kettle, even an electric one, won’t offer you the control you need to replicate most recipes. The most crucial features to take into account here are: Being aware of the water temperature plays a major role in brewing the perfect cup of coffee. You can try to get a precise temperature with a stovetop kettle and thermometer, but it’s really difficult to catch the right temperature with an analog thermometer.

Water temperature’s impact on flavor is pretty evident if you taste a cold brew and compare it with a hot cup of coffee. Even with more subtle differences, you’ll notice that coffee changes its taste and aroma depending on water temperature. Choosing your brewing temperature is easy since it comes only with five variable presets. It is a valuable feature for convenience-oriented coffee lovers because you only need to press a button to set the desired temperature. Yet, it can be too limited for detail-oriented users – like me. The triple-layer base of the Soulhand Pour Over Coffee Kettle is made from a combination of stainless steel and aluminum, and the manufacturer mentions that the kettle is built in a way that allows it to remain rust-free for at least 10 years. The kettle holds up to 1.2 liters of water, but the instructions indicate that you should only fill it up to 0.8 liters to avoid overflowing and spillages.Weak, thin, and/or sour coffee – Either your grind is coarse (bigger) than it should have been, water is not hot enough, or there is a small amount of it, or you did not wet the surface evenly, resulting in under-extraction. The water simply could not wash all the good stuff ( sugar, oils, acids, notes) out of coffee grinds. Some under-extracted coffee can taste salty, too! Moreover, temperature control is just a part of handling water for coffee brewing. Water quality plays a huge role in coffee extraction two. Do you need a variable temperature kettle? This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He researches a variety of coffee products, from measuring scoops to commercial espresso machines, and interviews field experts for their insight. He's a fan of non-electric coffee makers, typically using the Bodum Brazil French Press at home. The only other significant area of criticism from long-term owners is one that many steel kettles face: rust. But some added TLC, like routine cleaning and towel drying, should stymie rust issues.