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Advice on electric kettles needed

(45 Posts)
ExDancer Tue 28-Jan-25 17:28:39

My electric kettle is on its way out - the knob keeps switching off before it's boiled and you have to stand there and hold it down.
We've had it a long time, at least 10 years and cost about £15 at the time. I believe they now start at about £20, up to the hundreds but I'm wondering whether to go for cheap and cheerful or pay more for a decent one.
We bought this because it was supposed to be quick and quiet, but over time it's lost its quietness and become very noisy, so I need advice please, on quiet kettles between, say, £20 to £40.
Any recommendations?

NotAGran55 Wed 29-Jan-25 21:54:44

Which? Magazine tested 168 Kettles in August 24, and this Kettle came top.

On offer too at Kenwood.

www.kenwoodworld.com/en-gb/dawn-kettle-zjp09-midnight-black/p/ZJP09.000BK?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=634144&awc=25783_1738187529_b5167bdb2dc19672956c4b7b25aea5e8&utm_source=aw&utm_medium=affiliation_uk&utm_campaign=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.which.co.uk%2F

fancythat Wed 29-Jan-25 21:36:39

I have the opposite problem to you, op!
Ours boils and boils and doesnt stop.

Off to a local supermarket to buy a basic new kettle as a replacement.
I dont even think about it any more.

This one lasted a bit longer than the normal 2 years.

PaperMonster2 Wed 29-Jan-25 21:33:42

Worked at two houses with Dualit kettles and I wouldn’t buy one. Too heavy and seem to take an age to boil.

NonGrannyMoll Wed 29-Jan-25 15:47:51

I've found that kettles are much of a muchness, so paying top dollar isn't really worth it. The water in our area is very hard and leaves bad deposits, so we've got through 4 or 5 kettles since we've been here. I always buy cheap & cheerful ones for that reason.

keepingquiet Wed 29-Jan-25 15:39:24

Allira

You can buy descaler or, I think use white vinegar, diluted 50% with water, boil kettle, discard then boil water a couple of times, discard.

Mmm... doesn't vinegar corrode? I was always told to avoid it in cleaning products due to it's acidity.

I may check out the de-scaler though... when the fist signs of limescale appear.

LovesBach Wed 29-Jan-25 14:42:40

Granmarderby10

*LovesBach*. Toasters are often cited as one of the most user repairable items.

I’m always being informed by email about repair workshops that are setting up in my area so perhaps try searching out one of them, they show how to mend other stuff as well.

I think these initiatives could catch on if they’re well enough attended.
Dualit is a top brand, I would expect better.

Thanks for that - I'll have a look around locally. So much better to have items repaired, but when the cost is over half that of a new Dualit, and a lot more than a new kettle from elsewhere, sadly it is inevitable that people will buy new. However - inspired by your comments I will try.

ExDancer Wed 29-Jan-25 14:38:57

Wow!
That's given me a lot to ponder on. Although we live in an area of very soft water I have descaled it, but not often, its clean as a whistle inside.
Anyway, you've all been very kind. I think a trip round Amazon-Land should be my next move.

Allira Wed 29-Jan-25 12:15:18

You can buy descaler or, I think use white vinegar, diluted 50% with water, boil kettle, discard then boil water a couple of times, discard.

keepingquiet Wed 29-Jan-25 12:12:32

How do you descale it? Might give it a try rather than throwing yet another one to landfill...

Auntieflo Wed 29-Jan-25 11:10:23

Yes, a build up of limescale does make the boiling kettle sound much noisier, and sort of crackly.
When this happens, that's when I descale the kettle.

shysal Wed 29-Jan-25 10:32:15

My Asda cheapest (about £10) has just died after about 5 years It was not a 'fast boil' nor noisy. I have replaced it with the fast boil, next up in the range (£15). However, it is noisier, no quicker and quite a bit heavier. I wish I had stuck with the same again.

NotSpaghetti Wed 29-Jan-25 09:49:51

Yes, I think Quooker is the only one that is actually boiling.

I'd forgotten the name - my daughter discussed this with me when she bought hers. I thought all "boiling water taps" would give you boiling water!

dragonfly46 Wed 29-Jan-25 08:02:40

NotSpaghetti

dragonfly46

We haven’t got a kettle. I get my boiling water instantly from the tap and I love it.

My daughter has a "boiling" tap but if you want it to actually boil there's apparently only one that does it.
Not sure which is is but obviously a boiling tap would be an option.

Ours is a Quooker and makes exceptionally good tea. It is in fact boiling water that comes out.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 29-Jan-25 06:11:22

Russel Hobbs Luna.

Arrived yesterday to replace the one we bought last year that sprang a leak around the base. Still under guarantee, told Amazon and they refunded the cost as soon as Royal Mail collected the leaky one.
Very quiet and fast, it has a ‘window’ at the side to let you see how much water you have.
We live in a very hard area, so despite the cost Kettles don’t last too many years here, 5 or so.
We chose this one (dark grey) because it’s fast, relatively quiet and easy to fill. £47.
Our Russel Hobbs old fashioned style that we had as a wedding present 54 years ago lasted almost 20 yrs. the new ones don’t seem to last that long .

Whiff Wed 29-Jan-25 05:51:31

It's not just the price you need to look at but some kettles on the market are heavy. I always had stainless steel kettles until my last one gave up the ghost after 15 years. Thought I would buy a new stainless steel one . Couldn't lift them up . I know I have lost strength in my arms but really. So brought a Bosch plastic one it was under £20 and boils quickly and only noisy when it's nearly boiled. But I like the noise as it reminds me I put it on. I am not getting senile just I do other jobs while waiting for it. 🤦

NotSpaghetti Wed 29-Jan-25 00:10:37

dragonfly46

We haven’t got a kettle. I get my boiling water instantly from the tap and I love it.

My daughter has a "boiling" tap but if you want it to actually boil there's apparently only one that does it.
Not sure which is is but obviously a boiling tap would be an option.

welbeck Tue 28-Jan-25 23:57:12

Ive just st googled it and there are several.
Sorry can't do links on here. Some are ridiculous prices. Don't waste your money.
There are also cheaper ones.
Bet they're just as good.

lemsip Tue 28-Jan-25 23:53:32

travelsafar

I would like a bright orange electric kettle. Anyone know of one please?

google orange kettles, lots of them come up, just done it

travelsafar Tue 28-Jan-25 23:43:30

I would like a bright orange electric kettle. Anyone know of one please?

welbeck Tue 28-Jan-25 22:59:50

I stick to Lidl and Aldi.
Their products are always good for quality and cheaper than many others.
I've never even noticed the noise a kettle makes. Perhaps I've been lucky but it's never bothered me.

keepingquiet Tue 28-Jan-25 22:41:52

I live in a very hard water area so buy cheap ones which last about 18 months as I use my kettle a lot.

Latest is a Tesco basic model I paid £15. It is noisy but it boils quick. I do filter the water now though before filling the kettle, so it may last longer?

Allira Tue 28-Jan-25 22:40:38

Ours is a Breville, it was about £60 a few years ago, it's quiet and boils quickly.

I hope it lasts but I would buy another if it doesn't.

Granmarderby10 Tue 28-Jan-25 22:37:16

LovesBach. Toasters are often cited as one of the most user repairable items.

I’m always being informed by email about repair workshops that are setting up in my area so perhaps try searching out one of them, they show how to mend other stuff as well.

I think these initiatives could catch on if they’re well enough attended.
Dualit is a top brand, I would expect better.

dragonfly46 Tue 28-Jan-25 22:32:18

We haven’t got a kettle. I get my boiling water instantly from the tap and I love it.

Granmarderby10 Tue 28-Jan-25 22:25:12

About twenty years ago when I worked at the hospital, we needed a new kettle for the ward kitchen so someone went out and bought an *Opera Kettle*……yes it “sang”, -a high pitched hideous noise on reaching boiling point.
What an excellent idea that was (*not*)so everyone else knew when someone was making a cuppa.🫨