There are literally dozens of models available. Amazon has quite a few
and many have owner ratings. Epinions has a long list:
http://www.epinions.com/Electric_Kettles--~all-9688_brand
I just completed a fairly detailed search. I ended up ordering the
Digital Kettle Pro from Tea Treasures. It's scheduled to arrive
tomorrow. I'll post my impressions after I have a chance to use it
some.
On 8/20, Natarajan posted a nice review, after having just received
one. It was one of the reasons I bought one myself.
In my opinion, your $50 limit makes no sense. The difference between
$50 and $100 is only $10/year if you keep if for just 5 years. If the
$100 model has features that make your life easier, isn't that worth
$10/year to you? No-brainer to me.
My finalists were:
1. Digital Kettle Pro, $90, Tea Treasures.
http://teatreasures.com/page/Tea-Supplies/PROD/Electric-Tea-Kettles/DPROKETTLE
Pros:
* Digital temp control: 104°F - boiling, +/- 3 degrees.
* Temperature hold: holds water at the temperature setting.
* Cordless
* Stainless steel
* 1.5 liter (50 oz, 6 cup) capacity
* Auto shutoff if it runs dry
* Alarm when water reaches temperature
Cons:
* 1,000 W (less than most)
* Expensive
* External water guage. The website says it has an external water
guage, but Nataranjan says it does not.
For me, this was the only real contender. The digital temp setting and
the temp hold are not available in any other product as fas as I know.
The ability to fill it up, set the temperature, and not have to be
right there the instant it's ready was easily worth the extra $30-40.
2. utiliTea, $49, Adagio
It's available from Adagio for $49:
http://www.adagio.com/teaware/utiliTEA_kettle.html?sid=bd4a511efe0c3df17fee40172...
and from Amazon for $50:
http://www.amazon.com/utiliTEA-Silver-Electric-Kettle-30-oz/dp/B000CQY2LA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1...
Pros:
* Variable temp control (~145°F to 212°F)
* Stainless steel
* Price
Cons:
* Temp control is analog, marking approximate
* No temp hold. Shuts off after reaching temp
* Details on Adagio are sketchy (like everything on Adagio)
* Only 30 oz (1 liter, 4 cups)
This was a distant second and the only other real contender for me.
3. AK16, $40, Upton Tea
http://www.uptontea.com/shopcart/item.asp?UTid=418-0-3579167&afterCart=/shopcart/item...
Pros:
* Variable temp
* 1400 watts
* Stainless steel
* Price
Cons:
* Analog temp control
* No temp hold
4. Zojirushi, $115-$160
http://www.zojirushi.com/ourproducts/elepots/electricpots.html
Pros:
* Variable temp control
* Large capacity (some up to 4 liters)
* Keep warm (like a thermos, not temp hold)
Cons:
* Temp control not continuous (3-4 settings)
* Price
* Typical Zogirushi overkill
* Ugly
5. T-Fal BF6520004 Vitesse
http://www.amazon.com/T-Fal-BF6520004-Vitesse-Electric-Kettle/dp/B000EZU678/ref=pd_bbs_2...
Pros:
* Capacity: 7 cups)
* Variable temp control
Cons:
* No markings on temp control
* One reviewer said there are really only 2 settings
* No temp hold
6. Bravetti Digital Kettle, $90
http://shopping.canoe.ca/shop/product--catId_1001625__locale_en__productId_3144271...
http://www.shopping.com/xPP-electric_kettles--bravetti
Pros:
* Digital temp control
* 2 liter capacity
* 1500 watts
* Temp hold
Cons:
* Poor reviews: breaks easily, no run dry protection
* Price
7. Russell Hobbs Millenium
http://www.ciao.co.uk/Russell_Hobbs_Millenium__74194
The review sounded a lot like the Digital Kettle Pro, but I couldn't
find it anywhere for sale.
There are many others with excellent reviews that do not have my
required features.
