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Which one should you buy?

If you drink different teas or brew coffee by hand, get a kettle with temperature settings. If you only ever need boiling water, a plain glass kettle does the job for far less. Here are my picks:

In England, the kettle is the heart of the kitchen. It's the first thing switched on in the morning and the first thing anyone reaches for when there's news, good or bad. An electric kettle is usually quicker than a pan on the stove, it switches itself off, and it's not just for tea.

Use it to get pasta water going, to pour over vegetables for a quick blanch, to top up a stew or to warm a teapot. Once you've had one, you'll wonder how you managed.

Why water temperature matters

Boiling water is perfect for black tea. It's too hot for green and white teas, which turn bitter and grassy if you scald them. Coffee is happiest just off the boil. That's the whole point of a kettle with temperature settings: you press a button and it stops at the right heat, with no thermometer and no guessing.

The Cuisinart's six buttons match that list. If you only drink builder's tea, you'll only ever press "Boil", and a simpler kettle will save you money.

Cuisinart PerfecTemp at a glance

What to look for in an electric kettle

• Temperature settings, if you drink green or white tea or brew coffee by hand. Skip them if you don't.

• Automatic shut-off. It should switch itself off when it's done, and if it boils dry.

• A clear view of the water. A glass body or a clear, easy-to-read window, so you only boil what you need.

• A lid that opens slowly. A lid that springs open sends a puff of steam straight at your hand.

• A bright power light and a stable, secure base.

• A wide opening makes it much easier to fill and to descale.

The Cuisinart does well on temperatures, shut-off and the water window. Its weak points are the narrow opening, which makes cleaning fiddly, and a little plastic touching the water inside the lid. If either bothers you, a glass kettle is the answer.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You drink green, white or oolong tea and want it at the right heat

• You make French press coffee

• You like the keep-warm setting for a second cup

Skip it if

• You only need boiling water: the OXO or Cosori glass kettles cost much less

• You make pour-over coffee: a gooseneck kettle, like the OXO Brew Adjustable Temperature Pour-Over Kettle (about $115), gives you a slow, steady pour

• You don't want any plastic touching your water

How to get the best from it

Boil only what you need

Fill it to the line you need and no more. It's quicker, and it saves electricity. Always fill at least to the minimum mark.

Fresh water every time

Empty the kettle and refill with fresh cold water rather than reboiling what's left. Tea tastes brighter for it.

Tea

For black tea, use water at a full boil. For green tea, press 175°F, and keep the steeping short.

French press coffee

Use the 200°F setting, or boil and let it stand for about 30 seconds. Then head over to my French press page for the method.

Cooking

Boil a kettle to give your pasta pan a head start, then bring it back to the boil on the stove.

Cleaning and safety

• Water only. Never heat milk, soup or anything else in a kettle.

• Descale regularly if you live in a hard-water area. Follow the method in the maker's manual.

• Never put the base in water, and keep it dry. Lift the kettle off the base to fill it.

• Open the lid with care. Point it away from you, and keep hands clear of the steam.

• Keep the cord and kettle back from the edge of the counter, especially with children around.

The one rule

Water in, nothing else. A kettle is for water, and that's what keeps it working and safe.

Questions people ask

What temperature should water be for green tea?

About 175°F. Boiling water scalds green tea and makes it bitter. That's the Cuisinart's green tea setting.

What temperature is best for French press coffee?

Just off the boil, around 200 to 205°F. Use the 200°F preset, or boil and wait about 30 seconds.

Is an electric kettle faster than boiling water on the stove?

Usually, yes, and it switches itself off, so you can walk away.

Is it a problem that some plastic touches the water?

The plastic parts in the Cuisinart's lid and filter are BPA-free. If you'd rather have no plastic in contact with your water at all, choose a kettle with an all-glass or all-steel interior.

How do I descale an electric kettle?

Follow the method in your kettle's manual. Do it more often if you see white scale building up inside.

Cook with it

Make proper coffee with a French press, and give your pasta water a head start with How to Cook Pasta Perfectly.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.