Comparison Panasonic NC-EG3000 3 L white vs Bosch THD 2023 black

— Electric kettle.Electric kettles are traditional water heating containers that come with built-in heaters. Unlike thermopots (which are designed to maintain the temperature of the liquid), electric kettles are primarily intended for boiling water and do not have advanced temperature control features.

— Thermopot. Thermopots are hybrid devices that incorporate features of both electric kettles and thermoses. They have thick walls, often double-layered, and a tighter lid, which provides improved thermal insulation compared to traditional electric kettles. Additionally, they typically have a built-in pump for dispensing water. The primary advantage of a thermopot is its ability to both heat water and maintain its temperature for an extended period, thanks to the enhanced insulation. This makes them ideal for situations where a constant supply of hot water is needed. However, they are slower to heat water compared to regular electric kettles, so it's essential to plan ahead.

— Hot water dispenser. A kind of kettles, outwardly similar to thermo pots, but according to the principle of operation, it resembles the “hot water” function in coffee machines. The dispenser is designed to store water and does not have a built-in heater. Instead, the heating process occurs when water is dispensed, resulting in hot water being availabl...e within seconds. This process is energy-efficient since only the volume of water dispensed is heated. Dispensers usually offer a range of temperature controls, and some models allow for a predetermined amount of hot water to be dispensed. However, the main drawback of these devices is their relatively high cost.

— Brewing.These are kettles that are specifically designed for brewing tea and other beverages. They feature a strainer or a similar device for steeping tea leaves or herbs. Many of these models come equipped with a thermostat, which makes it easy to select the ideal brewing temperature for different types of tea. Glass is the preferred material for the body of such kettles, often in combination with metal, as it allows for monitoring the brewing process, controlling the colour and transparency of the contents, while not affecting the taste or aroma of the beverage. These kettles can also be used to heat water for other purposes, by simply removing the strainer or leaving it empty.

— Brewing kit. A hot drink preparation kit that includes two separate vessels, a kettle and a teapot. The kettle is used to heat water, while the teapot may not have a built-in heater and can be a traditional vessel. This option may be more suitable for certain types of tea that require immediate infusion with hot water. However, two-piece sets tend to be heavier, larger, and more costly than multipurpose kettles with brewing capabilities, which makes them less popular nowadays.
It's worth mentioning that samovars in the form of electric kettles are also considered brewing kits, but they have unique features that distinguish them from other types and warrant their classification as a separate category (see below).

— For brewing coffee. Kettles with an elegant "swan neck" design feature a thin, curved S-shaped spout that allows for precise pouring of water. Some models for making coffee also have the ability to control the water temperature accurately. This allows for a gradual and even supply of hot water through the spout, resulting in a well-extracted coffee during the brewing process. These kettles are also suitable for making certain types of tea that require precise temperature control during preparation.

— Samovar. Electric samovars are modern devices designed to imitate traditional samovars. These models usually have a retro design (see "Design"), but there are also original-looking devices within this style. Typically, an electric samovar consists of a main vessel for heating water and a teapot, which is placed on top of the main vessel and is heated by its heat. While electric samovars are functional, they are bulkier and more expensive than regular electric kettles. As a result, they are not commonly produced and are mainly aimed at enthusiasts of antique items and those who enjoy unique kitchen accessories.

The nominal capacity of a kettle refers to the maximum amount of water that can be safely poured into it, and it is typically indicated by the water level indicator. In the case of brewing sets (see "Type"), the nominal capacity refers to the main kettle, while the capacity of the teapot is listed separately (see below).

The capacity of the electric kettle directly affects the amount of water that can be heated at once. A larger capacity allows for heating more water, but this also means the kettle will be larger and heavier. Additionally, heating a larger volume of water requires either more power or a longer time. Therefore, it is important to consider one's actual needs when choosing a kettle based on its capacity. For example, mini-kettles for travelling (or for one person) have a volume of up to 1 liter. For home use in a family of 2 – 3 people, a 1,5 – 2 liter model is enough. Devices for 2 – 3 liters are already well suited for a small office or a similar situation. The most spacious electric kettles are designed to hold 10 liters or more, and are typically used in public places such as canteens and cafes for dispensing hot water.

The power consumed by the kettle during operation is actually the power of the heating element installed in the device.

Two working moments depend on this parameter: heating intensity and electricity consumption. On the one hand, the high power of the heater allows you to quickly heat up a certain volume of water and saves time. On the other hand, the power consumption of such a device will also be appropriate. The wattage of a kettle's heater typically does not have a significant impact on electricity bills since the energy consumption required to heat a given volume of water remains the same regardless of the heater's power rating. However, there may be certain issues related to electrical connectivity. For example, if the wiring is weak or the fuses are improperly sized, the operation of a high-power heater may cause power outages. Additionally, devices with a power rating greater than 3500 W cannot be connected to a regular electrical outlet and require a specific power format. Consequently, even the largest thermal pots, which typically have a capacity of 10 L or more, are rarely equipped with heaters more powerful than 3000 W, since this power rating is sufficient for their intended use and can be connected to a standard electrical outlet.

The outer covering of the heater is a significant factor in determining the characteristics of the kettle because it is in direct contact with the heated water. Therefore, the material used for this coating is an essential consideration in the kettle's properties.

— Stainless steel. "Stainless steel" is the most commonly used coating for kettles as it is affordable and provides good resistance to scale buildup. However, compared to more advanced materials, it may not offer the highest level of scale resistance.

— Aluminium. Another common material, slightly more expensive and resistant to scale than stainless steel, but in general not having significant differences.

— Ceramic. Ceramic coating is known for its exceptional resistance to both scale and corrosion. Although it cannot provide a complete guarantee against scale buildup, it does tend to form plaque at a much slower rate than on surfaces made of steel or aluminium. Additionally, many of these heaters can be cleaned with more aggressive descaling products that would not be suitable for metal coatings. However, due to their high cost, ceramic coatings are typically only used in premium kettles.

— Silver. Silver is another premium material that has good resistance to both scale and corrosion. In addition, it also possesses some antibacterial properties, making it a suitable choice for those who use the kettle to store cooled boiled water. However, the cost of silver pla...ting is quite high.

The temperature adjustment capabilities refer to the specific temperature values that can be programmed into the electric kettle. It's important to note that this refers to automatic adjustment, where the kettle turns off or switches to temperature maintenance mode once the desired temperature has been reached.

If this paragraph contains several options separated by commas (for example, “60 °С, 80 °С, 90 °С”), this means that this model has several fixed temperature options. However, there are also devices with smooth adjustment, which allows you to adjust the temperature in steps of 5 °C, or even 1 °C; for such devices, the entire adjustment range is indicated here, for example, "60 — 100 °C".

The greater the number of temperature setting options available in an electric kettle, the more versatile it becomes, allowing for precise selection of the optimal brewing mode for various types of drinks. Here is a simple table of recommended temperatures:

— white tea — 60 °C;
— yellow tea -70 °C;
— green tea — 80 °C;
— black tea — 90 °C;
— rooibos, hibiscus — 100 °C (up to boiling);
— baby food — 40 °C.

Of course, there are exceptions to such rules — depending on the specific type of drink. For example, some...varieties of green tea can be brewed at 90 °C.

— Water supply button. The electric pump button is used to control the built-in pump in the kettle, which is responsible for supplying water to the spout. It is considered to be the most advanced method of water supply as it requires no manual effort from the user, can work with any container, and allows for accurate measurement of the required volume. Some models even provide automatic dosing where the electric pump dispenses a strictly defined volume of liquid with just the touch of a button. However, these supply systems are more expensive and require a power supply, which can be a disadvantage for some users.

— Hand pump. The mechanical pump with a manual drive is integrated into the lid of the thermopot and is operated by a large button. This type of pump is simple, inexpensive, and does not require electricity to function, which is beneficial in case of power outages. However, it is not very convenient since multiple presses are required to fill even a small cup, and it is difficult to accurately measure the amount of water dispensed. As a result, it is typically used in conjunction with more advanced systems rather than being the sole method of dispensing water.

— Cup pressing. This method is also known as the "cup-activated dispensing system". It uses an electric pump, similar to the button systems described earlier, but the switch for the pump...is located near the spout and is activated by the cup's edge instead of by hand. This makes it easy to dispense water by simply bringing the cup to the spout and pressing the switch with the cup's edge. However, this method is not suitable for certain types of cups such as soft plastic or paper cups, and holding the cup while dispensing can be inconvenient as the hot water can burn one's hand through the walls of the cup. Therefore, this method is often combined with a traditional serving button to provide users with the most convenient option for their situation.

A feature found mainly in thermopots and hot water dispensers. Recall that in such devices, water is supplied from a special spout at the touch of a button or lever (for more details, see "Water supply"). And blocking the water supply is useful primarily for families with small children — so that a curious baby does not get burned by turning on the water without adult supervision. The method of turning on and off the lock is selected in such a way as not to cause difficulties for an adult and at the same time be inaccessible to a child; a typical example is the simultaneous pressing of a pair of buttons on the control panel.

A device found in thermopots and dispensers.

The drip pan in such devices is usually a depth under the spout for supplying water, covered with a grate; this grate acts as a cup holder. Thus, drops falling past the cup do not flow to the floor, but accumulate in the depth. The drip pan is released mainly due to the natural evaporation of water, in extreme cases it can be poured out or collected with a sponge.