Volume
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.
Power consumption
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.
Coating of the heating element
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.
Water level indicator
A device that allows you to estimate the amount of water in the kettle without opening its lid. Most often
the water level indicator has the form of a scale applied either to the transparent wall of the container, or to a transparent insert in an opaque wall. In any case, this function allows you to measure the volume of filled water quite accurately, and not just determine it “by eye”. This possibility is especially important for models with open coils (see "Heating element"), in such devices, a mark on the indicator is usually applied to the minimum allowable water level.
