Comparison KITFORT KT-601 3000 W 1.7 L stainless steel vs Profi Cook PC-WKS 1020 G 3000 W 1.7 L stainless steel

— 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 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.

The ability to operate a classic kettle (see "Type") in the mode of maintaining the water temperature — when the heated water is kept hot due to the operation of the heater at low power. For kettles, unlike thermopots, this mode is far from necessary, so its presence is indicated separately in the specs.

Kettles (see "Type") in which the lid opens at the touch of a button. This opening is faster and more convenient, and often safer than the traditional way (grab the lid and pull it up): the lid can get quite hot when the kettle is in operation, and long contact with it is fraught with burns. And although the button can also be placed on the lid, a short press is enough to activate it, and even in such cases the risk of getting burned is minimal. On the other hand, opening the lid with a button complicates the design of the kettle and reduces its reliability.