Breville BKE820XL Variable Temperature Kettle
- Variable electronic control with 5 pre-set brewing temperatures allows for precision tea and coffee brewing to elicit the perfect drinking profile.
- Hold Temp feature keeps the heated water at the selected temperature for 20 minutes and can be activated before, during or on completion of the water heating cycle.
- Water level indicators are located on both sides of the kettle for the left and right handed viewing.
- Brushed stainless steel base and jug make this kettle particularly elegant.
- Removable Scale Filter
Product Description
The Variable Temperature kettle allows the user to heat water to specific temperatures that achieve perfect taste profiles for the four major types of teas and French press coffee. 5 Pre-set brewing temperatures include: 175F for Green Tea; 185F for White Tea; 195F for Oolong Tea; 200F for French Press: and 212F for boiling and black tea. The European stainless steel design make it a beautiful table statement…. More >>
Breville BKE820XL Variable Temperature Kettle
Disclaimer: I do not own the Breville. I own the Pino Digital Kettle Pro, another digital tea kettle. Based on the specs for the Breville, and the cost, I would like to suggest that anyone considering the Breville, check out the Pino before making a decision. I have no relationship with Pino.
The Pino has a couple more features and is half the price. The most significant, for me, are that it is continuously variable from 140-212 degrees and it will hold the temperature. On the downdide, it’s slightly smaller and less powerful, but since it will hold a temperature, the power is not a factor.
The Pino Digital Kettle Pro is also available here on Amazon. Please check my more in-depth review there.
http://www.amazon.com/PINO-ST-8706-Digital-Kettle-Pro/dp/B001HC54O2
My first Breville Variable Temperature Kettle was returned because the black tea setting wouldn’t turn off automatically. The replacement kettle was returned for the same reason.
I contacted Breville about this problem, and the first person I spoke with was unable to make me understand why the kettle might take 8 minutes at full boil before it turns off automatically, which, she said, was perfectly normal procedure. The lady said she’d have the Scientific Expert call back. He did.
The Scientific Breville Expert explained that the amount of water in the kettle, the volume of steam in the pot, the astrological convergence of Mars and Jupiter, and the financial health of his company were all factors in the shutting down of the kettle. Not being scientific, I understood little that he said past “volume of steam” except that the kettle could be expected to boil water 8 minutes and some odd seconds after reaching the 212 degrees for black tea. (He was quite specific – 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 seconds – I don’t remember the exact number.) Again I was told that this was perfectly normal. He suggested that I time the kettle myself to verify that my kettle was performing normally.
I explained to the rep that I had goats to tend and chickens to feed and didn’t have 8 minutes and some odd seconds to watch water boil. I did time the kettle soon after I got it, but turned it off manually after 5 minutes. Nowhere in the brochure that comes with the kettle does it mention the 8 minute and some odd seconds rule.
Eight minutes and some odd seconds after the water starts to boil would eliminate any oxygen left in the water, and probably boil the pot dry. This sounded like a fire hazard to me, but the Scientist assured me the empty pot would not cause a meltdown. After this conversation, it became clear that this kettle was way too complicated for me. The second was returned, and I did not ask for yet another replacement.
In Breville’s favor, the green tea and oolong settings worked flawlessly, the lid operated smoothly, and the design is sleek. If only these features were under consideration, I would give the kettle five stars. But since there are no negative stars to choose from, a one will have to do.
[...] offers a small, variable temperature kettle for a fraction of the cost of the Breville. It looks a little like a penguin, has a dial to choose you water temperature and works as advertised. The water boils. The kettle turns off. Every time. Without fail. [...] has never heard of the 8 minute some odd seconds rule.
Very pleased with this electric kettle. It is modern and stylish. The features work great and its by far the highest spec kettle I have seen. More expensive than almost any other, but for good reason. You always get what you pay for. The easy push button lid open feature is really good. Hope this lasts a few years!
Breville is great. I had the old kettle. The problem with that thing was bring it to the boil? Don’t want to put the leaves inside because it is going to boil, so keep pouring. Now I put the leaves in and the best part is when I want to just get it back to temp, I walk over and push one button and it dings when it’s there.
Cleaning this thing is a tad annoying. They should put some engineering thought into that, but otherwise, this is the best way to make tea there is.
If you’re a tea aficionado, you will love this kettle. I’ve had it for a couple weeks now, and it works just as described. Green and white teas taste so much better… using the right temperature to brew makes a real difference.
It’s also rather pretty and the water level indicators on both sides allow you to watch the water heat up/boil (this also helps in easily and accurately filling the amount of water that is required). With regards to material, the stainless steel is certainly preferable to plastic.
Breville makes excellent products (I can also verify that for their panini press and toasters). I’ve never had a problem with anything made by them.
This is the ultimate kettle for tea and coffee lovers! However, would the normal person really need this kettle with such specific temperature methods?!
All the same, a great if rather niche gadget