How to Choose the Best Electric Kettle for Seniors
An electric kettle is a type of kitchen appliance that is used for heating water, tea, and other beverages. The appliance requires nothing more than an electrical outlet and a means of tapping into a power supply. This makes it appropriate for use in a small apartment.
Structure of an electric kettle
- The body is composed of materials that help it conduct heat efficiently.
- Most electric kettles are stainless steel with a colorful enamel coating.
- The handle is attached directly to the top portion of the body hence providing an easy clutch that is located behind the sprout.
- The kettle regularly has a cover to the spout that has a small hole to allow steam to escape. When the water is heated, the steam creates a sound that is mostly referred to as singing by tea lovers.
- A feature that makes the electric kettle unique is the heating element found in the base of the unit. In some kettles, the heating element is placed on the bottom of the reservoir while other designs enclose the heating element in a chamber that is located directly below the water container.
- Advanced units also include a control panel that allows the electric kettle to be turned on and off and also select temperature settings.
- Most electric kettles in the market today also have a safety feature that automatically shuts off the device after a certain amount of time.
How to Choose the Best Electric Kettles for Seniors
There are various factors to consider when one is choosing an electric kettle for seniors they include:
1.Weight
The kettle should not weigh too much as too much weight might make it easier for a senior to lose control when lifting it.
2.An automatic shut-off mode
The kettle should automatically shut itself off in case a person leaves it on by mistake. This feature ensures that a person does not have to strain their ears to listen for a whistling kettle.
3.Sturdy base
This is an essential feature for one to consider because it holds the heating element. The kettle should have a non-skid foundation for safety and to help it withstand daily use.
4.Stay cool handle
The handle should be insulated and designed in such a way that it doesn’t get hot during the entire process of boiling.
5.Water gauge
This can be used to keep track of how much liquid one is drinking throughout the day.
6.Cordless
One should consider getting a cordless kettle to make it easy for seniors to carry and prevent tangling when pouring hot water.
7.BPA-free
BPA is a chemical that is used to produce plastic materials. When the plastic is heated, it can end up seeping into foods or liquids. In case one is choosing a plastic kettle, it is important to investigate this factor.
8.Drip-free spout
Choosing a kettle with a drip-free sprout reduces the chances of being splattered by hot water.
9.Small size
The compact size means that the overall weight of the kettle will below.
10.Concealed heating elements
When the kettle is turned on, electricity moves through the elements inside the base to heat it and the water. These elements should not be exposed to make the kettle as safe as possible.
The best electric kettles 2020
According to a review that has been done by independent researchers, the best electric kettles for this year include:
1.The Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless steel Electric kettle
This is an electric kettle that can boil water at a faster rate than a microwave. It is made of stainless steel and it can hold up to 1.7 liters of liquid. This kettle is widely preferred by customers because its handle remains cool throughout the whole process.
2.The Secura SWK 1701DB Double-wall electric water kettle
This appliance has a 1.7-liter capacity. It has a stainless-steel interior covered by a BPA-free plastic exterior. The handle remains cool to the touch even when your water comes to a boil. The only shortcoming with this model is that it has only one heat setting hence one has to keep keeping an eye on it if you don’t want it to boil completely.
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3.Proctor Silex K2070YA Electric kettle
This is a budget-friendly model that will bring your water to a boil at a faster rate than your microwave. It has a detachable code that makes it easy to pour and a clear panel that lets one see how much water is in the kettle and when it is boiling. It also has an automatic shutoff feature. The only limitation of this model is that the cord is very short and the interior of the kettle is plastic and not stainless steel or glass.
4.Cuisinart perfect temp cordless programmable kettle
This is an elegant stainless-steel electric kettle that holds 1 2/3 liters of water. It has a three preheat setting for steeping different brands of tea at the proper temperature. It has a blue LED which shows when the water is ready and a 30-minute keep warm feature which holds the temperature in case one wants to brew the tea later.
Its cord is attached to the battle so the kettle is free to move anywhere and the base also swivels 360 degrees so one can keep the cord out of the way. The water window is backlit with an attractive blue light making it easy to see how much water is in the kettle.
5.Breville Ikon Electric kettle
This is a stylish kettle which holds 1 2/3 liters of water and has a water-level indicator. It has an on/off switch and a water-level indicator. It also has an audible bell tone which indicates when the water has started boiling and auto shut-off so it won’t boil dry in case one misses the notification.
This kettle has a brushed stainless-steel finish with a soft grip making it easier to hang on to.
6.Bodum 17-ounce electric water kettle
This is a kettle which is suitable for personal use or traveling. It heats just over two cups of water in about four minutes. It has a see-through water indicator which is easy to fill with the correct amount. This kettle is available in red, black green or white colors. It has a push-button for easy on-off control and an LED power indicator. The kettle powers off automatically when the water reaches a boiling point.
7.OXO cordless Glass Electric kettle
This is a sleek kettle which is mostly made of borosilicate glass with stainless steel and black accents. The heating base allows the carafe to be cord-free and the soft open lid prevents too much steam from escaping. The kettle holds 1.75 liters of water and has an easy to read measurement on the glass carafe.
The auto-shutoff feature ensures that the kettle doesn’t boil dry. The east to grip handle remains cool making it easier to carry the kettle from the heating area to the table without any fear of getting burnt.
Uses of an electric kettle
The fastest electric kettles make your life easier by speeding cooking time and keeping things warm even after they are cooked. Some of its uses include:
- Making tea
The fastest electric kettle will heat your water at a faster rate than a stovetop reducing the time wasted when making tea.
- French instant coffee
An electric kettle is an appropriate device for making French coffee as long as one doesn’t mind doing a little bit of clean up afterward. It will speed up this process and make morning coffee easier to make.
- Bottle warming
An electric kettle is an appropriate device for bottle warming as it could heat it to a perfect temperature without having to continually check and double-check that it is safe.
- Hardboiled eggs
It is possible to make hardboiled eggs using an electric kettle. This can be achieved through popping a few eggs in the kettle with some water and leaving it to boil.
- Preparing an instant oatmeal
An electric kettle makes it convenient to prepare morning oatmeal as it is instant, easier and also delicious.
- Cream of wheat
Using an electric kettle to make your cream of wheat is an added advantage as it speeds up your cooking time, cuts down on dishes hence making your life easier.
- Making hot chocolate
The hot water kettle can be used to make a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
- Making soup
An electric kettle can also be used to make soup. Most people prefer it because it has a stay warm feature that keeps your soup just at the right temperature in case you go back for second or third servings.
- Instant noodles
The kettle can also be used for making instant noodles. The bonus of using an electric kettle to make noodles is that it keeps your noodles warm and also reduces dishes that require to be washed.
- For home spa treatments
The kettle reduces the amount of time that one has to wait for the water to heat up which its intended use is for a foot soak or to steam your face.