The app-controlled kettle in review
Of course there is a smart kettle in our range. It's expensive, but it only boils water. Do I really need the "Smarter iKettle 3.0"?
In the list of things I would never buy in my life, an app-controlled kettle is right at the top, just behind wall tattoos and this can-opening-machine.
In the end, curiosity won out over reason, so I put this piece of jewellery in my kitchen and tested it extensively. And actually changed my mind. I like the iKettle.
Before the hymn of praise, here are the hard facts. The kettle has space for 1.8 litres, a button to open it and a button to boil water without the app. The cable is far too short. If you want it even shorter, you can roll it up in the base. The inconvenience is that you can't read the water level from the outside. So you can either open the lid or check in the app.
Accurate to the degree
Pair your smartphone with the base of the kettle. Once you have downloaded the app, hold the screen to the base and the smartphone flashes a kind of Morse code. This is unusual, but works fantastically. The kettle is now on wifi and not paired via Bluetooth, so all your mobile needs is an internet connection. It doesn't even have to be on the same network as the kettle, you could theoretically boil water from your holiday at home.
The app is the key to getting all the power out of the kettle. Basically, you can use it to heat water to within one degree. So the "smarter iKettle 3.0" has me covered. A whole handful of kettles can only boil water in set stages (e.g. 80° / 90° / 100°); the top models can only boil water to the exact degree. Why do you need this? Tea, coffee or baby food. Since I've had the iKettle in the house, I've been experimenting with filter coffee again. With the water temperature, a few degrees can make the difference between full-flavoured coffee and a bitter brew. The same applies to tea. For the Fukamushi Sencha I brought back from Japan, 75 degrees has proven to be ideal for extracting the full umami flavour without the tea becoming overly bitter.
Always warm water
The degrees can also be preset so that you don't need the app. The default setting is 100 degrees, but you can simply switch it down. The iKettle then heats to the desired temperature without the app as soon as you press the button
If you want hot water straight away in the morning, you can set the iKettle to heat water at a specific time. Or as soon as you get home. The app recognises whether you are within a predefined radius of your home and starts the kettle. For all functions, you can also set the iKettle to first boil the water to 100 degrees and inform you as soon as it has cooled down to the desired temperature. This function is suitable for infant formula to ensure that germs and bacteria are killed.
Conclusion
There are things I didn't realise I needed. The iKettle 3.0 isn't quite one of them. The fact that I am tied to an app to be able to tap into the full power of the kettle bothers me. The temperature control, on the other hand, is fantastic. My next kettle has to be able to heat water to the exact degree, just like the iKettle does. But this (somewhat ugly) appliance can do that too, for a fraction of the price. Nevertheless, I like the iKettle because it looks sleek, works flawlessly and has all the features you want from a kettle.
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Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
