Chef’sChoice 681 Cordless Electric Kettle Handsomely Crafted in Brushed Stainless Steel Includes Concealed Heating Element Boil Dry Protection and Auto Shut Off 1.7-Liter Silver

Sep. 18th 2018 update: I still use this product regularly, and it still works. I've started seeing a bit of rusting inside, however using a product like Barkeep's Friend clears that right up. The mesh filter that goes near the spout has torn completely and is now useless, it would be nice if they either upgraded that to something a bit sturdier or offered a separate filter for an additional charge that is of higher quality. I use filtered water in my kettle, so this is of little concern to me. Nearly 4 years later this thing is still going strong.Jan. 13 2016 update: I still love this kettle, and I would still buy it again without a second thought. I've used it nearly every day (3-5 times per day) since I posted my original review on November 20th, 2014 and I've got it boiling water for a cup of tea for me as I type.I love this kettle and I would buy it again without a second thought.Pros:- Cordless kettle (wired base)- Quick boil time (3-5 minutes depending on amount)- Sturdy stainless-steel construction- Simple operationCons:- PriceInitially when I was considering purchasing a new kettle I was skeptical of spending $50. I thought, "If I'm going to shell out the big bucks it better have a bunch of different modes for brewing different kinds of tea, boil water extremely fast, have an LCD display.." and so forth. I decided to go with this non-lcd, non-mode-having model and I'm glad I did because this sucker just plain WORKS. The other units I saw either had rust problems, had wear-and-tear problems, or routinely kicked the bucket after a few months.There were a few key things I kept an eye out for when considering my purchase: reports of rust (saw these on many kettles), longevity (how long will this keep kicking?), ease of use, and boil time. I can happily report that after a month or so of 5+ cups per day I've got no rust, it still works flawlessly, it's literally 1 big button, and the boil time is about 3-5 minutes (depending on the amount of water you want to boil).Construction of the kettle feels sturdy, but not heavy. It feels like it's built well even though it's plastic and some stainless-steel. It's got a convenient wrap-around cord on the bottom (wraps into the base of the unit) which is probably about 1.5-2ft long. There's a mesh strainer on the mouth of the kettle that is removable. One button on top of the handle flips the lid so you can pour water, and another button near the base turns it on. It's cordless (it detaches from the wired base).

I love this kettle! It boils water fairly fast, which is a game-changer for my busy mornings. Whether I'm making tea, or coffee, I never have to wait long for my water to heat up. It sits on the base nicely, we always keep the base plugged in so it's ready to go.Nice and sleek looking, The stainless steel finish is not only durable but also adds a touch of elegance to my kitchen decor. But perhaps my favorite thing about this kettle is how quiet it is. I've had kettles in the past that were so loud they woke up the whole house, but this one is super quiet. I can boil water early in the morning or late at night without disturbing anyone!

I've tried just using the microwave to boil water - noisy and a waste of energy. I've tried a nice, high quality hot water carafe - quiet but a waste of energy. This kettle is excellent - it heats the water very quickly and it doesn't waste any energy in the process.We have super-heavy solids in the water here, enough to clog up anything in short order. What little sticks to the bottom 1/2" of this kettle comes completely clean (I mean spotless) just by pouring a bit of vinegar in it and leaving it sit overnight.Big down side - it's loud. If you are just heating a mug or two of water in it, it's not too bad, but if you fill it to capacity with cool or cold water and start it up - it's really, really loud.Small down side - if your hand is moderately large like mine, there is no way you're getting it inside the pot to clean it. The opening is way too small. Fortunately as I pointed out above, it cleans perfectly just leaving a little vinegar sit in it.It's great, highly recommended.2013-12-22 update: Moved to a new house in March, have granite counters now. The noise problem is much reduced now that it's on a more solid surface. The old house was the typical particle board with laminate on it. The pot still works flawlessly, still very happy with it. The water here has much less solids in it so cleaning is now a matter of throwing about 1/4 cup of vinegar in and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse it out. Completely cleans up what little solids actually accumulate on the bottom.Oh yeah and it's great for instant oatmeal too. Holds enough water for two bowls worth plus two good sized mugs of tea.2015-01-27 update: The fine mesh filter screen that slides into the spout tore loose on one side. It stops a *lot* of mineral deposits from going into your cup. I looked at super gluing it back together, but the screen had grown pretty brittle/crusty from mineral deposits. I was a bit annoyed that they don't have online customer support, but I called the 800 number to buy a replacement screen. The woman took my address and phone info and then said "We'll ship one out tomorrow" - no charge! That is top-notch customer care.

I had one of these for 10 years and used it multiple times per day. It worked perfectly until about a week ago, when it stopped connecting well with the heating element and the blue tab wouldn't stay down. I could move it around looking for a sweet spot, and eventually could get it to heat, but that's too much work. After researching fancy models that cost 2-3 times as much, I decided to order another one of these. Here's why:1. It lasted 10 years. That's a pretty good run for a $40 kettle.2. It boils water fast.3. Short cord so I don't have a long cord getting in the way on the counter. If you need a long cord, this may not be the kettle for you.4. It is sleek and would fit well into any decor.5. Holds more water than some of the fancier kettles.6. Comfortable to hold and pour from, great for tea. Maybe not if you're looking for precise control for pour-over coffee.7. No rust problems. Rarely had to descale, but when I did it was easy to do.I tried the old kettle with the new heating element, no luck. But the new kettle with the old element worked, so now I have a spare if I need it. Doesn't look like they have changed the design at all - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.4 stars because I wish they made one with variable temperatures.

My husband and I had this exact model on our wedding registry. We’ve had it for 14 years. It is used every single day and multiple times a day. For tea, coffee, and more. It’s survived through three moves. When it finally stopped working, I knew we had to get the same one if it was still available. It really shows how good an appliance is if it’s the exact same one so many years later. When we opened the box and it looked exactly like the old one, I was amazed. It heats up quickly, and it’s easy to clean.