Kettles are becoming more frequently used, especially in the winter when you are craving that hot drink. Furthermore, glass kettles are becoming increasingly popular so this article will guide you with the best glass kettles in the UK that will meet your expectations.
There are other kettles in the market such as those made from stainless steel or plastic, but here we will discuss the upcoming glass kettles which are considered to be better for you. There are many parts to take into consideration when choosing a kettle, from the low maintenance to the health benefits and to your overall safety.
Features to Consider When Buying a Glass Kettle
- Material
Stainless steel and glass are mostly common for plastic-free kettles. Glass kettles are not as common as stainless steel. Stainless steel is durable and is less likely to corrode which is why it is widely used. Conversely, borosilicate glass is a favourite for it is heat resistant and durable.
- Plastic components
It is difficult to find a plastic free kettle but mostly the outer parts of the kettle include some plastic. To reduce your use of plastic, make sure the model you buy has no plastic in contact with the water. Several kettles have been tested to find the best plastic-free ones and they all contain minimal amounts of plastic, where it is always on the outside of the kettle.
- Mechanism
Two main kettle types are the stovetop or electric kettles. Electric kettles are fast and comfortable, but stovetop kettles are more widely available in fully plastic-free, stainless steel.
Electric kettles are more energy efficient because on the stove, you are heating up the air around the kettle and the base of the kettle, before the heat reaches the water. With an electric kettle, the water is heated directly.
- Capacity
Most kettles have a standard capacity of about 1.5 to 2 litres. If you need a small kettle for making tea for one person or two, you will not need more than a litre. However, many people also use their kettle to quickly boil water for pasta and noodles, so a large kettle will be more suitable. It is hard to find a kettle with a capacity greater than 2 litres. Keep in mind that the larger the kettle, the more energy is needed to boil the water.
- Speed
The speed of boiling the water is dependent on how much water is in the kettle. Recently, many electric kettles feature a fast boil function so they can bring water to the boil in a minute or two, however, these top models tend to be plastic. Some stovetop kettles take more time as they are dependent on the stove type. Heavy stainless-steel electric kettles also take more time to boil the water.
- Safety Features
Electric kettles are considered to be safer than stovetop kettles especially when they are plastic free. Most electric kettles today automatically switch off if there is no water or when the water has boiled, yet a stovetop kettle means you have to stand by it and wait, or listen for the whistling noise.
- Heating Element
In some kettles, you can see the heating element, and in others, they are hidden inside a metal bottom. Heating elements that are concealed are becoming more common because they mean less maintenance as there is less limescale buildup.
Limescale buildup depends on the hardness of the water. It can be removed with water and vinegar but it is preferred if you have less cleaning to do. A clean kettle is more energy efficient as limescale buildup causes your kettle to work harder to boil.
Our expert's choice for the Best Glass Kettles in 2021
ANSIO Electric Kettle 2200W 1.7L Cordless, Glass Kettle with Boil Dry Protection
£34.97 in stock
Another great electric kettle with the same capacity of 1.7 litres is from ANSIO. It is just made of borosilicate glass so it is durable and it is transparent so you know how much water is in the kettle. Equipped with LED lighting around the heating plate helps you know when the kettle is boiling so you know not to touch it when it is hot.
✅ Low maintenance
✅ LED lights for safety
✅ Can see how much water is inside
✅ Quick and efficient
❌ Forms limescale quickly
❌ Noisy
Aigostar Adam 30KHH - Glass Water Kettle with LED Lighting, 2200 Watts
£19.99 in stock
Agiostar Adam’s Glass Kettle is good for its LED light which gives it a nice elegance. It has the common features of being made of borosilicate glass, switching off on its own, and is 100% BPA free. However, there are some concerns as to its durability and the quick buildup of limescale.
✅ Short boiling time
✅ Good safety switch
✅ Large opening to make it easier to clean
❌ Very noisy
❌ Spout is very small so spillages are likely
❌ Quick buildup of limescale
COSORI Electric Kettle, 3000W 1.5L Glass Kettle with Stainless Steel Filter
6 used from £20.23
While the Cosori Electric Kettle is made from stainless steel and has an auto shut-off, it holds a smaller capacity of water – 1.5 litres. This kettle includes a stainless steel filter, like many other kettles, to ensure that the drinking water is healthy. It is particularly good for safety, for it is cordless so there is less hassle with wiring.
✅ Cordless
✅ Easy to clean
✅ Safety switch for boil-dry protection
❌ Thin glass
❌ Collects limescale quickly especially if you live in a hard water area
Russell Hobbs 21600-10 Illuminating Glass Kettle, Black, 1.7 Litre, 3000 Watt
£38.99 in stock
5 used from £35.00
Russel Hobbs is a well-known brand with great quality products. This glass kettle has a concealed heating element and a removable, washable filter which is good for effortless cleaning. The material is glass but it also contains some stainless steel elements to give the elegant look. Up to 66% of energy can be saved by boiling 1 litre, so this is very efficient in boiling water. Some may argue that there will be condensation on the inside of the kettle and it may not be pleasing to the eye, however, this is likely to happen with any glass kettle and it may remain there for quite some time.
✅ Low maintenance
✅ Spout perfect for pouring
✅ Quick boiling
❌ Button for opening lid may not always work so needs a bit of force
❌ Condensation on the inside
Russell Hobbs 20760-10 Brita Purity Glass Kettle, Filter Kettle with Brita Maxtra
1 used from £40.00
Another of Russell Hobbs’s products, this kettle holds a smaller kettle than the previous 1.7 litre to a 1.5 litre. It has a special filter that makes the water tasteless of substances so it makes your hot drink be filled with flavour and aroma. This new advanced technology of the filter helps reduce the chlorine and absorb the copper and lead. It has a filter cartridge replacement reminder which is handy for keeping the filter up to date.
✅ Reduces limescale and chlorine
✅ Built-in cartridge replacement reminder
✅ Concealed heating element
❌ Has a cord
❌ Expensive considering the capacity is less
Hommak Electric Kettle, 1.7L Glass Quiet Electric Tea Kettle 2200W Fast Boil
£31.99 out of stock
5 used from £26.64
This Hommak glass electric kettle is made of borosilicate glass and stainless steel. There are multiple features included, such as the LED light, the litre markings to allow for easy measuring, and the low noise that helps conserve energy.
✅ Takes 4 ½ minutes to boil 1.7 litres
✅ Sturdy lid prevents leakage
❌ Small lid opening so difficult to clean properly
❌ May cause water to sometimes overboil
❌ Limescale filter not included
Hommak Glass Electric Kettle, 1.7L Electric Kettles Cordless with LED Light, 2200W
£31.44 out of stock
4 used from £29.24
Hommak’s Glass electric kettle which is cordless is made from borosilicate glass. It is BPA free so there is no bad taste from the water. If you are looking for a kettle that is eco-friendly and efficient, this kettle makes a huge difference in terms of energy saving.
✅ Eco friendly
✅ Convenient
✅ Elegant
❌ Limescale filter not included
❌ Slow to boil
❌ Likely to leave some spillages
Electric Kettle, 1.7L Glass Tea Kettle with 5 Temperature Presets
If you are looking for a kettle with many temperature settings, then this is perfect for you. As a bonus, this electric glass kettle includes a removable stainless steel infuser so gives your tea or coffee an added kick. A keep-warm function helps maintain the preferred temperature for up to 120 minutes.
✅ 5 preset temperature settings
✅ Quick and quiet boil
✅ Includes mute function
✅ Accurate temperature sensor
❌ Need to descale regularly if living in hard water areas
❌ No filter inside
❌ Takes a maximum of 8 minutes to boil
Plastic Kettles vs Stainless-Steel Kettles vs Glass Kettles - Which is Better?
Plastic Kettles: Plastics are generally considered to be bad not only for the environment but also for you. Especially when heating, plastic can release chemicals into the water which is very dangerous for your health.
Plastic is mainly used because it is cheap, easy to clean, and relatively durable. Nevertheless, when compared to steel, plastics are not as long-lasting. Plastic kettles are also more lightweight than stainless steel kettles or glass kettles.
Stainless steel kettles look sleek, are durable, and are easy to clean. If you buy from a trusted brand, it is likely you will get a quality kettle that has minimal metal release. To check how safe the stainless-steel kettle is, you have to check if it is labelled as food-safe. Stainless steel grade 316 is considered very safe for food. 304 is the next best option. It has an extremely high resistance to acids, alcohols, and salts.
Glass kettles are not as common as stainless steel kettles. They are usually made of borosilicate glass, which is resistant to very high temperatures. Furthermore, glass does not leach into your water unlike stainless steel and plastic. Glass is chemical resistant and a neutral material. It will not rust or leach or even discolour. Although glass is very strong and heat resistant, it is not as tough as stainless steel and with cheaper glass kettle models the edge where the glass meets the plastic or metal base, tends to be quite weak. Over time, this is the weak point that will crack or leak.
How Much Should You Spend on a Kettle?
Ideally, you should spend no more than £35 on a kettle that is not from a well-known brand. However, it is best not to spend too little as you are not going to get the most out of your kettle and it could be a waste of money. On the other hand, a well-known brand like Russell Hobbs will not have many cheap kettles, but if you are looking to spend a little more this is perfect for you.
Which is the Best Glass Kettle in the UK?
Currently, the best glass kettle in the UK is the Ascot Glass kettle. It is the most eco-friendly plastic-free electric kettle. Although it is not cheap, this high-end product does not have BPA thus is an environmentally safe option.
When it comes to safety, it comes with the automatic shutoff feature when the water has boiled or if it is empty. The body materials are heat-resistant glass and stainless steel. The glass and metal are joined together with food-grade silicone. The plastic part of the kettle does not come into contact with the water, which is excellent for boiling your water.
The kettle capacity is 1.7 litres and it takes about 3-4 minutes to boil the water. Considering the heating element is stainless steel and is concealed, it is low maintenance. The only components that are plastic are the silicone joints and the base.
Pros:
- Food safe silicone prevents leaks
- Fast boiling in 4 minutes.
Cons:
- Lid gets very hot, so you may need to use a cloth to open it.
Out of the nine glass kettles discussed above, the ANSIO electric kettle with the capacity of 1.7 litres would be most recommended for it does not pose any hazardous traits. It is cordless and it has an inbuilt thermostat to ensure precise temperature control while ensuring safety of its use. Once getting limescale, it is quick and easy to descale the kettle with its wide opening lid. There is also no need to use any expensive descalers as this can be washed away with some water and vinegar. Furthermore, this kettle is the epitome of elegance for what it is worth. Nevertheless, it is ideal for you to fill this kettle in a jug and then transfer the water into the kettle as the product may be too heavy. This ensures that any risks are minimised.
Summing up
Getting the perfect kettle for you is essential so you can get a quick hot drink with less hassle and you do not have to worry a lot about maintenance. Hopefully, this article has enlightened you with the vast variety of glass electric kettles and how you are able to find the best one that is fitting for you. From electric kettles made from just borosilicate glass to using all three materials: glass, stainless steel, and plastic, it has been proven that it is best to go with a kettle with less leaching of chemicals into your drink, so the glass is the best option.
