Cuisinart is a household name when it comes to small appliances, and it is a brand that carries a lot of trust. Their two electric kettle cordless units reviewed here do not disappoint.
Cuisinart Electric Kettle
Cuisinart KUA-17 1-3/4-Quart Cordless Automatic Electric Kettle
The Cuisinart KUA-17 electric kettle cordless unit is a perfect appliance for the home, office and even the dorm. Because it is electric, it does not require a stove top to get your water boiling. And because it is cordless, you can pull the unit from the base station and take your hot water to where it needs to go. The small power base turns itself off when the kettle is removed, and that is a welcome safety and convenience feature. One major selling point of this electric kettle cordless unit is that its heating element is mounted away from sight, in the base, and it never comes into contact with the water. This design is a departure from conventional designs, and it seems to have won over some customers who rave that because the heating elements are tucked away, no build up can occur, and consequently ths translates to easier cleaning. The Cuisinart electric kettle is made from high-quality stainless steel which makes this finely polished kettle not only functional, but also attractive. When not in use, its three foot cord can be neatly put away into the base, allowing for a tidy storage.
The Cuisinart electric kettle sports a 1.75 quart capacity, which means you can boil up to seven cups of water in it. Heating is handled by a 1500 watt element, which does not come into direct contact with the water. This is an all stainless steel kettle, and the quality is very good – its polish is flawless. As with any stainless steel unit, this one needs periodic wiping if you want to maintain its gleaming shine. One gripe most echoed by customers is that when the KUA-17 electric kettle is new, it smells like plastic inside the pot, perhaps coming from the plastic piece that marks the maximum level. The customers do submit that the smell disappears after some usage. Other issues with the Cuisinart electric kettle involve the handle. Evidently, it is awkward to empty the kettle, as you would have to turn the unit completely upside down – not easy to do with the current handle design. The “on” switch is easily activated by accident, which will cause the unit to begin heating. A better safeguard against accidental activations would make this unit that much better. This is a minor point, but one worth noting.
Cuisinart CJK-17BC Cordless Electric Jug Kettle, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Cuisinart kettle model CJK-17BC is a nice looking, tall standing brushed stainless steel electric kettle cordless unit. It boils up to 1.75 quarts of water – that’s seven American cups – for use with tea, coffee, hot chocolate, instant oatmeal and instant soups. The Cusiniart kettle heating is performed by a 1,500 watt base heats water quickly. The heating element is in the base and does not come into contact with the water. This feature helps eliminate calcium buildup to protect the flavor of the water. This electric kettle’s primary safety feature is the automatic shut off when the water in the kettle reaches a boil. The electric cordless kettle may be lifted from the base and taken to wherever it is needed, such as the breakfast table, a working desk or any other station where hot water will be used. The Cuisinart kettle sports a cool bottom, allowing it to rest on any surface. The kettle also has an easy access button that opens the lid allowing easy refilling. The unit also employs an easy to read water level indicator. Because this unit is stands tall, and is shaped like a jug, it has a rather large, convenient handle and a wide lip for pouring the liquid. This cordless electric Cuisinart kettle is covered by a 3-year warranty.
Customers are happy with the ability of the Cuisinart electric kettle to be rotated on its base, which makes it easier to position. They also found the transparent section of the kettle to be an effective window to help measure water level. Incidentally, the blue back light that comes on when the electric kettle is turned on is a nice touch that also aids in the reading of the water level. But perhaps, the biggest plus for this model is the fact that the heating element does not come into contact with the water. This helps tremendously with taste quality, as calcium cannot build up on elements that are not there. On the downside, the kettle is a bit heavy, and the switch to pop open the lid can be accidentally pressed while pouring water, and this could potentially cause some issues.