State-of-the-Art, and Stylish too!

Author's Rating:

Pros: Great-looking, Automatic Shut-off, Quiet

Cons: pricey

Author's Review
I can honestly say that this is one product (handsome as it is) that I could live without. In fact, when I ripped open the happy birthday wrapping paper and lifted the kettle out of the box, I really didn't think I'd use it right away, since I had recently purchased a Revere Ware stove-top kettle a few months before to replace an old no-name brand from my husband's bachelor days that had disintegrated with old age.

A week or so after my birthday I put the stove-top kettle into the cupboard, freeing up a burner for other uses, and sat the brand-new Cuisinart Cordless Automatic Electric Kettle KUA-17 and plugged in the base.

Not obvious at first glance is that the Cuisinart KUA-17 really is cordless! The base gets plugged into the wall outlet, has a handy groove underneath to tuck excess cordage in the bottom, and the male side of the connector waits expectantly (sorry, couldn't resist) to receive its mate at the bottom of the kettle. Once the water is hot, you can pick the kettle up, sans cord and base, remove it to wherever you intend to do your pouring, then set it down without having to slide bulky hot pad or tippy trivet underneath. The water is boiling hot but the bottom is cool to the touch.

How does this happen? The secret is that the heating element is housed under the stainless steel floor of the kettle, which in turn is sealed to the black insulating bottom. When the previously-mentioned female connector is recessed in the center of the kettle bottom, and you gently depress the switch, causing the indicator light to glow red. Once the water has boiled, or if the kettle is removed from its base, the power shuts off automatically.

The distinct advantage of this kettle over my Revere whistler is that I can depress the ON switch in the course of my other household activities and know that whenever I can get back to it, my Cuisinart will have boiled the water, turned itself off, and will be patiently waiting for me. There's nothing more maddening than turning the flame on under the stovetop kettle, getting called away to the phone or my kids' sibling squabbles, only to be interrupted by a screaming small appliance.

How does the Cuisinart KUA-17 stand up to other water-heating appliances? I poured exactly 2 cups of tap water into (1) the Revere Ware 1 1/2 quart stovetop kettle; (2) a 1 quart saucepan (also Revere Ware); and (3) the Cuisinart KUA-17. I set my trusty Pampered Chef timer to count up from zero, turned on both burners, immediately and simultaneously depressed the ON switch on the Cuisinart and the START button on the timer. The winner of the race to bring 2 cups of cold water to a full boil is the Cuisinart KUA-17 by a full minute:

(1) stovetop kettle -- 3 minutes, 37 seconds
(2) saucepan -- 3 minutes, 13 seconds
(3) Cuisinart KUA-17 -- 2 minutes, 10 seconds

Aesthetically, the entire unit looks like it came out of a Museum of Modern Art design exhibit. Streamlined, chrome with black knob and handle of the same insulating material as its base, this kettle is a sleek and welcome addition to my countertop. The handle is ergonomically designed, and the spout has an internal splash guard which controls the flow as you pour, which prevents spills.

Maintenance is minimal. Give it a good rinse and refill with fresh water every day, and every week or so I swipe any spots or splatters away with a damp sponge and buff it back to its out-of-the-box shine.

Knowing all I do about this small appliance, I have to admit that I would not fork over more than $100 for any kettle for my own use, but I would definitely purchase it as a bridal shower or wedding gift.