Elite Gourmet EKT8690 Electric Tea Kettle

Yes, thanks to the auto shut-off feature — which is one of the most appreciated aspects of this kettle, mentioned by 8 reviewers. Once the water reaches a full boil, the kettle automatically switches off. Multiple reviewers specifically say they love being able to start it and walk away. It also has boil-dry protection, so if you accidentally turn it on empty, it won't damage the heating element. That said, as with any electrical appliance, don't leave it unattended for extended periods or near flammable materials.

This kettle is ideal for people who want fast, no-fuss boiling water without spending much. It's perfect for daily tea and coffee drinkers who don't need temperature precision, office or dorm use where simplicity is key, and anyone upgrading from a stovetop kettle who wants the convenience of auto shut-off. It's less ideal for serious tea enthusiasts who need variable temperature control, anyone in a hard water area who doesn't want to descale regularly, or people who need a kettle that'll last for years of heavy use. Think of it as a reliable budget workhorse — it does one thing (boil water fast) and does it well, just don't expect premium build quality at this price point.

Yes — reviewers confirm that the handle stays cool while the kettle is hot. This is a validated benefit that multiple buyers have called out positively. The heat stays contained in the body and base of the kettle, so you can pick it up and pour comfortably even right after boiling. The cordless lift-off design also means you're not fumbling with a cord while pouring hot water.

No — this is a boil-only kettle with a single on/off switch. It heats water to a full 212°F boil and then shuts off automatically. There are no variable temperature settings. This is perfectly fine for black tea, herbal tea, French press coffee, and instant foods. But if you drink green tea (best at 170-180°F), white tea (160-185°F), or oolong (180-200°F) regularly, you'll either need to let the water cool after boiling or invest in a kettle with temperature presets. The simplicity is part of the appeal for most buyers — there's literally nothing to figure out.

This is a known design limitation. The lid only opens to about 45 degrees, which makes filling the kettle a bit awkward — especially if you're trying to hold it under a faucet or fill from a refrigerator water dispenser. A couple of reviewers called this out specifically. You'll probably find it easiest to fill using a cup or by tilting the kettle under the tap. It's a minor inconvenience, but worth knowing about before you buy.

Some reviewers have noticed wobbling on the base — 3 people specifically mentioned it feeling unstable. The 360-degree swivel base is convenient for placing the kettle in any orientation, but the trade-off seems to be that the fit isn't always snug. It's worth making sure you place it on a flat, stable surface. Most users don't report this issue, but it's something to be aware of, especially if you're placing it near the edge of a counter.

The blue LED illuminates when the kettle is actively heating, giving you a clear visual indicator that it's working. Six reviewers specifically mentioned it as both functional and aesthetically pleasing. It's particularly handy in dimly lit kitchens — you can see at a glance whether the kettle is still on. When the water reaches a boil and the auto shut-off kicks in, the light turns off, so you know it's ready without needing to listen for it.

Reviewers say yes for regular cleaning — a simple rinse does the job for day-to-day use. However, if you have hard water, expect mineral scaling buildup over time. A couple of reviewers mentioned this as an issue. The fix is easy: boil a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar every few weeks, then rinse thoroughly. The bigger cleaning concern is the bottom plate area, where a couple of users reported mold growth if moisture gets trapped. Make sure to dry the base area after each use and don't leave standing water in the kettle between uses.

It's actually one of the best use cases for this kettle. Reviewers specifically mention it working well in office and dorm settings. It's compact enough for small spaces, the 1.7L capacity can serve multiple cups for sharing with coworkers, and the simple one-button operation means anyone can use it. The auto shut-off is especially valuable in shared spaces where you might get distracted. Just note the power cord is short, so you'll need to be near an outlet.

This is a common complaint — two reviewers specifically mentioned the short power cord. You'll need to place the kettle close to an outlet, which can be limiting in kitchens where counter space near outlets is taken. The upside is that the kettle itself lifts off the base cordlessly for pouring, so the cord only matters for where you station the base. If your outlets are awkwardly placed, you might need a short extension cord.

Fill the kettle through the lid with fresh cold water — the water level window on the side helps you measure. For a single cup, fill to the minimum line; for a full pot, go up to the 1.7L max. Hit the power switch, and the blue LED will light up while it heats. Once it boils and clicks off (3-9 minutes), pour over your tea bag or leaves in a mug. One nice bonus: the EKT8690 has a built-in mesh strainer, so you can actually add loose-leaf tea directly into the kettle and let it brew right there. Just note that this kettle only boils — it doesn't have temperature settings. That's fine for black tea and herbal teas, but green and white teas taste better at lower temperatures (around 170-185°F), so you'd need to let the water cool for a minute or two before pouring.

The EKT8690 comes with a mesh strainer insert that fits inside the kettle. Add your loose-leaf tea to the strainer, fill the kettle with water, and boil. The strainer keeps the leaves contained while letting the water circulate through them as it heats. Reviewers who discovered this feature were pleasantly surprised — it's a nice convenience for loose-leaf drinkers. Just keep in mind that since this kettle only boils to 212°F, it's best suited for black teas and herbals brewed directly in the kettle. For more delicate teas, you'd want to boil the water separately and pour it over leaves at a lower temperature.

Absolutely — and many reviewers do exactly that. It works great for pour-over coffee, French press, and instant coffee. The fast boil time means you're not waiting around in the morning. For pour-over and French press, you ideally want water just off the boil (around 195-205°F), so let it sit for about 30 seconds after it clicks off before pouring. Several reviewers specifically mention using it for their French press routine and loving the convenience.

Yes, and there are two ways to do it. The straightforward approach: boil water in the kettle, then pour it over your tea bag in a mug. This is what most people do and works perfectly. The second option: you can actually drop a tea bag into the kettle's built-in mesh strainer area and brew directly in the kettle, though most people prefer the pour-over method since it's easier to control steep time and you don't risk over-steeping. For black tea bags, the full-boil temperature is ideal. For green tea bags, let the water cool for a couple minutes before pouring.

Before your first real use, you'll want to do a couple of rinse boils. Fill it up with fresh water, boil it, then dump it out — do this 2-3 times to clear out any manufacturing residue or that "new plastic" smell. After that, it's dead simple: fill through the lid (which only opens about 45 degrees, so pour carefully), place it on the 360-degree swivel base, and press the single power switch. The blue LED lights up so you know it's working. When the water boils, it shuts off automatically. That's it — no settings, no modes, just one button.

Reviewers report using it for a surprising range of things: coffee (pour-over, French press, instant), instant oatmeal and ramen, hot chocolate, baby formula prep, and even boiling eggs. The 1.7L capacity and fast boil time make it a versatile kitchen tool. The built-in mesh strainer is designed for loose-leaf tea but could work for other infusions. Basically, anything that needs hot or boiling water — this kettle handles it faster and more conveniently than your stovetop.

Interestingly, yes — some reviewers have actually done this successfully and called it out as an unexpected use. The 1.7L capacity is large enough to fit several eggs, and the auto shut-off means you won't accidentally boil the water away. It's not the intended purpose, but it works in a pinch, especially in a dorm or hotel room where you don't have a stove. Just be careful lowering the eggs in to avoid cracking them against the heating element.

For US households, 1500W is the sweet spot — it's the maximum you can pull from a standard 120V outlet, and it's exactly what the Elite Gourmet EKT8690 uses. This gives you boiling times of about 3-9 minutes depending on how much water you're heating. Reviewers confirm the fast boil time is one of its best features. Kettles under 1000W will feel painfully slow. In the UK and Europe where outlets deliver 220-240V, kettles run at 2000-3000W and boil even faster, but that's not an option with US wiring.

Elite Gourmet is a US-based brand (Elite Home Products), but their kettles are manufactured overseas, primarily in China. This is standard for electric kettles in this price range — even many premium kettle brands manufacture in China. The EKT8690 is designed to meet US electrical standards with its 1500W heating element and includes safety certifications.

Based on what reviewers love and hate about the Elite Gourmet EKT8690, here are the key things to check: Auto shut-off is essential for safety — this kettle has it, and reviewers specifically call it out as a must-have. Capacity matters — the 1.7L size here is great for families or multiple cups, but overkill if you only make one cup at a time. Check the lid opening — this model only opens to about 45 degrees, which makes filling under a tap or from a fridge dispenser awkward. Look at the material quality — some reviewers found the 'stainless steel' on this model rusted, so read reviews carefully. And if you drink green, white, or oolong teas, variable temperature control is a huge upgrade over basic boil-only kettles like this one.

It depends on what you need. The Elite Gourmet EKT8690 handles basic water boiling just fine — it's fast, has auto shut-off, and costs a fraction of premium kettles. But if you're a serious tea drinker who needs variable temperature control (different teas steep best at different temperatures), or if you want something that'll last 5+ years of daily use, a more expensive kettle is probably worth the investment. Several reviewers note durability issues with this model within months. Think of it this way: if you just need hot water for occasional tea or instant coffee, this kettle does the job. If you're brewing delicate green or white teas daily, you'll eventually want temperature precision this kettle doesn't offer.

Generally, stainless steel and borosilicate glass kettles are considered the healthiest options since they don't leach chemicals. The Elite Gourmet EKT8690 is marketed as BPA-free, which is good, but some reviewers have raised concerns about the material quality — a few noted the interior didn't seem like true stainless steel, and some reported coating peeling over time. If health is your top priority, look for kettles with certified food-grade 304 stainless steel interiors or full borosilicate glass construction with no plastic parts touching the water.

The core function — boiling water fast — is comparable to kettles costing 2-3 times more. The 1500W element is standard across most US electric kettles regardless of price. Where you feel the difference is in build quality and features. Premium kettles typically offer variable temperature control, better materials (true 304 stainless steel, borosilicate glass), tighter manufacturing tolerances (no wobbling, better lid design), and significantly longer lifespan. The Elite Gourmet trades those extras for an approachable price. Reviewers who are happy with it tend to have basic needs. Those who are disappointed usually expected more durability.

It's about as simple as it gets. Fill the kettle with water (use the water level window on the side to see how much you're adding — max is 1.7 liters). Set it on the base — it's a 360-degree swivel base, so you can place it any direction. Flip the power switch, and the blue LED lights up to show it's heating. Walk away and do something else — the auto shut-off kicks in once it reaches a full boil. The kettle lifts off the base cordlessly for easy pouring. That's the entire process.