Electric Kettles Differ in Functional Specifications

  Electric kettles are convenient to have at home and affordable. New models are introduced every year but there is not enough information to compare quality.

In order to provide helpful information to consumers so that they can make rational choices, the Korea Consumer Agency (www.kca.go.kr) tested 16 brands of 10 manufacturers for quality and safety such as boil function, power consumption, and structure.

  Test results found that boil function varied by brand, and certain products either exceeded the permissible power consumption level or showed structural flaws. All 16 products passed the test for short circuit and electric shock.

■ Differing boil function

  Electric kettles are convenient in that water can be quickly boiled. Therefore, products that are able to boil water in the shortest time are considered to be of high quality. In testing the 16 brands, boiling time varied from 2 minutes, 53 seconds to 3 minutes, 56 seconds. Of the brands tested, Philips (HD9300), Tepal (KI1404, KO2701), and Bokuk Electronics (BKK-177S) showed relatively short boiling time of less than 3 minutes.

■ Exceeding permissible power consumption level

  Electric kettles manufactured by Queen Sense (QSK-DW120) and Shinil (SEP-KE170) exceeded the permissible power consumption level (-10% ~ -5 %).

Products that consume less energy when boiling water are considered to be of high quality. All 16 brands consumed 101~111Wh of energy per use, meaning lower electricity rates.

  * Standard labeling of electricity rate (KRW 160 per 1000Wh) according to the Energy Use Rationalization Act.

■ Certain products found to have structural flaws

  Electric kettles made by Tefal* (KI1404) had sharp interior finishes so consumers may likely hurt their hand when cleaning. As for electric kettles produced by Shinil*** (SEP-KE170), the interior was not well-polished.

  * Tefal said that it would make improvements.

  ** Shinil said that it would carefully manage flawed products and replace moldings.

  Surface temperature* of stainless products rise to above 95℃ so consumers should be careful of sustaining burns when touching the surface. All 16 products passed the short circuit and electric shock tests by measuring thermal conductivity (transfer of heat) at a 15-degree angle.

  * According to the electrical appliance safety standard, surface temperature limits apply to handles. All 16 products were found to meet the standard.

■ Brands vary in other specifications

  Electric kettles also varied in functional specifications such as LED light and lid opening method. Of the brands tested, Namyang Kitchen Flower (GVK-H171G) and Queen Sense (QSK-DW120) were heavy (weighs more than 900g).