It was Friday evening and I put the kettle on to make a brew before logging on to ciao. While waiting for it to boil I powered up the computer in readiness for a good read and natter, having logged on I quickly went to finish making my drink. Shock horror, the water was still cold! I used all the tricks to get it going but it was having none of it. It was completely, utterly and most sincerely, dead.
After a few choice expletives and with tear in eye I said a sad farewell to a most faithful companion then chucked it in the bin. A quick time check showed that it would only be the twenty four hour stores that would be open, not to worry Sainsburys are only ten minutes down the road. Having shut the computer down off I went, with a promise to spend no more than £15
Sainsburys had a vast array of kettles in that price range, well on paper they did! The cheapest model on the shelf was £24.99 and I wasn't having that. Sticking to my original price and my spirits down I returned to the car. I couldn't go all night without a brew, besides my free Yorkshire tea bags had arrived and being new to ciao I'd pencilled them in as my second review.
Tesco are the next nearest supermarket so off I went. The only item in my price range was the Tefal Delphina cordless kettle priced at £14.99. Decision time, did I waste more petrol and travel a fair distance to Asda, or did I buy the Tefal which after all was in the price range I had set myself, even if it was only by a penny? You've guessed it, as I'm reviewing the kettle I bought it.
Oversight * * * * * * * *
It comes in a box with pictures of the product on all sides. Inside, the kettle and base are individually packed in polythene bags. In line with regulations there is a standard three pin plug complete with fitted 13 A fuse. The plug is pre-moulded but the fuse holder is removable so you don't have to destroy the plug should you need to change the fuse.
Inside the kettle is a small set of instructions. A quick read tells you you may need to boil the kettle two or three times to remove foreign particles. Once the kettle was boiling a more in depth read of the instructions was needed. I was fascinated to find out how they justified a seven page booklet for a kettle!
Instructions * * * * * * * * *
Apologies to Tefal at this point as the instructions are informative. The first page covers useful telephone numbers and addresses and it clearly identifies the call charge rate! Usage instructions are clear with each having it's own diagram. Separate chapters cover cleaning and de-scaling. There's a problem solving guide and advice on accident prevention. If the moulded plug should get damaged instructions are provided on how to rewire a new plug.
Description * * * * * * * * *
As kettles go it is quite stylish in looks. It's made of white plastic and is large by comparison to some on the market. It has an easy grip handle that is quite chunky. Incorporated into the handle is a translucent blue on/off switch which is smooth in operation. The switch is easily reachable from both sides of the handle so it's simple to switch off should the need arise.
On each side is a clear water level indicator but in my opinion Tefal have missed a trick here as there's no coloured plastic float to indicate the level. The addition of such a simple device would make it so much easier to see the water level but as it is you have to look closely. People suffering with their eyesight may find the level difficult to read. the level indicators are marked in white at the minimum (0.5 ltr), middle (1 ltr) and maximum (1.5 ltr) levels. the levels between these marks are identified by large white dots.
At the bottom of each side is a small picture that looks like a modern glass teapot rather than a kettle. The model name is next to this picture. At the bottom of the kettle technical information is stamped into the plastic both in English and French. The electrical connections that plug into the base are well recessed into the kettle bottom as well.
The lid opens on a sturdy plastic hinge and 'snaps' across the filter to securely close it. Once open, inside the spout is a removable plastic filter with a very fine nylon mesh. removal of the filter relies on you pushing a plastic locking button and pulling the filter out. I've got fairly chunky fingers and I found it cumbersome to remove. Providing you de-scale regularly and keep the filter clean, there's little problem with lime scale beating the filter. The mesh does a very good job in that department.
At the bottom is the element and again I think Tefal have been slow. They've used a 2.2 kW element where 3 kW may have been more suitable. If you shop around there are smaller kettles than this one using such an element. These kettles are labelled 'rapid boil' or something similar. Cookworks, Morphy Richards and Kenwood are just three manufacturers making this type of kettle.
It sits well on the base and the cord can be adjusted to suit your needs with any spare cable being stored underneath. This in my mind is a big plus for Tefal as you can keep the lead short if there are small children in the house thus stop prying fingers pulling the kettle on top of them!
In Use * * * * * *
It does what it should do, it boils water but that's about as easy as it gets in the operating department. The instructions advise filling the kettle through the spout but in practice this can be a nightmare. If you turn the tap on fast, water cascades out of the spout, all over the kettle and covering you in the process. Luckily, it's cold water at this stage! To get the thing to fill you have to make sure the water flow is fairly slow.
Once boiled the nightmare continues. Pour wrong and boiling water goes everywhere and you don't need me to highlight the potential dangers involved. I speak from experience as I suffered third degree burns to my legs caused by a kettle accident and I was an adult at the time! Just thinking what could happen to a child makes me shudder!
When I'm cooking and need to boil a kettle, I like to see a power on light simply so I don't have to keep checking if I've switched it on or not. I know, I should have noticed it before I bought it, but I didn't. I'm only human after all. There's no power on indication and this has caused me a few headaches. On more than one occasion believing I've switched the thing on, I've made preparations to add boiling water to a recipe only to find the kettle cold. It's probably only a minor point for most people but try explaining why the gravy's late with Sunday dinner!
Would I Recommend This Kettle? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Although well made, I think there are better value kettles on the market than this model. Certainly, any purchaser should be aware that unless filled and poured slowly you will have water everywhere which is a danger when the kettle has boiled. The lack of a power on light may put you off, but that's an individual choice. The cord storage under the base will appeal to most people and in particular those with small children. If circumstances had been different I would not have bought this model therefore I can't justify recommending it.
Information * * * * * * * * *
Element - 240 V 2.2 kW (2200 W)
Fuse Rating - 13 A
Minimum Capacity = 0.5 ltr Maximum Capacity = 1.5 ltr
Water Filter - Plastic framed with fine nylon mesh. Removable for cleaning.
Boiling Times * * * * * * * * * * * (These timings are my own and are approximates. Tefal do not provide this information with the kettle. All timings were taken with the element being cold and cold water used)
0.5 ltr = 1 min 51 secs 1 ltr = 2 min 45 secs 1.5 ltr = 4 min 45 secs
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