Our morning coffee is an absolute staple in our morning routine - no debate necessary.

This is, without a doubt, our favourite part of the morning. It’s also a definite contender for our favourite part of the day, too. It’s your moment of me-time before you dash out on the morning commute; that idyllic five minutes to yourself, where you take a pause before the day gets going.

So, naturally, we want to ensure that we do all that we can to make it absolutely perfect. That means buying quality coffee (or herbal teas, if you’re going decaf), having your favourite mug to hand, and investing in the best kit for the job. But when choosing your kettle, what is the difference between an electric and a stove model, and how do you know which would be the best option for you?

The kettle is an essential piece of kitchen equipment - we’d be absolutely lost without it. And we know that many people are left a bit confused about what the differences are between electric and stove kettles. So, to help you out with this (pretty pivotal) decision, we’ve used this blog boat to create a super handy buyer’s guide to kettles.

We’ll be covering:

1. Definitions of both options.
2. The differences between electric kettles and stove kettles.
3. Pros and cons of stove kettles.
4. Pros and cons of electric kettles.
5. Our verdict.

Below, you’ll find everything that you need to know about these two choices, including their features and the pros and cons of each, so that you can choose the right product to suit your kitchen.

1. Quick definitions

First things first, let's explain what we mean by stove kettles and electric kettles.

Stove top kettles work by (as you’d expect) sitting on top of your stove. The water inside is simply heated using the heat from the stove. In order for it to be able to work, a stove top kettle needs to be put on top of an external heat source.

Electric kettles are able to produce their own heat source. They work by connecting up to the mains electrical supply. This energy source is then used to heat the water, so that all the user needs to do is flick a switch or push a button.

2. Differences between electric kettles & stove kettles

In principle, there isn’t an awful lot of difference between these two types of devices. They both look pretty similar, and both do the same job of boiling water. Both types of kettle also have the same functional features (like a spout), and can heat a similar max volume of water at a time.

But, to put it simply, an electric kettle can do a lot more than a stove kettle can. The key difference between these two products is the number of different functionalities that electric kettles have to offer. This includes features like temperature control, remote control and time control, amongst others.

Essentially, both will do the same job. It just depends how well you want the job to be done.

3. Pros and cons of stove kettles

PROS:

• They’re a cheap option.
• They allow you to heat water above boiling point (so beyond 212°F), which is where most electric kettles stop.

CONS:

• They have far fewer features than an electric kettle.
• You can’t pick a specific temperature - you basically have to guess how hot the water is.
• They take a lot longer to heat up than an electric kettle.
• You need an external heat source, like your stove.
• They’re a bit of a faff to set up.
• They’re not a great option for anyone that is into their speciality coffee, where you need to heat water to a very specific temperature.

4. Pros and cons of electric kettles

PROS:

• They come with lots of brilliant features - like temperature control, the ability to control your kettle remotely, and decide what time you want your water to be heated for.
• Other than flicking a switch, you don’t have to do anything.
• They are super energy efficient, so are a far better option for the environment.
• They heat up far more quickly than a stove top kettle.
• They’re ideal for specific uses, where you need to heat water to a set temperature. This could be tasks like speciality coffee, or brewing green tea (where the flavour can be ruined if the water is too hot).
• Electric kettles are more energy efficient than the stovetop kettles. The heating element below the kettle directly heats the water, and no electricity is lost.

CONS:

• Because of the extra features, it’s a bit more expensive than a simple stovetop kettle.
• You need to plug it in to the mains supply to use the device.

5. Our verdict

Since it offers so many brilliant features, and gives the user a great range of flexibility with their brewing, we would say that an electric kettle is the best-fit option for anyone who is serious about their coffee.

An electric kettle gives users the opportunity to specify what temperature they want the water to be at, and ensure that it is the right heat for your exact usage.

Even if you’re not into speciality coffee, there are also lots of extra bonuses that come with investing in an electric kettle. It’s a more eco-conscious option, which also requires far less faffing for the user.

If you are interested in the high tech capabilities of an electric kettle, then we share your same enthusiasm. An electric kettle takes your brewing experience up to a whole new level, and these pros are even more obvious when it comes to a smart kettle. An electric smart kettle is basically an electric kettle with even more of the benefits.

So, without further ado, let us introduce our very own answer to all your speciality brewing needs - the iKettle.

The iKettle is the ultimate intuitive, advanced electric kettle. It brings complete flexibility to your brewing, so that you can be as precise as you like with your hot drinks. With the iKettle, you can connect your electric kettle up to your phone, and then use the Smarter app to heat up your water whenever you need it.

This feature is especially handy if you’ve got a young baby, as it is a great help for when you’re doing the nighttime feeds.

What’s more, you can specify the exact temperature that you want your water to be heated to. This is perfect if you’re partial to speciality drinks like pour over coffee, or if you enjoy a herbal green tea.

Plus, it brings a real touch of luxury to your day of work from home.

So, if you want to find out more about our iKettle Original, or if you’re all set to order one for your kitchen, we now offer delivery to the US! Visit the Smarter online store for all the deets.

Written by Josephine Walbank