The perfect kettle for making tea or anything requiring water at an exact temperature

If you brew tea with water cooler than boiling, or if you have any other need for water at a specific temperature, this is the perfect kettle. It will bring up to 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) of water to any temperature from 104°F to 212°F and hold it there.

If your green tea requires water at 170° to 180°, or your white tea is best brewed at 140° to 160°, or your oolongs call for 180° to 200°, this kettle will bring the water to exactly that temperature and hold it there until you need it without fiddling with thermometers or having to be ready at the moment the right temperature is reached.

It can also bring the water to a boil, of course, for black teas, and it will then hold it at 207°; just below boiling, so the oxygen does not get depleted if you are not able to use it immediately. And you can bring it back to a full boil by pushing the on/off button twice.

I've had this kettle for about a month. I use it at least once a day with a variety of loose teas. I used to heat water on the stove or in the microwave. If I needed cooler water, I would then either add cold water or wait for it to cool. Now I just set it and forget it. It saves me at least 5-10 minutes every time I brew tea. I put the water in the Pino Digital Kettle, set the temperature, and turn it on. Then I can go about weighing the tea and preheating the teapot and the thermos while the water is heating up. My previously complicated and messy operation is now smooth and efficient.

The kettle is simple to use and essentially fool proof. For boiling water, just push the On button. It will bring the water to a boil and then back off to about 207° and hold. For cooler water, use the up/down arrows to set the temperature then push On. It will bring the water to that temperature and hold it there. You can change the target temperature at any time except when it is first heating to a boil.

I do have a few minor criticisms, but they are truly minor.

1. There is no external water gauge. It comes with a metal strip that hangs down into the kettle with tabs showing water level. They are difficult to read and the strip is just pushed into a slot in the lid hinge. Mine was loose inside the kettle when it arrived. I thought this would be more of a problem when I first got it, but I now just put plenty of water in the pot and measure when I pour.

2. The kettle is all stainless steel, so the outside of the pot gets hot. But many kettles have this problem. Some type of exterior insulation would be nice, but I haven't burned myself yet.

3. The digital readout serves two functions. While the arrow buttons are being pushed, it shoes the target temperature. At all other times, it shows the water temperature. It would be nice to have two readouts.

These are minor.

The temperature is very accurate. I checked it at several temperatures over the entire range with two different food thermometers. It was right on.

The unit is attractive and appears to be well built

As far as I know, this is the only kettle that will bring water to a specific temperature and hold it there.

[Sunday, October 05, 2008]