Good coffee is not just about bringing together coffee beans and hot water. There is a science and art to it. One of the science bits involves heating the water to a precise temperature. You could boil the water in a microwave or on a stove-top kettle and then use a thermometer, but there is an easier and more accurate way.
Get an electric kettle with temperature control. It will allow you to boil water to a precise temperature. No too hot that it takes away the coffee flavour but hot enough that it can easily absorb the strong flavours from the coffee.
Another advantage of using an electric kettle is that it’s better for pour over coffee. This is a manual coffee-making method with Japanese origins. It only requires a dripper and ground coffee beans. Many coffee enthusiasts say it produces richer coffee than the one made by a coffee machine.
But to get it right, it is extremely important to achieve precise water temperature. It’s usually around 190 Fahrenheit (88C) but may be different depending on which recipe you are following. In addition to the temperature, there is a specific way the water needs to be poured over the coffee. Many coffee kettles have beautiful goose spouts that release water in a thin stream, perfect for pour over coffee.
We looked at dozens of kettles, considering factors like design, ease of use and capacity. In the end, we choose the following as the best kettles for coffee.
1. Diguo Variable Temperature Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Beautiful in design and efficient in function, the Diguo kettle is perfect for pour over coffee lovers. The most important feature is the heat control. The display on the control panel shows the real-time temperature of the water. When it reaches your desired temperature, just press hold to keep it there for 1 hour. When your coffee and funnel is ready, just tip the kettle and watch as the gooseneck spout pours a perfect stream of perfectly boiled water. The handle is angled away from the kettle so you don’t have to worry about burning your hand on the hot kettle. The kettle itself is very lightweight, making it easy to pour out water with as much control as you need. The kettle has a 0.7l capacity.
What I like about it:
- Elegant design.
- Lightweight body.
- Temperature control and gooseneck spout.
2. Hario Stainless Steel Buono Coffee Drip Kettle
Unlike the other kettles we have listed in this guide, Hario lacks temperature control. In fact, it’s a stovetop kettle, not electric. But it’s a famous brand, great gift, and great option for pour over coffee that I decided to include it. I especially love the goose spout design, which makes it really easy to control the flow of water over the coffee beans. The handle is angled away from the kettle to protect your hand from hot surface and the steam. The largest Hario kettle is 1.2 litres in capacity. You can also choose a medium (1 litre) or small (0.9 litre) size. There are two style options: copper and stainless steel. Choose the one that better blends into your kitchen décor.
What I like about it:
- Beautiful made-in-japan design.
- Three size and two style options available.
- Gooseneck spout for controlled pouring and angled spout for safety.
3. Bonavita Variable Temperature Digital Electric Kettle
At 1000 watts, the Bonavita will boil your water in no time. You can set the precise temperature you want using the control panel. The temperature range is 140 to 212 Fahrenheit. There is also a display where you can monitor the current temperature. If you are not using the water immediately, press the hold button. The kettle will maintain that specific temperature for up to 60 minutes. And when you are ready to have your coffee, the gooseneck spout ensures you can easily control the flow of water over the beans. The handle is set far away enough from the kettle that you don’t have to worry about burning your fingers. Additionally, the kettle is light so you won’t have trouble lifting it up. With a 1-litre capacity, you can brew at least 4 cups of coffee for friends or family.
What I like about it:
- Easy temperature control with real-time display.
- Gooseneck spout for controlled pouring.
- Beautiful brushed stainless steel finish.
4. Sage by Heston Blumenthal Smart Kettle
This kettle has 5 temperature options starting from 80C. If you are not sure what temperature is right for your beverage, use the labels on the buttons. The labels read green tea, white tea, oolong, black tea and coffee. When the water heats to the set temperature, it automatically turns off. But there is a button for hold, which keeps the water warm but only for 20 minutes. For safety, the kettle has a slow-release lid. It opens slowly to prevent a sudden release of steam and water splashes. The kettle is quite big, with a 1.7-litre capacity. A large window on the side allows you to monitor the amount of water you are pouring in. The only downside with this kettle is the lack of a gooseneck spout. It might be a bit harder to use it when preparing pour over coffee.
What I like about it:
- Large capacity.
- Variable temperature options.
- Slow-release lid.
5. Bosch TWK8633 Cordless Jug Kettle
This is another good option is you are looking for a general-purpose coffee kettle, not just one for making pour over coffee. It has a 1.5-litre capacity and 3,000 watts. It will take fairly longer to have your water ready but you can serve an entire party with just one kettleful. The kettle has a dial with which you can set the exact water temperature. It also has a keep warm function that can retain water at the desired temperate for up to 30 minutes. The lid opens wide for easy filling and there is a cup indicator on the side to help you put in the precise amount of water. Design-wise, the stainless steel metal finishing at the top half and black plastic casing at the bottom half are perfect for modern kitchens.
What I like about it:
- Good capacity.
- Variable temperature settings.
- Includes a keep warm function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a gooseneck kettle do for coffee?
A gooseneck kettle is one of the most iconic symbols of contemporary manual coffee brewing. Thanks to their ergonomic handles, elegant swan necks and tapered spouts, they’re the ideal solution for precision brewing.
But these kettles aren’t just hip barista accessories, they actually serve a purpose. When brewing a pour over, you want uniformity in your particles, water and other processes. As such, the gooseneck kettle is the holy grail of even extraction. It prevents water from pouring over haphazardly. Instead, users get more control and precision over the flow rate.
Q: How do you use an electric kettle for coffee?
Coffee connoisseurs will tell you that perfectly heated water is almost as important as the bean quality you use. So if you don’t have a coffee machine handy, then using an electric kettle is the next best thing.
Hold your horses now, because we won’t actually be brewing coffee in the kettle. That would be very messy and inaccurate. To use your electric kettle for coffee, simply gather the necessary items required for a pour-over. That’s ground coffee, a filter and your cup. Place a few teaspoons of coffee in the filter and wait for the water to boil. Once it boils, let it cool for some minutes and evenly pour it over your ground coffee into the awaiting cup.
Q: After boiling water in kettle how long to wait for perfect coffee?
A perfect cup of coffee is part and parcel of many a morning rituals. However, there are numerous theories and ideologies on what goes into making the perfect cuppa. Still, there’s one thing that you can’t afford to debate about –the water temperature.
So, should you even wait at all once your kettle boils? I’m sure some of you are already going – I like my coffee piping hot! Well, hot water at 100 degrees might scald your coffee and cause the flavour to oversaturate. That’s why experts’ advice waiting for at least two to three minutes before going for the pour over. Don’t worry, it’ll still be plenty hot even after 5 minutes.
Q: How much temperature does water lose when poured from a kettle for coffee?
If you still haven’t realised the level of accuracy required to make the perfect cup of coffee, then buckle up. It’s about to get mathematical in here. See, there’s a huge difference between the temperature of water in the kettle and what your thermometer will read once your coffee is in the cup.
In the kettle, boiling water is around 100 deg Celcius. But if you pour out this water immediately after boiling, you’ll notice a steep temperature change. As the water touches the coffee bed, this is where most of the temperature drop occurs. To answer the question above, water loses about 10 deg Celsius as it goes from the kettle through the coffee grounds.
