Has anyone tried either of these pots?
Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am wanting a
quicker replacement than one from China.
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Shen

Shen > writes:

> Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am wanting a
> quicker replacement than one from China.

You mean Kamjove, right?

> Suggestions?

If you've become accustomed to brewing gongfu with water heated by a
Kamjove, you should probably pay close attention to the spouts of the
kettles you examine. It's going to be hard to find one whose pour is
as easy to control.

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

Shen wrote:
> Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am wanting a
> quicker replacement than one from China.
> Suggestions?
> Thanks!
> Shen

I have two chef's choice pots (bought from Upton). I picked the Chef's
Choice because it had 1500 vs 1400 watts. I've been happy with them -
not a single problem. I bought the second for my office.

On Feb 9, 2:12*pm, Shen > wrote:
> Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am wanting a
> quicker replacement than one from China.
> Suggestions?
> Thanks!
> Shen

Just a bit of logic for you to intermix with aesthetics and personal
tastes. In the U.S. all of our standard 110v circuits can only produce
a max of 1500 Watts. Electricity to heat is an almost 100% conversion
with little loss, so basically any kettle from a $5 cheap one to a
$200+ Zojirushi is going to boil water exactly the same. Even a
difference between a 1400 Watt and 1500Watt labeled unit is
negligible. So it really just comes down to the look, feel, and
features you desire.

- Dominic

P = I x E. A 15amp 110v circuit can handle 1650w, a 20amp 110v
kitchen circuit 2200w. The 15amp circuit is normally 14g wire which
is the same as most kitchen appliance power cords. The 20amp is 12g
wiring used in washers and refrigerators. So 1500w is really a
limitation of the powercord in the kitchen and be sure to use the
toaster on a different circuit at the same time.

Jim

PS First day on the job a long long time ago. I plug in an immersion
heater which drew 5 amps to boil some water for tea. It tripped the
breaker for all the keypunches on the same circuit. Ill never forget
the look of those gals.

On Feb 10, 7:21 am, "Dominic T." > wrote:
> On Feb 9, 2:12 pm, Shen > wrote:
>
> > Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> > Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am wanting a
> > quicker replacement than one from China.
> > Suggestions?
> > Thanks!
> > Shen
>
> Just a bit of logic for you to intermix with aesthetics and personal
> tastes. In the U.S. all of our standard 110v circuits can only produce
> a max of 1500 Watts. Electricity to heat is an almost 100% conversion
> with little loss, so basically any kettle from a $5 cheap one to a
> $200+ Zojirushi is going to boil water exactly the same. Even a
> difference between a 1400 Watt and 1500Watt labeled unit is
> negligible. So it really just comes down to the look, feel, and
> features you desire.
>
> - Dominic

writes:

> P = I x E. A 15amp 110v circuit can handle 1650w, a 20amp 110v
> kitchen circuit 2200w. The 15amp circuit is normally 14g wire which
> is the same as most kitchen appliance power cords. The 20amp is 12g
> wiring used in washers and refrigerators. So 1500w is really a
> limitation of the powercord in the kitchen and be sure to use the
> toaster on a different circuit at the same time.

Gratitude?

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

On Feb 10, 11:25*am, wrote:
> P = I x E. *A 15amp 110v circuit can handle 1650w, a 20amp 110v
> kitchen circuit 2200w. *The 15amp circuit is normally 14g wire which
> is the same as most kitchen appliance power cords. *The 20amp is 12g
> wiring used in washers and refrigerators. *So 1500w is really a
> limitation of the powercord in the kitchen and be sure to use the
> toaster on a different circuit at the same time.
>
> Jim

Touche! Geez on the Internets I should know by now everyone knows
everything! I tip my hat to you sir. Nice touch even going into wire
gauge. A+

Dominic

wrote:
> P = I x E. A 15amp 110v circuit can handle 1650w, a 20amp 110v
> kitchen circuit 2200w. The 15amp circuit is normally 14g wire which
> is the same as most kitchen appliance power cords. The 20amp is 12g
> wiring used in washers and refrigerators. So 1500w is really a
> limitation of the powercord in the kitchen and be sure to use the
> toaster on a different circuit at the same time.
>
> Jim
>
> PS First day on the job a long long time ago. I plug in an immersion
> heater which drew 5 amps to boil some water for tea. It tripped the
> breaker for all the keypunches on the same circuit. Ill never forget
> the look of those gals.
>
> On Feb 10, 7:21 am, "Dominic T." > wrote:
>> On Feb 9, 2:12 pm, Shen > wrote:
>>
>>> Has anyone tried either of these pots?
>>> Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am wanting a
>>> quicker replacement than one from China.
>>> Suggestions?
>>> Thanks!
>>> Shen
>> Just a bit of logic for you to intermix with aesthetics and personal
>> tastes. In the U.S. all of our standard 110v circuits can only produce
>> a max of 1500 Watts. Electricity to heat is an almost 100% conversion
>> with little loss, so basically any kettle from a $5 cheap one to a
>> $200+ Zojirushi is going to boil water exactly the same. Even a
>> difference between a 1400 Watt and 1500Watt labeled unit is
>> negligible. So it really just comes down to the look, feel, and
>> features you desire.
>>
>> - Dominic

Apparently, I picked my chef choice pots for no good reason at all =]

They do work well for me, and I haven't blown any circuits (then I don't
prepare a lot of toast, either) =]

The one thing this pot does not have that others (idk about the upton)
have is a heat control - these pots boil and quit. If you are the type
that wants an exact temp, you probably will want a different pot. I just
wanted 1 liter boiling faster than it was taking on the gas stove. These
pots meet that need, and can go 1.75 liters.

If I remember right, the box said "Made in China" so perhaps its related
to your dead pot.

[shen]
> > Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> > Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am
> > wanting a quicker replacement than one from China.
> > Suggestions?

[dominic]
> basically any kettle from a $5 cheap one to a
> $200+ Zojirushi is going to boil water exactly the same. Even a
> difference between a 1400 Watt and 1500Watt labeled unit is
> negligible. So it really just comes down to the look, feel, and
> features you desire.

[corax] hi shen. dominic is right on all counts, i think. having
recently gone through this again myself, at both home and office, i
have some 'features' to suggest you bear in mind: [see below for
comments on these, seriatim; for some illustrations, go to e.g.
amazon.com and type 'electric kettle' as search parameters -- you'll
get about 4 pages of options]

[1] auto shut-off feature?
[2] ease of pouring [handle shape; total weight of unit when full]
[3] ease in re/filling with water
[4] warranty?
[5] visual aesthetics?
[6] total volume of boiled water each time
[7] sturdiness?
[8] water taste?
[9] adjustable temps?
[10] internal surface: coated?

[1] this is important to me because over the years i have boiled more
than one kettle dry on the stove [ahem]. i get distracted -- i believe
we now call it 'multitasking' -- and forget to watch the thing [which
as we know by definition never boils anyway]. for sheer efficiency
it's hard to beat those small coil immersion heaters, that plug into
the wall and go straight into the cup -- but they are huge fire
hazards too. no multitasking with one of those!
[2] will others [incl your mother] be using the kettle? these can get
pretty heavy when full, if they need lifted. one major plus with the
zojirushi of course is: you don't lift it at all. you just push a
button.
[3] not all kettles are created equal, esp in this regard. my mother
has a cuisinart KUA-17, which is visually pleasing -- i think she was
charmed that it looks like a traditional kettle -- and boils water
'wicked fast' as they say in new england. plus i find that cuisinart
products generally are sturdily built and dependably long-lived. but
with this one, the handle arches right over the area where you refill
it with water; on a visit to her, the first time i tried to refill it,
the handle was fussily in the way, *plus* i almost scalded my hand
from the rising steam. i decided right then i had to buy a pot with a
side-mounted handle.
[4] ----- [you'll of course compare these and their merits relative to
the other factors involved]
[5] this is going to be the most personal part of course. from your
question [upton vs chef's choice] you may have narrowed the choice
down quite far already, but if not, have a look at the images on those
amazon pages for the breadth of variety. *** for sheer aesthetics, i
don't think you can beat the traditional chinese ceramic-kettle-on-a-
brazier; but that is likely not the most *efficient* solution. the
closest to it, visually, is probably the kamjove KJ-750A -- but the
handle isn't side-mounted, which it is on the kamjove V60 [i'm betting
the latter is the one you were using]. [these kamjoves aren't pictured
in those amazon.com pages; see e.g. at www.birdpick.com under
'kettles']
[6] don't know how important this is to you. the chef's choice is
about as big as they come. but again, the more water inside, the
heavier it would be to lift, if lifting is entailed [and an issue]
[7] my previous 'round' of purchases involved a chef's choice 677 and
i loved it. it served me well and for *several* years of daily hard
use. lotta mileage on that thing. finally the lid snapped off, near
the hinge, and there was no repairing it. i would still have to say
that that was a 'sturdy' pot; but see no. 8 below.
[8] i instantly replaced that chef's choice 677 with another of the
very same model. to my chagrin, the newer one seems to be made of a
different type of plastic [perhaps to address the sturdiness issue?]
-- this time it has that archetypal 'plasticky' smell, and no amount
of boiling water will get rid of it. i boiled trial potsful of water
for two weeks! i boiled it with vinegar in the water. no luck. it
still smells like plastic -- which means the tea is going to *taste*
like plastic, and i can't have that. --> so i replaced it with a
cuisinart CJK-17BC. they are very similar in appearance. this one also
arrived smelling like plastic! but one long boil [well okay, one
potful with two re-boilings] of a strong solution of vinegar in water
removed the smell and taste completely. so far [several months] i have
been very happy with this cuisinart model.
[9] as i recall, you drink a lot of greens and whites as well as other
types of teas. so easy variability of water temp could be a high
priority for you. the zojirushi or the upton are obvious choices for
this -- but see no. 10 below.
[10] my heart was set on a zojirushi. the idea of having a constant
supply of hot water all day -- possibly at several temps -- was
irresistible. but i was crushed to find that every single zoji has a
plastic coating of some kind. not sure why this is -- maybe so that it
can double as a rice-cooker? anyway, i may be worrying needlessly, but
i am hearing more and more about the dangers of plastics [particularly
those with BPA -- see e.g. at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A for a few alarming items -- a
more recent study i saw highlighted the diabetes connection. i believe
they are also making it illegal now for any baby bottles to be made
with BPA]. particularly when heated, plastics worry me. now: and what
follows here is important: i don't know if [a] the zoji plastic has
BPA in it, or [b] other plastics besides those made with BPA are
harmful. **i may be worrying needlessly.** but it may not be needless
either. they used to think thalidomide was completely safe, for
example. so with huge regret i did *not* buy the zoji. [for those who
*don't* worry about plastic, the bodum 'mini-ibis' -- i think it's
5410-03USA -- is outstanding, a handy size for traveling, and not too
expensive. comes in different colors.

for most of us, the purchase will entail a sort of equation in which
each of these functions as an item of variable value. chances are, you
and other readers will also think of other features that prove
important to bear in mind. and of course there's no one 'best' kettle
for everyone -- otherwise there wouldn't be those four pages of
options at amazon.com.

hope this isn't just TMI ... regards to all,
corax

On Feb 11, 8:34*am, corax > wrote:
> [shen]
>
> > > Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> > > Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am
> > > wanting a quicker replacement than one from China.
> > > Suggestions?
>
> [dominic]
>
> > basically any kettle from a $5 cheap one to a
> > $200+ Zojirushi is going to boil water exactly the same. Even a
> > difference between a 1400 Watt and 1500Watt labeled unit is
> > negligible. So it really just comes down to the look, feel, and
> > features you desire.
>
> [corax] hi shen. dominic is right on all counts, i think. having
> recently gone through this again myself, at both home and office, i
> have some 'features' to suggest you bear in mind: [see below for
> comments on these, seriatim; for some illustrations, go to e.g.
> amazon.com and type 'electric kettle' as search parameters -- you'll
> get about 4 pages of options]
>
> [1] auto shut-off feature?
> [2] ease of pouring [handle shape; total weight of unit when full]
> [3] ease in re/filling with water
> [4] warranty?
> [5] visual aesthetics?
> [6] total volume of boiled water each time
> [7] sturdiness?
> [8] water taste?
> [9] adjustable temps?
> [10] internal surface: coated?
>
> [1] this is important to me because over the years i have boiled more
> than one kettle dry on the stove [ahem]. i get distracted -- i believe
> we now call it 'multitasking' -- and forget to watch the thing [which
> as we know by definition never boils anyway]. for sheer efficiency
> it's hard to beat those small coil immersion heaters, that plug into
> the wall and go straight into the cup -- but they are huge fire
> hazards too. no multitasking with one of those!
> [2] will others [incl your mother] be using the kettle? these can get
> pretty heavy when full, if they need lifted. one major plus with the
> zojirushi of course is: you don't lift it at all. you just push a
> button.
> [3] not all kettles are created equal, esp in this regard. my mother
> has a cuisinart KUA-17, which is visually pleasing -- i think she was
> charmed that it looks like a traditional kettle -- and boils water
> 'wicked fast' as they say in new england. plus i find that cuisinart
> products generally are sturdily built and dependably long-lived. but
> with this one, the handle arches right over the area where you refill
> it with water; on a visit to her, the first time i tried to refill it,
> the handle was fussily in the way, *plus* i almost scalded my hand
> from the rising steam. i decided right then i had to buy a pot with a
> side-mounted handle.
> [4] ----- [you'll of course compare these and their merits relative to
> the other factors involved]
> [5] this is going to be the most personal part of course. from your
> question [upton vs chef's choice] you may have narrowed the choice
> down quite far already, but if not, have a look at the images on those
> amazon pages for the breadth of variety. *** for sheer aesthetics, i
> don't think you can beat the traditional chinese ceramic-kettle-on-a-
> brazier; but that is likely not the most *efficient* solution. the
> closest to it, visually, is probably the kamjove KJ-750A -- but the
> handle isn't side-mounted, which it is on the kamjove V60 [i'm betting
> the latter is the one you were using]. [these kamjoves aren't pictured
> in those amazon.com pages; see e.g. atwww.birdpick.comunder
> 'kettles']
> [6] don't know how important this is to you. the chef's choice is
> about as big as they come. but again, the more water inside, the
> heavier it would be to lift, if lifting is entailed [and an issue]
> [7] my previous 'round' of purchases involved a chef's choice 677 and
> i loved it. it served me well and for *several* years of daily hard
> use. lotta mileage on that thing. finally the lid snapped off, near
> the hinge, and there was no repairing it. i would still have to say
> that that was a 'sturdy' pot; but see no. 8 below.
> [8] i instantly replaced that chef's choice 677 with another of the
> very same model. to my chagrin, the newer one seems to be made of a
> different type of plastic [perhaps to address the sturdiness issue?]
> -- this time it has that archetypal 'plasticky' smell, and no amount
> of boiling water will get rid of it. i boiled trial potsful of water
> for two weeks! i boiled it with vinegar in the water. no luck. it
> still smells like plastic -- which means the tea is going to *taste*
> like plastic, and i can't have that. --> so i replaced it with a
> cuisinart CJK-17BC. they are very similar in appearance. this one also
> arrived smelling like plastic! but one long boil [well okay, one
> potful with two re-boilings] of a strong solution of vinegar in water
> removed the smell and taste completely. so far [several months] i have
> been very happy with this cuisinart model.
> [9] as i recall, you drink a lot of greens and whites as well as other
> types of teas. so easy variability of water temp could be a high
> priority for you. the zojirushi or the upton are obvious choices for
> this -- but see no. 10 below.
> [10] my heart was set on a zojirushi. the idea of having a constant
> supply of hot water all day -- possibly at several temps -- was
> irresistible. but i was crushed to find that every single zoji has a
> plastic coating of some kind. not sure why this is -- maybe so that it
> can double as a rice-cooker? anyway, i may be worrying needlessly, but
> i am hearing more and more about the dangers of plastics [particularly
> those with BPA -- see e.g. athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_Afor a few alarming items -- a
> more recent study i saw highlighted the diabetes connection. i believe
> they are also making it illegal now for any baby bottles to be made
> with BPA]. particularly when heated, plastics worry me. now: and what
> follows here is important: i don't know if [a] the zoji plastic has
> BPA in it, or [b] other plastics besides those made with BPA are
> harmful. **i may be worrying needlessly.** but it may not be needless
> either. they used to think thalidomide was completely safe, for
> example. so with huge regret i did *not* buy the zoji. [for those who
> *don't* worry about plastic, the bodum 'mini-ibis' -- i think it's
> 5410-03USA -- is outstanding, a handy size for traveling, and not too
> expensive. comes in different colors.
>
> for most of us, the purchase will entail a sort of equation in which
> each of these functions as an item of variable value. chances are, you
> and other readers will also think of other features that prove
> important to bear in mind. and of course there's no one 'best' kettle
> for everyone -- otherwise there wouldn't be those four pages of
> options at amazon.com.
>
> hope this isn't just TMI ... regards to all,
> corax

Nice to hear from you, Corax!
Yes, indeed, I have been spoiled by the Kamjove, similar to V60,
although all stainless steel. Loved it to it's dying day!
I just thought that, perhaps, something from Upton would be worth the
speed in which it arrives.
It's just for myself and my husband so weight is not an issue. The
smell of plastic would be.The kamjove had an automatic "shut off" or
could be used for a direct boil.
As far as temperature goes, that's of no real difference. I always
seem to leave the lid open and peek and pull the pot away at either
the pin bubble (for green), makeral eye for oolongs or big fish eye
for blacks.
My husband's been using the pt for his French Press coffee and just
lets it boil.
I want to thank everyone for their input and I'll let you know how it
goes.
Happy sipping!
Shen

On Feb 11, 8:34*am, corax > wrote:
> [shen]
>
> > > Has anyone tried either of these pots?
> > > Our beloved Kamkov (China) died after so much use and I am
> > > wanting a quicker replacement than one from China.
> > > Suggestions?
>
> [dominic]
>
> > basically any kettle from a $5 cheap one to a
> > $200+ Zojirushi is going to boil water exactly the same. Even a
> > difference between a 1400 Watt and 1500Watt labeled unit is
> > negligible. So it really just comes down to the look, feel, and
> > features you desire.
>
> [corax] hi shen. dominic is right on all counts, i think. having
> recently gone through this again myself, at both home and office, i
> have some 'features' to suggest you bear in mind: [see below for
> comments on these, seriatim; for some illustrations, go to e.g.
> amazon.com and type 'electric kettle' as search parameters -- you'll
> get about 4 pages of options]
>
> [1] auto shut-off feature?
> [2] ease of pouring [handle shape; total weight of unit when full]
> [3] ease in re/filling with water
> [4] warranty?
> [5] visual aesthetics?
> [6] total volume of boiled water each time
> [7] sturdiness?
> [8] water taste?
> [9] adjustable temps?
> [10] internal surface: coated?
>
> [1] this is important to me because over the years i have boiled more
> than one kettle dry on the stove [ahem]. i get distracted -- i believe
> we now call it 'multitasking' -- and forget to watch the thing [which
> as we know by definition never boils anyway]. for sheer efficiency
> it's hard to beat those small coil immersion heaters, that plug into
> the wall and go straight into the cup -- but they are huge fire
> hazards too. no multitasking with one of those!
> [2] will others [incl your mother] be using the kettle? these can get
> pretty heavy when full, if they need lifted. one major plus with the
> zojirushi of course is: you don't lift it at all. you just push a
> button.
> [3] not all kettles are created equal, esp in this regard. my mother
> has a cuisinart KUA-17, which is visually pleasing -- i think she was
> charmed that it looks like a traditional kettle -- and boils water
> 'wicked fast' as they say in new england. plus i find that cuisinart
> products generally are sturdily built and dependably long-lived. but
> with this one, the handle arches right over the area where you refill
> it with water; on a visit to her, the first time i tried to refill it,
> the handle was fussily in the way, *plus* i almost scalded my hand
> from the rising steam. i decided right then i had to buy a pot with a
> side-mounted handle.
> [4] ----- [you'll of course compare these and their merits relative to
> the other factors involved]
> [5] this is going to be the most personal part of course. from your
> question [upton vs chef's choice] you may have narrowed the choice
> down quite far already, but if not, have a look at the images on those
> amazon pages for the breadth of variety. *** for sheer aesthetics, i
> don't think you can beat the traditional chinese ceramic-kettle-on-a-
> brazier; but that is likely not the most *efficient* solution. the
> closest to it, visually, is probably the kamjove KJ-750A -- but the
> handle isn't side-mounted, which it is on the kamjove V60 [i'm betting
> the latter is the one you were using]. [these kamjoves aren't pictured
> in those amazon.com pages; see e.g. atwww.birdpick.comunder
> 'kettles']
> [6] don't know how important this is to you. the chef's choice is
> about as big as they come. but again, the more water inside, the
> heavier it would be to lift, if lifting is entailed [and an issue]
> [7] my previous 'round' of purchases involved a chef's choice 677 and
> i loved it. it served me well and for *several* years of daily hard
> use. lotta mileage on that thing. finally the lid snapped off, near
> the hinge, and there was no repairing it. i would still have to say
> that that was a 'sturdy' pot; but see no. 8 below.
> [8] i instantly replaced that chef's choice 677 with another of the
> very same model. to my chagrin, the newer one seems to be made of a
> different type of plastic [perhaps to address the sturdiness issue?]
> -- this time it has that archetypal 'plasticky' smell, and no amount
> of boiling water will get rid of it. i boiled trial potsful of water
> for two weeks! i boiled it with vinegar in the water. no luck. it
> still smells like plastic -- which means the tea is going to *taste*
> like plastic, and i can't have that. --> so i replaced it with a
> cuisinart CJK-17BC. they are very similar in appearance. this one also
> arrived smelling like plastic! but one long boil [well okay, one
> potful with two re-boilings] of a strong solution of vinegar in water
> removed the smell and taste completely. so far [several months] i have
> been very happy with this cuisinart model.
> [9] as i recall, you drink a lot of greens and whites as well as other
> types of teas. so easy variability of water temp could be a high
> priority for you. the zojirushi or the upton are obvious choices for
> this -- but see no. 10 below.
> [10] my heart was set on a zojirushi. the idea of having a constant
> supply of hot water all day -- possibly at several temps -- was
> irresistible. but i was crushed to find that every single zoji has a
> plastic coating of some kind. not sure why this is -- maybe so that it
> can double as a rice-cooker? anyway, i may be worrying needlessly, but
> i am hearing more and more about the dangers of plastics [particularly
> those with BPA -- see e.g. athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_Afor a few alarming items -- a
> more recent study i saw highlighted the diabetes connection. i believe
> they are also making it illegal now for any baby bottles to be made
> with BPA]. particularly when heated, plastics worry me. now: and what
> follows here is important: i don't know if [a] the zoji plastic has
> BPA in it, or [b] other plastics besides those made with BPA are
> harmful. **i may be worrying needlessly.** but it may not be needless
> either. they used to think thalidomide was completely safe, for
> example. so with huge regret i did *not* buy the zoji. [for those who
> *don't* worry about plastic, the bodum 'mini-ibis' -- i think it's
> 5410-03USA -- is outstanding, a handy size for traveling, and not too
> expensive. comes in different colors.
>
> for most of us, the purchase will entail a sort of equation in which
> each of these functions as an item of variable value. chances are, you
> and other readers will also think of other features that prove
> important to bear in mind. and of course there's no one 'best' kettle
> for everyone -- otherwise there wouldn't be those four pages of
> options at amazon.com.
>
> hope this isn't just TMI ... regards to all,
> corax

I am curious, Corax, what did you end up choosing?
Shen

[shen] Nice to hear from you, Corax!

[corax] shen! ni hao ma?

[shen] As far as temperature goes, that's of no real difference. I
always
seem to leave the lid open and peek and pull the pot away at either
the pin bubble (for green), makeral eye for oolongs or big fish eye
for blacks.

[corax] the lu yu way! that's the best, really, if one can learn to do
that. then one is free of the need for thermometers, fancy switches,
and such.

[shen] I am curious, Corax, what did you end up choosing?

[corax] i used to have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000E5IN3/
the new version of that was the one that smelled plasticky. but dave
here says he likes his chef's choice, so maybe mine was an oddity. or
maybe he has a different model?
in any case, i exchanged that for this one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008IH9I/
and this is the one my mother swears by:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004S9CZ/
the bodum mini-ibis that works so well [and FWIW does *not* produce
boiled water that smells or tastes plasticky -- is smell a sufficient
warning?]:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006F2M1/
and note: these links are for convenience. you might be able to source
any or all of these more cheaply somewhere else ...

Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
whatever.

http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

I reviewed the prototype a few years ago, you can see my take on it
here
http://www.pu-erh.net/phpBB/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=250

I use it at work everyday for the last year and a half and no problems
so far. I really like being able to dial in whatever temp I want,
especially great for greens and whites.

Mike

www.pu-erh.net

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php

[corax] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

On Feb 12, 9:50*am, Mike Petro > wrote:
> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> whatever.
>
> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php
>
> I reviewed the prototype a few years ago, you can see my take on it
> herehttp://www.pu-erh.net/phpBB/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=250
>
> I use it at work everyday for the last year and a half and no problems
> so far. I really like being able to dial in whatever temp I want,
> especially great for greens and whites.
>
> Mike
>
> www.pu-erh.net

[dominic] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than
or
equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?

Dominic T. wrote:
> On Feb 12, 9:50 am, Mike Petro > wrote:
>> Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
>> precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
>> Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
>> whatever.
>>
>> http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php
>>
>> I reviewed the prototype a few years ago, you can see my take on it
>> herehttp://www.pu-erh.net/phpBB/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=250
>>
>> I use it at work everyday for the last year and a half and no problems
>> so far. I really like being able to dial in whatever temp I want,
>> especially great for greens and whites.
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> www.pu-erh.net
>
> [dominic] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than
> or
> equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
> wattage, can you see?
>
>

1000 watts according to Amazon and Google.

I can't see the difference between the 'Pro' and 'Express', other than
the price.

Dave S.

[dave s] 1000 watts according to Amazon and Google.

[corax] thanks dave

[dave s] I can't see the difference between the 'Pro' and 'Express',
other than the price.

[corax] i can't be sure from the pics, but it looks to me as though
the 'express' is solid-state. the 'pro' does stand on a base to which
it is not attached. in this regard the 'pro' is similar to my
cuisinart CJK-17BC, and to those kamjoves.

mike, i'm interested in the 500-watt difference between this and some
others. you've been around the block a few times; do you notice a
significantly slower boiling time with the pino? or is the wattage not
really that significant in this regard?

[natarajan] looks really good mike -- side-mounted handle, cheaper than
or equal to the cuisinart or chef's choice, adjustable temp. what's the
wattage, can you see?


Kidding -- corax: your news client or server posted a few extra copies
of the article.


It's a 1000W kettle, but since I can set & forget, as Mike noted, this
doesn't tend to bother me too much. In fact, I love it, despite its
quirks.

I also gave one as a gift to a friend who likes green tea but rarely
drinks it because it's kind of a hassle. He also loves it, despite
its quirks, and it entirely replaced the 1500W Braun he'd been using
before.

(I am tempted to get one for the office, too, but I just got some
computer gear, so not for a little while, still. *grin*)

There was a discussion of these kettles in this group a little while
back. A few people (including me) posted impressions after getting
them.


Good luck!
N.

[dave s] 1000 watts according to Amazon and Google.

[corax] thanks dave

[dave s] I can't see the difference between the 'Pro' and 'Express',
other than the price.

[corax] i can't be sure from the pics, but it looks to me as though
the 'express' is solid-state. the 'pro' does stand on a base to which
it is not attached. in this regard the 'pro' is similar to my
cuisinart CJK-17BC, and to those kamjoves.

mike, i'm interested in the 500-watt difference between this and some
others. you've been around the block a few times; do you notice a
significantly slower boiling time with the pino? or is the wattage not
really that significant in this regard?

[dave s] 1000 watts according to Amazon and Google.

[corax] thanks dave

[dave s] I can't see the difference between the 'Pro' and 'Express',
other than the price.

[corax] i can't be sure from the pics, but it looks to me as though
the 'express' is solid-state. the 'pro' does stand on a base to which
it is not attached. in this regard the 'pro' is similar to my
cuisinart CJK-17BC, and to those kamjoves.

mike, i'm interested in the 500-watt difference between this and some
others. you've been around the block a few times; do you notice a
significantly slower boiling time with the pino? or is the wattage not
really that significant in this regard?

The biggest difference between the Pro and the Express is where the
electronics is mounted, on the Pro it is on the base which has the
advantage of maintaining the settings longer. Since the electronics is
on the pot on the Express model it will turn itself off after a few
minutes of being off the base. HOWEVER they both have a base, it is
just not shown on the picture.

I have several Kettles including high watt models but I have never
experienced a "noticeable" inconvenience on waiting for the first
boil, after the first it maintains the set temp until empty. When I
timed it for my review, it took 7 minutes to bring 1.5L to a full
rolling boil.

I own a Zoji, and a Kamjove. The Zoji looks nicer but is limited to 3
preset temps, the Kamjove pours really nice but is limited to a single
near boiling temp. This Kettle does have it small detractors but it is
still one of my favs.

Mike

www.pu-erh.net

Mike Petro > writes:

> The biggest difference between the Pro and the Express is where the
> electronics is mounted, on the Pro it is on the base which has the
> advantage of maintaining the settings longer. Since the electronics is
> on the pot on the Express model it will turn itself off after a few
> minutes of being off the base. HOWEVER they both have a base, it is
> just not shown on the picture.

Do you ever find yourself leaving the kettle off the base long enough
for this to matter?

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

On 2009-02-13, Mike Petro > wrote:

> I own a Zoji, and a Kamjove. The Zoji looks nicer but is limited to 3
> preset temps, the Kamjove pours really nice but is limited to a single
> near boiling temp. This Kettle does have it small detractors but it is
> still one of my favs.

I'm a fan of this one, as far as electric kettles go:

http://www.tentea.com/electricteapot.html
http://www.imperialtea.com/Steel-Ele...ettle-P23.aspx

I think they're mostly made in China but for the (110V) Taiwan market.
The old ones with the Bakelite base are (IMO) more durable than the
newer style Kamjoves, but they cost more (a little overpriced, really,
for what they are). I kind of like the "army surplus" look. If there's
a Ten Ren near you, you can try to bargain a little on the price.

I have a similar (but different) one like this at work, but with a
plastic base.

Also like the Kamjove TP-680, which is usually around $30, but I think
it's not as easy to find anymore. It's 800W and heats quickly. The V-80
is supposed to be pretty good too - I think the lower-powered V-series
ones are slow and some don't fit that well in the hand.

At home, I'm switching to a simple glass kettle on a Waring conventional
(non-induction) hot plate.

w

On Feb 13, 11:56*am, Lewis Perin > wrote:
> Mike Petro > writes:
> > The biggest difference between the Pro and the Express is where the
> > electronics is mounted, on the Pro it is on the base which has the
> > advantage of maintaining the settings longer. Since the electronics is
> > on the pot on the Express model it will turn itself off after a few
> > minutes of being off the base. HOWEVER they both have a base, it is
> > just not shown on the picture.
>
> Do you ever find yourself leaving the kettle off the base long enough
> for this to matter?
>
> /Lew
> ---
> Lew Perin /

Only when I am refilling it, then you just have to turn it on again,
hit one button, big whoop.....

On Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:50:23 -0800 (PST), Mike Petro
> wrote:

>Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
>precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
>Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
>whatever.
>
>http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php
>
>I reviewed the prototype a few years ago, you can see my take on it
>here
>http://www.pu-erh.net/phpBB/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=250
>
>I use it at work everyday for the last year and a half and no problems
>so far. I really like being able to dial in whatever temp I want,
>especially great for greens and whites.
>
>Mike
>
>www.pu-erh.net

I second this recommendation. It's available on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/PINO-ST-8706-D.../dp/B001HC54O2

with some very good reviews.

I've had one for several months and use it every day. Excellent.

I just received a Pino Express and have used it a few times. I find
that it overshoots the desired temperature. So much so that it takes a
long time to shut off after reaching a boil. Anyone else run into
this?

Alan

On Mar 1, 10:19*am, Square Peg > wrote:
> On Thu, 12 Feb 2009 06:50:23 -0800 (PST), Mike Petro
>
>
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> >Another option is the "Pino Kettle" which has the advantage of being
> >precisely adjustable to any temp you desire through a digital control.
> >Set it for 193 degrees and thats what you get, set it for 148, 162,
> >whatever.
>
> >http://www.pino-usa2.com/kettles.php
>
> >I reviewed the prototype a few years ago, you can see my take on it
> >here
> >http://www.pu-erh.net/phpBB/nfphpbb/viewtopic.php?t=250
>
> >I use it at work everyday for the last year and a half and no problems
> >so far. I really like being able to dial in whatever temp I want,
> >especially great for greens and whites.
>
> >Mike
>
> >www.pu-erh.net
>
> I second this recommendation. It's available on Amazon
>
> http://www.amazon.com/PINO-ST-8706-D.../dp/B001HC54O2
>
> with some very good reviews.
>
> I've had one for several months and use it every day. Excellent.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:01:02 -0800 (PST), Alan >
wrote:

>I just received a Pino Express and have used it a few times. I find
>that it overshoots the desired temperature. So much so that it takes a
>long time to shut off after reaching a boil. Anyone else run into
>this?

I have the Pro (separate base), not the Express. Mine stops heating
the instant the set point is reached, but the temperature continues to
rise 2-3 degrees. It then cools to a few degrees below the set point,
then kicks back in, rinse, repeat.

If yours is overshooting the boiling temperature, you should
definitely take it to the nearest physics or chemistry research lab.
There might be a Noble prize for you (or the designers of the teapot).

Square Peg > wrote in
:

> On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:01:02 -0800 (PST), Alan
> > wrote:
>
>>I just received a Pino Express and have used it a few times. I
>>find that it overshoots the desired temperature. So much so that
>>it takes a long time to shut off after reaching a boil. Anyone
>>else run into this?
>
> I have the Pro (separate base), not the Express. Mine stops
> heating the instant the set point is reached, but the temperature
> continues to rise 2-3 degrees. It then cools to a few degrees
> below the set point, then kicks back in, rinse, repeat.
>
> If yours is overshooting the boiling temperature, you should
> definitely take it to the nearest physics or chemistry research
> lab. There might be a Noble prize for you (or the designers of the
> teapot).

I'm looking for an electric kettle that has no plastic parts that
would come in contact with the water. Do either of these Pino models
fit that bill?

Thanks, Dee

On Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:40:47 +0000, Dee > wrote:

>Square Peg > wrote in
:
>
>> On Tue, 3 Mar 2009 11:01:02 -0800 (PST), Alan
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>I just received a Pino Express and have used it a few times. I
>>>find that it overshoots the desired temperature. So much so that
>>>it takes a long time to shut off after reaching a boil. Anyone
>>>else run into this?
>>
>> I have the Pro (separate base), not the Express. Mine stops
>> heating the instant the set point is reached, but the temperature
>> continues to rise 2-3 degrees. It then cools to a few degrees
>> below the set point, then kicks back in, rinse, repeat.
>>
>> If yours is overshooting the boiling temperature, you should
>> definitely take it to the nearest physics or chemistry research
>> lab. There might be a Noble prize for you (or the designers of the
>> teapot).
>
>I'm looking for an electric kettle that has no plastic parts that
>would come in contact with the water. Do either of these Pino models
>fit that bill?

The inside of the Pro is stainless steel, I believe.

It does have a plastic lid which might possibly touch a molecule or
two of water.

The base is plastic and it gets hot, so any water spilled on it might
evaporate and carry some of the evil plastic spirits through the air
and land in the tea or (horrors) on you.

On 2009-03-04, Dee > wrote:
>
> I'm looking for an electric kettle that has no plastic parts that
> would come in contact with the water. Do either of these Pino models
> fit that bill?

I don't think most of the metal Chinese electric kettles have plastic
coming into contact with the water, though for the ones with a heating
element inside, I'm assuming that there's some sort of gasket where the
heating element enters, and I'm not sure what that's made of. Induction
kettles shouldn't have any plastic coming into contact with the water if
you don't have a problem with induction.

There are some glass ones, but usually they have a metal bottom and
in that case there needs to be some sort of silicone seal. Someone
complained about the taste of theirs, but mine is fine.

You could consider a hot plate and glass or metal kettle. No auto
shut-off, but it's low tech and pretty reliable.

If you're not the person who started this thread, and haven't read it
yet, maybe have a look he
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8138

w

Will Yardley > wrote in
:

> On 2009-03-04, Dee > wrote:
>>
>> I'm looking for an electric kettle that has no plastic parts that
>> would come in contact with the water. Do either of these Pino
>> models fit that bill?
>
> I don't think most of the metal Chinese electric kettles have
> plastic coming into contact with the water, though for the ones
> with a heating element inside, I'm assuming that there's some sort
> of gasket where the heating element enters, and I'm not sure what
> that's made of. Induction kettles shouldn't have any plastic
> coming into contact with the water if you don't have a problem
> with induction.
>
> There are some glass ones, but usually they have a metal bottom
> and in that case there needs to be some sort of silicone seal.
> Someone complained about the taste of theirs, but mine is fine.
>
> You could consider a hot plate and glass or metal kettle. No auto
> shut-off, but it's low tech and pretty reliable.
>
> If you're not the person who started this thread, and haven't read
> it yet, maybe have a look he
> http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=8138
>
> w

Very helpful post, thanks.
I currently use a stovetop kettle, but have been researching electric
kettles for possible purchase.
There is a large Asian market about 20 mins away. I will check there
to see what they have.

Dee

Square Peg > wrote in
:

> The inside of the Pro is stainless steel, I believe.

Great, thanks.

> It does have a plastic lid which might possibly touch a molecule
> or two of water.
>
> The base is plastic and it gets hot, so any water spilled on it
> might evaporate and carry some of the evil plastic spirits through
> the air and land in the tea or (horrors) on you.

<smiles> I'm not really concerned about the lid or the base being
plastic. I'm trying to avoid plastic inside the kettle where it would
be submerged in the heating water and thus possibly affect the taste of
the water and subsequently the tea.

Dee