I purchased this kettle just over a month ago to replace my Braun WK200W which I purchased in 2006 and used every day up until I received this new one. I replaced the Braun simply because I was concerned about its plastic construction and the potential dangers involved in heating water over & over again in a plastic receptacle. This Braun kettle isn't entirely plastic-free (there are two small plastic 'caps' over the level-indicator inside the pot, and the spout area is also plastic) but it had the least amount of plastic of those I looked at. That said, this kettle does its job very well which is to heat water of any amount (even less than the recommended 'minimum' level) quickly and relatively quietly. It holds a large amount of water, more than my former Braun plastic kettle. The on/off switch does appear to be 'flimsy' as noted by another reviewer, but as long as one isn't abusive, I see no reason for it to fail.
I have not had any problems associated with odd smells or tastes as reported by some. All in all I am very pleased with this purchase.
There are a couple of exceptions which warranted reduction of my rating by one star:
The design of the handle isn't too good; in fact, it is downright odd. The handle is wider and thicker at the top than it is near the bottom of the kettle. I have very small hands and this design makes it a bit difficult to hold, especially when it is completely full. When full, it is heavy and having a thick-grip makes it a little more difficult to pick up and pour. I don't understand why it was designed that way; my Cuisinart coffee carafe is about the same size as this electric kettle and it has a perfectly suitable handle. However, those with large hands might not consider this any issue at all.
The other design flaw, as I perceive it, involves the measurement indicator which is placed directly behind this thick handle making it very difficult to view. It is also in metric not U.S. measurement units. This isn't a major problem for me personally because I usually measure out the water in a measuring cup prior to pouring it into the kettle. Also, the steam from the heated water further decreases the visibility of the indicator levels and unlike my Braun, the steam on the indicator never seems to evaporate, even after the kettle inside has completely dried. If being able to view the amount of water within the kettle is important to you, this is probably not the kettle to purchase.
For me, these two small flaws do not negate the overall utility of this kettle, and I am pleased with my purchase.
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