Customer Reviews

Breville SK550XL Ikon Kettle, brushed stainless steel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Breville has won many design awards of which it should be proud. Who wouldn't prefer the sleek beauties of the sort Breville makes to the clunky plastic vessels that proliferate like so many action figures gone to graveyards. But function matters, especially at the SK550XL pricetag. And that's where this relationship faltered. First the good points:

1. Beautiful kettle design: sleek, with great spout that doesn't drip (or leak as other some kettles apparently do). The stainless steel body is of good quality and reasonably heavy gauge.

2. The plug design is clever and convenient. All appliances should adopt this style (ergonomic size with hole in the middle for easy grasping).

3. Swivel base that glides with grace (a style many other mfrs seem to be using too).

Now the bad:

1. The stainless steel base inside the pot is a separate piece with two problems: a small gap between the rim of the base and the pot wall allows water to collect, so that the pot's never completely dry. Since any future water is boiled, the worry about bacteria is probably less of an issue than the simple fact that water collecting in invisible places allows crud to collect and shorten the life of the pot.

2. The base is made of an inferior metal. Within two uses, spotting had developed. After perhaps a dozen uses, the spotting is permanent (I use both bottled and tap water; our tap water is good: neither hard nor soft).

3. The water level window is designed such that the window well never dries out. The condensation makes reading the water level difficult.

4. The bell advertised as a feature is almost inaudible. If you're not standing near the kettle, you won't hear it. But then, in all fairness, this pot boils in under 2 minutes (for one cuppa), so wandering too far away isn't necessary.

5. The lid is mostly plastic. Only the very outer rim is stainless steel. At an $80 list price, the lid should be glass (or fully stainless).

6. The handle design and material (rubber-coated) make removing the lid difficult in the best of times, but altogether frustrating in any instance where extreme care isn't taken in how the lid is positioned before lifting out. I've used the pot about 12 times and have about 10 small nicks at both ends of the inside handle where the lid almost always hits despite extra care.

So, on balance, for $80 these aren't good problems to have. At half that price, I probably would have kept the kettle and groused a bit. This is one beautiful kettle whose form deserves much better function (which I take to mean quality design and materials, along with excellent performance).

I wanted a metal electric kettle, and I was hoping for one that was attractive if possible. It's been very good. It boils quickly, has a nice little chime when it's done, and is quite stylish on the counter. The handle stays cool and it's easy to pour. The kettle itself gets hot but it is metal, after all, and stovetop kettles get hot too, so I don't view that as a drawback. I'm very pleased.

We have been using the Breville Ikon for about 18 months now, so consider this as more of a long term review than just an 'out of the box' experience.

This unit receives almost daily use and sometimes twice a day and there has never been any type of problem or malfunction. Okay, so its only job is to boil water, but it does so quickly, has a clearly audible yet inoffensive chime when ready and shuts itself off. No need to worry about leaving a kettle on the stove to boil itself dry and, unlike one reviewer's concerns, it is easy to see the water level on the side meter. (Actually, while I appreciate the details in the three-star review, I cannot say that I am in agreement with any of the key concerns expressed. Maybe I am too easily pleased or perhaps they are overly critical?)

Also, I like the induction heating element that keeps the 120V electricity in the base, isolated from the metal kettle full of water! Some things are better off not coming together, like electricity and water!

Again, boiling water is not rocket science and one might question whether it makes sense to spend this much on a device that only does that. If, on the other hand, you like making tea or French-press coffee with precisely boiling water for the best flavor, Ikon will deliver it every time with style!

I have both models: SK550XL (this unit) and the SK500XL. The difference between the two kettles is the lid: in the SK500XL the lid opens with a push of a button located at the top of the handle stem--yahoo, no loose parts to drop or lose. The 550 is prettier, but the 500 is easier to use because of the lid design.

Best features: automatic shut off, boils faster than you putting a tea bag in a cup (okay, this might be an exaggeration, but it really boils fast, I didn't believe it the first time I used it), circuitry between base and kettle is engaged when kettle if firmly rested on base, the kettle casting wasn't scalding hot to the touch when water is boiled, consistent hot water temperature from top to bottom of kettle, the design is appealing to both male and female, electric coil-plug-head is designed like a ring making plugging into and unplugging from electric socket an easy grip.

Preservation tips: use the soft sponge or sponge wipes to clean the stainless steel inside and out so not to scratch metal surface. I leave the lid open or off (depending on which model you have) to allow air drying if I am not going to use the kettle right away--this help prevent rusting, though I don't think this would be a problem. Still, no harm in taking the extra measure to extend the life of the kettle, so a little extra precaution won't hurt. If there is some sort of a build up (water quality will do this to any appliance) and you need to do a full cleaning inside the kettle, boil a pot of water with a 'teeny-tiny' amount of white vingar then rise well and let it air dry. I have great quality of water where I am, so residue has not been a problem. Plus, I don't let water sit in canister for days--pour the left over boiled water into retainer to be used for cold drinks.

The canister of the 550 is shorter than the 500. Both kettles make a low "ding" sound when the kettle turns off.

"Ding"...it's time for tea...

I love this tea kettle! I wanted to buy another one for our vacation house, but it is no longer available. I understand the problems that people had with it but I had found simple and effective work-arounds. Yes, the base gets a few spots. For me they came off with a quick wipe. I never did have any trouble reading the water gauge. And the lid. Yes it's quite difficult to take off so I only use it for cleaning the kettle. To fill with water I use the spout. It's fast and much better looking (to my eye) than its big brother. I'm hoping it has just been pulled for a redesign

This hotpot works perfectly and quickly. It holds plenty of water. The only minor drawback is that the lid is a bit difficult to remove and put back in place. It looks great on my new granite countertop.

The brushed stainless steel looks great and the design is great as well, but the water it boils have a metal smell/taste to it (this is dependent on personal tolerance) but i could not stand the it. This is definitely one of those form over function type of kettle that looks great sitting in the kitchen but cumbersome to lug around since it is very heavy to begin with (6 lbs without water.) Once the water is boiled you will need to be very careful in handling it, unlike plastic kettles, the entire body of the kettle is made out of metal and it is boiling hot. Imagine accidentally touching it with the side of your arm. Overall, probably the best looking stainless steel kettle that does what it advertises, but due to the metal taste/smell and heavier weight I would get a plastic kettle instead.

Good quality at a good price based upon my research. It is easy to use, works well and looks good. One feature I think would be nice to have would be an audible indicator when it turns off after the water comes to a boil - though it is so fast, I'm usually close by and can tell that it is done.

Physically beautiful with some nice touches. Water level indicator lights up with a white LED which also backlights the flip power switch. (An LED will last forever.) When the water has reachd a boil, the kettle switches off while ringing a little bell -- good signalling. It holds a lot and you might think this would make it awkward to pour but it does not because the spout pours from the bottom of the kettle first. So you only need to expend a little lifting and tilting effort to pour. I prefer the large capacity so I don't have to refill as often. There is a screen inside to filter out particulates and precipated scale. It could be a finer mesh. This is my only complaint. However, it is made from perforated stainless sheet metal and will be much more durable than a fine screen. It is removable so you can clean it. Lastly, it boils water faster than any of the other electric kettles I've owned (Braun & Cusinart). To be fair I had these other brands for years so maybe they are a little tired. Buy it! Enjoy it! (BTW, to clean built-up scale, mix half white vinegar and half water and boil. It will be gone. Pour out the water and boil two more pot fulls to clean away the vinegar residue.)

I can't imagine a better kettle. I like the handle and the spout as well as the little lid handle that is an "O" that you can pull open with one finger. I recommend this highly.