Customer Reviews

Dualit 72460 Cordless 12-Cup Jug Kettle, Chrome

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The craftsmanship and finish on the stainless Dualit kettle are superior to all others. Unfortunately, the kettle has two major flaws, and the company has an even bigger flaw.

Kettle flaw #1: The cordless base is thin plastic and warps after several months of once-a-day use.

Kettle flaw #2: It's not a matter of 'if', but 'when' it will leak due to cracked plastic windows in the side of the kettle. The plastic windows are pressed into the side openings, which puts the plastic under stress. Repeated use of the kettle causes fine cracks in the plastic where the stresses are concentrated. I guarantee your kettle will leak from these fine stress/heat cracks after approximately 1 year of use. If you have any doubt, google (or any other search) for Dualit, leak, cracked plastic.

Company flaw: horrible warranty and they won't stand behind their product. I had to pay for a replacement cordless base when mine warped after a few months. This was annoying but not a show stopper at $19 with shipping, since the kettle was awesome. Then a few months later the windows began to leak, and Dualit had nothing to say except that there was no repair or replacement part available and they would be happy to sell me a replacement kettle. That seemed utterly ridiculous to me, especially at their prices.

For the $100 I paid for this thing, I could have bought and disposed of two to four of the competitor brand stainless kettles. My misunderstanding was that I assumed the Dualit was not a cheap (in quality, not price) disposable kettle. Do yourself a favor and do the internet search (Dualit, leak, cracked plastic) then, DO NOT buy one.

I've been using the Dualit electric kettle since January 2010. I keep it within arms reach on my desk at work, and I drink tea throughout the day so it gets plenty of use. I have been using it Monday through Friday for over six months now, nor have I treated it gently (see lid closure issue, below). No leaks, no cracks, no warping. You fill it with water, (firmly) close the lid, set it on its base, press down the switch, and it goes to work heating the water to a boil. It shuts itself off about 15 seconds after starting to boil, or about 5 seconds after coming to a maximum rolling boil. If you remove it from the base while it's on, it shuts itself off automatically.


However, it is not quite perfect. Because it is tapered at the top to a small opening, I can't fill it through the lid opening at the water cooler at my office - there isn't enough room around the spigot. So I have to fill it through the spout....even through the instructions explicitly say not to. For home use, filling from a sink, it won't be an issue.


Also of note, the instructions say, in bold type:

"when you lift the kettle from the base, you will see drops of moisture on the surface of the power base. This is the steam used to switch the kettle off automatically, which then condenses and escapes through vents in the underside of the kettle. This is perfectly normal, and should not be cause for alarm or returning the kettle."

Sounds like this is maybe a sore subject with Dualit? Anyway, I haven't noticed any undue water on the base.


The biggest nitpick I have, and it may be more than a nitpick for some, is with the lid closure. Unlike other electric kettles I've owned, which have a soft-touch button which gently opens the top lid, and you press it gently down to close, this Dualit lid has a friction closure, and it is *very* stiff. There are two tiny "outdents" on the lid which rub against the inside of the opening and keep it closed. It takes a firm grip and a firm (but careful) tug to open the lid, and a very firm push to close it. I guess I could have tried taking a pair of pliers to it, but after a few days I just took to slamming the lid closed with the palm of my hand. BAM! Every weekday, for six months, slamming it closed: I do think it points up the sturdy build quality of the unit. However, it is definitely a design flaw in my view, versus other electric kettles. Maybe my unit was unusual, but those potential buyers perhaps with arthritis, a weak grip, or who simply don't want to deal with this daily, should beware. I was going to give one of these to my parents, but ended up giving them a Breville SK500 due to this.


Other than the lid-closure issue it seems well-designed. The handle is far enough away that I've never accidentally touched the hot metal part of the kettle, as I have occasionally with other electric kettles I've owned. The bottom of the kettle gets quite warm, but not hot, so you could take it off the base upon boiling and set it down on most surfaces without a hot pad. There are fill-level windows on both sides of the unit (most kettles just have one fill window).

All in all this seems (so far) to be a well-built unit, with one design issue keeping it from being a five-star product. Most of the kettles I've owned have lasted for 2 to 3 years of daily use and then eventually the thermostat gradually fails and takes longer and longer to shut off the unit after reaching boil. If this unit checks out before then, I'll update my review.

Great kettle. Our ancient electric kettle bit the dust. We were looking for a replacement that was as well-made and long-lasting. This is perfect. It fills thru the top which has a knob designed so it won't burn your fingers. The handle is similarly well designed. It pours without spilling even when you are in a hurry. The filling window is easily seen and well marked. The on-button is bright. The lever to start it is a simple push bar which shuts off automatically after the water is at a rolling boil. What's not to like? I even have gotten used to the modernistic bullet shape after decades of kettles. Also, it doesn't leak. Sometimes there is condensation between the bottom of the pot and the pad the pot sits on. Its not a leak. I love it and am so happy they are sold in this country.

These kettles are known to leak and the company will not stand behind their product. Suggest you buy a different brand.

This kettle serves my family with dependable performance that keeps us in hot water, hmmmm. We've been using this well over three years several times a day, and it has delivered without flaw. It heats quickly, shuts off after reaching a rolling boil, and is always ready for making tea, coffee, water for oatmeal, water for soup base, etc.... Really, I can't write anything negative about this Dualit kettle. Doesn't leak, doesn't make noise, doesn't associate with illiterate mugs or heavy metal kettles. Five Stars, no less.

I've had this kettle for 11 years now. I've never had it leak or any other issues with this kettle. I am replacing it as some rust has developed. I use this kettle every day, 2-3 times a day without issue. I am buying it again since I've had such a great experience.

Leave it to a British company to design a really good tea kettle. One can easily see how much water is in the kettle through the vertical window (and you can see the water boiling). The on/off button is easy to operate, the screen inside the pour spout is easy to clean, the pot itself is easy to clean. The kettle fits nicely on the base and the kettle has a nice feel to it, not too heavy but not cheapy-lightweight either. It looks good sitting on the counter; we leave it in the open as we use it daily.
Very happy with ours. We also have a Dualit toaster we have owned for several years; in my opinion this company produces well made and stylish products.

I received this gift from my mother in law after we had tea at a friend's house. She owned it and said she used it all the time. We spent the weekend with her and found that we used it quite a bit. It was very easy to use, portable and easy to clean up. It's a great kettle to have if you need hot water for tea/cocoa, etc.

This is one of the best tea kettles I have purchased since moving from the UK 8 years ago.... its a little pricey... but your
paying for the name.

Works well, looks great. Takes up less counter space than the one it replaced.