An electric tea kettle is probably one of the most convenient and modern ways to heat up water for that nice hot cup of loose leaf tea. They differ from stove top kettles since they are plugged into an outlet instead of put over a hot burner. An electric kettle does not mean it is for use only on electric stoves.
Let us take a look at the two main types of electric kettles.
Cord Kettles
These type of tea kettles plug directly into an out via a cord which protrudes from the back of the kettle. They come in all shapes and sizes and even come in different colors and material types.
They will do a good job at heating the water, in most cases faster than a stove top kettle, and once the boiling point is reached, the device will go into warm mode, or even shut itself off so as not to damage the internal heating elements.
The only big gripe about this type of electric tea kettle is that it does not give a person much freedom since they are limited to the length of the power cord.
Which brings us to...
Cordless Kettles
This is the electric variety of choice by most folks!
There are two main parts, the kettle and the base. Like the corded kind mentioned above, it will plug into a wall outlet, but not from the kettle itself, but from the base.
This allow for the kettle to go anywhere the tea drinker wants it to, and is much more practical than the older models that just plug into a wall.
Instead of a power cord, there is a connector on the bottom or back of the kettle which connects with connectors on the base. A current runs from base to kettle which will heat the elements inside and boil the water in good time. In most cases it can boil water faster than a stove kettle.
Once the water reaches boiling, a sound usually tones, and the elements remain hot enough just to keep the water at a brewing temperature.
Of course the only con is that if your electric is out, you'll have to find an alternative for boiling your water...so it's always a good idea to have a normal stove kettle handy.
