When we moved house three years ago we needed to buy a long list of appliances on a small budget, so we opted for the 'cheap and cheerful' option with most things, including our kettle. We purchased this Cookworks stainless steel kettle from Argos for £9.99. This is a 2.2kW kettle, with a 1.7L capacity and concealed element. The kettle is cordless, with a corded stand.

The kettle comes in a cardboard box which can be recycled. Considering it was so cheap this kettle looks surprisingly smart, and I think it looks like it cost more than it did (especially next to the matching toaster). The kettle has a stainless steel 'jug' with a black lid, leading down to a black side with a capacity display and a black handle and base. The kettle has a black power cable, which can be wrapped around underneath the stand to save having excess wires on the work surface. The cable is only 75cm/29.5inches long, so something to check before you buy if you don't have a power socket close to where you want the kettle. There are non-slip feet on the bottom of the stand to stop it moving around when you pick up the kettle and replace it.

The kettle has a good capacity of 1.7L/1700ml, baring in mind that an average mug is around 250ml. To fill or open the kettle you simply pull in the lid handle and lift it up, it's extremely easy to open, and simply clicks back into place to close. To turn the kettle on there is a small switch under the handle. This then lights up to let you know the kettle is on, and turns off again once the kettle is off.

We did have a slight problem when we first bought this kettle as it wasn't turning off when it boiled, and I was often putting it on, going away to do something and coming back into a kitchen full of steam. I had intended to return the kettle for a replacement but for the cost of it, travelling back to Argos, parking and travelling home again would have been more than it was worth. This however has seems to stop over time and the kettle turns itself off 9 times out of 10 now.

Overall I would recommend this kettle. Although we had a small problem with it turning off I do believe Argos have now updated it, and as it still costs a mere £9.99 it's a bargain compared to the price of other kettles who do just the same job, it's also still going strong for us after 3+ years of use. I'm going to give it 4/5 stars.