A funky looking kettle (Delonghi Argento KBX3016)

Member Name: depurple2

Product:	Delonghi Argento KBX3016
Date:	30/09/06 (1265 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Robust, reliable, looks funky, hidden element, external water indicator

Disadvantages: Very loud as it boils, difficult to replace mesh grilles in the spout

The Delonghi KBX 3016 is a funky looking 3000 watt kettle. It holds 1.7 litres of water, and has a clear panel with quantites on it under the handle so you can see how much water is in it. It can be a bit awkward to look at, but it means the kettle looks better as it is hidden away.

You make the kettle boil by pressing down a large lever under the handle. A red light lights up on the side of the kettle to tell you it is boiling, then the light goes off and the lever pops up to tell you when it is done. One downside is that the kettle is incredibly loud when it boils. Conversations have to have a hold put on them until it is finished.

The kettle has a hidden element, so is quite easy to de-scale, although there is a max water level indicator sticking out inside, and scale can build up on this. There is a replaceable mesh grille inside the spout to stop any pieces of scale going into your drink.

This is both a good thing and a bad thing. When the kettle is new, the mesh grille works well, but as the kettle gets older, the grille breaks apart and the water pours all wonky. That's OK, I hear you say, they're replaceable. Well yes they are, but just try finding any. After a long hunt, I eventually got them mail order from a company called Keymex, but they are about £4 each! For a tiny piece of plastic!

You refil the kettle by lifting up the lid. The lid is quite sticky, and after much tugging suddenly flies off. The kettle is also quite heavy, especially when it is full.

The kettle is cordless, and fits easily onto its base. The electrical connection is in the middle of the base, so it is difficult to spill water into it.

The kettle is not to expensive, at around £45, and apart from the mesh grille in the spout it seems fairly robust and reliable.

I wouldn't buy this kettle again however, because it is just too loud. I would try buying another kettle in the same price range.

Summary: This kettle should come with a free pair of ear plugs!

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