Hamilton Beach 40886 Cordless Electric Kettle

Not too many features to consider when buying a kettle, but this one has them covered at an attractive price ($28.00). This kettle is Stainless Steel, has a visible water level window (back lit while kettle is on), boil dry protection (auto shut off), concealed element, cordless, and it pours very well.

The kettle has 5 level indicators; Min, 1.0L, 8 cup, 10 cup, and Max 1.7L. The level indicators correspond roughly to the following ounces: Min=32, 1.0 L=34, 8 cup=42, 10 cup=50, and Max 1.7L=56. I timed how long for each of these levels to reach boiling (auto shut off). I used the auto shut off as the time end because deciding when it is boiling by looking or listening to the water is way too subjective. Depending on your idea of what boiling water looks like, your times could be more than a minute less than these.

All tests started with 70 degree water:

Max 1.7L 7 minutes 30 seconds
10 cup 6 minutes 27 seconds
8 cup 5 minutes 21 seconds
1.0 L 4 minutes 25 seconds
Min 3 minutes 50 seconds

12/7/2010: Kettle finally having problems.  Getting five years is a decent value.