I owe this product an apology. As a member of the renowned Bodum family, which purports to “give up bad design for good,” I’ve always considered the
Ibis Water Kettle to be the black sheep of the family. Because it was a housewarming gift from a dear friend however, I gave it a prominent place on my nearly non-existent counter while secretly hoping for its demise, so I could without guilt, upgrade to an ultra-luxe specialty tea kettle that I had been lusting after. Over two years have gone by, and it was not until recently when I was helping someone else move into their new apartment and experienced a newly purchased kettle blowing out the very first time it was plugged in, that I looked upon my humble kettle with newly appreciative eyes.
Design
The Ibis Electric Water Kettle consists of a corded base and 1.7 liter (50oz) pitcher that is made out of heat-reinforced polypropylene plastic. The 1500 watt stainless steel heating coil is on the inside of the pitcher so although the components get warm, none of the exterior surfaces become hot. The pitcher’s sturdy handle runs 5 inches long down the side, enabling a firm if not truly comfortable grip, while a 2 inch loop on the sometimes snug- fitting, flip-top lid maximizes leverage when opening. The kettle has a fairly standard triangular spout that delivers reliable pours while a small screen attached to the lid serves to filter the water of calcium scale as it exists the opening.
There is a thin plastic window that runs along the side of the pitcher with a floating ball mechanism that indicates the fill level in cups, as well as a the minimum and maximum fill lines. I personally don’t have a need to measure but the small type and width may be hard to read for some, making the accuracy approximate at best.
The Ibis lacks any dials, knobs, or temperature settings. The controls consist of a simple lever underneath the handle that is depressed to start the heating process and a red light indicator on the top of the unit that illuminates when heating. There is no whistle but the sound of rumbling steam and lever popping up provide auditory cues that the water is done boiling.
It comes in either sleek black, as pictured above or white (5500-03) with a contrasting colored power button. My unit is a white/red version but I think the color is closer to putty, similar to the Almond color of major kitchen appliances, which was the primary reason for my initial dislike. Pink and Blue novelty plastic, as well as a special chrome version, may also be available for purchase in other countries and online.
I’m not sure whether its because my tastes have matured, my understanding of design has broadened to include both form
and function, or if I’ve merely become jaded by the many belle-and-whistled products that have come into fashion only to disappear because they were ultimately unreliable at performing their most basic function (boiling water); but I’ve grown to really like if not love the aesthetics of the Ibis.
Safety
For those unfamiliar with electric kettles, some of the features and benefits over traditional stove-top versions are highlighted below. An electric kettle is an appliance that can be plugged into any standard outlet in order to heat water. The Ibis is quick and efficient bringing a full 50oz container to a boil in 4 minutes; with lesser 1 or 2 cup quantities saving additional time and energy. It also has an automatic shut-off feature allowing you to turn it on and attend to other matters without worrying about the negative repercussions of accidentally leaving a pot to boil on the stove.
As mentioned above, none of the exterior surfaces of the Ibis become hot enough to burn which is an advantage over metal kettles and stove elements that require a cooling time. I would imagine that this would be helpful in homes with small children, where strategic placement of the Ibis away from the easy-to-reach edge of countertops would further reduce the risk of scalding.
Convenience
Unlike one piece kettles, the power cord is on the base of the Ibis, allowing you to detach the pitcher and carry it to wherever a re-fill of hot water is needed. Because of its small oval footprint, the entire Ibis kettle can be placed conveniently almost anywhere there is an outlet. This makes it a good option for dorm rooms, offices, or small flats that lack kitchen facilities, where hot water would be in high demand for preparing beverages or instant foods like oatmeal and noodles.
The Ibis Kettle also affords a great deal of flexibility allowing you to temporarily station it in non-traditional places like a sick room or on the desk of a procrastinator, where frequent replenishment is within easy reach without the accompanying exertion or distraction. Those interested in having a kettle more permanently located in a small work space may also be interested in the
Mini Ibis (27 oz).
Durabilty
When researching a replacement for the blown-out kettle, I was surprised to find out how common it was for various electric kettle owners to report failures within the first 6 months of ownership, regardless of whether their models were in the $20 or $70 range. The fact that my Bodum Ibis has survived over 2 years of not so gentle use is what led me to write this review.
I am a heavy tea drinker, so even when factoring in the summer months, I probably heat water in the Ibis on average 4 times a day for drinking, food preparation, or cleaning purposes. We have very hard water, but the stainless steel heating element and scale screen seem to prevent this from having an effect on the taste of the water and the unit itself. (Bodum suggests that hard water deposits cling more easily, and are therefore more damaging to copper coils).
It has survived power outages and user error when I have forgotten to properly re-fill the container although the official line is to always unplug the unit and make sure that the water level is past the minimum fill line. I can’t say that I’ve ever really cleaned the kettle, as the only thing that can really be done is to wipe down the surface with a damp cloth. The only problem that I have experienced is if the pitcher is not fully nestled into the base, the unit will not start boiling until it has been pushed down. Otherwise it just keeps jugging along.
Pricing and Availability
The Ibis is available for $39.95 through Bodum’s online store, although I usually see it retailing at other outlets for around $30.00. It can be found at kitchen and bath stores, mid-to-high end department stores, and through various merchants online.
The
Bodum Electric Kettle is a hard working and underappreciated appliance that is recommended for dorms, offices, small apartments, frequent beverage drinkers or cooks who like the convenience of having hot water quickly.
I am still ashamed of my early superficial judgments and regret having ever wished an early death upon this worthy device. We have since reconciled and I am grateful for the daily opportunity to drink to its continued health.
www.bodum.com
Additional Tea Accessories:
Bodum Travel Press
Melitta Tea Filters
