95

By upgrading from this kettle http://steepster.com/teaware/revere-ware/46814-classic-2-1-slash-3-quart-whistling-tea-kettle to the Bonavita, I feel like a time traveler who has left the Stone Age behind and I’m now light-years ahead!

This variable-temperature kettle is such a joyful convenience. Gone are the days of boiling and using a thermometer, then waiting for it to cool to the needed temperature. That’s OK for one cup. However, it’s a real pain for the multiple infusions of Gong Fu and even worse if you want to temper (pre-heat) your gaiwan, yixing, or cup before brewing! Also, being able to select any temperature from 140 to 212F is rather rare among current competing electric kettles and more expensive water boilers. Most only offer a few preset temperatures. The Bonavita will also hold your selected temperature for one hour with a touch of the Hold button.

The Bonavita also boils water much faster than our old stove-top kettle. It boils so fast (8 oz. tap water in 2 min. 41 sec.), that timer operation for that all-important first cup of the morning, while convenient, is not a necessity.

The trigger handle is very comfortable to hold and the attractive gooseneck spout pot is well-balanced for pouring. The controls are simple and intuitive to use. The display is very bright & distinct and provides a continuous real-time temperature readout. This model appears to be well-construted. Unlike a hot stove-top kettle, a hot Bonavita can be placed directly on a table as it has an insulated base.

Since an electric kettle is only used to heat water, rather than for brewing, there’s no possibility of a strong tea residue affecting the next pot of tea.

Overall, I’m very pleased with this variable-temperature kettle – Highly recommended!

Many thanks to all the following people who have posted very helpful comments or reviews on this variable-temp. kettle: Ashley, Cheri, Chris Van Patten, Dinosara, Kat_Maria, Kevin, Kokabel, Lion Repshire, Sarsonator, Stephanie, Tealizzy, Terri HarpLady, and TinaCHammonds.

New model suggestions:
1. As others have suggested, an audible tone (something melodious rather than a harsh beep or an adrenaline-inducing alert) to inform the user when the desired temperature has been reached would be helpful for faster-paced multi-tasking mornings. A quick glance at the temperature display is all that’s currently needed for this purpose.

2. A built-in count-down timer with a pleasant audible tone such as: http://steepster.com/teaware/teavana/39312-perfect-preset-tea-timer. The current count-up timer is a nice touch if you have the ability to watch it – on your desk where you’re working.

3. A hybrid model that would combine all the features of this model with a vacuum insulated teapot. The Bonavita version of a water boiler: http://steepster.com/teaware/zojirushi/39783-ve-r-hybrid-water-boiler-and-warmer-cv-dsc40-4-liters. When I recently contacted Zojirushi, they had no plans for a variable-temperature model.

Stephanie

Glad you like it!

looseTman

Me too! Thanks again!

looseTman

Additional thoughts added.

looseTman

Thanks TheTeaFairy!

looseTman

Update: Today I used a fast-reading digital thermometer http://steepster.com/teas/davidstea/36677-thermometer-and-timer to test and compare with the Bonavita’s digital thermostat and built-in temperature display. These components of the Bonavita tracked precisely with the DAVIDsTEA digital thermometer. Well done Bonavita!

donkeyteaarrrraugh

i have this at work and adore it! Now I need another for home!

Lion

I have this kettle too. I really love it. The only thing I dislike is that it doesn’t automatically heat back to temp after removing the kettle from the base and putting it back. It took me a long time to get used to hitting the “hold” button again when I did this, and sometimes I still forget. My last kettle would automatically go back to temp even after removing it from the base and putting it back.
Oh and it would be lovely if you could set and hold temps below 140.

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Comments

Stephanie

Glad you like it!

looseTman

Me too! Thanks again!

looseTman

Additional thoughts added.

looseTman

Thanks TheTeaFairy!

looseTman

Update: Today I used a fast-reading digital thermometer http://steepster.com/teas/davidstea/36677-thermometer-and-timer to test and compare with the Bonavita’s digital thermostat and built-in temperature display. These components of the Bonavita tracked precisely with the DAVIDsTEA digital thermometer. Well done Bonavita!

donkeyteaarrrraugh

i have this at work and adore it! Now I need another for home!

Lion

I have this kettle too. I really love it. The only thing I dislike is that it doesn’t automatically heat back to temp after removing the kettle from the base and putting it back. It took me a long time to get used to hitting the “hold” button again when I did this, and sometimes I still forget. My last kettle would automatically go back to temp even after removing it from the base and putting it back.
Oh and it would be lovely if you could set and hold temps below 140.

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Profile

Bio

My wife and I enjoy shou that:
- is Full-bodied, thick, rich, creamy smooth
- produces a full-mouth feeling with a long pleasing finish
- w/o obvious acidity, astringency, or bitterness
- Retains this profile & is complex enough to enjoy for multiple steeps

Notes of interest:
- natural rich chocolate (as opposed to too bittersweet cocoa)
- honey, caramel, stone fruits, sweet potato, barley, fresh baked bread

Notes not of interest: Floral, vegetal, woody.

Cost-effective organic teas or teas that meet the EU Food Safety Commission Pesticide Maximum Residue Limit EUROFINS are greatly appreciated. Many people drink tea for the anti-oxidant health benefits. So why would health conscious tea lovers drink tea that contains pesticide residues?

Complete steeping instructions on the bag are greatly appreciated:
tsp. (g) / oz. / temp. / rinse? / min. for both Western & Gongfu brewing.

Our recent orders have been from: Yunnan Sourcing, King Tea Mall, Whispering Pines, & Arbor Teas. Kudos to them as they have all been extremely helpful.

Our cupboard doesn’t include the many greatly appreciated samples generously provided by Steepsters’s favorite tea suppliers and by several very kind Steepster members.

Current Gogng Fu Brewing Method:
20g / 6 oz / 205° / 60s preheat / 60s warm leaves / 5s rinse / 5 min rest / 5s / 5 / 7 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 /30 / 45 / 60. Every two steeps combined in a sharing pitcher.

High quality water is essential for excellent tasting tea.
Our 450’ well provides hard water. For details see: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/176233#comments.

Solutions:
#1. Rainsoft water softener with
Q2 computerized control valve

#2. Abundant Flow Water
Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System with an Impact Alkaline re-mineralization filter
Model: Zeta RO: https://www.afwfilters.com/drinking-ro-systems/6-stage-alkaline-zoi-zeta-reverse-osmosis-system-16.html
Includes:
- Dow Filmtec TFC R.O. membrane
- Omnipure Inline Post filter
- Impact Alkaline Filter
All filters made in USA & NSF-Certified.
-———————————
Options:
- Aquatec ERP-500 & ASV 2000
- 3/8" Output
- HM Digital DM-2 TDS meter

My profile picture is a Red-Breasted Nuthatch, a winter visitor to our woodpecker feeder.

Location

Mid-Atlantic, USA

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