0.5L Portable Electric Kettle, Mini Travel Kettle, Stainless Steel Water Kettle - Perfect For Traveling, Cooking Noodles, Boiling Water, Eggs, Coffee, Tea (110V US Plug)

I bought this kettle to heat water between the amounts of 100ml and 300ml. I also have a large 1.7L kettle that uses 1200W. This one uses about 950W. Despite being slightly weaker, it actually boils 100ml a bit faster than the larger kettle. Not only that, it boils this small amount to a higher temperature of about 211 degrees. The larger kettle can only get it up to 200 degrees. Although I can explain exactly why this is so, due to my engineering background, I don't think that's necessary for this review. Just take my words for it: the smaller kettle can achieve higher water temperatures for small volumes of water. The larger the volume, the more equal they become.Anyway, I've used this kettle for at least a couple months now, and so far it's very reliable. There's an opening within the steel inner wall that directs steam into the inner space between the steel and plastic housing. This steam triggers the mechanism in the base of the kettle, to cut off power, to prevent accidental damage caused by users leaving their kettle unattended. I personally have no use for this function, as I intend to use this kettle right next to me at all times. Thus, I used some aluminum foil and tape to seal up that hole. I don't want water vapor causing any of the inner components to rust. It works.The lid sits securely (doesn't fall out when pouring), but is not hard to remove. If I have to nitpick, I would say that the kettle attaches to the base element a little bit too snugly. When trying to remove the kettle from the base, I have to give it a little shake for the base to fall away. Of course I could use two hands, but I have the base sitting on the floor, so I don't want to bend over too much to use both hands. This is really minor.I use this to brew tea and coffee. I have a separate thermometer that I use in combination with this kettle. I find this modular approach much more reliable than those fancy kettles with internal thermometers. They use complex circuitry that throttle the power output as the temperature approach your desired/programmed temperature. This improves efficiency and helps to have the water be precisely at your desired temperature. However, it also significantly slows down the heating process, and for me it's not necessary, as I use my own method that works just as well. The higher the complexity of a unit, the less reliable it becomes, regardless of whether you paid $30 for it, or $100. A lot of those fancier kettles with many features are very expensive, and will likely fail before this humble kettle will.For an item of this price, I would consider this kettle a very high value item. It works great and has lasted thus far. I personally always update my Amazon reviews, so until something comes up this kettle gets 5 stars.

Update JULY '22: I was came across this old review I have been using this thing several times a day since February 2020. The THE SMELL WENT AWAY after a week or so and and I forgot I had complained about it. Since retirement I have been enjoying drinking fresh coffee instead of out of a thermos, and this thing is perfect for one or two cups at a time. Up from one star to four stars! And the base is still stuck to that same tray.Original review: This is the only thing on Amazon that meets what I was looking for: only stainless contact to water, 500ml, and cordless. Seemed almost perfect but... The base is so lightweight that it lifts with the kettle. Fixed that with double stick tape to a tray. I read a review that mentioned the smell and disregarded and thought maybe it was their water. Some unfiltered municipal water has a distinct iodine smell. But smell it does. About five cups a day for two weeks and it still smells bad. Not in the water but outside the kettle. I have to assume that the plastic coating is off-gassing when heated. The good news is that it's not plastic in your coffee. The bad news is that breathing plastic fumes may be more hazardous to health than drinking microparticles. I hope I can find something to replace it. Any suggestions out there? The only thing close is the Cosori type kettles. But pour-over goose-necks a bit slow for french press and it's 800ml.SECOND REVISION - 2 years later:I have another one in my "saved for later". It no longer makes contact in the place I habitually set it on the base. I realized - too late that I was turning it on before setting it on and removing it from the base because my thumb is conveniently located right above the switch. This appears to have burnt the power coils in that one spot. It still works fine if I turn it slightly one way or the other. But at two years with 4 to 6 cups a day is a pretty good bargain and I will buy it again if it gets worse BECAUSE I LIKE IT. I suspect that any of the things that use the British (formerly patented) base would do the same.Some people have complained about rust in stainless steel. Mine has not shown any in 2 year. Rust is iron oxide. There is of course iron in steel - just a bit less in stainless steel so rust will happen in some conditions. Chlorine is one thing that can seriously rust even the highest grade of stainless. I have worked in municipal water treatment plants and have never used un-filtered water for drinking. That might be why I have had no issue with rust.

Function well. safe. fair cost. no leakage. color is okay. Weight is light.

Have only used it a few times. Followed instructions for cleaning and use. I do notice a few issues.1. As pictured I keep finding bits of metallic/plastic. Just a sign of overall poor manufacturing quality. I actually can't get the one pictured off. It's partially fixed between connection of metal and plastic at the rim of the lid.2. It gets HOT HOT. This is my 3rd kettle and the only one I have for portability. My others are in glass housings that aestetically please me, but you wouldn't want to accidently grab. This one is stainless surrounded by a plastic housing. The plastic is not that safe to the touch as indicated. It gets very hot!3. The steam port/auto-off. Both of my other kettles have a little steam flap that is visible and easy to clean, and doesn't trap moisture. This one seems to have an indicator that leads towards the handle? Still trying to figure it out. If I shake the lid there is trapped moisture that drops out. This makes me worry about mold/mildew smell and bacteria growing in there.