Mastercard Off | Smeg KLF04WHUK Variable Temperature Stainless Steel Kettle 1.7L White

I have bought this kettle 12 months ago and 6 months later it has developed paint blister. Smeg were very good and send a replacement kettle immediately. The next new kettle had developed a fault in the first 6 months by which the lid would not open and had to be pressed several times before it popped up. I have yet again contacted Smeg and as the original purchase was still within 12 months I received a replacement kettle within 1 day. Excellent service by Smeg customer services but unfortunately the 3rd kettle has a fault with the lid too, which this time it keeps popping up open. 3 kettles in 12 months, all faulty and now out of original guarantee so stuck with it. Really not worth the money. For this price I would expect top quality product and certainly a ... MoreI have bought this kettle 12 months ago and 6 months later it has developed paint blister. Smeg were very good and send a replacement kettle immediately. The next new kettle had developed a fault in the first 6 months by which the lid would not open and had to be pressed several times before it popped up. I have yet again contacted Smeg and as the original purchase was still within 12 months I received a replacement kettle within 1 day. Excellent service by Smeg customer services but unfortunately the 3rd kettle has a fault with the lid too, which this time it keeps popping up open. 3 kettles in 12 months, all faulty and now out of original guarantee so stuck with it. Really not worth the money. For this price I would expect top quality product and certainly a longer guarantee period. Very disappointed.

Form over function, very poor for such an expensive kettle

This kettle will get the job done, but is form-over-function.I think it's good looking, but it has some very poor usability issues.1) The fill indicator is the type that is behind the handle which makes it hard to see, particularly if you are trying to see the 'max' indicator, and even if you're not holding it, it's still hard to see very clearly.2) If you could see the indicator well, the 'minimum' seems to be about 2 cups, so unlike my previous kettle I often end up boiling more than I need which is a waste.3) The noises this kettle makes are laughable, in contrast to the kettle they sound REALLY cheap, the only good thing about them is you can turn them off, but you have to do that again every time you unplug it.4) The controls are really annoying. The ... MoreThis kettle will get the job done, but is form-over-function.I think it's good looking, but it has some very poor usability issues.1) The fill indicator is the type that is behind the handle which makes it hard to see, particularly if you are trying to see the 'max' indicator, and even if you're not holding it, it's still hard to see very clearly.2) If you could see the indicator well, the 'minimum' seems to be about 2 cups, so unlike my previous kettle I often end up boiling more than I need which is a waste.3) The noises this kettle makes are laughable, in contrast to the kettle they sound REALLY cheap, the only good thing about them is you can turn them off, but you have to do that again every time you unplug it.4) The controls are really annoying. The indicators for changing the temperature are hard to see, so I ended up putting a black dot over the only other one I use regularly so I can see where to select using the lever. Even then I seem to overshoot that setting by one a lot.You can't see the temperatures written above the lights when standing up in a well lit kitchen. Because of how they have organised the controls you mostly have to press the button twice, which is annoying, but not as annoying as the times you only have to press it once, and then end up turning it off again.The last thing about the controls is that they are on two sides of a squarish base, which means it's hard to position the base nicely and still have a good view of them both.5) This one doesn't seem to bother me so much any more, but the button you press to open the top, is on the top. So you are kind of holding it closed as you are pressing it, and because it has an elegant slow opening I would often press it quick and it wouldn't open. You have to train yourself to press the button towards the back of the lid to get it to work reliably.In conclusion. Make sure you REALLY like the look of it before you pay (a lot of) money to get it. Then all the usability issues might be worth it for you.

Oozes quality

I would give it 5 stars, but for me it needs to last to justify such a score and I haven't had it long enough to prove it's longevity (my track record with other brand kettles has been disappointing to say the least - they all seem to give up the ghost soon after the guarantee expires).It's engineered to a wholly higher standard of construction and materials which makes it feel very solid. I like that it pours perfectly and because it must use an electronic temperature sensing system it turns off just on the boil, rather than steaming away madly as some others do. Although I wasn't sure to start with I do sometimes find myself using the temperature control and stay warm functions so they are more than just a gimmick. The controls are easy enough to get used ... MoreI would give it 5 stars, but for me it needs to last to justify such a score and I haven't had it long enough to prove it's longevity (my track record with other brand kettles has been disappointing to say the least - they all seem to give up the ghost soon after the guarantee expires).It's engineered to a wholly higher standard of construction and materials which makes it feel very solid. I like that it pours perfectly and because it must use an electronic temperature sensing system it turns off just on the boil, rather than steaming away madly as some others do. Although I wasn't sure to start with I do sometimes find myself using the temperature control and stay warm functions so they are more than just a gimmick. The controls are easy enough to get used to.It is rather heavy, which could be a problem for some people, and I find the fill gauge a bit hard to see.Yes it's expensive for a kettle but it looks great; feels really well made and has additional functionality to most kettles - in fact a pleasure to use - and as I value these aspects then so far I feel it's been worth paying the price, especially if I can use it for many years.

Paint bubbled off, lid catch broke: Suggest avoid this item.

Admittedly we should have returned this product immediately the problems started, so please bear this in mind when reading this review. We purchased around three years ago.Within four weeks of use the paint started to bubble off ariound the rim between the lid and the kettle. This got progressivley worse until most of the paint was bubbled.This week the catch broke. We were not in the slightest rough with our usage of the kettle so we are suprised at the poor build quality: The catch is plastic, not metal. It simply is not up to the job.All in all, for a supposed top of line kettle with a supposedly superior brand, we are very, very, disappointed. We can only assume that quality control had completely broken down for our product and wonder if Smeg have simply ... MoreAdmittedly we should have returned this product immediately the problems started, so please bear this in mind when reading this review. We purchased around three years ago.Within four weeks of use the paint started to bubble off ariound the rim between the lid and the kettle. This got progressivley worse until most of the paint was bubbled.This week the catch broke. We were not in the slightest rough with our usage of the kettle so we are suprised at the poor build quality: The catch is plastic, not metal. It simply is not up to the job.All in all, for a supposed top of line kettle with a supposedly superior brand, we are very, very, disappointed. We can only assume that quality control had completely broken down for our product and wonder if Smeg have simply outsourced production to the factory or applied theeir brand to a more or less generic product. In short, the brand is meaningless in this case.By comparison, we have another, cheaper, brand of kettle, which is better made and of metal construction. It has retained its looks and is still functioning fully and properly.We cannot recommend this product.

Poor Quality

This is the worst quality kettle I have ever owned.It looked good to start with but the steam/water causes a build up of scale around the top of the kettle under the lid. I'm very house proud so I have tried to keep on top of it but it's impossible and trying to remove it causes the white plastic to peel.I look after my things - maybe a bit too much some would say - but now the hinge has broken. Cannot fathom how but looking at the mechanism it is a cheap plastic affair which does not look fit for purpose.An expensive kettle that has barely lasted three years despite only two of us living here and drinking one cup of coffee a day!I would recommend you avoid this product.

Poor quality

Such a coincidence to read Gwerther Kernow's review below.The same thing happened with our first Smeg kettle - the enamel bubbled off around the spout and lid. This happened after only a month or so. After overcoming a fair amount of resistance from John Lewis's agents, we were allowed to exchange for a replacement. This was under two years ago and after using the kettle no more than three or four times a day over the ensuing period, the underside of the kettle was leaking into the plastic base containing the cable and it is therefore now not usable and we have replaced with another kettle.The only conclusion is that either the materials used and/or the build quality is not good enough. When we bought the kettle we assumed that Smeg was still being made in Italy ... MoreSuch a coincidence to read Gwerther Kernow's review below.The same thing happened with our first Smeg kettle - the enamel bubbled off around the spout and lid. This happened after only a month or so. After overcoming a fair amount of resistance from John Lewis's agents, we were allowed to exchange for a replacement. This was under two years ago and after using the kettle no more than three or four times a day over the ensuing period, the underside of the kettle was leaking into the plastic base containing the cable and it is therefore now not usable and we have replaced with another kettle.The only conclusion is that either the materials used and/or the build quality is not good enough. When we bought the kettle we assumed that Smeg was still being made in Italy but then we discovered the manufacture is now outsourced to China.Not impressed and we, too, cannot recommend this product.

Review of SMEG 50's Retro Style KLF04WHUK Jug Kettle - White

Good Points: Variable temp is really useful, even for black tea I can set it to 90 degrees to save on time and energy with no impact to brew quality (tried with both loose leaves and teabag). Standard herbal tea bags can be set to 70 degrees (I typically leave these bags in the tea while drinking to let the flavour stew) so I do not need to add cold water after boiling (again an efficiency bonus).Very quick boiling time when only filling for small volumes e.g. 2 cupsAudio alert (which can be turned off) is not annoyingKeep warm feature have used once when guests were around and it proved useful.Improvement Points: The top opening button somehow does not feel as premium as the rest of the design. Can feel slightly unresponsive and gives a nagging doubt about ... MoreGood Points: Variable temp is really useful, even for black tea I can set it to 90 degrees to save on time and energy with no impact to brew quality (tried with both loose leaves and teabag). Standard herbal tea bags can be set to 70 degrees (I typically leave these bags in the tea while drinking to let the flavour stew) so I do not need to add cold water after boiling (again an efficiency bonus).Very quick boiling time when only filling for small volumes e.g. 2 cupsAudio alert (which can be turned off) is not annoyingKeep warm feature have used once when guests were around and it proved useful.Improvement Points: The top opening button somehow does not feel as premium as the rest of the design. Can feel slightly unresponsive and gives a nagging doubt about longevity.The press to activate and press-again to actually boil is slightly counter-intuitive but I got used to it after a short time.

Smeg Kettle

I have now had three of these kettles. The first one being replaced soon after purchase when it simply stopped working. The second worked until it also stopped working and also leaked from side where you see the water level. The third is currently falling apart bit by bit. Part of the handle close to the top side of the kettle fell off and the handle is a bit to come off completely. The E of SMEG came off too. I am sad to not buy another it as it matches my Hob, Oven, liquidiser and toaster. However I cannot ever buy one as they are just not durable and made poorly despite looking lovely.

Stylish with nice additional features

We decided to treat ourselves given the kettle is on in our house on an almost hourly basis. The temperature feature is great for not burning your mouth with too hot tea and is also useful for hot cordial & herbal teas. We also like the keep warm feature in the mornings when multiple rounds are going. It also looks stylish and I quite like the little jingles - easy to hear if in another room. I don't find it any quicker than a standard kettle but we are otherwise very happy.

Syle overs substance. Avoid

So mostly we've been happy with the mid-range kettles that do the job. How hard is it to boil water?So we purchased this somewhat pricey kettle just before Christmas. Several immediate issues:1. The unit, being metal get extremely hot so need to be wary with children2. It's incredibly annoying to have to press a button twice to boil water...it's it's main function so should be simpleThe clincher was that after a few weeks use, the lid doesn't open very well. Frequently taking 3 or 4 attempts before we can pour water in.All in all, perhaps the most overpriced and over-engineered home appliance I've every bought.Would strongly recommend you avoid. We've replaced it with a basic kettle (albeit plastic) that looks OK and costs 1/5 of the price. Won't be ... MoreSo mostly we've been happy with the mid-range kettles that do the job. How hard is it to boil water?So we purchased this somewhat pricey kettle just before Christmas. Several immediate issues:1. The unit, being metal get extremely hot so need to be wary with children2. It's incredibly annoying to have to press a button twice to boil water...it's it's main function so should be simpleThe clincher was that after a few weeks use, the lid doesn't open very well. Frequently taking 3 or 4 attempts before we can pour water in.All in all, perhaps the most overpriced and over-engineered home appliance I've every bought.Would strongly recommend you avoid. We've replaced it with a basic kettle (albeit plastic) that looks OK and costs 1/5 of the price. Won't be purchasing SMEG again.