9 Eco Kettles Keeping Your Tea Non-Toxic

The world of technology is rapidly advancing. The world of sustainable technology, on the other hand, is not quite heating up at the same rate.

While truly ethical electronics are a long way off, there are things we can do to minimise e-waste and energy consumption.

Materials:

Materials for the best energy-saving kettles include mostly stainless steel, glass, and sometimes recycled plastic. Stainless steel is the most popular choice for good reason. It’s durable, heat resistant, elegant, and leaves no flavours or smells.

Glass kettles are elegant and won’t impart flavours or smells, but they can be quite fragile.

While plastic would have been avoided previously, BPA is generally no longer a concern as most manufacturers have phased it out (still something to keep in mind with used kettles).

Recycled plastic or biobased plastic are better options for the planet, but they do still produce a risk of toxicity, especially when repeatedly heated, so consider those with stainless steel linings. While plastic kettles are cheaper and lightweight, they can leave smells or odours and won’t last as long as stainless steel.

It’s also best to avoid exposed heating elements as they may be a source of nickel leaching, not to mention an obstacle to removing limescale.

Traditional hob kettles often feature materials like enamel, copper, and cast iron, which can leach metals and other toxins into your tea.

Energy Usage:

In British homes, a whopping 6% of electricity is used by the kettle. Continuous cuppas mean kettles use more electrical energy than kitchen hobs, ovens, and microwaves.

While electric kettle wattage ranges from 1500W to 3000W, this will influence the heating time (higher W = faster) and won’t have an impact on energy usage. The best energy-efficient kettle is not one with a certain wattage, but rather one equipped with insulated walls, auto shut-off, and one-cup water heating features.

The most important thing is to fill the kettle with only the amount of hot water you need!

It takes no time to measure a cup of water to heat or use the handy water level of your eco-friendly kettle if it has one. Simply doing this will save more than 3% on your electricity bill. Regularly descaling it (especially if it lacks a limescale filter) will also help, and be sure to unplug it after use to prevent phantom energy draws.

Recyclability & Repairability:

Fortunately, many eco-electric kettle brands are making a significant effort to help replace and repair kettles. Look for specific brands that back their products with extended warranties and offer options to recycle or repair the broken ones.