Breville Curve Electric Kettle VKT017 (1.7 L, 3kW fast boil) in Black & Chrome
Product description
The essentials
If you want a kettle that looks tidy on the counter and heats water without fuss, the Breville Curve Electric Kettle (VKT017) is built around two priorities: speed and everyday convenience. On paper, it’s a 1.7L kettle with a 3kW concealed element, plus a few thoughtful details like an illuminated rear water window and an easy-pour spout.
It’s the sort of kettle that tends to suit busy households where you’re repeatedly making tea, coffee, or instant hot drinks, and you don’t want to wait around for the water to catch up. The curved texture design and chrome accents also suggest it’s meant to look like part of the kitchen, not a temporary appliance.
Key takeaways
What you’ll notice day to day is how simple it is to live with. The rear water window is illuminated, so you can fill to the level you actually need (rather than guessing). There’s also a limescale filter that you can remove and cleanable, which matters because kettles often get neglected until the scale becomes obvious.
Where it sits in the market feels like a middle-of-the-road pick: it has speed (3kW), sensible capacity (1.7L), and features that reduce the little annoyances. It’s not positioned as a “smart” kettle, so if you’re specifically after connectivity or temperature presets, you may find it doesn’t fully match that direction.
What matters most
The combination of 3kW fast boil and 1.7L capacity is the heart of this model. Breville’s own framing implies you’re targeting regular servings—enough for roughly 6 to 8 cups—so it’s a practical volume for most tea-drinking routines.
An extra detail that’s easy to overlook but useful in practice is the extra wide spout and the 360-degree rotational base. An easier pour can reduce drips and makes it simpler to fill mugs without awkward angles, especially if you’re using the kettle one-handed or moving it between cupboards and the sink.
And yes, it’s not perfect: the exact “how fast” will depend on your starting water temperature and how consistently you fill it. Still, 3kW is the kind of spec that usually feels purposeful rather than just marketing.
Key features in everyday use
The kettle uses a concealed element, which typically makes cleaning more straightforward because there’s less exposed heating area for grime to cling to. The removable, cleanable limescale filter is another small win—periodic cleaning helps keep the pour cleaner and the kettle performing as expected over time.
The lift-off lid is also one of those practical features that you either appreciate straight away or wonder how you coped without. If you’ve ever struggled with lids that don’t seat cleanly or are fiddly to open, this design approach is aiming to remove that friction.
A quick micro-scenario: you’re prepping two teas, a mug of coffee, and you top up a second time. You can check the illuminated rear window, fill without overdoing it, pour quickly from the wide spout, then drop the kettle back onto the rotational base without turning it perfectly.
What to check before you buy
A few things are worth thinking about so expectations line up. First, confirm the kettle’s capacity suits your household rhythm, 1.7L can be ideal for multiple drinks, but if you mainly make one or two cups at a time, you might prefer a smaller capacity to avoid heating more water than you need.
Second, check whether you’re happy with a straightforward kettle. This model focuses on boiling and basic usability (like the rear window, filter, and base) rather than advanced temperature controls or smart functions.
Finally, keep the cleaning routine realistic. The limescale filter helps, but any kettle in hard-water areas will still need periodic descaling, the “easy to clean” angle is helpful, not magic.
Pros
- 3kW fast boil for quicker heating when you’re in a rush
- 1.7L capacity suitable for multiple cups
- Illuminated rear water window to fill more accurately
- Removable, cleanable limescale filter
- 360-degree rotational base and non-slip feet for smoother use
Is it worth it?
You’ll likely be happy with the Breville Curve Electric Kettle (VKT017) if you want a fast-boiling, easy-to-pour kettle with features that reduce everyday hassle—especially the illuminated water window, the cleanable limescale filter, and the convenient rotational base.
It may not be your best match if you mainly need single-cup boils (because 1.7L can be more than you want to heat every time), or if you specifically want smart features, temperature presets, or a more niche design that’s built for precision rather than straightforward boiling.
FAQs
How many cups is the 1.7L capacity suited for?
The product description suggests it makes roughly 6 to 8 cups, so it’s designed for more than just one drink at a time.
Is the kettle easy to clean?
It includes a removable, cleanable limescale filter, and the concealed element is meant to make cleaning simpler.
Does the kettle make it easier to fill accurately?
Yes—there’s an illuminated rear water window for clearer filling.
What’s the benefit of the 360-degree rotational base?
It allows you to place and pick up the kettle from the base without needing a specific orientation, which can make pouring smoother.
Is the fast boil actually relevant in day-to-day use?
With a 3kW concealed element, it’s intended to speed up boiling, though the real-world speed will still depend on your starting water and how you fill it.