Breville Selecta Temperature Select Electric Kettle 1.7L (VKT159) – 3kW Fast Boil with Digital Temperature Control
Product description
What this kettle does
The Breville Selecta Temperature Select Electric Kettle is a 1.7L stovetop‑freeway that can boil water quickly and accurately, powered by a 3kW concealed element. It uses a digital temperature control with five preset temperatures to suit a range of beverages—from black tea to delicate green tea and coffee—without over‑extracting or scorching. It’s designed for households that value consistency and speed, especially when serving multiple cups in one sitting.
Why the temperature control matters
On paper, temperature is more important than just “hot water.” For tea and coffee, the right water temperature can bring out flavours while avoiding bitterness. The five heat settings offer plain, practical help: you can dial in a specific degree for the drink you want, then rely on the fast boil to minimise waiting time. If you prioritise precision over convenience, this feature is a meaningful upgrade over a basic kettle.
How it fits into daily use
Capacity is 1.7 litres, which Breville equates to roughly six to eight cups, depending on cup size. That makes it useful for family mornings, office setups or a small household where you regularly need multiple servings without reboiling. The 360‑degree base and lift‑off lid add ease of use for both left‑ and right‑handed users and for easy filling at the sink.
What stands out in everyday operation
A clean design in brushed stainless steel means it should hold up visually in a busy kitchen and wipe clean without fuss. The concealed element reduces lime scale contact and makes cleaning a bit quicker. A removable, cleanable lime scale filter further supports easy maintenance, which is useful if you live in an area with hard water.
Where it might fall short
There’s no mention of smart connectivity or app control, so you’ll need to rely on manual settings. If you enjoy automation or asking a kettle to remember multiple profiles, this model won’t oblige. Likewise, the five temperature presets are practical, but they’re not custom‑tunable in the sense of a full digital chef‑level control panel.
Who this is for
It suits households that value speed and reliable temperature for tea and coffee, and for those who want a cleaner interior thanks to the concealed element and filter. It’s a sensible choice if you enjoy multiple beverages with distinct water temperatures and want a straightforward, durable appliance rather than a feature‑rich, but more complex, model.
Who it isn’t ideal for
If you primarily boil water for quick hot drinks with no temperature precision, a standard kettle could suffice and look cheaper. And if you need a truly expansive water‑heater feature set, or a model with smart functions, this Breville may feel limited.
Practical considerations before buying
- Check whether your kitchen power supply can handle a 3kW kettle, especially if you’re in a small flat with shared circuits.
- Consider your typical cup size and whether the 1.7L capacity aligns with how many people you regularly serve.
- Inspect the limescale environment in your area, if you have hard water, the removable filter and ease of cleaning will be a real helper.
- Look at storage space and the cord management to ensure the base fits comfortably on your worktop.
How it compares to conventional kettles
Compared with a standard plain boil, this model aims to improve tea and coffee results by offering preset temperatures. It won’t outperform a purpose‑built coffee kettle or a high‑end smart kettle in terms of advanced control, but it sits in a practical middle ground: durable, straightforward, and capable of precise brewing without extra fuss.
FAQ
- Do the five temperature settings include a dedicated boiling mode? Yes, the kettle uses an automatic boil followed by maintaining the selected temperature at the set level.
- Is the lime scale filter easy to remove for cleaning? Yes, it’s removable and designed for regular maintenance.
- Can the kettle be used with power outlets in busy kitchens without tripping breakers? The 3kW element is fast, but ensure the circuit can handle a quick, full boil without overloading.
Final decision
Should you buy it?
Worth considering if you value timed brewing and practical temperature control in a durable, easy‑to‑maintain kettle. It’s a sensible pick for families or offices where multiple hot drinks are made daily and a dependable boil is important. It may not be the best option if you want hyper‑custom temperatures or smart features, but for straightforward, repeatable results, it remains a solid mid‑range choice.