Morphy Richards Illumination 1.7L Jug Kettle (108020) with Rapid Boil, Blue Light & 360° Cordless Base

The essentials

If you’re after a jug kettle that’s quick, easy to live with, and a bit different in daily use, the Morphy Richards Illumination 1.7L model (108020) looks like a practical pick. On paper it combines a 1.7L capacity for multiple drinks, a 3KW rapid boil, and a pull-off lid that’s meant to make topping up less fiddly. The standout twist is the calming blue illumination during boiling, which also helps you tell at a glance what stage it’s in.

Key takeaways for everyday use

This kettle is designed around the routines that actually matter: filling, waiting, and pouring without hassle. The easy view water gauge is there to help you monitor water usage, which can reduce guesswork and (over time) the amount of wasted water you heat. For people with hard water, the limescale/anti-limescale filter is a sensible inclusion, aiming to help keep drinks tasting how they should.

The 360° cordless base is another everyday convenience. It means you can set the jug down without needing to line everything up precisely, which is useful if you’re constantly moving it around the kitchen worktop. And there’s boil-dry protection—again, not exciting, but the kind of feature you’ll appreciate if you’re rushing or distracted.

One small limitation to keep in mind: the blue illumination is mainly there during boiling. If you’re the sort of person who expects a clear “ready” signal or indicator after it switches off, you’ll still need to rely on the kettle’s normal operation rather than the light staying on.

What stands out (and what it doesn’t promise)

The “illumination” concept is more than just styling. When the kettle is boiling, the blue light gives you visual feedback while it heats, so you’re less likely to forget it’s working. It also gives the kitchen a calmer look than a standard kettle that just sits there doing its job.

It’s also positioned as a family-or-social size rather than a tiny one-cup gadget, thanks to 1.7L capacity (up to 6 drinks, as described). That’s a good match if you often make more than one cup at a time. If you mainly boil water for one mug and you’re trying to keep energy use as lean as possible, you might want to compare against smaller-capacity kettles.

Tech specs

• Type: Jug kettle
• Capacity: 1.7L
• Power: 3KW rapid boil
• Feature: Boil dry protection
• Lid: Removable lid with ring pull (pull off lid)
• Water level: Easy view water gauge
• Filtration: Limescale filter / anti-limescale filter
• Base: 360° cordless base
• Material: Stainless steel
• Colour: Black
• Model: 108020

How to use it in a real kitchen

Imagine you’re hosting friends for tea: you fill to the level you actually need using the easy view gauge, pop the lid back on with the ring pull, and switch on. While it boils, the blue light comes on, so you’re not having to hover around the kettle to check it’s working. When the boil finishes, you can serve straight away—then refill as needed without wrestling the lid.

If you live in a hard-water area, it’s the sort of kettle where the anti-limescale filter helps reduce how much limescale can interfere with the taste of hot drinks. You’ll still want to keep on top of cleaning like you would with any kettle, but the included filter is clearly aimed at making day-to-day brewing more consistent.

Pros

• Rapid 3KW boiling performance for quicker hot drinks
• Blue illumination during boiling for simple visual feedback
• 1.7L capacity suits multiple drinks at once
• Easy view water gauge can help reduce waste
• Anti-limescale filter supports better taste with hard water
• Boil dry protection adds peace of mind
• 360° cordless base for easier placement
• Stainless steel jug with a pull-off removable lid

Is it worth it?

Worth buying if you want a practical 1.7L jug kettle that speeds up the “boil” part of tea or coffee, with the added bonus of a visible blue boil indicator. It also makes sense if you regularly make multiple drinks, or if hard water is something you worry about when it comes to taste.

Skip it (or compare carefully) if you mainly boil for one cup at a time and would rather choose a smaller capacity. Also, if you’re expecting the light to act as a persistent “ready” indicator after boiling, it’s not really described that way—on the information given, the illumination is specifically during boiling.

Mini FAQ

FAQs

Is the blue light only on while it boils?

Based on the description, the blue illumination is provided when the kettle is boiling.

Does it help with limescale in hard water?

Yes, it includes an anti-limescale filter intended to help prevent hard water affecting the taste of hot drinks.

How easy is it to top up and fill?

The lid is removable and uses a ring pull, which should make refilling simpler than fixed-lid designs.

What does the 360° base add?

It lets you place the kettle on the base in any orientation, which is handy for everyday use.

Is it suitable for families or social gatherings?

With a 1.7L capacity (described as up to 6 drinks), it’s aimed at making enough for more than one or two cups at once.