Morphy Richards Vector Pyramid Kettle 108134 Traditional Kettle White + 4 Slice Toaster 248134 White Four Slice Toaster White Toaster

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The kettle is just as good-looking, with a handle that’s easy to grip and a light-up lever to show when it’s boiling. It’s also surprisingly light to carry around, so less of a struggle when full. A good-sized water window with multiple markings in litres means it’s simple to boil only as much water as required, while the minimum boil, though not marked, is an economical 250ml. In our tests, it performed well, boiling a litre of cold water in two minutes and 15 seconds. There are two main types of kettle: jug and dome. Jug kettles are taller, tend to have handles located on the side and will generally hold a larger volume of water. Pouring out the whole kettle leaves a small amount of water behind – I found it difficult to completely empty it each time. Conclusion The kettle has a wider than usual spout but still pours smoothly. There’s also a clearly marked water window, showing the max and min fill, as well as cups from four to seven (not litres). Its water window lights up blue when it’s on, while a button on the lid flips it up for filling – good for those who sometimes mix up levers. It’s speedy, too: a litre of cold water took just two minutes and 12 seconds to boil. What could prove to be a problem is the kettle’s minimum fill – around 900ml – meaning that if you only want to make one or two small cups, you will always be boiling more than you need.

These are the minimum of 800ml, maximum of 1.7 litres and – confusingly –1.25 litres, with no marker for the more useful measurement of a litre. This means you’ll need to keep a jug nearby if you want to boil exact amounts, or familiarise yourself with what a litre looks like. The other issue is that 800ml is a lot for a minimum fill, especially if you usually need water for only one or two cups.

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The external casing of some kettles can get extremely hot. Often, those with a brushed stainless steel exterior reach hotter temperatures than other materials – not ideal if you have young children in the kitchen. Kettles with an auto shut-off feature will automatically stop when water begins to boil or if the kettle is lifted from its base. The coordinating toaster has a high lift function to help prevent burnt fingers and even a reheat button, which is a useful extra on an affordable model such as this. Homemade bread fitted in the slots comfortably, even though they’re not the widest, and toast emerged evenly done, with only slight singeing at one corner. Note that the lid does become hot during boiling, however, so if you’re boiling kettle after kettle, you’ll need to ensure you don’t burn your fingers with steam while taking it off. While some dome or pyramid kettles err on the side of tradition for design, Tower’s Cavaletto is thoroughly modern. Everything about its appearance feels sleek, from the gently curving C-shaped handle at the top, to the multiple metallic details that adorn it.

Cavaletto’s shape may be reminiscent of a stove-top kettle, but its performance is far better. It boiled a litre of water from cold in 2mins 23secs thanks to its 3kW element, and its maximum capacity of 1.7 litres in 4 minutes – which is a little slower than some, but still respectable for cooking, cleaning or a round of drinks. Not quite what you were looking for? Shop more small kitchen appliances to help with the smooth running of your kitchen, including toasters and hot water dispensers. Most kettles have removable, washable anti-scale water filters that sit at the base of the spout. These collect pieces of limescale from the water to prevent them from being poured into your drink, and they stop scum forming on the surface, making them a must for hard water areas. There are finer details to think about too, which can make a real difference when you’re using your kettle day in, day out:The toaster comes in a two- or four-slice version, the latter of which we tested. Its wide slots, lift-and-look feature, defrost and reheat buttons make it ideal for any busy household, especially one where it’s out on display, so its elegant exterior can be properly appreciated. Unwanted Food or Drink Products - Once supply conditions are broken, there are a number of factors outside of our control that can affect the quality of a product. Therefore perishable goods such as food and drink cannot be returned. Each toaster and kettle set undergoes real-world testing in a typical domestic setting, taking into consideration their usability, convenience, capacity and how easy they are to maintain and keep clean. The kettle’s weight when empty and full, is also noted.

This set’s glossy faceted exterior with geometric shapes belies its modest price. Despite being one of the more affordable options in our roundup, it still has some premium features, such as a defrost option on the toaster and internal kettle illumination. Where it could do better is with regards to being able to see how much water is in the kettle. While the window isn’t obscured by the handle, it’s a victim of minimal markings. Not only are there no cup measurements displayed, there are only three markers for litres. Next, consider the features of both appliances and their capacity. Make sure they’re both a suitable size for daily use – such as a four-slice toaster instead of a two-slice in larger households – and include the functionality you need, such as easy pouring from a kettle, and a defrost option if you often make toast straight from the freezer. If one appliance fits the bill but the other one doesn’t, it may be worth looking at a different range. Don’t buy both just because they match; consider each appliance carefully to make sure it suits your needs, or you may end up replacing one of them further down the line. How much should I spend on a toaster and kettle set?Variable temperature kettles can heat the water to different temperatures to provide the best results when brewing different types of tea and coffee. It’s a handy feature if you like to drink more delicate herbal and green teas, which should be brewed below boiling, at around 80C. For every millilitre of water you add to your kettle, an extra gram is added to its overall weight, meaning they can get quite heavy. If lifting may be an issue, look for a model that weighs no more than a kilogram when empty.