We are voracious mint tea drinkers for well over twenty years now. Thus, we’ve purchased several water heating vessels like the Farberware 104556 cordless electric kettle, which we review here.
The modest price reminded us of those low-priced, used appliances you find at flea markets. But the cost of this brand new Farberware kettle is about the same. Yet its quality equals teakettles costing three or four times more, and its two-year limited warranty far surpasses many competitors’, which typically offer 90 days to a year tops.
The 104556 kettle is not actually cordless. Indeed, there is a cord that plugs into a fifteen amp outlet. It’s attached to the base stand. But the pot itself has no permanently dangling cable. This promotes safer, easier filling of teacups. This is a hearty appliance that shows durability. Nothing looks cheap about this cordless yet electric teapot.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Benefits, Features, Pros, and Advantages
Nearly 2 Liters
Heats 1.7 liters of water in approximately eight minutes here in Pittsburgh, PA. It may heat more quickly at higher altitudes.
Water Gauge
A large calibrated fill gauge, positioned behind the handle, shows current amount of water in the kettle.
Short Power Cable
The power cord is permanently attached to the base, not the kettle itself, and is 2 Ft. long. It warms slightly during operation, but well within safety limits. No detectable fire hazards here.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: It Heats Quietly
Low sound, even when the water is boiling. However, it can issue some distracting noises when not running. See the drawbacks sections below for details.
No-Slip Feet
The stand supplies power to the kettle, and comes with substantial anti-skid feet built in. These prevent sliding of the whole unit even when full. These also provide sound isolation from the counter. This likely helps keep the kettle quiet.
Integrated Plastic Lid
Features an attached black plastic lid. This piece latches open for near effortless filling. Then, you snap it closed to contain hot liquids while pouring. While this can get in the way while filling, at least you’ll never lose the lid. It locks closed truly, and stays closed until you release it.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Large Mouth
The large-diameter opening on this cordless kettle makes for quick and easy filling and cleaning with little slop and spill.
Removable Strainer
Filters out all but the very smallest of mineral and sediment particles. This trap slides up and out of the pot for easy cleaning.
Bright Pilot Lamp
A clear, blue LED-lit lever makes starting and stopping the kettle a snap; literally. The light comes on while water heating is in progress.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Rapid Water Boiling
Heats 1.7 liters of cold water to a rolling boil in just over eight minutes.
Auto Shutoff When Water Boils
This heated kettle automatically shuts off soon after the water inside begins to boil. With 1.7 liters of cold water, this occurs within five minutes.
Stay Cool Stand
The supporting stand stays cool to the touch. Note though, that this stand is not a burner. It has no heating elements. Instead, they sealed the heaters in the bottom of the kettle itself.
Stainless Steel Build
Has the trendy look of a spun stainless steel finish on all its metal parts. It also features a black plastic handle, stand, and lid.
Insulated Handle
With the handle being plastic, there is little chance of electric shock from this appliance. Plus, it remains cool even when water inside is boiling.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Has a Cord Keeper
The underside of the pedestal provides wrap-around storage for part of the power cable. You may store some of the cord here should you wish to further shorten it.
Easy to Pour, Even When Full
The positioning of the handle provides great balance. Thus, carrying this kettle from its stand to your teacup is easy, and pouring is a breeze.
Users Guide
Comes in the box.
Great Price
We found ours at Walmart for under $19. Good deal.
Two year Limited Warranty
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Disadvantages, Cons, Limitations, and Problems
Fill Gauge Not Lighted
Unlike some kettles such as the Hamilton Beach 40891, offer illuminated gauges for greater viewing distances. Not this one though.
To see well the fill level here, you need a well lit area while topping off the water. So we don’t bother trying to read the gauge.
Instead, we put a finger into the spout. Then, we fill until the rising water level touches the finger tip. Finally, we dump out just enough to lower the water level to beneath the filter strainer screen.
Somewhat Noisy
Once in a while, this cordless electric kettle clicks and snaps, even hours after last use. This is likely the parts inside cooling down. But Farberware could stop this by building in a fully electronic thermostat in future models.
Not a Full Two Liters
We wish that this pot held a full two liters of fluid instead of the 1.7 liters. But you can put 2 liters of water in without much ill effect. But for max safety, we advise against overfilling.
Plastic Parts Easy to Scratch
The plastic lid appears a bit too easy to scratch. A harder cover would help solve this.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Non Adjustable Heat Power Level
While energized, the heating element operates “full blast,” to guarantee lower times to boil. So you wouldn’t want to heat easily burned liquids like milk in this, or melt chocolate. This is a teakettle, and so, you should only boil WATER in it.
Non Submersible
Dunk neither the pot nor the base stand for cleaning. Why? It’s due to the electrical parts in the base. Then there is also the mechanical thermostat in the kettle. This must stay dry.
Gets Quite Hot While Running
All exposed metal surfaces becomes hot enough to burn and injure. So do not touch these when water inside approaches boiling.
Farberware 104556 Cordless Electric Kettle Review: Our Rating
In total, we like the Farberware cordless electric kettle 104556. It heats water faster than a microwave oven. It’s easy to clean by just wiping with a damp cloth. Plus, this kettle costs little to buy. Finally, it works as well as any 1500 watt kettle we tested. So, we recommend it. Great for tea, hot cocoa, soup, bouillon, and hot foods. Our rating is thus 98 out of 100.
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