Breville Selecta Variable Temp Luxe Kettle Review | Best Electric Kettle
4.5 out of 5 View More ReviewPrice when reviewed : £79.99
inc VAT
Our Verdict
The Breville Selecta Variable Temp Lux Kettle, also known as the Smart Kettle Lux, could be a good choice for those who want to make perfect hot drinks rapidly. Buyers often praise “how quickly it boils water”, “how precisely it controls temperature”, and “its attractive look”. No doubt, it’s a bit on the expensive side, but a “best” electric kettle, although many buyers feel that its features deserve the higher cost.
Why do you say YES?
- Precision Temperature Control: It has five accurate temperature settings for perfect drinks.
- Exceptional Heating Speed: Super-fast! Boils 1.7 liters in just 4 minutes*.
- Stylish and Modern Design: Looks great and fits well in any kitchen.
- Easy to Use: Simple controls, comfortable handle, and smooth pouring.
Why do you say NO?
- Loud Beeps: The beeping is annoying and hard to turn off.
- Exterior Gets Very Hot: The outside of this stainless kettle can get extremely hot; handle with care.
- High Price Point: It’s an expensive “splurge” item.
Breville VKT159 Selecta Digital Temperature Control Stainless Steel Kettle Review: What you get?
- Variable Temperature Control: The most important feature of the Breville Selecta is its advanced temperature control with “5 temperature settings”.
- Precise Heating: This temperature control kettle provides “precise heating” for a variety of hot beverages such as different teas, coffees and hot cocoa.
- Optimal Brew Settings: These settings are specifically for “black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong and coffee”, ensuring the optimum brewing temperature for the best flavour.
- Easy Display: There is a clear display on its power base that lets you “choose your heat setting” for easy use.
- Powerful Heating Element: The kettle has a powerful “3000 W” (3kW) hidden heating element for “fast boil” and “rapid boil”.
- Fast Boil: Our tests found that it boils 1.7 liters of water in “just four minutes”, making it one of the fastest electric kettles.
- Large Capacity: With a large capacity of “7 liters“, it can make “6 to 8 cups” of beverages, which is great for families or guests.
- Concealed Heating Element: The “hidden heating element” reduces limescale buildup even in hard water areas, making cleaning easier.
- Limescale Filter: The spout has a “removable, cleanable limescale filter” that ensures “clean water every time.”
- Maintenance Recommendations: Users get a manual with it, which guides you for the efficiency and long-life of the kettle.
- Auto Shut-Off and Boil Dry Protection: For safety, the kettle has “Auto Shut-Off” and “Boil Dry Protection.”
- Soft-Opening Lid: Its “soft-opening lid” releases steam slowly, preventing “accidental steam facials” and reducing splashes.
- Keep Warm Function: The “Keep Warm” function maintains the set temperature for 20 minutes, which is convenient for longer use.
- Energy-Saving Tracker: The Breville Selecta VKT159 Jug Kettle has an “energy-saving temperature tracker” that helps you avoid unnecessary re-boiling and power wastage.
- Audible Alerts: All users “find the beeps unpleasant” but its manual mentions a “mute function”.
Breville Selecta VKT159 Jug Kettle: What’s good about it?
Here are the key things that make the Breville Variable Temp Luxe Kettle truly stand out:
- Precise Temperature Control: The Breville Selecta kettle with temperature settings is the master of precision! It has 5 different temp settings, allowing you to heat your ordinary water to the perfect temperature for black tea, green tea, coffee or any other hot beverage. This means you will enjoy the best flavour of your beverage every time.
- Super-Fast Boiling: Need hot water in a hurry? No problem! With its powerful 3000W heating system, this kettle can boil a full 1.7 litres of water in around four minutes. It is incredibly rapid and efficient, making your morning routine go much faster.
- Stylish and Modern Design: The Breville VKT159 is designed to look great in any kitchen. Its sleek, brushed stainless steel or nickel finish gives it a fancy, modern look that many users love. It is designed to blend perfectly with the style of your kitchen.
- Easy to Use: This kettle is designed for your convenience. It has an ergonomic (easy-to-grip) handle and pours water easily without any effort. The base swivels around (360 degrees), so you can pick it up or put it down from any angle, which is great for both left and right-handed people. It also has a hidden space under the base to hide the cord and keep your counter clean.
- Convenient Safety Features: For users’ peace of mind, it comes with automatic shut-off and boil-dry protection, which means it shuts itself off if the water runs out. The soft-opening lid is also a smart touch, releasing steam slowly to prevent splashes and “accidental steam facials.”
- Keep Warm Function: If you need hot water for a long time, the “keep warm” function makes it an energy-efficient electric kettle. It can maintain your chosen temperature for up to 20 minutes, so you don’t have to boil it again.
- Easy to clean: The hidden heating part helps reduce limescale buildup. With a removable, cleanable filter in its spout, this anti-limescale kettle ensures you always get clean, clear water.
Breville Selecta VKT159 Jug Kettle: What could be better?
Here are the key things that could be better about the Breville Selecta 1.7l Temperature Select Jug Kettle:
- Beep noise: Like us, you too might get annoyed by the beep. The manual says there’s a mute function, but it doesn’t work, so annoying.
- Exterior gets very hot: The exterior of the kettle (except the handle) gets very hot during and after use. Be careful not to burn yourself, especially if there are kids or pets around.
- Difficult to see water level: If you have poor lighting in your kitchen or room, it’s hard to see the water level through the window. Although this is a minor issue, it can lead to overfilling the kettle and boiling water spilling over.
- Plastic parts touch water: If you prefer a plastic-free electric kettle, you should know that this kettle has internal plastic parts that touch water during boiling.
- Price: This is a more expensive option than many standard electric kettles. It’s more to buy and with concerns about its durability compared to a cheap electric kettle, is it really worth the extra cost in the long run?
Breville Selecta 1.7l Temperature Select Kettle: Is it good to buy?
In the crowd of luxurious electric kettles, the Breville VKT159 Selecta holds its own, competing with top names like Fellow Stagg and Zwilling Enfinigie. If you are a tea or coffee lover and want precise temperature control for your favourite brew, fast heating and a beautiful appliance, then investing in this kettle could be the right choice for you.
However, the final decision is yours! Keep in mind the important points mentioned by Best Electric Kettle UK to make the right informed decision.
Breville Selecta Variable Temp Luxe Kettle Review | FAQs
Is Breville kettle a good brand?
Yes, Breville is a good brand. They are known for stylish, functional, and precise kitchen appliances.
How to set the Breville temperature?
Simply, use the buttons on the base of the kettle. Select the desired temperature or beverage (e.g., black tea, coffee) and the kettle will heat the water precisely.
What are the temperature settings on a Breville kettle?
The Breville VKT159 Variable Temp Lux Kettle has 5 preset temperature settings. These settings ensure that you get the best taste from your special tea or coffee.
- Black Tea: 100°C (212°F)
- Oolong Tea: 95°C (203°F)
- Coffee (French Press/Pour-over): 90°C (195°F)
- Green Tea: 80°C (175°F)
- White Tea: 70°C (158°F)
What temperature is the keep warm setting on a Breville kettle?
The “Keep Warm” function on the Breville VKT159 kettle can maintain the selected temperature for up to 20 minutes. If you set the kettle to 90°C for coffee and then activate “Keep Warm”, it will try to keep the water at 90°C for the next 20 minutes.
Do temperature-controlled Breville kettles save money?
Yes, using a Breville temperature-controlled kettle can save money by saving energy. For example, green tea requires 80°C hot water rather than boiling 100°C, saving a small amount of electricity. The “keep warm” function stops the time-to-time reboiling of water, which also saves energy.
What temperature should I set my Breville Selecta electric kettle at?
The best temperature for your Breville electric kettle depends entirely on what you’re making. Like for Black Tea & Herbal Teas need 100∘C(212∘F), Oolong Tea demands 90∘C−95∘C(195∘F−205∘F), and Coffee requires 90∘C−96∘C(195∘F−205∘F) precise warm water.
What is the best temperature for water for tea?
To make the perfect tea, the correct temperature of the water is a must. This temperature differs according to the type of tea:
- Black Tea: 100∘C(212∘F)
- Oolong Tea: 90∘C−95∘C(195∘F−205∘F)
- Green Tea: 70∘C−80∘C(158∘F−175∘F)
- White Tea: 65∘C−75∘C(149∘F−167∘F)
- Herbal Tea: 100∘C(212∘F)
