Best Electric Gooseneck Kettles

A cup of coffee is mostly hot water. And if you’re trying to make an outstanding cup, that water is critical to your success.

In the equation for good coffee, water at the right ratio and temperature are right up there with the freshness of the beans your using. While this probably isn’t a surprise to anyone that’s been making coffee for a while, water is something that’s often overlooked by beginner baristas.

That being said, water isn’t something that has to be complicated. Start with good water, bring it to the right temperature, then just let it mingle with your coffee and do its thing.

In any case, you’re going to need a kettle. Why not get one that looks like a goose? For us, the best electric gooseneck kettles offer quick heating, good temperature and pour control, and stand up to repeated use over time.

Distinguishing Features

Selecting the right electric kettle really boils down to a few key features. Buy something that gets these things right and chances are you’ll be happy you did.

Temperature Control

Temperature control can make electric kettles much more convenient than their stovetop counterparts. If you care about brewing your coffee at a consistent temperature (especially at a temperature lower than boiling), electronic temperature control will make your life a whole lot easier. Turning on the kettle and coming back 5 minutes later to hot water, now at the perfect temperature, adds a ton of convenience to the brewing process. There’s no reason to be babysitting a thermometer in 2018.

An additional feature worth looking for is the ability to hold temperature. Get an inconvenient phone call just when your water gets to temp? No problem. It’ll still at the perfect temperature once you’re done. Most kettles that offer this feature hold the water at the target temperature for thirty minutes to an hour.

Pour Control

This is where the gooseneck comes in. Yes, it looks funny, but the gooseneck shape of the waterspout is what gives you much more control when you’re pouring hot water onto your ground coffee. For pour over coffee, this control can make a huge difference, enabling you to evenly extract your coffee and just the right amount.

One alternative to having an electric kettle with a gooseneck is heating your water to temperature in a separate kettle and then transferring it to the one with the gooseneck. In most cases, this isn’t worth the effort. But if you already have an electric kettle without a gooseneck, it can be a more affordable route.

One final note: pour control generally means a slower pour than you’d get if you didn’t have a gooseneck. That’s great for making coffee or tea but can be a pain if you’re trying to add a lot of water to a pot of soup or something.

Durability and Support

As with any piece of kitchen equipment, it’s important to buy something that lasts. An electric kettle with all the bells and whistles doesn’t do us any good if it doesn’t hold up to daily use. We don’t want to be replacing our kettle every year, and we suspect you don’t either. It’s important to pay close attention to the build material–stainless steel is the most common and probably your best bet.

Built-in Timer

These days, manufacturers are building kettles with pour over coffee brewing specifically in mind. Extra features like built-in count-up timers mean there’s just one fewer thing you need out on your counter while you brew.

Uses

An electric kettle has more uses than making Chemex or v60 coffee. We use our electric kettle for French press, tea, and anything else we might need hot water for. Ever find yourself waiting for water to boil on the stove so you can make pasta or boiled eggs? Why not boil half of the water you need in your electric kettle. Splitting the water lets you boil it in about half the time!

---

The Best Electric Gooseneck Kettles Reviewed

Here are our top 4 picks for 2018. We’ve highlighted 4 differnent brands, each with a slightly different feature set.

Bonavita 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature

This electric kettle is well-established and has stood the test of time. Bonavita has a made a name for themselves by keeping their brand focused on coffee.

We’ve seen this kettle used in homes and coffee shops. It’s popular, and we’re not surprised. This is really everything you’d want in an electric kettle, and Bonavita’s well-regarded customer service makes this a great option for beginners and experts alike.

---

Fellow Stagg EKG

Fellow raised $447,000 when they introduced the Stagg EKG on Kickstarter. This functional piece of art is at the top end of what we looked at–the Rolls Royce of gooseneck kettles. And while the price is higher than any of our other picks, the sleek design and solid construction make it an appealing choice for a barista with preferences beyond the functional. Fellow even programmed in an easter egg.

---

OXO On Adjustable Temperature Electric Pour-Over

This model by OXO offers one of the smallest footprints for an electric kettle, making it great for a kitchen where space is limited. The intuitive controls and digital screen make it easy to set your target temperature and know once you’ve reached it.

Although you hopefully won’t need it, OXO backs their product with a 2-year warranty.

---

Gourmia GPK720 Electric

The Gourmia is an economical choice if you’re looking for a kettle that gets the job done and nothing more. The LCD is clear and easy to use, and the construction is all stainless steel.

The GPK720 model includes the base plate controls while the GPK610 has the temperature control and power built directly into the handle.

---

Conclusion

Didn’t see your favorite electric kettle? Shoot us an email so we can check it out. We’re always trying to improve our pour over coffee game.