This is the next evolution in electric pouring kettles. I bought the Stagg stovetop kettle a couple years ago (along with every other kettle I could find) to test out at my house, but the addition of the electric base takes it up a notch.
For the past several months, I have been using the Brewista variable temp electric kettle for my morning coffee, but switching to this Stagg EKG, it was quickly evident that the design and functionality is better and the technology has been well thought-out. For starters, this unit looks cool. It's matte black and I decided to sell the one with a maple handle and knob because I like wood. This is real wood, not a veneer or wrap. This Stagg holds 900 ml when filled to the max fill line inside the kettle. A 1200-watt heating element quickly brings the water up to temp. It uses a PID controller that effectively stops warming exactly at the set temp without exceeding, unlike many kettles that pulse the heating element on and off at full power. The result of this is that the kettle gives soft heat when nearing set temp and will not come to a rolling boil (at least not at 740 feet elevation). The temperature can be displayed in Fahrenheit or Celsius and is adjustable by one degree with the turn of a knob. Simple and precise. I like that. The LCD screen shows the set temp and the actual temperature of the water. Once the water reaches the set temp, it will hold for 5 minutes, but there is a toggle switch on the back of the base that will increase hold time to 60 minutes. If you hold the knob down for 2 seconds the screen will display a 3-2-1 countdown and start a brew timer.
The pour is adequate. Control over the water flow is not aided by a gooseneck bend in the spout, rather tipped off the point of a spout that extends above the internal water volume.
It's good looking, has the technology to precisely do the job, and is simple and intuitive to use. You should buy one.
