A kettle is probably the last thing you think of updating in the kitchen. Most of the time, you chuck some water in it, turn it on, and walk away while it boils. But what you realise sometimes a bit too late, is the deterioration of the exterior finish peeling off, the burn marks inside the kettle, and the etched numbers to determine capacity that have slowly rubbed off.
Particularly when buying a product, it’s not at all unrealistic to expect said product to be long-lasting. If anything, it’s almost presumed to last for a few years at most. So, for a product to deteriorate that quickly within a matter of years (especially when the only thing it’s being used for is to boil water), it can be quite disappointing.
What most people want and look for in products is the ability to be functional for years to come. And while there’s still a long way to go with some elements of the VQ Laura Ashley 1.7L Dome Kettle, it’s proven to be a great and visually aesthetic addition to the kitchen.
Design
VQ Laura Ashley 1.7L Dome Kettle comes in three beautiful designs – Elveden Navy, Elveden White, and Wild Meadow – the Elveden designs are particularly inspired by the Summer Palace design that was first introduced in the 1980s and has been a hit amongst the Laura Ashley range over the years.
The kettle has more of a traditional look to it, with the handle sitting on top of the kettle rather than on the side, but still keeping to the modern feel of electric kettles with a handy light indicator by the on and off switch. There’s even a thermometer on the outside of the kettle to ensure the temperature is to your liking.
Holding up to at least seven cups of hot water (with cute little images of teacups embedded on the water indicator as an eco-friendly reminder to only boil what you need), the kettle is perfect for a large household, boiling up to three litres per minute. So you’d be able to make tea, coffee, noodles, and maybe even oatmeal all at the same time.
The stainless steel material is scratch-resistant and BPA-free free and removes any anxiety over the thought of any potential harm from the chemical.
Performance
In terms of performance, the kettle is genuinely very quick to boil, no matter the capacity of water, just as advertised. Surprisingly, it’s also not as loud as other kettles you may find in the market, especially when it comes to a full boil. These features make it great to operate for any early morning or late night uses, or if you need a quick fix. The removable filter is also really handy in making sure that any buildup in the kettle is caught, so the water remains clean.
But despite the product stating that the lid is removable and cool for safe usage, once the kettle is boiled, the lid gets incredibly hot to touch if you were to accidentally graze your knuckles over it. Which is highly likely given that the handle is right above the lid.
And because of how sturdy the removable lid is, it is quite tough to remove, needing a bit of force when pulling it off and on. What could be useful here would be a soft-close lid or a latched lid with a button to automatically open and close it without too much contact with the hot stainless steel.
Verdict & Value
While the issues with the placement of the handle and the lid made the possibility of touching the hot surface just that little bit higher, it has genuinely been a luxury around the house as the weather gets colder, and the need for hot cups of tea and 2-minute noodles heightens.
Not only is it aesthetically pleasing (as are all the other VQ Laura Ashley products), but it is a functional addition to the household, and could also serve as a great gift to loved ones.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: It is super quick to boil and can hold a large amount of water.
Lowlights: The placement of the handle and the material of the lid make it easy for someone to touch the hot surface once boiled.
Manufacturer: VQ
Price: A$169.95
Available: Now
Review unit supplied by VQ. You can purchase the VQ Laura Ashley 1.7L Dome Kettle here.
