Comparative evaluation of 12 electric kettles: Which brand of electric kettle is better?

In autumn and winter, young people’s health care cannot be separated from boiling water and soaking wolfberry. This requires a safe and easy-to-use electric kettle.

In recent years, rumors that electric kettles contain excessive heavy metals and that high-manganese steel electric kettles can cause amnesia have made many consumers worried. Faced with the dazzling array of hot water kettles on the market, how should we choose?

In October 2019, "Consumer Reports" and Lianchai Technology (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. purchased the popular Midea MK-HJ1705, Chigo ZD18A, Hemisphere NS-K730-18, and Nine Yang K17-F67 Supor SW-17D818, Xiaomi Mi Home Electric Kettle, Oaks HX-A6006, Royalstar JY20P Whirlpool WEK-MS17BG, Philips HD9316, Jinzao T-190, Bear ZDH-A15Y7*** 12 electric kettles, submitted for inspection We went to a third-party authoritative testing agency to conduct testing on four aspects including dissolution, material, safety and subjectivity.

▲12 models of electric kettles

The results show that the safety of 12 models of electric kettles all meet national standards, and consumers can use them with confidence.

In addition, all electric kettles are nominally made of 304 stainless steel as the inner wall, and the test results are consistent with their nominal names. However, the low nickel content has become an industry phenomenon, and there may be the possibility of cost reduction. Among them, Joyoung and Royalstar have more metal migration, which is close to the lower limit of the standard. However, Zhigao and Xiaoxiong passed the line!

In the metal migration test, Joyoung and Royalstar had more metal migration; in subjective experience, the shell temperature of Chigo and Xiaoxiong was higher when boiling. Consumers should be careful not to accidentally touch them when using them.

Metal migration: Joyoung and Royalstar have too much content

In the first quarter of 2016, the Jiangsu Provincial Quality Supervision Bureau conducted quality risk monitoring on electric kettles on the market. It was found that 55.6% of the 45 batches of samples used high manganese steel, with a manganese content between 9% and 10%.

Consumer Reports inspected six popular electric kettles on the market in December 2016, and found that Philips HD9316 and Joyoung K15-F2, which were nominally made of 304 stainless steel, had excessive nickel migration. Case.

Has the situation changed in the past three years?

According to the food contact standards promulgated by the People's Republic of China and the State, stainless steel materials that come into contact with food such as electric kettles need to comply with GB 4806.9-2016 "Metal Materials and Products for Food Contact", which regulates arsenic The five migrating substances, cadmium, lead, chromium and nickel, have clear limit requirements.

Based on GB 4806.9-2016 "National Food Safety Standard Metal Materials and Products for Food Contact", this magazine tested the migration levels of five metals, arsenic, cadmium, lead, chromium and nickel, in 12 electric kettles. .

The results showed that the metal migration tests of 12 electric kettles all met national standards.

Among them, Midea, Oaks, and Chigo performed well. Under the experimental conditions of 4% acetic acid, boiling for 30 minutes, and leaving at room temperature for 24 hours, no traces were detected.

The performance of Joyoung and Royalstar is slightly lower, and the content is relatively high. The chromium content detected by Joyoung was 0.0625 mg/kg and the nickel content was 0.0255 mg/kg. The chromium content detected by Royalstar was 0.0745 mg/kg and the nickel content was 0.027 mg/kg.

Inner wall material: All are 304 stainless steel, Zhigao and Xiaoxiong are qualified

304 stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, austenitic 304, food-grade stainless steel Regarding the inner wall material of the electric kettle You must be familiar with publicity. These materials determine whether the electric kettle is resistant to rust and corrosion.

304 stainless steel, also called austenitic 304, is correctly written in my country as 06Cr19Ni10, and is generally labeled as SUS304 or 304 in Japan, Europe and the United States. This stainless steel has a stable austenitic structure, corrosion resistance and good processing performance, and is widely used in the food industry.

304 stainless steel has higher requirements for nickel and chromium content. These two elements are the key to ensuring that the steel does not rust. Generally, the higher the content, the higher the corrosion resistance of the steel.

▲The words food grade 304 on the inner wall of the electric kettle

So, is the 304 stainless steel the electric kettle claims to use really 304 stainless steel?

According to GB/T 20878-2007 "Stainless Steel and Heat-Resistant Steel Grades and Chemical Compositions", the metal content limit requirements of 304 stainless steel (06Cr19Ni10): Mn is 0~2%, Cr is 18~20 %, Ni is 8~11%.

The results show that the inner walls of the 12 electric kettles are all made of 304 stainless steel, which meets national standards.

However, it is worth mentioning that the Ni (nickel) content in the 304 stainless steel used in the 12 electric kettles is all low, close to the lower limit of 8-11% in the standard, all between 8.00% and 8.22 %about.

Especially Chigo and Little Bear, which have just reached the 8.00% qualifying line.

Why is it such a coincidence that the nickel content in almost all electric kettles just meets or exceeds the standard limit?

This magazine has learned that nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) are relatively expensive. In order to save costs, stainless steel manufacturers, suppliers of electric kettles, usually produce according to the lower limit of the national standard to reduce the cost of raw materials. Overall cost, but the rust-proof and corrosion-resistant properties of 304 stainless steel manufactured in this way may be lacking.

Electrical appliance safety: all meet the standards and can be used with confidence

Some consumers use electric kettles more casually and like to use them to cook tea, food, etc., or they misoperate and let the electric kettles dry out. , so when consumers perform these operations, is safety guaranteed?

This magazine also tested the abnormal working conditions of 12 electric kettles.

The results show that all 12 electric kettles meet the standard requirements and will not cause danger in abnormal or misused situations. Consumers can use them with confidence.

Subjective experience: Chigo and Little Bear are at risk of burns

This publication also conducted subjective tests on boiling time, noise, handle temperature, shell temperature and pot lid temperature.

The results show that Xiaoxiong, Whirlpool, and Jinzao boil water faster, all in a little more than 3 minutes; while Hemisphere and Royalstar boil water slower, up to about 4 minutes.

Compared with the 2016 "Consumer Reports" test on 6 electric kettles, the boiling time of the test was between 5 and 8 minutes. In the past three years, the water boiling capacity of electric kettles has been greatly improved.

In terms of noise, there is not much difference between the 12 electric kettles. The sounds are all around 70 decibels. Above 60 decibels is considered noisy. If it is close to 70 decibels, we can consider it very noisy, which may be harmful to hearing. The nerves are affected. Royalstar, Hemisphere, and Xiaomi have lower noise when boiling water, while Jinzao, Supor, and Chigao have higher noise.

The shell, handle, and lid are all parts that consumers may touch during boiling. If the temperature is high, there may be a risk of burns. The results showed that the temperature at the handles of 12 products was below 30°C, and consumers could touch them with confidence.

However, in the temperature measurement of the shell, the temperature of Chigo and Bear is higher, so consumers should pay special attention.

CCR comprehensive evaluation: Philips and Supor are recommended, and Hemisphere and Royalstar are not recommended

Comprehensive indicators from four aspects including metal migration, material nominal, electrical safety, and subjective experience, get 12 Comprehensive review of this hot water kettle.

This magazine recommends Philips and Supor. Philips HD9316 has balanced performance in four aspects. It is made of 304 stainless steel and is conscientious and safe. It has an excellent experience and will not cause burns. Supor SW-17D818 has high cost performance and high CCR score.

"Consumer Reports" recommendations:

1. It is recommended that consumers check whether the product packaging, pot body, and inner wall are printed with the words "executive standard GB 4806.9 or 304" before purchasing.

2. Consumers with specific heat preservation requirements (such as making milk powder, coffee, tea) are recommended to choose an electric kettle with a heat preservation function.

3. Note that the amount of water added should not be lower than the lowest boiling water line, otherwise it will be easy to dry out; and not higher than the highest boiling water line, otherwise the water may overflow or cause burns when it boils.

4. Do not use an electric kettle to cook food, tea, etc. Because the temperature limiter of some hot water kettles stops boiling water by sensing steam, if food blocks the hole, it may prevent the kettle from stopping heating, causing damage.

5. Pay attention to choosing an electric kettle with a protective device on the spout, which is less likely to harm children.

▲Be careful to choose an electric kettle with a protected spout

[Special statement]: The test results and brands mentioned in this report are only responsible for the test samples and do not represent that they are from the same batch. The quality of inferior or other models of products

Source: Consumer Reports Magazine