Cheap DeLonghi DK350 Stainless-Steel 60-Ounce Cordless Water Kettle

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List Price: $140.00
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FOR CLARIFICATION: The item which Amazon shipped to me and which I reviewed is the DK350 Stainless Steel kettle. It was NOT the "DSJM350" as was listed on Amazon and also on my Invoice. The DSJM350 is not a current production model of this kettle.

I have been searching for a replacement cordless kettle for our Capresso H2O Plus 48 oz "glass" kettle. As other have reported the plastic lid on the Capresso fell apart precisely at the end of the one-year warranty. Two screws hold the lid to the glass and they are exposed to the hot steam whenever the unit is on. This is a poor design. Moreover, the metal heating element in the bottom of the kettle began to rust after a few months and it was a continuous effort to remove that weekly. Finally, I never did completely get rid of the annoying plastic smell/taste that others have also complained about.

After my so-so experience with the Capresso, I knew what I did NOT want. I seriously considered the Zojirushi CV-DYC40. However, I declined on that for two reasons. First, the Zoji has a huge footprint. It eats up a 9x12 area on your countertop, and it's ~14" tall. Second, it is a dispenser with a spigot. We use a kettle primarily to pour water over coffee in a Chemex or Melitta filter unit. To use the Zoji, you would have to dispense into a pitcher device first and then pour onto the ground coffee, unless you have a step counter where you can keep the Zoji at the higher level. Not very convenient in our home.

So, I looked and looked on Amazon, and one day the DeLonghi DSJM350 popped up. It was advertised as being able to heat to two different temps, and having a 58 oz capacity (as opposed to the Capresso's marginal 48oz). It sounded good, so we gave it a go.

This is one impressive unit! Construction quality is superb. The pot is stainless steel encasing a laboratory grade polymer vessel. The footprint of this unit is modest for a 57 ounce capacity. It takes up only 6x9 on the countertop. The ON/OFF is an UP/DOWN toggle. When you toggle down, the unit heats the water to the boil. When you toggle up, the unit heats the water to ~175 degrees, the correct temperature for green teas, etc. It heats very fast at 1,500W, less than 6-7 min for a full pot. Remarkably, there is absolutely NO PLASTIC ODOR in this unit, either when it is dry or when the water is boiling vigorously. This is amazing.

Now for the doo-dads. When you set the kettle on its base, it emits a chime tone. As the water heats, there is an internal light in the unit that changes progressively from blue to red at the boil (look at "other images" on the Amazon description). The unit shuts itself off when reaches the boil or when you remove the kettle from its base (unlike the Capresso).

By their very nature, electric water kettles are abused from the get-go. The repeated heating, steam, etc. do a number on the components. This DeLonghi seems to be up to the task, and for now, I would have to say this is the best cordless electric water kettle of this type that we have used. Bravo, DeLonghi.

ADDENDUM: After 10 months of daily, non-problematic usage, our DK350 kettle started to act funny---it would start to heat the water, and then shut down prematurely. It could be restarted and would complete the cycle just fine, or may shut down again. I called DeLonghi. Very courteous C/S staff. Per the terms of the warranty, for $15, they are shipping me a new DK350 replacement unit.

DeLonghi DK350 7.25-Cup Electric Kettle Individual Pieces CookwareDeLonghi DK350 7.25-Cup Electric Kettle Individual Pieces Cookware

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I had high hopes for this electric kettle. DeLonghi usually makes high-quality products, and for a list price of $80 the DK350 should be top quality. After all, it's only boiling water. What I really liked about this model compared to others is the well-thought out design with lights that change color to indicate rising water temperature. Makes a boring task fun. However, it does two things really badly: 1) When the water starts to boil it takes almost 10 seconds for the heater to shut-off. That's much too long for steam to be coming out of the pitcher. And, more dangerously, 2) When I put the empty pitcher back on the heating element, turned off, it spontaneously turned on and started to heat the empty pitcher. Very scary. At first I thought this was a fluke and tried again. After a full 15 minutes of being off, the heating element spontaneously started up again. Needless to say, after this I boxed everything up for return. The threat of the DK350 burning down my home was enough for me to write this product off. I have a feeling this isn't a UL-listed product and presents a tremendous danger if this is a common engineering flaw.

On another note, the inside of the pitcher is lined in plastic. Nowhere in the instructions or box does DeLonghi clarify if it's BPA-free. Therefore, I assume it's not. Shame on them if this is the case.

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I purchased this item on December 10, 2010. So far so good! I have to admit that not all Chinese goods created equal some are really worth money you pay for them. This is the case when I feel a respect to the manufacturer and total satisfaction of the purchase.

It's not only perfectly functional but also a visual entertainment during the water heating process you can see how the colors are changing from blue to violet and to red when the water is boiling (you see that through that matte plastic part with the measurements). Also you'll hear the special sound when the water is ready for brewing.

The kettle toggle switch works down (to boil the water completely) and up to keep the water hot enough to brew instant coffee or some other drinks which require hot but non-boiling water). I use toggle down most of the time and it works like clock.

By the way I bought DeLonghi juice extractor from Amazon several days ago and without doubt I see the high standard which this brand represents. From now on I'm going to consider DeLonghi among the ones I would prefer to buy from.

Honest reviews on DeLonghi DK350 Stainless-Steel 60-Ounce Cordless Water Kettle

Started to show rust inside the container after about 2 months of use.

Also it is nearly impossible to open the lid. Need really hard pressure on the button in the lid to open it. Absolutely not possible to open with one hand.

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FINAL UPDATE: FAILS THE TASTE TEST

Received original kettle June 22, 2012.

Returned for exchange on November 1, 2012 because water tasted bitter, decidedly electrical.

Received replacement kettle on November 9, 2012.

December 27, 2012: After myriad washings with boiled, filtered water, vinegar, citric acid, and combinations thereof, the water remains metallic, bitter, and has ruined every variety of tea I've brewed.

Upshot: It's curtains for this kettle, no more tries (and prayers!) for a properly working device. I will advise DeLonghi as information only, with no more exchanges for me. The ridiculous round robin I've engaged in is enough proof that this is not a reliable item. If at this juncture it hasn't produced more than a poisonous potion, I'm at ease with tossing it onto the junk heap--loss accepted.