Russell Hobbs Mode Kettle 21400 – Black [Energy

 

This is the third kettle of this make and model. I love this kettle it looks good works great and is rapid boil. My previous two are still going I’ve taken one into work and given the other one away. Great value for money and last a lot longer than the expensive brand I had before. Highly recommended

 

I’ve had about 3 of these kettles over the last 7 years and generally likes them a lot (hence why I keep buying them).

Good points.
They’re fairly well constructed
A reasonable price (25ish for the black version)
Boil reliably
Do their job without being too noisy.
Don’t get too hot especially around the handle.
Easy to see the liquid level due to the light and the “windows” which are to the sides not behind the handle, which is important if you’re visually impaired (I’ve had a couple of models that were better in this regard but worse in how hot they got etc).

Now for the bad part, and why I’m looking at number 4.
They seem to have a habit of developing an issue with either the switch or the latch mechanism for the lid after about 1-2 years (which seems to be a common fault across multiple brands).
However I am at home most of the day and the kettle does get a lot of use as we are all addicted to tea (about 10-12 pots a day as a minimum), so probably at the upper end of “residential” use.

I’ve seen references to the filter on these kettles and that is the biggest let down in my opinion, but one that seems to be the norm for all the electric kettles with a filter that I’ve tried.
My tip for cleaning it is to buy some white vinegar (a one litre bottle will last multiple cleanings), and put the filter in a small glass/tub with a diluted mix of the white vinegar (ideally just enough to fully cover the filter) and leave it to break down the limescale, shake or move the filter occasionally to avoid the sediment building up and blocking/slowing the process. I tend to use about 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water, or might take it to 1 to 5 if it’s really bad or I want it finished sooner.
Usually it seems to do the job over night, then rinse thoroughly and refit.
Do not “scrub” the filter as it’s too delicate.

 

Although never received, I’ve given 4 stars as I’ve nearly always bought Russell Hobbs kettles and been happy with them. Slightly noisy when coming to the boil, but otherwise great products.

 

I bought this kettle in April 2022 for an earlier cost of 25.50, but while I expect the pouring filter to be plastic of course, the actual filtering mesh is a very soft thin plastic that clogged very quickly indeed (London hard water area) which is not the seller’s problem of course. However, when I gently cleaned the mesh filter the actual soft mesh parts just immediately disintegrated in my fingers. The filter is not at all robust and the replacement filter cost me 9.95 which is far too expensive considering the kettle cost me 25.50 in April this year. The very small and very simple plastic filter therefore cost me 40% of the price of the whole electric kettle but I had no choice as electric kettles have to have a filter to prevent the limescale and bits from pouring into your tea or coffee, etc.
Apart from this, the deep red colour is pleasant and matches my other kitchen-worktop appliances.

 

The Russell Hobbs Black Mode kettle is a 1.7ltr kettle electric and sits on a circular corded base which is black with a brushed metal band around the base.

The kettle itself is plastic, with the body of the kettle being black. There is a small brushed metal accent on the lid of the kettle.

There are capacity windows on each side of the handle which are transparent as well as there being a transparent spout. When the kettle is being boiled you can see that the inside of the kettle lights up blue, which can be seen through the capacity windows.

The kettle is fairly quiet when boiling and takes 3 minutes and 40 seconds to boil when it is filled to its 1.7ltr capacity.

Overall, the fully plastic design is not the most stylish close up but from a distance it looks fine. Ultimately it does what you want it to do and priced at around 25, I cannot and will not be critical.

 

Honestly never review products but I felt I had to leave this one. For the most part this is just a kettle, nothing special but exactly what you need if you want to make a brew.

Fair price, boils fast and is fairly quiet. There is a bit of a taste for a while (even after repeated boiling and rinsing before first use) however that went away after the first day or 2 so it’s a non issue.

However there was one big surprise in store for me when I bought this… without thinking I set it up, cleaned it and went to make my first cuppa. Only to discover that I could actually see the measurements

You see this kettle is not like most, this kettle does not discriminate against those of us who have the audacity to use our left hands.

I rarely even use the measurements but the fact that for once in my life I have the ability to do so without having to adapt my usage made my fianc and myself extremely happy (probably too happy but if you know the struggle you understand)

Well done Russell Hobbs!

 

In my younger days when dinosaurs ruled the earth, I had an office admirer who, several times a week, ten minutes ahead of lunch break would pitch up by my desk, to plead buying me lunch. Alas for him, I was not interested as I was already betrothed to another. But he was cute and nice and kind and I never wanted to be harsh. But polite turn downs got increasingly harder. Although, being a busy and time-poor career girl, lunchtimes were valuable for all manner of personal and domestic jobs or errands and so my excuses were usually genuine. I remember one time my kettle had stopped working and conveniently there was an electrical repairs shop around the corner from the office. (I did tell you this was a long time ago – people would actually take their broken toaster/iron/anglepoise lamp/vacuum cleaner to such repairing artisans; we’d never dream of throwing such an investment item before a repairer’s estimate.) Anyway, that time I had the perfect excuse, backed by Exhibit A – my broken kettle in a supermarket carrier bag. However, Office Romeo was distraught: “I can’t believe you’re turning me down again, THIS TIME FOR A BROKEN KETTLE!!
My reply? “But it’s a Russell Hobbs!”
The review bit: No regrets, boils quickly and the electric blue highlights which light up while it’s boiling cheer me every time. Good pourer and looks smart. The only thing I would say it that it is quite heavy when filled, so possibly not too good for the elderly neighbour who asked me about it.