Proline PK360 Review

Overall Rating

Cordless
Lime scale filter
Concealed element

A bit noisy

There is nothing worse first thing on a cold winter morning than finding your electric kettle has given up the ghost during the night! You wait patiently for that first cup of instant coffee (even though you have an all singing all dancing coffee maker in front of you), and then find that your kettle is still stone cold! This is what happened in our household this week. To be honest, it really wasn't that surprising as the kettle was ancient - and had been a free gift in the first place - some twenty-odd years ago! However, it WAS annoying - so the first important task of the day was to buy a new one.

The main trouble with choosing a new one of anything for our kitchen is the shape and size, as space is very limited. Unfortunately, the one I liked best was over £30, and January is NOT the best time for frivolity when it comes to kettles, so I was going for basic rather than best. Well, when all's said and done - it IS only for boiling water after all.

There was a good variety to view, ranging from £4.95 upwards, but some can be a little TOO basic, and I also had to consider the shape and size. The one I settled on was the Proline PK360 which was £9.99 (in Comet), and it seemed to have all the required features.

It is cordless, has a 1.7 litre capacity, a concealed element and auto switch off. It is white plastic with a clear(ish) blue panel on each side which shows the water content, the minimum being 0.7 litres and maximum 1.7 litres. Beneath one of these panels (facing if you hold it right-handed) are three small indicator lights which show when the kettle is switched on. The base is a 360 one, meaning that you can use the kettle with right or left hand - the only problem being with the indicator lights (as mentioned) being only on the one side. The base also has cable storage, which means that you don't have to leave the wires trailing. The switch on the kettle is quite large (compared to my old kettle anyway) and in the usual place (I think) at the base of the handle; which, being a jug-style kettle, is on the side. Additional features are a lime scale filter, a locking lid, and there is a safety cut-out to prevent overheating should the kettle be switched on with insufficient water.

I have to say that my overall opinion is very favourable. The kettle looks nice and does the job for which it was bought. I do find it a bit heavy after the old one, but that is probably because it is bigger (not something you notice in a shop) and consequently holds more water. It is also somewhat noisier, but this could be to do with the shape as the old one was 'straight'. I certainly feel that it will be easier to clean as the element is covered, but I do feel somewhat frustrated that the lid doesn't come off like the old one did.

All in all, I think this has been a good buy, as I could easily have paid at least three times the price for a kettle that looked virtually identical and had similar features.