Haden 11396

I am fairly obsessive about checking out products. Following a disastrous relationship with a badly designed Phillips Kettle that short circuited if it sniffed water, I've been on the look out for a kettle with a secure base with none of the electrics exposed. I also fancied Stainless Steel, but I didn't want it too heavy.

The Haden 11396 kettle ticked the boxes. It was bought in September 2005. I used about twice then put it back in the box, until this week - 20th January). I stopped using it because the lid didn't fit properly, and because the spout is just a bent bit on the rim, rather than a sticky out bit. Pour boiling water out and it's poured all over the work surface and down your arm!

I fully intended to take it back, and I had deliberately put the receipt in a safe place... et what safe place!? I tried to take it back without the receipt, but despite it being faulty, and therefore within my 'statutory rights' the shop wouldn't replace it or give me a refund. I thought then to keep it, and perhaps send it back to Haden with a cross letter! - Then came Christmas. Then my original kettle broke down! So, I had another look at the Haden.

If you open the lid there are three screws underneath. Undo these and you can remove the underside of the lid, and a spring will probably fall out (it happened to me anyway); after rescuing it from the far corner of the room I was able to put it back. This spring operates the two stumps of plastic that stick out of the front and are supposed to keep the lid shut. This is of course why the thing wasn't working properly! I put it back, and hey presto! The lid shut better than it had! I'm now using it again (no choice really). It does work very well, and it pours well now too. So a happy ending really. I'll be keeping an eye on that lid though!