Ambiano Electric Glass Kettle
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EDITOR’S NOTE 1: Aldi sold this kettle again in January of 2023, January of 2024, and August of 2024 for the same price of $18.99.
EDITOR’S NOTE 2: See our update toward the end of this post about how the kettle performed over time.
EDITOR’S NOTE 3: If you’re looking for our review of the Ambiano Gooseneck Electric Kettle, click here.
I drink a cup of tea almost every day. Sometimes, I drink two cups. I boil water for tea in a kettle on my stove top, but when I recently visited a friend who grew up in Finland, she boiled water for tea using an electric kettle plugged in on her countertop. My friend remarked that electric kettles are common in Europe. I’d been aware of this for a while, but I continued using my stove top kettle because it’s what I had. Then Aldi brought an electric kettle to stores. It was pretty much a given that I’d buy one.
Besides making hot water for tea, you can use the water heated in an electric kettle to make instant coffee, instant oatmeal, or hot chocolate. You can also use the hot water to make instant noodles such as Ramen or certain pastas. For the most part, though, I plan to use the kettle for making tea.
The Ambiano Electric 1.7 Liter/7 Cup Glass Kettle (Product Code: 703009) cost $18.99 at the time of publication. That’s cheaper than most of the kettles we found online.
This is an Aldi Find, which means it’s only in stores for a short time. (And you can’t order it from Aldi if it’s not in your local store.)
Here’s more information on the kettle, according to Aldi:
- Available in White or Black (I purchased the white one)
- Includes 1.7 L glass kettle
- Features auto shut off and boil dry protection
- LED indicator light turns on when in use
- Includes 360° power base with cord storage
- Made with high-quality borosilicate glass
- Has a secure lid that stays in place while pouring
- Features a wide opening for easy cleaning and filling
- Uses leading thermostat technology
- Rating voltage: 120V~60Hz
- Nominal power: 1500W
- Made in China
This electric glass kettle comes with a three-year warranty serviced by Sensio. Sensio — which recently renamed itself Made By Gather — focuses on kitchenware. Sensio has been the warranty provider on several other Aldi products, including a rotating waffle maker, a mini-waffle maker, a countertop electric griddle, and a smokeless grill. Made By Gather’s other brands include Bella, Crux, and and Brim.
For warranty service, call 1-866-832-4843 or email info@sensiobrands.com.
When you open the box, you’ll find the kettle along with a base with power cord. You also get a manual and a warranty sheet.
How to Use the Kettle:
The manual says to boil and discard the first kettle full of water you heat in this appliance, presumably to remove chemicals or residue from the manufacturing process. This is similar to an Aldi rotating waffle maker we recently tested that instructed to throw away the first waffle made on the device.
To use this kettle, position the power based on a stable, level surface near an electrical outlet. Unwind the power cord from the cord storage area located beneath the power based. Make sure the cord exits through the cord slot exit on the side of the power base.
Check that the ON/OFF switch is in the OFF (up) position.
Remove the kettle from the power base. Open the lid. Fill with fresh, cold water to the desired level. The kettle yields up to 7 cups of water. Fill with water between the minimum and maximum markings on the kettle. Wipe excess water off the kettle.
(If the kettle is accidentally switched on without sufficient water, a boil-dry protection device will automatically turn the unit off. To reset the boil-dry protection device, remove the kettle from the power base and allow it to cool before refilling with water.)
Check to be sure the sealing ring is properly assembled onto the lid. Close the lid and press down gently until it snaps into position to ensure it’s fully closed. Otherwise, the kettle may not turn off after boiling.
Place the kettle on the power base, taking care not to spill any water.
Plug the power cord into a 120V AC electrical outlet. Press the ON/OFF switch down to the ON position. The lighted button will illuminate and water will begin heating immediately. When a rolling boil is reached, the lighted button will turn off, the ON/OFF switch will lift up automatically, and the kettle will turn off. (The kettle can be turned off at any time during the heating process by lifting the ON/OFF switch up.)
Grasp the handle and carefully lift the kettle from the power base before pouring. Be careful of hot surfaces.
To reheat, ensure there is a sufficient amount of water in the kettle. If necessary, add more water before returning the kettle to the power base. Allow at least 30 seconds before pressing the ON/OFF switch down to the on position. When not in use, unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Empty the kettle after each use.
Among other things, the manual states to keep this appliance at least 4 inches away from walls or other objects during operation. Place it on a surface that is resistant to heat. Always pour water into the kettle before plugging it in and heating it. Never pour cold water into a heated kettle. Wait 20 minutes between uses to allow the kettle to cool. Also, it should go without saying: don’t put this kettle in the microwave.
Trying Out the Kettle:
I initially poured in water up to the max fill line of 1.7 liters, intending to dump it once it boiled, according to the manual’s instructions. At first, it didn’t seem like the lid opened very far, which would make cleaning and filling the kettle difficult. With a gentle tug, I got it to fully open.
I set the kettle on the power base and pushed down on the ON/OFF lever. The base immediately lit up with a pleasant, soothing blue light. I saw small bubbles begin to form at the base and on the sides of the kettle right away, and within two minutes the kettle was audibly whirring. I had water at a rolling boil by about six to six and a half minutes. The kettle boiled for 10 seconds or so — with the hot water sloshing around quite dramatically inside — before automatically shutting off.
Later, I boiled just one liter of water in the kettle, and it was fully heated in about 3 to 4 minutes. This was more than enough water for a couple of cups of tea.
This definitely heats water faster than in a kettle on the stove top, which is one of the advantages of using an electric kettle. I’m looking forward to using this to make my tea in the future, and if I have any updates or new thoughts about the kettle, I’ll update this post accordingly. For now, this looks like a winner.
Update (8/15/2023) — The plug and cord on this kettle began getting very hot to the touch after about a year of daily use. Out of concern for safety and fire hazards, I ended up retiring the kettle. It is still under warranty, which means if I reach out, they might be able to send me a new one (which could end up eventually having the same problem), or — as is common with many warrantied Aldi products — they might simply give me a refund. What I do know is that for now I’m going back to boiling water for tea on my stove.
The Verdict:
The Ambiano Electric Glass Kettle heats water easily and quickly. When we tested it, it brought 1.7 liters of water to a rolling boil within six to six and a half minutes. Later, we tried it with just 1 liter of water, which came to a boil in 3 to 4 minutes That’s several cups of tea — or hot chocolate, instant coffee, or instant oatmeal — in just a few minutes. We really liked this kettle and it worked well for about a year, but then the cord and plug began getting extremely hot to the touch whenever we used it. We stopped using the kettle out of safety concerns.
This Electric Kettle appears to be the same as one manufactured by Mueller, Model M99S, and rebranded for Aldi’s private label, Ambiano.
I’ve had the kettle for awhile now. Additionally if you don’t have the lid completely shut, it will boil beyond no return causing discoloration in the bottom or the pot. What I really want to know is if the plastic of the pouring spout and lid are safe when heated. What material is it made from? It is produced in China, so I’m not sure what their safety requirements are. Any idea how to find out???
Yes, the electric glass kettle will continue to boil if you don’t have the lid snapped completely shut. The kettle heats so quickly that it’s pretty easy for me catch it and not let it boil indefinitely.
As to your question about the plastic lid, the water has such brief contact with it that I’m not too worried about it. If you want more information, you’d have to ask Aldi. https://www.aldi.us/en/contact/
This is returning to Aldi the week of August 7th, 2024, while supplies last.