Recently read an old discussion on Coffeed, regarding the value vs. cost of pouring kettles commonly used in manual brewing. The standard would have to be the Hario Buono, with the Takahiro used in some shops with more spending money.  I wanted a kettle for home, but I couldn't justify over $50, so I started shopping around for an alternative. I looked at several things but never really found something that worked for me.

Recently, fellow BX'er James Spano revealed an obscure, overseas website store called Homeloo, that sells items for all parts of the home. In their kitchen section were a couple of water kettles that looked promising.

I ordered one, and am testing it now, and must say, for the money spent, I am thrilled! I can't speak to its durability, but used on periodic basis at home, it works well. At least I can hone my Chemex technique now, and when I start brewing with the v60, I will be prepared.

Here's the link to the one I got, but there is another listed in the Kitchen section:

http://www.homeloo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=33_48&produc...

What other solutions do some of you use for pouring kettles?

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I've used this kettle everyday for a few months. It's not double walled. It is fairly comfortable to use and the pour is very controlled.  What I didn't like was the black welding crud that is under the rim inside the kettle. I can't get rd of it after numerous scrubbings.Also, the lid rusts around the screw, but who uses the lid?

 

The handle stays nice and cool, but the temperature drops a few degrees each minute, so if you're doing a four minute pour, expect about an 8 to 10 degree drop. A rubber coating would be nice to maintain temperature while pouring. Else, just keep adding small doses of hot water to the kettle.

 

Cheap Proctor Silex plastic kettle, the one with the slightly tippy pour spout. And lots and lots of practice. No shortage of cussing either.

 

But mine boils the water too, so you know, it's worth it. I'm waiting for someone to have the Buono electric in stock.

It is double walled, but the walls are very thin.

 

Regardless, it holds heat better than the Buono... order one.

 

-bry

Adam Wilson said:

Ok now, which kettle are we talking about?  The original post's http://www.homeloo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=33_48&produc... kettle is double walled?  

 

If so, I'm ordering one today...

 

 

 

 


Mike McGinness said:

Have only had it a few days and can say without a doubt far prefer it to the two Buono's we already have. Double wall construction results in holds heat very well and pours even better than the Buono too. Pour control is absolutely fabulous. Buono only wins on comfort of the handle. Do wish it came in brushed stainless steel though. While it does like great, brushed would be easier to keep looking good in a production environment. All in all way satisfied and will be ordering more.

Regardless of whether it's single or double walled the point is:

This kettle holds heat better than a Buono pot and costs less.  It also pours slower and has a spout that is easier to control.

 

Our Buono sits on a shelf now.

 

We had no black welding crud on our kettle, but we have noticed differences in all three kettles we are using so I know there is quite a bit of variance from one to the next.  The spout will be welded at a slightly different position or the handle at a little different angle.

 

I am not concerned about the amount of rust on the under side of the lid.  It is approximately one mm in diameter.

 

Who uses the lid?  Uh... everyone I've seen use one?  You'll notice drastically better heat retention if you put the lid on.  Yes, the lid does get really, really hot, but you get used to it, or dunk the top in some of the epoxy solution other people have used.  Without the lid you had might as well be using a steam pitcher, the heat retention will be similar.

 

Depending on where you are grinding and what method you are using, you really shouldn't be doing a four minute pour.  You are begging for a substantial amount of heat loss having it exposed to the air that long.  Also, you are stuck slowly pouring over a cone for 4 minutes.  Getting your brew times down around 2:30 is probably going to work a lot better for you, but you need to grind finer.

 

I've done testing now with different thermocouples and this pot holds temperature better than the Buono pot to the tune of about 6 degrees at the end of a ten minute standing test.  When pouring the differences are more like 3 degrees.  Either way, like I said earlier, it pours slower, is easier to control and holds heat better... AND is cheaper?  Stop using your Buono today.

 

-bry


Dennis McQuoid said:

I've used this kettle everyday for a few months. It's not double walled. It is fairly comfortable to use and the pour is very controlled.  What I didn't like was the black welding crud that is under the rim inside the kettle. I can't get rd of it after numerous scrubbings.Also, the lid rusts around the screw, but who uses the lid?

 

The handle stays nice and cool, but the temperature drops a few degrees each minute, so if you're doing a four minute pour, expect about an 8 to 10 degree drop. A rubber coating would be nice to maintain temperature while pouring. Else, just keep adding small doses of hot water to the kettle.

 

Can't stop using the Buono - I don't own a Buono. I only have the one we're talking about. I don't use the lid cuz it gets too hot so, I only put about 150 grams of water at a time in the kettle. My woodneck pours are a bout 2.25 minutes, but Chemex is closer to 4 mins for making 18 oz brew at one time.

Bryan Wray said:

Regardless of whether it's single or double walled the point is:

This kettle holds heat better than a Buono pot and costs less.  It also pours slower and has a spout that is easier to control.

 

Our Buono sits on a shelf now.

 

We had no black welding crud on our kettle, but we have noticed differences in all three kettles we are using so I know there is quite a bit of variance from one to the next.  The spout will be welded at a slightly different position or the handle at a little different angle.

 

I am not concerned about the amount of rust on the under side of the lid.  It is approximately one mm in diameter.

 

Who uses the lid?  Uh... everyone I've seen use one?  You'll notice drastically better heat retention if you put the lid on.  Yes, the lid does get really, really hot, but you get used to it, or dunk the top in some of the epoxy solution other people have used.  Without the lid you had might as well be using a steam pitcher, the heat retention will be similar.

 

Depending on where you are grinding and what method you are using, you really shouldn't be doing a four minute pour.  You are begging for a substantial amount of heat loss having it exposed to the air that long.  Also, you are stuck slowly pouring over a cone for 4 minutes.  Getting your brew times down around 2:30 is probably going to work a lot better for you, but you need to grind finer.

 

I've done testing now with different thermocouples and this pot holds temperature better than the Buono pot to the tune of about 6 degrees at the end of a ten minute standing test.  When pouring the differences are more like 3 degrees.  Either way, like I said earlier, it pours slower, is easier to control and holds heat better... AND is cheaper?  Stop using your Buono today.

 

-bry


Dennis McQuoid said:

I've used this kettle everyday for a few months. It's not double walled. It is fairly comfortable to use and the pour is very controlled.  What I didn't like was the black welding crud that is under the rim inside the kettle. I can't get rd of it after numerous scrubbings.Also, the lid rusts around the screw, but who uses the lid?

 

The handle stays nice and cool, but the temperature drops a few degrees each minute, so if you're doing a four minute pour, expect about an 8 to 10 degree drop. A rubber coating would be nice to maintain temperature while pouring. Else, just keep adding small doses of hot water to the kettle.

 

Just received my kettle (http://www.homeloo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=33_48&produc...).

 

I like it.  I named it "Little Chubby".  I have drunk 3 cups of El Salvadoran coffee for no other reason that to play with Little Chubby.  

 

It's not double-walled, but it seems to retain heat really well, and the pour control is absolutely fantastic.  I'm very pleased.

I bought one myself, because of this very thread.(no way im spending 60 bucks for a hario kettle) Only used it once so far, but so far its going well. I dont think mine is double walled, unless the walls are supper thin. The lid ball does get hot as sh*t, so be carful.

I love my homeloo kettle.  Use it everyday.  I think really the only drawback is how hot everything except for the handle gets.
I am so very glad that this thread has been so helpful. If there's anything I want to do, it's give back to the community that has helped me so much.

Oh, and @Adam, your comment about "Little Chubby" has me in stitches...

Has anyone tried boiling water in kettle, instead of just transfering it? Im pretty close to starting a thread about slurry temps, but if i can resolve it on my own I wont. So back to the question any proud owners boiling in the pot? Any discoloration on the bottom cause of the heat?

 

oh and paul, thanks for this thread.

thats  funny, 


 "I call mine Winona"


Adam Wilson said:

Just received my kettle (http://www.homeloo.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=33_48&produc...).

 

I like it.  I named it "Little Chubby".  I have drunk 3 cups of El Salvadoran coffee for no other reason that to play with Little Chubby.  

 

It's not double-walled, but it seems to retain heat really well, and the pour control is absolutely fantastic.  I'm very pleased.

I'm sure it's an isolated event, but I ordered the very same kettle and it arrived missing the bolt that attaches the handle to the kettle. I emailed Homeloo and was basically told 'sucks to be you.'

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