DexD Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 29 Location: Ottawa Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Oct 25, 2012, 10:40am Subject: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle - Anyone Have One
On paper, this thing seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered and just about perfect FP or pour-over. Anyone have direct experience with one? It seems it has come out not too long ago so I can find very little about it minus the very encouraging Seattle Coffee Gear video.
Posted Thu Oct 25, 2012, 4:46pm Subject: Re: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle - Anyone Have One
I think that is the thread I started a while back. I enjoy collecting coffee related devices and have quite a few now so many get used only once in a blue moon - this Bonavita PID Kettle sees daily use. Maybe the Hario V60 sees as much duty since this kettle is near perfect for pour over. Mine is an early edition so the counter feature is not included - I do wish it had it though. It still heats as fast as day one and the temp variability hasn't wandered any either. It is a top notch item if you enjoy pour over coffee or tea - great for the Aeropress and the Chemex and everything in between.
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
Posted Thu Oct 25, 2012, 6:26pm Subject: Re: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle - Anyone Have One
I bought one about a week ago and really like it. I was about to buy the standard Bona Vita kettle earlier this year when I found out about the variable model in development. I am glad I waited. I had been using a plastic Braun kettle with a ceramic Melitta pour over and was looking for the gooseneck spout for better control (and getting away from the plastic).
I would add two points that I haven't seen mentioned. First, the max fill line inside the kettle is very hard to read - that is the only complaint I have with it. Second, it does come with a plastic cover for the base. The cover can be used while using the kettle and is meant for commercial/heavy home use to prevent water getting on the base. I have not been using it.
I had read it was a little slow to heat water. However, it seems comparable to my 10-year old Braun kettle.
Overall, a great product. I see on another website that Bona Vita is also getting ready to introduce ceramic pour overs (and a scale and an immersion brewer). I will be trying the pour over based on my experience with this kettle.
Posted Mon Oct 29, 2012, 2:35am Subject: Re: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle - Anyone Have One
I want to try the new pour over cone with the valve too. I wonder if I can coax a decent cup out of it using Dunkin Donuts coffee and my Bonavita PID kettle though, since this is considered by some to be the new test of brewing quality...
The Bonavita scale looks like someone decided to finally listen to what people making coffee are asking for too.
I chew coffee beans with my teeth while gargling with 195 F water to enjoy coffee. What is this "coffee brewing" device you speak of?
MarkPrince Moderator Joined: 19 Dec 2001 Posts: 5,462 Location: Vancouver, BC Expertise: Professional
Espresso: KvdW Speedster Grinder: Compak K10 WBC Vac Pot: A bit too many Drip: Clive Coffee Drip Stand Roaster: Hario Glass Retro Roaster
Posted Thu Nov 8, 2012, 12:17am Subject: Re: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle - Anyone Have One
Been using the Bonavita Variable Temperature gooseneck kettle for about a week now. It's quite amazing technology considering the demands the commercial and home markets now have for manual pourover devices, and how it addresses some needs and wants for the enthusiast community and the pro marketplace. I wrote up a bit about it on Google+:
With regards to claims it is slow to heat up. I am sorry but I disagree with that. For a 1l kettle, I'd call the speed normal / slightly fast when boiling to 212F. It's certainly faster than the Capresso Glass 1l kettle I have, but not nearly as fast as heating 1l on an induction range using Bonavita's gooseneck stovetop kettle.
It is slower to hit your set temperature if you are not setting it to boil: for example, if you are setting it to heat up to 205F. The reason is, it throttles down as it gets closer to the temperature, so it won't overshoot. If you want your water heated fast, just set it to boil. Then after it boils, set the temperature you want it to hold at. Water drops temperature FAST from boil - it'll drop from 212F to 205F in under a minute in this kettle when it is not on the unit and active.
I quite like the hold temperature feature, and I like the built in "auto" brewing timer that shows up as soon as you lift the kettle off its base.
Very recommended. I'm working on a very brief Quickshot Review for it.
DexD Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2010 Posts: 29 Location: Ottawa Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Nov 12, 2012, 5:47pm Subject: Re: Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle - Anyone Have One
Thank you everyone for the replies. The glowing review by Mark pushed me over the edge and I finally got one this weekend. Here is a question I'm hoping someone could answer: the temperature display LED flickers when I have the kettle warm the water. It does not flicker at any other time. Is this normal???
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