Why You Should Beware of Amazon's 4 & 5 Star Reviews

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

DiapDealer, how fast does your tea kettle bring the water up to the proper temperature? It might be worth getting if it's noticeably faster than a stove.

I've never really timed it, but would guess it's around 3 to 3.5 minutes for a full (1.7L) pot. Less if I don't need much water. All I know is that it's pretty-close to the same amount of time it takes for me to hand-grind enough coffee for my press. I got it for the temperature control more than anything. Various temps between 160° and boiling. I drink coffee, various teas, herbal teas and wanted to take the guess-work out of the suggested temps. The stovetop method always included the extra time needed for me to "let it cool a little after boiling" method. I'm not an avid "guesser" at all.

[Deskisamess]

Gee, I didn't even know that electric tea kettles were a thing. I've just used traditional whistling tea kettles on the stove all my life. Live and learn.

The safety controls that are on some electric kettles can be very important for some users. My mother-in-law kept boiling dry her stovetop tea kettles because she couldn't hear the whistle and would forget. She drinks tea a lot, but using a microwave to boil water wasn't a good option because the water was just never hot enough for her. She wouldn't be able to lift the heavier electric kettles

We actually bought a single cup unit called a Café Valet for her. There is no burner, the water boils and drips through to the cup then shuts off. It takes 4 minutes. We've replaced it 2-3 times already, and she loves it. She uses it 3-5 times every day. Bought one for my mom too, and we have one as well. I think we bought directly from the manufacturer last time as they aren't available on Amazon anymore.

There are similar devices from several companies.

[lumpynose]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Gee, I didn't even know that electric tea kettles were a thing. I've just used traditional whistling tea kettles on the stove all my life. Live and learn.

DiapDealer, how fast does your tea kettle bring the water up to the proper temperature? It might be worth getting if it's noticeably faster than a stove.

The main advantage of the electric ones is that after they bring the water to a boil they beep and then keep it at 211F / 99C.

If you want faster boiling times then you can spend gobs of money on an induction range, and probably have to replace your cookware since stainless steel doesn't work with it (unless it's been designed for induction).

[lumpynose]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I got it for the temperature control more than anything. Various temps between 160° and boiling. I drink coffee, various teas, herbal teas and wanted to take the guess-work out of the suggested temps.

Has anyone ever done any taste tests for overly hot water ruining coffees or teas? And on the other hand I'm a bit "tone deaf" when it comes to subtle tastes and on top of that I add all sorts of stuff to my coffee or tea; you'd probably puke if I listed them all.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by lumpynose

Has anyone ever done any taste tests for overly hot water ruining coffees or teas? And on the other hand I'm a bit "tone deaf" when it comes to subtle tastes and on top of that I add all sorts of stuff to my coffee or tea; you'd probably puke if I listed them all.

Yes. I'm sure many millions have done taste tests over the millennia.
It's not as if these things were invented out of thin air. Tea brewing temps have been an artform since before thermometers were invented.

All I can say about coffee is that my weekend french pressed is most definitely a delicate ballet of times, weights, temps, and grind. I got a scale and this kettle and now most flavor fluctuations are gone.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Deskisamess

The safety controls that are on some electric kettles can be very important for some users. My mother-in-law kept boiling dry her stovetop tea kettles because she couldn't hear the whistle and would forget. She drinks tea a lot, but using a microwave to boil water wasn't a good option because the water was just never hot enough for her. She wouldn't be able to lift the heavier electric kettles

We actually bought a single cup unit called a Café Valet for her. There is no burner, the water boils and drips through to the cup then shuts off. It takes 4 minutes. We've replaced it 2-3 times already, and she loves it. She uses it 3-5 times every day. Bought one for my mom too, and we have one as well. I think we bought directly from the manufacturer last time as they aren't available on Amazon anymore.

There are similar devices from several companies.

Years ago, I had to add a 'spring wound timer" (commonly found in the US bath for heat/fan) switched outlet for the GE teakettle because my parents would forget it was in use. (I do proper electrical work. it was a wall outlet with the switch in the next gang. Nothing rinky-dink )

[ElspethB]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Gee, I didn't even know that electric tea kettles were a thing. I've just used traditional whistling tea kettles on the stove all my life. Live and learn.

I used my stovetop kettle until I started drinking white, green, and oolong teas, all of which require a temperature lower than boiling (212 F/100 C) used for black tea. I bought an electric kettle so I could program the exact temperature needed.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I've never really timed it, but would guess it's around 3 to 3.5 minutes for a full (1.7L) pot. Less if I don't need much water. All I know is that it's pretty-close to the same amount of time it takes for me to hand-grind enough coffee for my press. I got it for the temperature control more than anything. Various temps between 160° and boiling. I drink coffee, various teas, herbal teas and wanted to take the guess-work out of the suggested temps. The stovetop method always included the extra time needed for me to "let it cool a little after boiling" method. I'm not an avid "guesser" at all.

ok, thanks

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by lumpynose

The main advantage of the electric ones is that after they bring the water to a boil they beep and then keep it at 211F / 99C.

If you want faster boiling times then you can spend gobs of money on an induction range, and probably have to replace your cookware since stainless steel doesn't work with it (unless it's been designed for induction).

I've got an induction hotplate that I bought to test out the induction method before I replaced my range/oven a few years ago. It's nice, but I went with a normal electric range. Cookware was the main reason.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Yes. I'm sure many millions have done taste tests over the millennia.
It's not as if these things were invented out of thin air. Tea brewing temps have been an artform since before thermometers were invented.

All I can say about coffee is that my weekend french pressed is most definitely a delicate ballet of times, weights, temps, and grind. I got a scale and this kettle and now most flavor fluctuations are gone.

Yea, the coffee maker I use is temperature calibrated. I also use a scale and measure the water for the coffee. I get a very consistent taste.

[haertig]

I ignore 5 star reviews. I read the 1 stars, but with a jaded eye, and most of those I reject. It's the 2's, 3's and 4's that are generally more useful.

The other day I was looking for a short (6") right angle connector HDMI cable. I found something that was somewhat close, and it was rated "#1 in the Disco Danceware" category, or something bizarre like that. Occasionally I'll be looking for something very specialized and find one with 7000+ reviews, when I'm pretty sure that not more then 3 people worldwide could have ever considered buying such a thing.

Amazon reviews should be considered mostly fake IMHO. When I use them, mostly I look for a very technical review that hopefully describes some aspect of the product that I am interested in. I always ignore the "Buy this, it's the best!" and the "Don't buy this crap!" useless reviews. I saw one once where it was reported "DOA, right out of the box!" Uhm, it was for a drafting eraser (not an electric one, just a piece-of-rubber one). I wonder what they expected it to do. Dance?

[Apache]

I also look at the have a question section for more information. Some of the people asking questions must never look at the specs. I see lots of questions asked that are even in the title description of the item.
Apache

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by lumpynose

Has anyone ever done any taste tests for overly hot water ruining coffees or teas? And on the other hand I'm a bit "tone deaf" when it comes to subtle tastes and on top of that I add all sorts of stuff to my coffee or tea; you'd probably puke if I listed them all.

[Bob Willis]

Originally Posted by Apache

I also look at the have a question section for more information. Some of the people asking questions must never look at the specs. I see lots of questions asked that are even in the title description of the item.
Apache

I second your opinion. Sometimes the questions are easily found on the description of the product. I have found that the online reviews will help a lot.

[Barty]

I don't understand. How do they "scoop up positive reviews from other products" and put them on their own? Surely sellers don't have write access to reviews? The most they can do is hire people to open accounts and enter fake reviews.