Breville Smart Crystal Luxe BKE855BSS - Glass Electric Kettle with Temperature Control

Borosilicate glass is specifically engineered to resist thermal shock, meaning it can handle rapid temperature changes without cracking or shattering. Regular glass kettles can crack when exposed to extreme temperature variations, but borosilicate glass—the same material used in laboratory equipment—remains stable from freezing to boiling temperatures. This Breville glass kettle uses premium borosilicate glass that's also resistant to staining, odor absorption, and scratches, ensuring it stays crystal clear for years. Additionally, borosilicate glass is completely non-reactive, so it won't affect the taste of your water or tea like some metal kettles can.

The Breville Smart Crystal Luxe features customizable sound alerts that notify you when your water has reached the selected temperature. Unlike most kettles with a single beep or chime, this model lets you choose from multiple tone options to match your preference and environment. You can select subtle, gentle chimes for quiet mornings, or louder, more audible alerts if you're working in another room. This feature is particularly valuable in shared living spaces where morning brewing shouldn't disturb sleeping family members, or in busy kitchens where you need a louder notification to hear over other appliances. The sound settings are easily accessed through the control panel.

Yes, the transparent borosilicate glass design allows you to see the water level clearly from any angle, eliminating the need for traditional water level indicators. This is one of the major advantages of a glass kettle—you can visually confirm how much water you're heating at a glance. The clear glass also lets you watch the water heat in real-time, with visible bubbles and movement as it approaches boiling. This visual feedback is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, making the brewing process more engaging. The wide opening also makes it easy to see inside for cleaning, ensuring no scale buildup goes unnoticed.

The Breville Smart Crystal Luxe kettle heats water quickly with its 1500-watt heating element. A full 1.7-liter capacity typically takes approximately 5-7 minutes to reach a full boil from room temperature, depending on your starting water temperature and altitude. Smaller amounts heat even faster—a single cup (250ml) reaches boiling in about 2-3 minutes. The temperature control settings mean you often don't need to wait for a full boil; if you're brewing green tea at 175°F, the kettle will reach that temperature in about 3-4 minutes. The keep warm function then maintains that temperature for 20 minutes, so you don't lose time if you get distracted.

No, the Breville Smart Crystal Luxe is actually easier to clean than many stainless steel kettles because you can see exactly where scale deposits or residue accumulate. The borosilicate glass resists staining and doesn't retain odors like some materials can. For regular cleaning, simply rinse with warm water and wipe the interior with a soft cloth. The removable mesh filter behind the spout catches most scale deposits and can be cleaned separately under running water. For descaling, use a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar, heat, let sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. The transparent glass lets you see when descaling is needed and confirms when it's completely clean. The wide opening makes interior access easy, and the smooth glass surface doesn't have seams or crevices where buildup can hide.