Black & Decker 1.7L Stainless Steel Electric Kettle

I put the Black & Decker kettle to work on my counter for several weeks, using it for everything from early‑morning tea to topping up a French press and speeding up pasta night. It’s a straightforward, 1.7‑liter stainless kettle with a cordless jug and a corded, 360‑degree swivel base. There’s no smart app, no temperature presets—just a fast, basic boil in a compact footprint. That simplicity is its draw, but it also defines where it falls short.

Design and build

The stainless body looks clean and neutral alongside other appliances. It’s lighter than many all‑metal kettles this size; even filled to the max line, pouring feels controlled rather than wrist‑straining. The handle is full and comfortable, with good knuckle clearance, and the spout includes a removable anti‑scale mesh at the back to catch mineral flakes.

There are dual water windows with level markings on both sides of the body, which makes it left‑ and right‑hand friendly. They’re easy to read at a glance and more accurate than eyeballing interior marks, though you do get inside “cup” lines as well.

A couple of notes on the materials:
- The stainless steel is on the thinner side. It helps keep weight and price down, but it does show fingerprints and water spots more readily. Wiping it dry after use keeps it looking better.
- There’s some exposed plastic inside—around the lid and the filter seat near the spout—so if you’re chasing a fully metal interior, this isn’t it.

The lid is a lift‑off style that snaps into place rather than a hinged, spring‑loaded design. That’s great for cleaning because the opening is generous, but the lid itself feels a bit flimsy and plasticky compared with heavier, metal‑hinged lids on pricier models.

Setup and everyday use

Setup is plug‑and‑boil simple. Fill to your mark, press the switch, and wait for the click when it shuts off at a rolling boil. The base allows you to drop the kettle on from any angle, and the connection is forgiving—no fiddly alignment.

Two usability quirks stood out:
- There’s no power indicator light. You can glance at the switch position and listen for the heating noise, but at a distance you won’t get a visual confirmation it’s on.
- The cord is short. In my kitchen, I had roughly 15 inches of usable reach from the edge of the base to the plug. Plan to place it near an outlet; this isn’t a kettle for stretching across a large island.

Pouring is tidy. The spout doesn’t dribble, and the mesh filter stops most scale bits from making it into your cup. The body does get hot—this isn’t a double‑wall or cool‑touch design—so keep hands on the handle and mind steam around the lid and spout.

Boil performance and noise

With 1500 watts on 120 volts, boil times are quick for the class:
- 500 ml: about 2 minutes
- 1 liter: around 3.5–4 minutes
- Full 1.7 liters: roughly 6–7 minutes

That’s in line with other 1500 W countertop kettles and plenty fast for everyday use. It’s also predictably loud at full boil—no louder than a typical kettle, but you won’t mistake it for being on. The auto shut‑off kicks in reliably at a rolling boil with a clean, audible click.

The boil‑dry protection is a welcome safety net. I didn’t run it empty on purpose, but the minimum fill mark is conservative, and the thermostat system here is standard fare for this category.

Cleaning and maintenance

The removable lid makes a world of difference for maintenance. I can get a sponge inside the body for a proper wipe‑down, and the anti‑scale filter at the spout pops out for rinsing under the tap. In hard‑water areas, plan on a descale with white vinegar or a citric acid solution every few weeks. After multiple cycles, the filter and spout mesh did collect fine mineral bits; a toothbrush and rinse brought them back.

A few practical tips from my use:
- Empty and leave the lid off for a few minutes after boiling to let steam escape; it helps reduce water spotting on the exterior and around the water windows.
- Avoid abrasive pads—this stainless will scratch. A soft cloth with a drop of dish soap keeps it clean.
- If you ever see persistent orange‑brown spots inside that don’t lift with descaling, that’s likely corrosion rather than mineral staining. At that point I’d replace the unit or contact the manufacturer.

I didn’t encounter black flakes or unusual residues after the initial rinse and a couple of boil‑and‑dump cycles. That said, any kettle with plastic components and hard water can shed occasional specks (often mineral scale). The mesh filter helps catch the obvious ones.

Safety and ergonomics

• Auto shut‑off and boil‑dry protection are present and worked as expected.
• The handle stays cool; the body and lid get hot. This is normal for single‑wall stainless.
• The base is stable and low‑profile, with a confidence‑inspiring connection when you set the kettle down.
• The lack of an indicator light is a miss if you prefer a visual cue that heating is active, especially in bright kitchens where steam is less obvious.

What it’s not

This is a basic, fast‑boiling kettle. It does not offer:
- Temperature presets or a hold‑warm mode
- A cool‑touch double wall
- A hinged, metal lid
- A long cord or an illuminated power switch
- A fully metal interior

If you need delicate temperatures for coffee or green tea, or you want a kettle that stays cool to the touch, you’ll want to step up to a more feature‑rich model.

Value

On performance per dollar, it’s strong. You get a full 1.7 L capacity, 1500 W power, straightforward controls, and the convenience of a cordless jug on a 360° base. The tradeoffs come in materials and niceties: thinner stainless, some plastic in the water path, no indicator light, and a short cord.

For many kitchens, those are acceptable compromises for a kettle that boils quickly and is easy to clean. For others—especially if you want an all‑metal interior or more precise control—this won’t tick every box.

Who it’s for

• Great for: Households that want a budget‑friendly, fast, large‑capacity kettle for tea, French press, instant noodles, or cooking shortcuts. Also good for left‑ and right‑handed users thanks to the dual water windows.
• Not ideal for: Coffee and tea enthusiasts who need temperature control; anyone sensitive to plastic in the water path; homes that require longer reach or prefer a visual power indicator; buyers prioritizing premium build feel.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker kettle for anyone who wants a no‑frills, quick‑boiling 1.7‑liter kettle at an affordable price. It heats fast, pours cleanly, is easy to maintain thanks to the removable lid and anti‑scale filter, and the 360° base keeps everyday use simple. Just go in with eyes open about the tradeoffs: the short cord, the lack of a power light, the single‑wall hot exterior, and the presence of plastic around the spout and lid area. If those aren’t deal‑breakers and you value speed and capacity over extras, it’s a practical, dependable pick. If you prefer a premium feel, longer reach, temperature presets, or an all‑metal interior, look higher up the range.