Bonavita BV382518V Review

The gooseneck Bonavita Variable is unique among kettles as it can perform most specialty tasks with a high level of proficiency. The long, slender neck and beveled spout facilitate the slow discharge and delicate, circular pouring required for pour-over coffee. The large water reservoir and adjustable temperature setting make it great for specialty drinks, cooking tasks, and multiple users. The kettle also has a sophisticated look so that it won't upset your countertop feng shui.

Performance Comparison

Pour-Over Ability

The main complaint about kettles — particularly models with large water capacities — is that they are unbalanced, and as a result, they are hard to pour in a controlled manner. The Bonavita does not suffer in this regard. Its beveled gooseneck spout and well-designed handle make slow pours a pleasure. There's a reason this is the kettle you see in many specialty coffee shops worldwide.

Boil Speed

To test the boiling speed of each kettle, we poured four cups of 57°F water into the reservoir. We then suspended a thermometer in the water to standardize our boil temperature. At our lab's location at altitude, water boils on average at 201°F, so we use that value as our cut-off. At 4 minutes and 55 seconds, the Bonavita doesn't claim the fastest time to a boil, but it's no slouch either.

Pour Speed

Gooseneck kettles, by design, can't pour as quickly as something with a wide spout. However, if you're making high-quality coffee pour-overs regularly, you don't want a large opening as they are messy and fast instead of slow and controlled. That said, the Bonavita Variable isn't the slowest gooseneck kettle we've tested. The flow rate is impressive for the design, and we never felt like water was going to leak out the lid from increasing the pouring angle.

Added Conveniences

• Temperature selection: 140º - 212ºF, adjustable by single degrees

• Temperature holding: Yes, up to 60 minutes

• Automatic shutoff: Yes

• Inside material: Stainless steel

• Lid attached or separate: Separate

• Type of spout: Gooseneck

• Max/Min capacity: 1.7L/0.75L

• Water level indicator: "Min" and "Max" marked internally

• Other: Comes with a protective cover for the base, has a timer, very easy to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius

Filling

The Bonavita Variable has a removable lid, creating a wide opening that is very easy to fill. The only thing you need to be mindful of is the spout, as it's long and thin and could get broken off if hit hard enough against a counter or the sink.

Should You Buy the Bonavita BV382518V?

To be sure, the Bonavita is not an inexpensive product. Yet, it checks all the boxes for both general and specialized uses. Additionally, this kettle has a sharp look and can last for many years. Accordingly, we think that this machine is one of the better values in the class. The Bonavita 1.7L Variable is a refined kettle that boasts ease of use across multiple applications. No other kettle in our lineup can make this claim. Regardless of what your hot water needs happen to be, this device will meet and even exceed expectations. If you desire a do-it-all kettle, then look no further.

What Other Electric Kettles Should You Consider?

It is hard to say what you should consider beyond a product that sort of does it all. However, if the perfect pour-over is your goal, then the Fellow Stagg EKG is the niche product for you with a perfect score for pour-over. If you only want to boil water and care less for pour-over, the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel is a fantastic steal for a budget-friendly option that pours quickly and gets hot with swiftness.