EDIT 2 - after some further testing and comparing with a stovetop kettle for temperature retention… yeah, I’m done. Even my little stovetop gooseneck kettle is way better, despite its inconveniences. The Bodum is going back in the box and getting returned. For whatever reason it gets up to temperature but just doesn’t retain it. I dunno. It’s stainless steel, but maybe it’s just too thin or something.

I’ve ordered a replacement unit (not Bodum this time, Consori temperature control kettle), and will use my stovetop/camping style kettle for now instead until it gets here.

I thought Bodum was supposed to be a good brand name in terms of coffee equipment, but this one’s been a dud.

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EDIT - I did some more thorough testing, both with the lid on and off the unit since making the post and I’ve come up with the following:

The unit itself does actually get up to 204.4f in temperature while the water is boiling. And if I leave the lid off, and it continues boiling the water, it stays at that temperature, and even gets slightly higher, which is impressive.

I think the problem comes down to the Bodum unit just being too lightweight and thin. As soon as the boiling stops and the tab pops up, checking the temp of the water shows it rapidly cools from 204f to around 190f in a matter of like… 10 seconds. It’s not extremely cold in the house or anything, the room is pretty consistently around 74f.

It’s either that, or maybe because it boils water so quickly, maybe it’s not all heated evenly, so it’s cooler when it settles? It’s much faster than my old unit. But this confirms, it does reach temperature, but it’s just not a usable temperature for coffee seemingly within a very short window of time.

Not sure what to make of this, or what to do next. May just say screw it and move to a stove-top one instead, though I prefer using the all in one electric kettle for efficiency. It’s either that or return the Bodum and get a different model. But it doesn’t appear to be defective at least.

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The electric kettle I’ve been using for years (Kyerlish) just died last week and it looks like it’s not available to buy anymore.

I bought the Bodum electric kettle and it’s a simple on and off unit supposed to stop when it reaches boiling. I live at a higher altitude and our boiling point is around 204 or 205f.

When using the Bodum, I’m noticing my coffee doesn’t seem to be coming out right. I checked with a laser thermometer and I’m not sure if fully accurate due to the reflective inside surface, but it’s reading at only 189f when it shuts off. It’s definitely cooler than my old Kyerlish model that died, as the coffee is immediately a drinkable temperature right after my pour-over, and that’s not normal.

Anyone know if this is fixable? I like the kettle and it’s hard to find models that don’t have plastic components inside, but I drink light roasts and need it to get up to at least 196f (and preferably higher, like 202 to 204f).

So far I’ve made three mugs with the new kettle and they’re all coming out bland and tasting under-extracted with the same amount of beans (I’m doing pour over and I measure the beans and water out in grams, so should be consistent every time).