Why an electric water kettle when you can use your beautiful old-fashioned stove top teakettle? Water doesn't boil differently anyhow. The argument is energy savings! The Ibis water kettle boils 50 oz of water in about 4 minutes using a 1500 watt power heating element directly in contact with the water. That means the energy enters the water without getting lost heating up the metal body of your traditional kettle. With its oval shape, this handy cordless kettle is designed to have a permanent place at the kitchen counter using a minimum of space. Made of a heat-reinforced polypropylene plastic and a stainless steel heating element, it is an indispensable and practical everyday tool for cooking - and certainly when a fast boil is needed. The easy to read water level indicator shows in ounces and liters the amount ready to boil. Whether it is 10 oz or 50 oz the Bodum kettle will automatically cut off power after the water boils a short while. No more dry boils! By the way: Bodum has provided the Ibis with a special "scale filter" which reduces the amount of calcium in your water. With this filter your tea and coffee will become even more aromatic and tasteful.