I wanted to replace my scuzzy (but functional) four-year-old Hario gooseneck kettle with a new stainless steel gooseneck with a heat sensor. I checked them out on Amazon and ordered the Bean Envy Gooseneck Pour Over Coffee Kettle - 40oz/1.2L - Premium Grade Stainless Steel - "Insulated BPA Free Plastic Ergonomic Handle" - Glass Top With Built-In Thermometer.

It arrived Saturday and I've been using it for 3 days. On day 2, I was heating water for my morning brew when I noticed something long, black, and oily oozing from the top of the handle where it joins the kettle. The plastic handle was melting. The water temp in the kettle was in the "green zone" according to the thermometer, meaning it was not at a ferocious boil. At no time was the handle exposed directly to the open flame. In fact, I try to avoid melting plastic whenever possible.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer used a type of plastic that melts when exposed to working temperatures (i.e., the temperature required to boil water). if you want to set yourself apart as a coffee paraphernalia expert, why not use quality materials for the handle, and not just the body of the piece? Silicone? Wood? A plastic handle that doesn't melt?

I've use my old Hario (see photo) in the same way, on the same gas stove, for the last four years and that plastic handle is still intact. The Bean Envy kettle is going back to Amazon. I would avoid this kettle if you are in the market for a quality product that doesn't turn to butter when the going gets hot.

9/15/18 Update: The new kettle is fine, no problems even when filling the kettle to 32oz. I have posted a quick video of the kettle heating 32oz, where the water level reaches that critical area of the attached handle, Bean Envy is working hard to weed out the few with the problem coating on the handle. I've never experienced this level of communication and care for the customer.

9/5/18 Update: Bean Envy has excellent customer service! They followed up immediately regarding the handle problem and are replacing the kettle. I'm upgrading the rating to the five stars I would have originally given it and will reassess after I have used the replacement for a week or so.
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I was about to do a five star review on this kettle. I've been using it daily for a week and a half and have loved everything about it, the size, the design, the sturdy feel of it, the ease of pouring, knowing your temperature is just right. I had no problems, no melting of the top of the handle like others have experienced, although I had noticed that when using 20oz of water to make two coffees instead of my usual 10 oz for one, the handle was almost too hot to hold unless you gripped just at the very bottom of it. Yesterday I needed to make three cups of coffee so used 30oz of water which only filled it 3/4 (it has a 40oz capacity) and the top of the handle melted, just as others had described! I guess this kettle is fine if you don't ever fill it more than halfway. I'm so disappointed.

I highly recommend this product. We bought both the pour over carafe and this kettle and feel spoiled now with the quality of coffee we get every morning. The kettle comes with a thermometer on top and there is a green area that is optimal for pour over temperature so they make it easy for you to get a good brew. Make sure you use a burner that is similar in size so there isn't heat from the burner coming up to possibly melt the handle with direct heat from the burner. If your only burner is bigger make sure the side with the handle it's on the edge to avoid direct heat to the handle. It will work great for you.

Also, I accidentally got sidetracked helping my son with something and left the kettle boiling for about an hour and it had evaporated the water and then charred the kettle a little and messed the thermometer up a bit. I told Bean Envy by email and within less than 2 hours they responded and are sending me a replacement free of charge with absolutely no hassle. I am going to buy a couple more of their other coffee products because they are high quality products and back them up 100% and are prompt and very friendly in their communication. This is a company you want to do business with. Enjoy good coffee with their great products!

I tried doing the pour over with my regular electric kettle and this definitely makes it much easier and gives much better control. I compared the thermometer reading with my digital thermometer and it was almost exactly the same. The only weak point is the handle is not far enough away from the heating element. So, it tends to get a little more than warm to the touch even though the bottom of the kettle completely covers the heating element on my electric stove. Maybe in the future I will upgrade to an electric pour over kettle but this will do the job for the time being.

Just got this in the mail along with Bean Envy's glass carafe and paperless filter. So far I love all these products! I was a little hesitant because this company is supposedly a start up company but the customer service is awesome and very helpful. They told me everything is made in China. The company started in the Pacific Northwest but now have offices in Phoenix and Tampa. I cleaned everything thoroughly with dish soap and hot water and boiled water a few times before I acutally used it to make coffee, like the directions say. Everything is made with quality stainless steel and aluminum. The thermometer actually works which is great. I even tested the accuracy with my own personal cooking thermometer and it was a very accurate reading. People are saying that the plastic melts on the handle and stuff but you just have to heat it up properly and don't use a burner that's a way larger surface area than the kettle and it boils the water perfectly and fast. Just don't be an idiot and use really over the top flames or a stove top that's too big. People are just idiots... of course plastic melts if you put too much heat or flames under it... just heat it up properly. And also, I think the lid is perfect and not too snug or loose. It keeps the heat in perfectly. So I'd say so far so good and it's a great quality product. Lifetime warranty!