Tag Archives: Russell Hobbs

1960s Russell Hobbs Kettle – SOLD

4 Oct

Russell Hobbs K2 kettle

Russell Hobbs K2 kettle

Russell Hobbs were the first company to produce an automatic kettle in 1956, and named it the K1. The K2 was launched in 1960 and cost a whopping 7 quid – the average weekly salary in the UK at the time was only 14 pounds. According to an article in The Independent, these kettles are very hard to come by and collectors will pay up to 200 pounds for a K2 in mint condition – and I can see why! I was so excited to find it, and even more delighted when I realised it was automatic. I’ve always used vintage kettles, but have never found one that turns itself off. The outside of the kettle is in pretty good nick, with the only real sign of age being a mark on the lid. The metal on the inside of the kettle is a bit worse for wear, but it’s still fairly clean (I’d have no issue drinking water from it). Bizarrely the thing I like most about this kettle (aside from its great history), is the cord. The connection to the kettle is beautifully designed, and even the plug itself is cool – it’s rounded on the edges, different to any plug I’ve ever seen. I think this has to be one of the coolest kettles I’ve come across – it has the style of a retro piece, but the functionality of a modern appliance. Absolutely fantastic!

Dimensions: 21cm high x 19cm in diameter

Price: R290

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Russell Hobbs Electric Percolator – SOLD

4 Feb

Russell Hobbs Electric Percolator

Russell Hobbs Electric Percolator

I first came across this 1970s coffee percolator from Russell Hobbs about 3 years ago. Until very recently I actually thought it was a kettle because the first one I bought was missing the percolator parts. I remember being so excited when I discovered that it switched itself off once it had come to the boil – I had never owned a kettle that turned itself off ! So I was even more thrilled when I found the complete version the other day, and I have to say it made a lot more sense to me when I realised that it was a coffee maker – I had always wondered why my kettle continuously reboiled itself unless you switched it off at the plug! I suppose the idea here is that it will keep your coffee warm until you’ve finished the pot. So clever! And so very stylish!

Dimensions: 25cm high; 9cm x 12cm at its base; holds 1.1litres

Price: R180

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Russell Hobbs Electric Coffee Pot – SOLD

8 Dec

Russell Hobbs Electric Coffee Maker

Russell Hobbs Electric Coffee Maker

The automatic electric coffee pot was the first product developed by Russell Hobbs in the early ’50s. They were the first company to produce the ‘keep warm’ coffee pot which automatically switches itself off when it gets to boiling point and then back on when the coffee starts to cool. Their first model, the CP1, was manufactured in 1952. The percolator featured here is the CP2, presumably the next generation. If you’re not a coffee fan the pot can be used as a straight forward kettle (it holds just over 1 litre), with the added benefit of having hot water throughout the day without having to re-boil the kettle – although it does take longer to boil than an ordinary kettle so probably uses more electricity than a modern kettle. The pot has two marks (a bit of crazing) towards the base of the handle, but otherwise is in good condition.

Dimensions: 25cm high (with lid on) x 12cm in diameter

Price: R200

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