Dual-layer - so when the water reaches the boiling temperature, the outer is only about 40 degrees C. After a while, it will be hotter, but still safe to touch. No plastic part which touches the water - hope that it will be safer. No water level display window - obvious Above-average noise level - I expected it to be quieter at this price range

I've been using this kettle for about 10 weeks now. I'm pleased that all the parts in contact with water are metal, not plastic, and hopeful this will result in a long working life. I've been frustrated by the short working life of its predecessors and the "throw away" mentality associated with these small appliances. I'm grateful that the designers didn't include the audible signal that annoyed me in a previous KitchenAid kettle purchase (programmable to lower temperatures) and acknowledge that this model performs much better for simple boiling water. I would like KitchenAid to address two aspects I'd rate as deficiencies: the noise level and the cutout on boiling. There are definitely quieter kettles on the market (the Sunbeam this one replaced in my house was pretty good). This one can be heard two rooms away. My biggest "beef" is with the length of time this kettle continues to draw power once the water has reached the boil. It's progressively increasing (currently 18 seconds). Considering the power draw of the kettle and the number of times it's used each day, that's a lot of unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions over a year. It's probably time to descale (KitchenAid doesn't specify a frequency, simply saying that it depends on the hardness of the water used) - another maintenance task for an already busy household! (Why can't they design a kettle that descales itself??!)

All internals are metal, water does not come into contact with any plastic. Looks sharp. Love it.