I first got this unit to sterilize water for my baby's formula, and I didn't realize how indespensible it would become long past the era of baby bottles, in our home. I've given away my stovetop kettle in favor of a completely portable off the base (and completely rotatable *on* the base), easy to use, burn-free unit. It's a bit of an ugly duckling, and I see some units have had a sensitivy/non-sensitivity turnoff issue, but it's performed great for me under heavy use.