There are six buttons on the base, which are quite easy to handle. The one on the upper left is to configure some preset temperatures. You can also use it to scroll through your presets. The button below it is for turning it on and off. Then we have the two buttons for adjusting the temperature, which work in single degree increments. After that, there is the hold button that keeps your water at the set temperature. And last but not least the button to toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius. However, there are two buttons I want to talk more about.

The Plus (+) Button has another function when the Kettle is lifted from the base. The base will display zeros and after pressing the Plus (+) Button a timer will start to count up until you put the kettle back on. There sadly isn’t an option to keep it going after putting the kettle back on. This however, is only a minor flaw to me, since I’m using my own TeaTimer anyways.

The Hold Button – I’ve read a lot of reviews before purchasing and most reviews were criticizing that you had to push the hold button again after lifting the kettle from its base. The reviews also mentioned that you had only about 5 seconds to press the hold button or the temperature would reset. Well, either the reviews were wrong in that regard or Bonavita fixed it by now. You still have to tap the hold button again, but you can do it whenever you want and it will heat up to your previously set temperature. I quite enjoy this behavior for two reasons:

I’d rather tap it one more time than forgetting about it and having the kettle evaporate all the water and run dry. This could damage the kettle and be a potential fire hazard.

I’m not using the hold function since it’s kind of a waste of energy to keep it at your desired temp the whole time, just pressing hold shortly before finishing your tea is enough. It’s up to your desired temp in no time since it won’t cool that fast.

Also, it’s worth to mention that there isn’t any real audible indication when the desired temperature is reached. You have to keep your eye on it for that.