What Sets Tiger Electric Kettles Apart! We Ask a Developer About Their Commitment to “Safety” and “Speed”

From brewing coffee and tea to preparing baby formula, electric kettles are essential in many situations. While their main feature is the ability to boil water quickly, handling boiling water requires high safety performance. At Tiger Corporation, where safety and peace of mind are top priorities in product development, we offer a lineup of electric kettles that boil water “safely and quickly,” utilizing proprietary technology cultivated through our manufacturing of Electric Water Boilers & Warmers. We asked Naoki Fujikawa, who is in charge of development, about the specific features included in these products.

Utilizing Proprietary Technology Cultivated in Electric Water Boilers & Warmers

We have been manufacturing and selling Electric Water Boilers & Warmers for many years, cultivating not only the basic function of boiling water but also technologies to ensure safety.

Around 2001, electric kettles from overseas manufacturers began to be sold in Japan and became widespread. However, their safety did not meet the standards we consider essential at Tiger. This prompted the development of Tiger electric kettles, driven by our policy to pursue “safety and peace of mind.”

Our top priority was ensuring the product could be used safely. Based on the major premise of “minimizing hot water leakage,” we employed technologies passed down from our predecessors. Since there were no specific safety standards for electric kettles in Japan at the time, we developed them to meet the same safety standards as Electric Water Boilers & Warmers. Today, all electric kettles sold by Tiger undergo thorough internal safety checks and have acquired the “S mark,” which certifies that product testing and quality control investigations have been conducted by a third-party organization.

Peace of Mind for Daily Use and “Accidental” Moments

First is the “Tip-over Spill Prevention Structure”¹, which has been included since our very first electric kettle. We design the spout to point upwards even if the kettle is knocked over while containing hot water, and we incorporate various other innovations to minimize leakage. We also have a lineup of many kettles featuring a “Double-Walled Structure,” where the main body does not get hot easily, reducing the risk of burns. This structure also improves heat retention, keeping the water warm even after boiling.

We also have a “Steamless”² feature developed to prevent burns caused by steam. This is achieved through “Speed Steam Detection” and the “Steam Catcher Structure.”

“Speed Steam Detection” is a function where all steam passes through a sensor located at the base of the handle. This detects steam the moment it reaches 100°C and stops the heater, preventing excess steam from being generated upon boiling. The “Steam Catcher Structure” cools the steam using a maze-like cooling unit inside the lid, turning it back into water droplets. Both are proprietary technologies of Tiger.

Noticing “Hidden Inconveniences” Through Customer Behavior

About 20 years ago, it was common to place Electric Water Boilers & Warmers in the back of the kitchen, out of sight, such as on a microwave stand or storage shelf. However, when we investigated actual usage, we found that many people moved them to a different location to use them because the steam would damage furniture if used where they were stored. While customers likely thought it was natural for steam to come out of an Electric Water Boiler & Warmer, it was actually causing inconvenience.

Coincidentally, we were conducting research on controlling steam volume internally at the time, so we proceeded with full-scale technology development. The realization of “Steamless” technology allowed the products to be placed in living and dining rooms, enabling us to create highly designed products that blend better with interiors.

To Eliminate Tragic Accidents: The Desire for “Spill Prevention” Since the First Generation

Although we have not received data regarding accidents such as burns or injuries in surveys regarding our electric kettles, we do hear information about electric kettle accidents from medical professionals, industry lectures, and news reports. We specifically hear many cases involving infants and children.

As such painful accidents have become viewed as a problem, from June 2026 onwards, all electric kettles manufactured or imported in Japan will be required to pass a “Tip-over Flow Test,” which includes a standard of keeping hot water leakage to 50ml or less when tipped over.

At Tiger, with the desire to reduce the number of customers saddened by accidents, we have equipped our kettles with a spill prevention structure since the first generation and continue to strive for functional improvements.

Speed Boiling: 1 Cup in as Little as 45 Seconds

We also prioritize boiling speed, the essence of an electric kettle, in our product development. Currently, Tiger products can boil one cup of water (approx. 140cc) in about 45 seconds³. This is our proprietary technology and is the fastest in the industry ⁴.

We also use proprietary technology for the spout to prevent liquid from splashing when pouring into a cup. On a finer level, we repeatedly research the resin materials for parts that come into contact with hot water, and even how screws are tightened.

When we receive comments like “It poured cleanly” or “I was surprised there was no steam,” we know our development direction was correct, and we feel glad we made the effort.

Developing a Lineup to Meet Diverse Needs

To make customers feel “I want to continue using Tiger Corporation products,” we believe we must increase the points of satisfaction, even if just by one.

Customer values are diversifying, with some seeking high-spec models with full features, others wanting high design quality, and others preferring light and easy-to-handle models. While safety and peace of mind are major premises for any model, usability is also important. For example, I want to develop products that meet customer needs even more, such as a kettle with a meticulously designed spout.

Since the spill prevention function will become mandatory due to legal revisions from 2026 onwards, safety and peace of mind will become somewhat of a standard. Instead, I hope customers will choose products they can use daily without stress, based on perspectives such as ease of cleaning, preference for design, ease of opening/closing the lid, and the tactile feel of the buttons.