Our Kenwood JK450 Eco Kettle has started leaking around the base after approximately a year. Delighted with the Kettle otherwise.

The kettle is as new because we live in a soft water area, but I feel a little nervous with water leaking over the electrics

It seems to be a common problem (just see a the reviews on Amazon) - how do I fix it ?

Bamber, September 2009

This Kenwood jug kettle has had a major pouring problem since we bought it. If you open the lid fully when pouring then the pour fault is cleared. The design fault/flaw will become apparent when you do this. In addition it has also begun leaking at base as described in other posts above. Since water and electrics do not mix, and based on Kenwoods poor attitude in replies above, we will simply dump it and put it down to experience. We will avoid all Kenwood products in the future.

James de Reachtnin, October 2016

The repair didn't hold up well. In March 2016 it started leaking again so I fixed it with superglue (cyanoacrylate). In August it started leaking again. The glue held but there were always more and more hairline cracks and I was afraid it would just fall apart at some point spilling boiling water all over the place.
I've given up on it and bought a Russel Hobbs which looks almost as good but has a glass body instead of polycarbonate. Let's see how that works out.

lister6520, October 2016

I have had one for several years. It started leaking a few weeks ago.
I use only water from a reverse osmosis unit under the kitchen sink so surely no hardness at all. In fact the kettle still looks as if it has just come out of the box despite years of use.
I opened it as described in previous posts and found two long ragged cracks, one of them two inches long. I carefully applied acetone with a small paintbrush many times, so each time the acetone seeps into the crack. The clear plastic seems to melt slightly with acetone so i am hoping it will weld the crack and seal it.
For now it seems to be holding. If it leaks again I'll try superglue instead of acetone.

lister6520, December 2015

Sorry, I cannot answer this: I complained about this kettle not pouring properly when I first bought it and they basically washed their hands of it and said their engineers had not had any problems. Now, after two years or so it's started leaking so were getting rid of it and telling people not to buy Kenwood stuff. We've just today bought a Brevil cheap-and-cheerful and will chuck it when it breaks.
Also, I couldn't find a complaints box this time round on their web site; a sure sign they don't care about customer care

Bob's jobs, December 2012

I have the same leaking kettle too. If Kenwood can't take it on the chin and replace the kettle then I would tell everyone to avoid buying any of their products. Its obviously a design flaw. The one year warranty is only a guide. The law states that the prduct has to be fit for purpose and as an expensive item you would expect to last longer. Don't let them hide behind a 1 year warranty as the law is on your side. Check out the sale of goods act

kinhell, May 2011

I had the same hairline fracture - invisible even when using a hand lens but water was coming through.
I applied a thin wedge of superglue into the corner of the ridge and after a couple of days of regular use still completely dry...

John Brompton, February 2011

I bought one of this kettle about 18 months ago. It too, started leaking from the base of the kettle. I rang Kenwood Customer Services last week to complain and the lady told me that the leak was due to the hard water in my area. Excuse me! But how can hard water cause a leak? My bathroom would be leaking too, if that was the case. I believe it to be a design and manufacturing fault, but obviously Kenwood are not going to admit it. I'm going to send mine back to Kenwood.

Mr. Karim, June 2010

this is a common fault. i'd return it or contact kenwood

kam, December 2009

Im going to answer this myself after dismantling it this weekend.
1) Disconnect the kettle !
2) Prise of the very bottom of the kettle by inserting a screwdriver in the slots.
3) Remove the white outer cover which is around the base.
4) You should see where the leak is.
5) The kettle is well made with only a few parts ! The seal is a double seal which in my case looks as if it will last a good few years.
6) I identified my fault as a hairline fracture in the clear glass kettle body

Now if only Kenwood supplied replacement casings....

Bamber, September 2009