My kettle is not quite two weeks old. I was concerned that the cable seemed too fat for the base and it appeared to rock slightly when first plugged in, but with the kettle in place it is not at all unstable. I used to measure just a mug of water in my old kettle but really enjoy not having to constantly refill the kettle throughout the day- merely "plunging" more water through.So far I have no complaints- though I'm not sure my elderly parents will cope with depressing the plunger to release water from the reservoir- indeed I wonder if they will remember to do so?