Abstract: A heating vessel is described that includes a contact plate having a contact surface configured to be in direct thermal communication with the contents located in a heating chamber of the vessel and a heat distribution plate in thermal communication with the contact plate. The heat distribution plate is configured to be remote from the contact plate in at least one region to define a thermally insulating zone. There is a heat source in thermal communication with the heat distribution plate and an electronic temperature sensor located in the thermally insulating zone, in thermal communication with the contact plate. The electronic temperature sensor is thermally insulated from the heat distribution plate by the thermally insulating zone. The measured temperature may be used to control the heating of the kettle to bring the contents lo the boil or to maintain the measured temperature within a specified range.