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Tea Kettles Buying Guide

Whether it's with dessert after a meal or with a book  in front of the fire, tea can be the perfect beverage for nearly any occasion.  And while the varieties of tea  are endless, so too are the ways in which you can brew this tasty treat.  From electric to stove top and stainless steel  to copper,  picking the right tea kettle depends just as much on your fashion  sense as it does your patience level.  So make sure you know all of your options before choosing the best product for you.

Features

Both electric and stove top kettles share some features that can either make or break a purchase.

The Whistle: Are you often doing errands around the house while you brew a pot of tea?  Then you may want your tea kettle to whistle when the water's done boiling.  Newer kettles offer a variety of kettle sounds that differ from the traditional whistle, and they may even help you to hear your pot  better--whether you're tidying up the attic or doing laundry in the basement.  Not all kettles whistle, however, so make sure you check the box before buying.

The Lid: While some kettles--particularly old-style ceramic--have removable lids for adding water, many newer models require you to pour water down the spout.  This can sometimes be a bit messy, so it's good to decide how adept you are before choosing the right kettle for you.

The Spout: Wide-pouring spouts that are button operated are often the safest and easiest to use.

The Size: Tea for two or twenty?  Larger models (of the stove top variety especially) often take longer to heat up.  So think about how often and for whom you will use your kettle in order to determine which size will work best for you.

The Material: Kettles can be made out of a variety of materials, depending if they are electric or stovetop.  Also, the more expensive the kettle, the more durable or rare the material may be.   Some materials include:

  • Plastic: Only used to make electric tea kettles,  plastic is easy to grip and clean. Their biggest advantage--you don't run the risk of burning your palm on the handle.
  • Glass: Looks pretty, but may not be practical. While glass is often used in more modern designs, it allows for the slowest boil time and is the most delicate. It may even require that you place a piece of metal between the burner and the base of the kettle to avoid direct contact.
  • Aluminium: The cheapest of kettles, aluminium risks melting on the burner, but can have a old-world appeal when brushed or hammered.
  • Stainless Steel: Often the most durable and the most expensive, stainless steel does not affect the taste of the tea and often outlasts its competitors.
  • Copper: Although it may require some polishing, copper kettles often have the quickest boil time because of the metal's most conducive nature.
  • Cast Iron: The heaviest of the bunch, cast iron kettles are often the most durable--so long as you keep rust from forming by maintaining that the kettle is dry after each use. Modern cast iron kettles have an enamel coating that also protects against rust, giving these particular kettles a longer shelf life. Painted cast iron kettles reminiscent of centuries past have become quick collectors' items.
  • Ceramic: Frequently used for their decorative appeal, ceramic kettles are often coated in enamel or porcelain to add both to the durability and overall design.

Features Specific to Electric

To Cord or Not to Cord? Most of the newest kettles on the market have a detachable heating element on the base of the kettle so as to avoid tangled and potentially dangerous cords.  Some have a detachable base altogether--simply place the kettle onto the plugged in base, and remove when water is boiling.  Those kettles with cords are often the most basic of models, designed for dorm or apartment living.

Automatic Shut-Off: If you don't have enough water in the chamber of the kettle, then this kettle will not turn on.  So, if you forget to turn it off, the water will eventually boil down to an unsafe level which will trigger this kettle mechanism.

Mmm-Mmm Filtered: Some newer models also come with water filters that not only capture minerals and other extraneous junk in order to prevent clogging, but also to simply make your tea taste better!

It's Getting Hot in Here: The more high-end electric kettles may come with temperature variability; this means you can decide at which temperature you want to heat the water.  A cool feature for making hot cocoa or coffee--your water doesn't need to be boiling for these brewed beverages--it's still pretty rare.

*To learn more about electric kettles see our buying guide here, or scroll to the bottom of the page.

The Designs

Traditional Stove top

Electric

Hot Water Dispenser

Major Manufacturers

Related Buying Guides

Tea

Electric Kettles

Water Filters

Tea Makers

External Links

  • ConsumerSearch.com:  Great guides to buying different varieties of kettles from stove top to electric.