How to find the best tea kettle

A wonderful cup of tea can soothe the soul. Tea is something that can bring your sore throat comfort or warm you up on a cool evening. Whether you are a connoisseur of teas or you just enjoy have a cup every now and then, there are a variety of tea kettles to choose from. There are two basic types of tea kettles to choose from, electric and stovetop, but there are many different options within these two types, as well.

Electric kettles

This type of tea kettle goes back to the 1800’s and was manufactured mostly from steel or aluminum. Some heat resistant plastics were also used, but the steel produced a higher quality product and eventually, the aluminum proved to be not as durable. The electric tea kettles made now are more efficient than stovetop kettles in the fact that they boil water much quicker. But they take up coveted counter space where the stovetop tea kettle does not.

Electric Kettles

A newer version of the electric tea kettle, the cordless kettle, has a base that holds the electrical connection that allows the kettle to heat. There are some cordless kettles that have a removable base to be able to convert to a stovetop kettle if needed. These kettles are easy to clean and have wide, no-spill spouts.

Cordless Electric Kettle

Stovetop tea kettles

This type of tea kettle is manufactured from many different materials and there are many more types of stovetop kettles than electric. These include stainless steel, copper, cast iron, enamel and novelty.

Stovetop Kettles

Stainless steel kettles are the most hard-wearing and are extremely functional, as well as beautiful. The stainless steel kettle will not “tarnish” the taste of the water you are preparing at all, but because of the thickness of the steel, it will take longer for your water to boil.

Copper kettles are chosen a lot for their “Old World” look, but it should also be known that copper is very energy efficient. Because copper should not be placed over high heat, you will more than likely use a medium heat to prepare your water, thus saving energy. Also, copper is a great conductor of heat and this will save time on preparing your water.

Cast iron is very heavy and thick and will probably last the longest. An important tip about cast iron is that until it becomes “seasoned” there is a risk for rust. Once it has been used many times, it will develop mineral deposits that will then prevent it from rusting. In the meantime, while you are waiting for it to become seasoned, be sure to dry this kettle immediately after you use it. If it does happen to rust, not all is lost. A mixture of lemon, baking soda and boiling water can remove the rust.

Enamel kettles are among the most popular because they are available in many different colors. The enamel will likely just be a coat over a cast iron kettle, so in that instance, be sure to dry this kettle immediately after use, as well. As with any other enamel object, this type of kettle can chip, so be very careful when around other hard objects.

If you are more interested in the shape of your kettle matching your décor rather than just the paint, a novelty tea kettle will be perfect for you. The practicality of some of these kettles may not be as great as some others, but they can be the “finishing touch” to your kitchen and will be a great topic of conversation.

Features of kettles

By having some features (and a budget) in mind before you start shopping, your choice will be made much easier. Some of the main features you will want to consider are: size, whistle, design, heat efficiency and maintenance.

The average size for tea kettles ranges from 1.8-2.5 quarts. This is important to consider because the 1.8 quart size may be too small if you like to entertain, but the 2.5 quart size may be too large if you are the only tea drinker in your family.

Whistling kettles

The whistle on a tea kettle is there to let you know when the water has reached the desired temperature for preparing the tea. Some consumers find the whistle to be a very nice feature to alert them in the event they get busy with other things. On the other hand, some consumers find the whistle to be a very annoying feature and don’t want to hear the high-pitched whistle when preparing to relax with their tea. If you are torn and like the convenience of the whistle but hate the shrill sound, look for a tea kettle that offers a whistle that might play a song or sound like a harmonica playing.

Some Great Products

Kettle design

While a device that boils water may seem like an item that is pretty basic, the designs for tea kettles is anything but. From plain stainless steel to a lime green enamel in the shape of a pig, you will be sure to find a tea kettle that will compliment your stovetop or kitchen counter. Important design features for stovetop kettles would be a heat resistant handle and a no-spill spout. For electric kettles, you may want to look for one with a water gauge and/or an automatic shut off timer.

Heat efficiency

Enjoying tea can actually be affected by water temperature. Different types of tea require different temperatures of water for the best result. For example, if you are making green tea, a more delicate flavor, you would want to add the water at a lower temperature than you would for black tea, which needs boiling water for the best flavor.

Kettle maintenance

If you are not into spending extra time cleaning your tea kettle, you should definitely look into getting an easy maintenance tea kettle such as an electric kettle or one that is either stainless steel or enamel coated. Copper and cast iron kettles tend to be a little more maintenance intensive. Either way, keep a spout cleaning brush nearby for easier cleanup.

Buying your kettle

Tea kettles are priced anywhere from $25 to $250. It all depends on the features and type of kettle you choose. Obviously, kettles that are made of a more durable material or ones that have more features will be more expensive. In the end, decide what you want in a tea kettle and go for it because there really is nothing more relaxing that a nice cup of hot tea.