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Page Contents:
-Copper Kettles
-Ceramic Kettles
-Glass Kettle
-Iron Kettle
-Enameled Kettles
-Stainless Kettles
-Electric Kettles
Related Pages:
-Tea Pots, Glass & Iron Tea Kettles
-Chemex Glass Tea Kettle
-Cleaning Brushes & Solutions
-Tea Prep Utensils
-Leaf Teas
-Trivets & Diffusers
-How to Remove Lacquer Coating
 Home
Water Kettles
Water kettles (commonly called Tea Kettles) are meant
to heat only water.
That's it! Important elements to consider might include
- Capacity (see below),
- Efficiency in heating,
- Handling comfort,
- Pouring ease,
- To whistle or not to whistle, and
- Care requirements
The sizes shown are the
manufacturer's claim of the total capacity up to the brim, not necessarily
of the quantity of water that is safe to boil in them. It is generally
safest to fill only to the bottom of the spout
opening, so that boiling water does not spit out of the spout,
whether or not the spout is covered. You can safely fill a little higher in
kettles with wider, longer spouts. Look for the recommended fill level in
the descriptions of the kettles below.
Whistling kettles usually need to be
at least half full in order to whistle. On some, the water level may need to
be above the spout opening, to cover it and to thus create enough internal
pressure to blow the whistle. An occasional de-scaling (see below) will help
keep the whistle working properly, and let the whistle air dry before
storing your kettle.
Copper kettles are generally the most efficient
because of their speed. As the most conductive material for making kettles,
copper will heat the water from all sides. Take care not to put them over
high heat; it's not necessary and they'll last a lot longer if you don't
"abuse" them as such. If you intend to use a lacquered kettle, remove the
lacquer first. You can keep it polished using a cleaner like Wenol or Red
Bear, which is based on jeweler's rouge and won't scuff the copper.
Anodized aluminum will heat the
second-fastest on your stove.
Glass is beautiful and easy to keep
clean; be sure to use a metal trivet or diffuser between the heat source and
the glass, and heat slowly. Never boil dry.
Cast iron ones are most often used on
heaters, to humidify rooms; once a protective coating of minerals develops
inside, through repeated boilings, they won't easily rust. They take a while
to heat up, but then are the best of the non-electrics at retaining heat.
Enameled ones come in beautiful
colors and are also quite easy to keep clean; some care is required to keep
them from hitting other objects, to prevent chipping. Never boil dry. Remove
water right after heating it, so that it will diminish the chances of any
rust forming along edges. (In case a small amount of rust does occur, put 2
tablespoons of baking soda and a little bit of lemon juice into the kettle,
add water, and bring to a boil.) Distilled and chlorinated water can have an
effect on enameled surfaces over time, so we recommend using filtered water,
when available.
Stainless ones are the easiest to
care for; they're slower to boil than most, and ones with sandwich bases
will heat the fastest.
Electric kettles are the fastest to
heat, they may provide the option of keeping the water hot, they may have an
auto-shutoff, and in general are very convenient.
How good is your water? A kettle is
not going to improve the taste of your water. It'll just heat it. If you
don't like the way your water tasted, try bottled water, or use a water
filter.
How hard is your water? Occasionally
de-scaling the inside of every kettle is a light chore that will make your
kettle last a long time. See our page on Cleaners
for the appropriate cleaning agents. Or boil 1/2 cup of white vinegar to
each quart of water for 10-15 minutes, then boil clean water to help rid the
vinegar. |
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Simplex 2 Qt Whistling Copper Water
Kettle for Gas Ranges $139.99
#97711
|
2 qt capacity,
2 qt recommended max fill,
7.5" bottom,
10" high,
Solid copper,
Tin lined interior,
Brass and wood handle,
Plastic lid knob,
Made in England |
 |
Simplex 2 Qt Whistling Chromed Copper
Water Kettle $119.99
#1987
|
2 qt capacity,
2 qt recommended max fill,
7.5" bottom,
9" high,
Chrome plated solid copper,
Tin lined interior,
Brass and wood handle,
Plastic lid knob,
England |
 |
Joyce Chen Ceramic 2 Qt. Water Kettle
$39.99
#23000
|
2 qt capacity,
1.5 qt recommended max fill,
9" high,
9" long,
7.5" round,
Flameproof ceramic,
Matte ebony,
Non reactive,
Taiwan |
 |
Bodum Clara Glass Water Kettle, 59 Oz
$59.99
#122264
|
59 oz capacity,
6-1/2" high,
6-1/4" wide body,
Metal lid,
Plastic stopper with whistle,
Heat resistant borosilicate glass,
Use on gas, electric and ceramic cooktops,
Microwave safe (glass body only),
Dishwasher safe
China |
 |
Chemex Hand Blown Water Kettle See our
Chemex
page |
2 qt capacity
10" high, 8" round,
The silicone steam-stopper leads steam up and out,
The neck remains cool to use as a handle,
Wire grid included for use on electric stove. |
| |
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Also see Glass Tea Pots |
 |
Tree of Life
Black Cast Iron Tea Kettle, 40 Oz$69.99
#6530
Temporarily unavailable
|
40 oz capacity,
2/3 recommended fill,
4-1/4" high to top of lid,
7" high with handle up,
6" round,
7-1/2" spout to rear,
Lightly enameled interior,
Black exterior,
Stainless mesh infuser
China |
 |
Apple Red Cast Iron Tea Kettle, 2 Qt
$59.99
#77110
Discontinued |
2 qt capacity,
6-1/2" high,
12" high to top of handle,
6" wide belly,
Black enameled interior,
Brass plated wire handle
China |
| |
|
Also see Iron Tea Pots |
 |
Corelle Coordinates Gypsum Whistling Tea
Kettle, 2.5 Qt $29.99
#121966
|
2.5 qt capacity,
6.6" round base,
8" belly,
9.5" spout to back,
8.5" high with handle up,
Enameled steel,
Heat resistant plastic handles,
Stainless steel rim and lid underside
Thailand |
 |
TeaBird Whistling Tea Kettle $39.99
#120433
|
2-1/2 qt capacity,
2 qt recommended fill capacity,
8-1/4" tall,
7-1/2" handle to spout,
7-1/4" belly,
Porcelain enamel on steel,
Stainless rim and underside of lid,
Plastic handle and whistle,
Whistle has a horn sound
Thailand |
 |
Yellow Duck Whistling Water Kettle
$44.99
#120477
|
3 qt capacity,
8" high to top of handle,
7-1/2" wide belly,
5-1/2" base,
12" spout to handle,
Porcelain enamel on steel,
Stainless steel rim and underside of lid,
Plastic harmonica whistle and lid knob
Taiwan |
 |
White Duck Whistling Tea Kettle, 3 Qt
$39.99
#10717
|
3 qt capacity,
8" high to top of handle,
7-1/2" wide belly,
5-1/2" base,
12" spout to handle,
Porcelain enamel on steel,
Stainless steel rim and underside of lid,
Plastic harmonica whistle and lid knob
Taiwan |
 |
Pig Whistling Tea Kettle, 2.5 Qts
$44.99
#10727
|
2.5 qt capacity,
5" diameter base,
7" belly,
9" spout to back,
10" high to top of handle,
Enameled steel,
Heat resistant plastic handles
Taiwan |
 |
Ladybug Whistling Tea Kettle, 2.5 Qts
$39.99
#10719
|
2.5 qt capacity,
8" diameter base,
12" handle to antennae,
7.5" high overall,
Enameled steel,
Stainless steel rim,
Heat resistant plastic handle and decorative spout cover
Taiwan |
 |
Elephant Tea Kettle, 2.5 Qts $39.99
#10734
|
2.5 qt capacity,
7" bottom diameter,
9.5" back to spout,
9.2" high with handle up,
Enameled steel,
Stainless steel rim,
Heat resistant plastic handle
Taiwan |
 |
Giraffe Whistling Water Kettle $44.99
#120466
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2.8 qt capacity,
10-1/4" high to top of handle,
7" wide belly,
5-1/4" base,
10" spout to handle,
Porcelain enamel on steel,
Stainless steel rim and underside of lid,
Plastic harmonica whistle and lid knob
Taiwan |
 |
Dome Whistling Tea Kettle, Pink $32.99
#121457
|
3 qt capacity,
10-1/2" high overall,
7-1/4" diameter base,
Porcelain enamel on steel,
18/10 stainless steel lid,
Ergonomic handle
Thailand |
 |
LeCreuset Caribbean Blue Halo Water
Kettle, 1.5 Qt $54.99
#122279
|
1-1/2 qt capacity,
10" high,
7-1/4" round base,
Whistle in stopper,
Heat resistant plastic handle,
Porcelain enamel on steel
Thailand |
 |
Calypso 2.2 Qt Whistling Tea Kettle, Gray
$29.99
#6360
|
2.2 qt capacity,
6.75" tall to top of lid,
9.25" high with handle raised,
7.4" flat base,
Porcelain enameled steel body,
Tempered glass lid,
Heat resistant plastic handle and knobs,
Stainless steel rim on lid and top opening,
Harmonica type whistle,
Washing by hand recommended,
Not for use on induction cooktops,
Made in Thailand |
 |
Calypso 2.2 Qt Whistling Tea Kettle, Black
$29.99
#6370
|
2.2 qt capacity,
6.75" tall to top of lid,
9.25" high with handle raised,
7.4" flat base,
Porcelain enameled steel body,
Tempered glass lid,
Heat resistant plastic handle and knobs,
Stainless steel rim on lid and top opening,
Harmonica type whistle,
Washing by hand recommended,
Not for use on induction cooktops,
Made in Thailand |
 |
Calypso 2.2 Qt Whistling Tea Kettle, Turquoise
$29.99
#6361
|
2.2 qt capacity,
6.75" tall to top of lid,
9.25" high with handle raised,
7.4" flat base,
Porcelain enameled steel body,
Tempered glass lid,
Heat resistant plastic handle and knobs,
Stainless steel rim on lid and top opening,
Harmonica type whistle,
Washing by hand recommended,
Not for use on induction cooktops,
Made in Thailand |
 |
Calypso 2.2 Qt Whistling Tea Kettle, Red
$29.99
#6367
|
2.2 qt capacity,
6.75" tall to top of lid,
9.25" high with handle raised,
7.4" flat base,
Porcelain enameled steel body,
Tempered glass lid,
Heat resistant plastic handle and knobs,
Stainless steel rim on lid and top opening,
Harmonica type whistle,
Washing by hand recommended,
Not for use on induction cooktops,
Made in Thailand |
 |
Reston Lloyd 2.5 Qt Whistling Tea Kettle,
White
$29.99
#6363
|
6.75" high to top of lid,
9" high with raised handle,
7.4" flat base,
Porcelain enameled steel body,
Tempered glass lid,
Heat resistant plastic knob and whistle,
Stainless steel rim on lid and top opening,
Heavy chromed metal handle,
Harmonica type whistle,
Washing by hand recommended,
Not for use on induction cooktops,
Made in Thailand |
 |
Oxo Good Grips Uplift 2 Qt. Whistling
Kettle $59.99
#7450
|
2 qt capacity,
1.75 qt recommended max fill,
8.25" high,
9.5" handle to spout,
7.75" round bottom,
18/8 stainless steel with santoprene handle,
Cap opens as handle is lifted,
China |
 |
Copco Wellington Whistling Stainless
Steel Water Kettle, 2 Qt
$24.99
#1828
|
2 qt capacity,
9.5" high to top of handle,
7.75" diameter base,
Lightweight stainless steel body,
Heavy gauge stainless steel handle,
Heat resistant plastic hand-hold, knob and whistle,
Sharp, loud whistle,
Also works on induction cooktops,
Made in China |
 |
Emerald Whistling Kettle, Cobra Handles,
2.7 Qt $19.99
#1665
|
2.7 qt capacity,
8-1/2" high to top of handle,
8-3/4" wide at bottom,
18/10 stainless steel,
Phenolic handle with cobra appliquè,
Bottom aluminum diffuser disk
China |
 |
Fresco Stainless Steel Whistling Kettle,
2 Qts $69.99
#7709
|
2 qt capacity,
9-1/2" high,
6" base,
Push-button lid lifter,
Whistle in lid,
Plastic handle,
Encapsulated aluminum heat diffuser,
18/10 stainless steel body,
18/0 stainless steel base,
Can be used on induction cooktops
China |
 |
Fresco Square Water Kettle, 1.8 Qt
$59.99
#7606
|
1.8 qt capacity,
9" high overall,
6-3/4" squarish base,
Snap-on lid,
Heat resistant plastic handle,
Encapsulated aluminum heat diffuser,
18/8 brushed and polished stainless steel body
China |
 |
Weilong Stainless Steel Whistling Kettle,
3.5L $19.99
#10779
|
3.7 qt capacity,
8.9" diameter base,
9.1" high with handle up,
11.5" rear to spout,
18/10 stainless steel,
Heat resistant plastic handle and knob,
Harmonica sound |
 |
Godere Stainless Steel Whistling Kettle,
2.2L $19.99
#10740
Temporarily unavailable
|
2.25 qt. capacity,
6.75" diameter belly,
5" diameter base,
8.3" high with handle up,
9" back to spout,
18/10 stainless steel body,
Anodized aluminum infuser,
Heat resistant plastic handle and knob,
Harmonica sound |
 |
Godere Dual Stainless Kettles, 3L & 1L
$29.99
#10780
|
1 qt capacity pot fits over 3.1 qt pot,
5.1" belly with 4" base on small kettle,
7.5" belly with 5.5" base on large kettle,
18/10 stainless steel,
Heat resistant plastic handles and knobs,
Use together or separately,
Harmonica sound |
Filter at spout inside kettle
 |
Cuisinart Traditional Cordless Electric
Kettle $79.99
#21685
|
1-3/4 qt capacity,
Removable nylon interior strainer in plastic housing,
Auto-shutoff at boiling point,
Stay-cool base with cord storage,
On indicator light,
Concealed heating element,
UL Listed 120v, 1500 watts,
Polished stainless steel,
Plastic handle, knob, kettle base and separate heating base,
3 year limited warranty
China
Model RK-17 |
 |
Cuisinart Cordless Electric Kettle
$69.99
#21688
|
1-3/4 qt capacity,
10-3/4" high overall,
7-1/2" diameter base,
Lifts off base for easy pouring,
Concealed element boils water fast,
Automatic shutoff; won't boil dry,
Cord storage under base,
UL Listed, 120v, 60Hz, 1500 Watts,
3 year limited warranty
China
Model KUA-17 |
 |
Chef'sChoice Deluxe Cordless Electric
Kettle $59.99
#122266
|
2 qt capacity
9-1/4" high
6-1/2" wide at base
7-1/2" wide power base
Unit lifts off power base for serving
Water level gauge
On/off switch
Auto shut-off when water boils
Boil-dry shutoff
Locking lid
Switch illuminates when on
Satin stainless steel body
Concealed heating element
UL Listed 120v 60hz 1500 watts
1 year limited warranty
China |
 |
Capresso H2O Plus Model 259, Glass
Electric Cordless Safety Water Kettle, Chromed Finish $59.99
#6725
|
1-1/2 qt capacity,
9" high,
6-3/8" round stay-put base,
7-1/2" wide to handle,
Triple auto shut-off,
Concealed heating element covered in stainless,
Heat resistant German Schott safety glass,
Illuminated power switch,
Ounce and cup fill markings,
Cordless design swivels 360°
Cool-touch handle,
Drip-free pouring,
Cord storage under base,
UL Listed 120V, 60Hz, 1500 Watts,
1 year warranty
China
(Instruction
Manual - PDF 189KB) |
 |
Bodum Curl Electronic Cordless Water
Kettle, Black $39.99
#1323
|
1-1/2 qt capacity,
9" high overall,
7" belly,
Hinged lid with scale filter,
Push-button to open lid,
Auto shut-off,
Separate corded base unit,
120 volt, 60 hz, 1500 watts,
2 year limited warranty
China |
 |
Bodum Ibis Cordless Electric Water
Kettle, Black $39.99
#1325
|
57 oz capacity,
10-1/2" high overall,
6-1/4 x 4-1/2" oval body,
Auto shutoff,
Hinged lid,
Stainless steel heating element,
High impact plastic body,
Separate corded base unit,
Cord storage area with 31" long cord,
UL Listed 120v, 60Hz, 1500 watts,
Model 5500
2 year limited warranty
China
(Instructions -
PDF 160KB) |
 |
Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettle,
Black $24.99
#1326
|
.8 qt capacity,
.8 qt recommended max fill,
7" high,
7.75" long,
3.5" base,
Boils in 4 min., auto shut-off,
Polypropylene,
120v 1070w UL Listed,
2 year warranty,
China |
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