Tea Kettles

Everyone should have a tea kettle. Whether you're an avid tea drinker who needs that daily caffeine boost, or an occasional tea drinker just looking to warm up on cold days, adding a stove top or electric kettle to the mix will definitely enhance your teatime. The benefits don’t stop at tea though; having hot water on hand can be useful for all sorts of food and drink preparation (think oatmeal or instant noodles), so investing in a quality water kettle is sure to pay off. With a wide variety of colors, styles and features available, finding a one to fit your personal preferences should be a breeze. Educate yourself about the different kettle choices below, to help you make the right decision.

Should I buy a stove top or electric tea kettle?

This is dependent on your cooking preferences and need for special features. A traditional stove top kettle sits on top of a stove burner, and gradually heats the water until you remove it from the heat. So if you don’t have a proper range, or patience isn’t your strong suit, the stove top design might not be best for you. However, it does have a few charming attributes, including doubling as a piece of kitchen decor, as well as playing that familiar whistling sound when the water reaches an optimal temperature. On the other end of the spectrum, an electric water kettle will work in any space with an outlet — no stove required. The most alluring thing about electric models though, is how quickly they heat up water. Most will automatically switch off when they reach your desired temperature (which can be adjusted on some designs), and can even be set to stay warm. You won’t find the same charming appeal as you can with stove top designs, but speed and temperature control do make up for some of that.

What should tea kettles be made of?

Stainless steel, cast iron and copper are the most popular options, although glass, aluminum and enameled steel are also common materials. Material won’t matter much for electric models, so take your pick between stainless steel or glass, according to the look you’re going for. For the stove top, however, you might want to make your decision based on more than looks. Stainless steel is fairly durable and easy to clean, but can be slow to heat compared to other materials; they are overall a good value. Glass can be nice to look at and easy to clean, but does run the risk of shattering, especially if heated too fast. A copper kettle is a good heat conductor, so water boils quicker than other in materials, but you will need to put in a little extra effort to keep the copper looking clean and shiny. Cast iron kettles are the most durable and hold heat the longest out of all the options, but are prone to rust and take the most time to heat up. In the end, figure out what you are willing to spend, both in terms of budget and maintenance, and if you are going for a specific look, to determine which material will work best for you.