Top Ten Best Tea Kettles 2017

Who doesn’t love tea? People have been drinking tea for centuries, and there’s no sign of them stopping in 2017. It actually seems like all varieties of tea get a horde of new enthusiasts with every new generation. However, buying premium quality tea leaves does not mean that you will enjoy the best tasting and refreshing tea.

It is imperative that you have the right equipment so that the delicate flavour and refreshing properties of tea can be maintained. In other words, you need a good tea kettle to brew your tea leaves. In light of the fact that today’s market is flooded with different types and brands of kettles, it can be challenging and confusing to get the best tea kettle that will suit your needs and preferences.

Be that as it may, you don’t have to worry as we will make the choice much easier for you. We have reviewed the highly rated tea kettles available on the market today to help you make the best choice. Our review includes a comprehensive buying guide, which will give you much more information about tea kettles in general. With this, you’ll know what to look for when you embark on the mission to look for the ideal tea kettle for your needs.

A Brief History of Tea Kettles

The tea kettle forms an integral part of our day to day life. However, have you thought of how and why it came into existence? Do you know the science behind its unique design and shape?

Here is a brief overview of the origin of tea kettles:

Kettles can be traced back to as far as the 2000 BC. Archaeological evidence shows that bronze vessels that look similar to modern day tea kettles were used in Mesopotamia. However, those ancient vessels were used for cooking food and featured a more ornate spout.

The oldest accounts of the kettle being utilized for boiling water are found in China. The purpose of this was to remove impurities from the water. Namely, Chinese soldiers and travelers came to discover the beneficial effects of drinking boiled water quite early in history. It was an effort to add flavour to the water that green tea leaves were utilized for the first time in history.

It won’t be wrong to point out that the sophisticated tea kettles we use today evolved from the ancient cooking kettles. The Japanese culture, perhaps, presents one of the most classic manifestations of this. The iron cooking kettle was in the form of a rounded bowl, which had looped holders on either side that served as handles. These holders were among the earliest innovations to enhance its usability. Still in Japan, there was a specific way to serve tea, which was actually a highly regarded and taught ritual that had a lot of meaning to it.

Around the 16th century, the iron casting technique became more advanced. With this, the person making tea kettles became a highly regarded member of the society.  In addition, over time, tea kettles were used frequently by cowboys for boiling water for making coffee during the cattle runs. In light of the fact that these kettles were heated over campfires, they needed to be very strong and made from a hard-wearing material that wouldn’t burn up. This explains why most of the tea kettles used by cowboys were made of copper, which is an excellent heat conductor.

All in all, tea kettles are an integral part of something that has a rich history to it as well as a lot of meaning the world over. Now you have some understanding of how far tea kettles have come; let us highlight the major types of tea kettles before we review 10 of the best tea kettles in 2017.

There’s no better and quicker way to make tea than with the use of a tea kettle. There are a wide variety of tea kettles on the market to choose from, but they are broadly divided into two types:

Electric Kettles

Stove-top Kettles

Both of them are good, but the best choice will largely depend on your needs and budget. We will outline their respective advantages to help you make an informed choice.

Advantages of Stovetop Kettles

While they are an old-fashioned type of tea kettle, stove-top tea kettles are still a great choice, especially when you already have more kitchen appliances than power outlets. Stove-top kettles not only require an electric plug, but are also attractive and easy to use.

For many tea lovers, heating water on the stove for tea is an integral part of their tea-making ritual. Moreover, stove-top kettles generally cost less compared to electric kettles.

Advantages of Electric Kettles

The most significant advantage of an electric kettle is that it consumes less energy and heats water faster. Likewise, some electric water kettles have in-built water filters, which help to get rid of hard water deposits from your water.

If you drink white tea or green tea, some electric kettles are equipped with a temperature-control element, which stops heating the water before it reaches the boiling point. With this, you don’t have to worry about your water getting unbearably hot.

If you have a busy lifestyle and looking for a machine that will take care of tea brewing while you’re busy at work, an electric kettle could be your perfect solution.

Something else worth mentioning about stove-top kettles is that they can be categorized based on the materials used to make them.

Each of the materials has their own advantages and drawbacks. Here is a look at some of the most common materials:

Stainless steel – This is among the most popular tea kettle materials. Stainless steel is attractive and easy to maintain when it comes to cleanliness. However, it is relatively slow to heat. These types of kettles are normally quite cheap and can provide a good value for money.

It is advisable to be careful with the handles as they tend to get hot and difficult to pick up.

Copper – When it comes to conducting heat, copper kettles are more efficient than stainless steel. As such, you are advised to always use them on medium heat – never on high heat. This is because they heat water quickly and use less energy, compared to other types of kettles, when used on medium heat.

However, copper kettles require more maintenance in light of the fact that copper is soft and gets tarnished easily. These types of kettles also require special cleaning solutions to prevent the copper from getting scratched.

Aluminium – Anodized aluminium tea kettles are almost as energy efficient as their copper counterparts, but can be quite expensive. These types of kettles are highly resistant to scratches and stains, and are light enough to take to a picnic with you. If you’re looking for a tea kettle for the outdoors, don’t look beyond an aluminium tea kettle – it’s the one for you.

Cast Iron – Cast iron tea kettles are another popular choice. These types of kettles are heavy, durable, and excellent for retaining heat. However, they are normally prone to rust. Moreover, many tea kettles are coated with enamel inside, and proper care is required when cleaning, lest you scratch the enamel.

You should always dry out a cast iron kettle thoroughly in between uses to prevent it from rusting. However, after you have used it for a considerable period of time, a layer of minerals will build up on the tea kettle, making it almost completely rust-proof.

It is also worth noting that cast iron tea kettles take longer to boil water when compared to kettles made from other materials. Conversely, they can keep the water hot for a longer period. While some cast iron kettles have a plain iron finish, others come coated in various shades of enamel. However, note that enamel is prone to chipping.

Glass – Glass tea kettles are attractive and easy to maintain when it comes to cleanliness. They are a great choice when you are serving up tea where visual appeal is important – like blossoming teas and herbal tisanes composed of whole leaves and flowers.

However, you should be careful not to heat up these kinds of kettles too fast. This is because sudden changes in temperature normally cause glass to shatter. Actually, it is advisable not to heat a glass tea kettle directly on the eye of a stove. Instead, consider using a piece of metal, such as a metal trivet, to diffuse the heat.

The most remarkable feature of this 1000 watts electric kettle is its fast heating capability. Bonavita BV382510V Electric Kettle has a temperature display. It can heat and hold at your desired temperature for up to one hour. In addition, the count up time allows for easy tracking of the brewing process. What’s more, this kitchen appliance comes with a one-year warranty.

When it comes to design, Bonavita BV382510V Electric Kettle features a versatile design, which lets you control pouring into a cup with its uniquely-designed spout. The electric kettle also features a display LED, whose function is to show the actual temperature of the water inside the kettle. With its 1.0 litre capacity, the kettle is ideal for a small family and it can give a temperature set for 60 minutes.

When you buy this kettle, you should expect to enjoy the following advantages:

• It’s very durable
• Versatile
• Heats water quickly, and hence save time
• Preferred temperature can be selected and hold up to 60 minutes

It is also worth noting that this amazing piece of kitchen equipment has only one drawback – its outside metal surface is rough.

This kitchen appliance has one remarkable feature that sets it apart from other electric kettle products available on the market today. The six preset heat settings of Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter electric kettle is what we are referring to. You will surely love the kettle’s dripless pour spout with the splash guard that ensures your counters remain dry.

It also has a removable scale filter to ensure that your water is clean. Its easy-to-open-lid allows for quick and easy filling. When it comes to design, this kitchen appliance sports a 30-minute keep warm feature as well as a 2-minute memory function in a 360-degree swivel power base to allow for cordless convenience. In addition, this electric kettle features a backlit blue window, which has a removable and washable filter as well as boil-dry protection with auto safety switch-off.

Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter electric kettle measures about 8 1/5 by 9 4/5 by 12 inches. It is large enough to hold 1.7 litres of water with concealed heating element, providing you sufficient supply for a sizeable number of people.

What are the advantages of this kettle?

• The kettle is solidly built
• It’s easy to fill
• It heats up a easily and finishes the heat cycle with a warning beep
• The base is minimal and the controls are quite easy to reach.

The only notable setback with this kitchen appliance is that the filter bolt and nut are metallic.

With its concealed heating element, which is never in contact with water, you don’t have to worry about the accumulation of unpleasant mineral deposits in your stainless steel Chef’s Choice 681 Cordless Electric Kettle. Built from premium quality brushed stainless steel, this 1.75 quart electric kettle is an impressively sturdy and hard-wearing piece of kitchen equipment. The kettle boils water faster when compared to the microwave oven or stove.

What about the design?

Chef’s Choice 681 Cordless Electric Kettle features a 360-degree cordless kettle lifts from the corded base, which allows for easy filling and pouring. The kettle is powered by a 120-volt and 1500-watt electric supply. It also features an automatic shut-off function, which turns the kettle off once the water boils. Likewise, it has a dry shut off protection. What’s more, this kitchen appliance is designed with an illuminated light on/off switch, which adds to the beauty of this kettle in addition to performing its function.

Here are some of the most notable advantages of Chef’s Choice 681 Cordless Electric Kettle:

• The kettle is easy to clean
• Its on/off switch is very easy to use
• The kettle’s lid has a nice and smooth opening mechanism
• It has an excellent indicator light
• It’s quite fast when it comes to heating water

Despite its impressive features, this kettle is not without a few shortcomings. For instance, its outside is prone to fingerprints and the inside must be rinsed well before using.

If you are looking for a combination of elegance and efficiency, then this 6-cup tea kettle can be your perfect choice. Fino Pour Over Coffee and Tea Kettle features a tapered spout and gooseneck curve, which allows for slow pouring of the water for an excellent tasting cup of hot beverage. You can use this amazing tea kettle on electric, induction, as well as gas stoves.

What’s more, you can wash it in the dishwasher. This allows for easy and meticulous cleaning.  The handle is designed in a way that it stays away from the hot kettle surface, safeguarding you from accidental burns. The striking mirror finish of this stainless still kettle makes it look outstanding in any kitchen, the colour theme notwithstanding.

Its elegant design can blend perfectly in a collection of tea kettles with the small handle and the tiny black knob on its lid. It is also worth noting that this model of Fino electric kettles does not whistle when your water is ready.

If you are looking for a large capacity tea kettle that can boil water impressively fast, this Breville’s electric kettle could be your ideal tea kettle. The 1.7-liter capacity electric kettle boils water rapidly using 1500 watts power. Made from high-quality and hard-wearing material, Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless electric kettle is also longer lasting. Another remarkable feature of this kettle, which makes it highly efficient and convenient for use, is that its heating element is set underneath the boiling space and not inside it. This also makes this appliance easy to clean the interior without worrying about touching the vital heating parts.

When it comes to design, the kettle has a rotatable cordless base. With this, it becomes quite easy to put the appliance back on its base, as opposed to other tea kettles that are not equipped with the capability. This makes it easier to put it back on the base, which is unlike other kettle models that don’t have this capability. This piece of kitchen equipment has an easy-to-open lid, which opens up to a sufficiently wide space for adding water quickly without the worry of spilling. Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless electric kettle sports a sleek stainless steel outer casing, and its soft-grip handle and cord storing feature makes it more convenient to use.

It is also worth noting that this electric kettle comes with a one-year manufacturer-provided warranty.  Some of the kettle’s most significant advantages include the following:

• The kettle is beautifully designed
• It’s easy to maintain in terms of cleanliness
• It boils water quite fast
• You can easily pull the outlet, thanks to the hollow centre design

The only drawbacks of Breville SK500XL Ikon Cordless electric kettle is that it is quite heavy and requires high maintenance.

This Hario stovetop kettle is a favourite to many tea lovers. This is largely attributed to its sizable capacity of 1.2 liters and the uniquely-designed, low positioned spout. The design and position of the spouts allows for a more convenient pour and controlled water flow. In fact, the tapered spout and prolonged travel distance translates to a smaller and smoother stream of water. This kettle is especially designed for preparing drip coffee. Its easy-to-grip handle is another remarkable feature worth mentioning.

This stove-top kettle also features a flat knob cap, which lifts off quite fast and offers an ample gripping surface. It is large enough to hold 3-4 cups of water, which makes it ideal for preparing medium to larger quantities of tea at a time. Hario VKB-120HSVV60 Buono Pouring Kettle does  not only work well with induction ranges, but also gas and electric stoves.

It is also worth noting that this kettle does not whistle once the water reaches boiling point. Its most notable advantages include:

• It’s ideal for grip coffee
• Low positioned spout for increased control of water flow
• Features an easy to hold handle

However, Hario VKB-120HSVV60 Buono Pouring Kettle can take some time to heat up. According to some user reviews, the exterior tends to stain over time.

With its cordless pouring and 360 degrees base, Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch electric kettle is an incredibly convenient kitchen appliance. The most remarkable features that set this piece of equipment apart from equipment apart from its competitors in the market are the 8 cups capacity, the cordless base that facilitates easy pouring, as well as safe operation. Other remarkable features of Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch electric kettle include automatic switch-off once the water gets to a boil, a mineral deposit filter, and an on-off light.

When it comes to design, this Hamilton Beach’s electric kettle is quite compact, which makes it look strikingly beautiful when compared to various other models of electric kettles. Its double-walled stainless steel structure is effective in cooling down the touch. This tea kettle also has a lockable cover as well as an on-off switch, which allows for easy use.

In addition to having a hidden heating element, this elegant piece of kitchen equipment has a capacity of 40 ounces, making it enough to make tea to the satisfaction of your whole family.

Here’s a look at some of the most significant advantages of Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch electric kettle:

• The cool-touch outer casing promotes safety
• It has a plastic lid
• It is equipped with an insulating element
• Easy to remove the lid
• The broad mouth top allows for easy cleaning and filling

It is quite unfortunate that despite its impressive features and efficiency, Hamilton Beach 40898 Cool-Touch electric kettle doesn’t have water level indicator. Also, the water temperature isn’t adjustable.

If you are looking for an affordable but high-quality stove-top glass kettle, then Medelco 12-Cup Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle could be your ideal choice. Though not one of the most elegant products in the stovetop tea kettle industry, this Medelco stovetop tea kettle boast of a large capacity, which allows you to make a large quantity of tea at once. It can hold up to 12 cups. It is made of a tough shock-proof borosilicate glass material. Its removable lid makes it easy to clean and fill with water.

Medelco 12-Cup Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle can be used safely on electric or glass stove tops. It is also eqipped with a metal heat diffuser for those who want to use it on electric range coils. Other remarkable features of this glass stovetop tea kettle include a non-drip spout and a heat-proof handle.

The pros of Medelco 12-Cup Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle include the following:

• Comes with a metal diffuser
• Shock-resistant borosilicate glass construction
• Heat-resistant handle

However, some people who already own it have complained that the whistle is not so easy to hear. It is also worth noting that the lid and handle can get warm, so you need to be careful when handling this glass tea kettle.

You cannot talk of having experienced a great tea time you have used OXO Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle. This great piece of kitchen equipment features touch silicone in critical areas, like the handle and spout cap. This is effective in resisting heat and preventing accidental burns.

How do you know that your water is ready? You just need to flip down the spout cap when heating up the water and the whistle will give you the signal. When you want to use the water, be sure to flip back the spout cap to prevent dripping while pouring the water. Another remarkable feature of OXO Good grips kettle worth mentioning is that the handle has the ability to fold out of your way when you are filling this handy kitchen appliance with water or when you want to store it.

This kettle is also very easy to fill and clean, thanks to its large lid opening. It is made from seamless, premium quality stainless steel, which is effective in preventing rust. If you are looking for kettle with a very loud, audible whistle, then this is perfect product for you. For those who don’t love the sound of whistling kettles, the whistle can be disabled by leaving the spout cap up.

It is worth noting that you cannot use OXO Grips Kettle on induction stoves.

The size of a tea kettle actually refers to its capacity. This means that your choice of tea kettle, based on capacity, will largely depend on the number of people you will be making tea for. If you live alone, for instance, there’s no need of getting a 10-cup tea kettle while you will never make more than two cups of tea at once.

Likewise, if yours is a large family, you should consider going for a large-capacity tea kettle. You don’t want to be boiling water more than once in order to serve the whole family.

The size of kettle may also be influenced by the amount of storage space you have in your kitchen. If you are looking to buy a large tea kettle, you may want to consider if there is sufficient space for it to fit conveniently.

Taking all these into consideration will help you choose the ideal size of your tea kettle.

You need a tea kettle with a spout that easily controls the water flow. In fact, if your kettle’s main purpose is to prepare pour-over coffee, you should ensure that its spout has a high level of control for optimum flow.

A good tea kettle should have a handle that inspires safety in the kitchen. That’s why tea kettles with stay-cool handles, normally made from plastic or rubber, beat their counterparts that have metallic handles when it comes to sales.

For kettles with metallic handles, you will have to use some kind of protection, such as a piece of cloth, before you handle it – in order to avoid getting burnt.

Many stove-top tea kettles whistle to alert you when the water has reached the boiling point. However, some don’t whistle and you have to closely monitor the process. Likewise, an electrical kettle alerts you when your water is ready. It does so with a whistle or a beep.

Your choice of a tea kettle in this case will largely depend on how busy you are. If you like multitasking, consider going for a kettle with a whistle. You don’t want water spilling all over the place, giving you more work to do in terms of cleaning up the mess.

Every tea kettle has a specified type of heat source with which it functions efficiently. That’s why you are advised not to place some glass kettles directly on open fire.  Fortunately, many tea kettles on the market today can work well with any heat source. This particularly applies to stove-top kettles. You should, however, be more careful with kettles made from delicate material, like glass.

In the tea kettle industry, the type of product you get largely depends on how much you are ready to pay. Therefore, you can choose to pay less for a run-of-the-mill tea kettle, or choose to dig a little deeper into your pocket and get a piece that is more sophisticated.

Where You’ll be Using Your Tea Kettle

This may sound like an odd question, but where you will be making your tea and using your kettle can be quite significant when it comes to choosing the best type of kettle for you.

At Home – If you are going to be preparing tea for your family and friends at home, you can opt for either a stove-top tea kettle or an electric one. Many people don’t have much counter space, which makes a stove-top model an ideal choice. You can even get both electric designs and stove-top designs to match your kitchen décor.

Dorm Rooms – Dorm rooms normally don’t have stoves or burners, which are the heat source required for a stove-top tea kettle. Therefore, if you’re a student and want to prepare some tea in the dorm room, you can only go for an electric kettle.

At the Office – Many office kitchens are not equipped with stoves. For this reason, an electric tea kettle would be your perfect choice if you want to be making tea regularly at work.

On the Road – If you’re traveling or camping, you can still have your beloved cup of tea whenever you feel like it. If you are doing the old-fashioned outdoor camping, get yourself a nice stove-top kettle to heat on the grill. You can even put it right on the fire if it is made of the right materials.

If you are traveling in a recreation vehicle (RV) and have a stove, you can still use a stove-top tea kettle. However, if you don’t have access to a stove or burner in the RV, then you can go for an electric tea kettle.

Warranty – Lastly but not least, ensure that the tea kettle you are buying has a good warranty. This will be very useful in case something goes wrong with your tea kettle.

Final Thoughts

Tea kettles have proved their existence for a very long time as their main purpose means a lot to billions of people around the world. It is a proven fact that many people like to have a steaming-hot cup of tea for its refreshing and revitalizing effects. And the only way to have the very best tasting tea is to have the best tea kettle.

Therefore, a kitchen that does not have any type of tea kettle is incomplete. A tea kettle is, in fact, one of the most loyal kitchen utensils. While it has amazingly managed to stick to its main purpose of making that refreshing beverage that beautifully promotes unity between families and people, tea kettle has evolved through the years to become much more sophisticated and unique.

As such, there are so many new improvements in tea kettles that it can be quite challenging and confusing when it comes to choosing the right tea kettle to buy. In fact, many people have ended up regretting their decision, as the kettles they bought failed to meet their expectations. Therefore, you need to take your time and do proper research before you make a purchase. This comprehensive buying get will help you make the make the best choice on what tea kettle to buy in 2017, which will suit your needs and preferences.