Stovetop Tea Kettles

Stovetop kettles: slower but nicer looking

When shopping for conventional tea kettles, it's helpful to understand the various properties of the materials they are made from, as each offer drawbacks and benefits. Keep in mind that boil times don't vary as greatly among stovetop models as with electric kettles, and that should be less of a consideration in your search. The most important thing to bear in mind, though, is that it takes more than twice as long to boil water with a stovetop kettle.

Stainless steel is the most durable kettle material and the most popular. Stainless steel doesn't tarnish, is fairly easy to clean and doesn't dent easily.

Copper conducts heat better than stainless, and it boils water faster, saving energy and time. Copper is more malleable than steel, making it prone to dings. Copper kettles also tarnish easily.

Cast-iron kettles are heavy. They'd make the perfect pot if it weren't for the fact that they rust. Keeping a cast-iron kettle dry will guard against rust, but kettles with small lids can be hard to clean and wipe dry. You'll also see cast-iron kettles with an enamel coating, which resists rust. This makes the kettle decorative, but also prone to chipping and visible flame residue build-up.

Glass makes for stylish kettles that are easily cleaned. But, in addition to being less durable, glass kettles shouldn't come in direct contact with flame. Rather, a piece of metal should rest underneath the kettle to insulate the glass from high temperatures that can cause it to break. This, of course, results in slower boiling.

Aluminum is the cheapest stovetop tea kettle material. It can look a lot like stainless steel at first glance, but it doesn't have the same resistance to dents and scratches or tarnishing.

The Oxo Uplift (*Est. $50) does well in comparison testing, but recent consumer complaints prevent us from including it as a Best Reviewed selection. The Uplift is made of enamel-coated steel and is available in 10 finishes, including eight colors as well as brushed and shiny stainless steel. It has an easy-grip, non-slip handle and a spout cover, which keeps steam from scalding hands when the water is poured.

In an older review at Slate.com, the Uplift is the fastest stovetop boiler, and testers report that its well-designed handle stays cool to the touch even while on the stove. In the review at the Los Angeles Times, the Uplift is the best of four stovetop kettles tested, winning points for an ergonomic design that makes it easy to use.

Although consumer reviews of the Oxo Uplift are mostly positive, there are also reports of poor construction and design. On Amazon.com and Cooking.com, some owners report loose or broken handles, melted spout flaps, rust and leaks. Others are not impressed by the whistle, saying that it's inconsistent and is too high in pitch to be pleasing.

The Oxo Uplift is the stovetop kettle included in the most reviews, but we also found good reviews for other models. The KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 2-Quart Kettle (*Est. $50) heats water quickly and looks good on the stove, according to dozens of reviewers at Amazon.com and Cooks.com. At nearly four pounds, it is heavier than most other kettles. It is available in six ceramic colors and stainless steel, although the ceramic models cannot be used on a glass-top stove. The whistle has been described as loud, which is a plus for most reviewers. The handle can get warm when the burner is bigger than the kettle bottom or when the kettle is filled more than halfway. This kettle has a limited lifetime warranty. Although we found a smattering of complaints for both the Oxo and KitchenAid kettles, the KitchenAid model gets a higher overall average score at Amazon.com.

Another highly regarded stovetop kettle is a kitchen classic: the Revere Whistling Kettle (*Est. $22 to $30, depending on the model). Revere has been making cookware since the 1930s and is known for using copper in the bottom of its pots and pans to evenly distribute heat and cook quickly.

Revere offers several stovetop tea kettle models that differ according to size. The most popular is the Revere Copper Bottom 3 1/2-Quart Tea Kettle (*Est. $30), made of stainless steel. It has a trigger spout, a plastic handle and comes with a one-year warranty. Seth Stevenson of Slate.com says the handle gets very hot, but notes that this is common among stovetop kettles and concludes that this is a fine, basic kettle. ApartmentTherapy.com loves the Revere tea kettle for its classic design and says it "works perfectly."

The Revere Copper Bottom 31/2-Quart Tea Kettle is among the best-reviewed stovetop kettles on Amazon.com. Many purchasers say they bought their new Revere kettle to replace an older one that lasted for years, and some say the newer models are lighter than the ones purchased years ago. There are also some reports of leaks and rust. Revere also makes versions of the copper-bottom kettle in other sizes.

We also found several unpopular stovetop kettles while scanning user reviews. The Ecko Kensington Tea Kettle (*Est. $16) is prone to dents, owners say. Users warn that the handle on the Copco Vitara Enamel On Steel Tea Kettle (*Est. $30) breaks easily, with some saying their spout broke, too.