Tea Kettles

Electric tea kettles

Electric tea kettles are made of stainless steel, plastic or glass. Most use a 1,500-watt heating element located on a base that is detachable from the kettle, making them "cordless" because you don't have to fool with a swinging cord when you pour water. Overall, these kettles are fast boilers, many preparing the water in fewer than five minutes. Many are also equipped with water gauges and, in some cases, markings that let you know the minimum amount of water needed for a safe boil. Another common feature is an automatic shut-off; this type of tea kettle won't turn on when there isn't enough water in the chamber to be safely heated. Be aware that some of the least expensive electric tea kettles, made of more flammable plastic, lack this feature and so present a potential safety hazard.

Other qualities to look for in electric tea kettles are wide pouring spouts, insulated walls that keep the kettle cool to the touch, filters that catch minerals and prevent clogging of the machine and -- although not very common -- variable temperature settings. While tea is typically made with boiling water (212 degrees Fahrenheit), some specialty teas, including green tea, brew best at lower temperatures. Variable-temperature kettles may also be used to make powdered coffee drinks and hot chocolate that require hot, though not boiling, water. This type of electric tea kettle commonly has a warm setting as well.

The Capresso H2O Plus tea kettle (*est. $60) has all of the important features in an electric tea kettle, a striking design, and is a speedy boiler, reviewers say. Made of a glass pitcher that rests on a stainless steel heating element mounted to a base, this is one pot users say they don't mind watching boil. Little bubbles dance above the orb-like heating element, they say, and the attractive, stainless lid stays cool to the touch. The Capresso H2O has a 6-cup capacity, about average for electric tea kettles, and it boiled a quart of water in four minutes and 39 seconds in Cook's Illustrated testing, where it earned the top recommendation. The H2O kettle has a 39-inch-long cord that stores in the unit's detachable base. It shuts off automatically and features an anti-slip handle plus ounce and cup markings on the pitcher. The silver dome lid is available in either a shiny or matte finish. It comes with a one-year limited warranty that does not cover glass breakage.

We did find some criticisms of the Capresso H2O electric kettle, although on the whole it received fewer negative remarks than other models. A handful of users on Amazon.com say the kettle emitted a foul chemical smell when first turned on. The maker is apparently aware of this, as the machine's manual suggests boiling water with vinegar when the machine is new, but one user said this didn't help. The vast majority of users had very positive things to say about the Capresso H2O, however.

While not as stylish as the Capresso electric tea kettle, the Bodum Ibis Electric Tea Kettle (*est. $40) is a winner for its popularity, performance and price. The Ibis kettle is made of plastic, available in either white or black and has a generous 7-cup capacity with an automatic shut-off feature. It's also a fast heater. When filled to capacity, the Bodum tea kettle boils in fewer than five minutes. The Ibis was Slate magazine reviewer Seth Stevenson's top pick among seven kettles he tested. In addition to its speed, Stevenson liked the kettle's handle, which stayed cool to the touch, its "superaccurate" pour spout and low price. These qualities were echoed in praise for the Ibis at About.com. This electric kettle has a scale filter, a feature not included with the Capresso kettle. The Ibis comes with a one-year limited warranty.

The Ibis and its sister model, the Bodum Mini Ibis Electric Water Kettle (*est. $30) , garnered favorable reviews on consumer websites. Several owners complain that the kettle lasted just a few years, but overall users like the Ibis for its ability to boil water quickly and easily (one Amazon.com user notes that she's even boiled eggs in the Ibis). Judging from the number of reviews, the Mini Ibis is even more popular among owners. Its capacity is about half that of the regular model and the Mini doesn't have a removable base. Rather, its heating element is housed in the kettle pitcher. Because of its smaller size, Bodum says the Mini must be filled to capacity to operate. It has an auto shut-off feature. Reviews for the Mini were much like those for the full-size Ibis tea kettle. Users on Amazon.com and Target.com praise its sleek design and love its speed and price, but some complain that it's not built to last. This kettle also comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Those looking for a stainless steel electric kettle should consider the Chef's Choice 677 Cordless Electric Tea Kettle (*est. $50) . This kettle is also sold as the Russell Hobbs Ceylon 13355 in the United Kingdom and under that name earned Which? magazine's top billing as a "Best Buy" among the 73 electric kettles they tested. Testers liked that it was a fast boiler that also turned off quickly – a mere three seconds after boiling. They also praised the Ceylon/Chef's Choice kettle for its solid, no-frills design. It comes with a removable mineral filter but unfortunately doesn't have a water gauge. Like most stainless kettles, it shows fingerprints easily, according to Which? testers. More than 100 users have posted reviews for the Chef's Choice 677 electric kettle on Amazon.com, where it has an average four-star rating. Users say it is well-made and sturdy, although a few complained of a funny odor and said it wore out after a year's use.

Stovetop tea kettles

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, so 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, so it boils water faster, saving energy and time. Copper is more malleable than steel, so it's 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, too, 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 doesn't carry the same resistance to dents and scratches or tarnishing.

Reviewers' top choice for a stovetop tea kettle is the runaway favorite: the OXO Uplift (*est. $50) . While pricey, we found more recommendations for this conventional tea kettle than any other, and it combines the two most important elements of traditional kettles – durability and style. The Uplift is made of enamel-coated steel and is available in ten finishes, including eight colors as well as brushed and shiny stainless steel. It has an easy-to-grip rubber-like handle, which is the signature design element of OXO products. Another feature that sets this tea kettle apart is its spout cover, which blocks steam from scalding hands when the water is poured. It has a 2-quart capacity and large lid for easy cleaning. OXO recommends hand washing the Uplift tea kettle, but some users report that it does fine in the dishwasher. It comes with a lifetime limited warranty – the best of any tea kettle we found.

In tests performed by Slate magazine, the Uplift was the fastest stovetop boiler, at seven minutes and 45 seconds, and testers reported its well-designed handle stayed cool to the touch even while on the stove. Editors at ApartmentTherapy.com also praised the Uplift tea kettle for its "inventive pouring design" and ease of use. Real Simple chose the Uplift as its favorite stovetop kettle. Editors liked its wide top, innovative spout and handle. Real Simple said it took about ten minutes to boil water (a couple of minutes longer than reported by Slate).

Users on consumer websites love the Uplift tea kettle. They praise its design, spout and large number of color choices. Not all users were impressed by its whistle, complaining that it's inconsistent and is too high in pitch to be pleasing.

Another highly regarded stovetop kettle is a kitchen classic, the Revere Whistling Kettle (*est. $20 to $25 , depending on the model). Revere has been making cookware since the 1930s and is known for using copper in the bottom of their 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 3 ½-Quart Copper Bottom Teakettle (*est. $25) , 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." Users on retail websites appreciate the Revere kettle as tried-and-true. Many purchasers say they bought their new Revere kettle to replace an older one that lasted for years.

Revere also makes 2 1/3-quart and 6-cup sizes that each sell for about around $20. While the 2 1/3-quart model is the same style as the larger one, the 6-cup lacks the trigger spout. Its spout opens with the touch of a button on top of the handle.

We found several unpopular stovetop kettles while scanning user reviews. The Ecko Kensington Tea Kettle (*est. $20) is prone to dents, say owners. Users warn that the handle on the Copco Vitara Enamel On Steel Tea Kettle (*est. $30) easily breaks, with some saying their spout broke, too.

Important Features: Tea kettles

• Consider your kitchen when choosing stovetop vs. electric. If you have room on your countertop or in your cabinets, go for an electric kettle. They boil water twice as fast as stovetop kettles and are safer because most of them come equipped with automatic shut-offs that prevent dry boils (which are a fire hazard and damage kettles). The big downside is that electric kettles aren't available in as many styles as stovetop models, which come in a wider variety of colors. Also, most electric kettles require a minimum amount of water to operate. If you mostly brew one cup of tea at a time, be sure to check the minimum requirements on an electric kettle.

• Think about what size you need. The smallest kettles boil just a few cups of water, but more common sizes range from two to three quarts. While it's temping to buy bigger, if you want a stovetop model, think about your tea drinking habits. Large models take longer to heat up and most stovetop models don't have gauges to allow you to see how much water you're using.

• Choose materials wisely. While it's tempting to buy the best-looking model, bear in mind that the material a kettle is made from will affect boiling – both the time it takes and, in some cases, the taste of the water. If you're considering a plastic tea kettle, check reviews. Some say that plastic kettles can impart a plastic taste to the water.

• A comfortable handle is a must. Handles should be large enough to easily grab while keeping your hand a safe distance from the steam-emitting spout. Also look for handles made of heat-resistant materials that stay cool.

• Look for a wide spout. Many kettles come with either button- or trigger-operated spouts that are safe and easy to use.

• Look for auto shut-off on an electric kettle. Kettles with this feature turn off automatically when the water level reaches a low point.

• A visible water gauge is helpful.

• Many electric kettles come with a detachable base. Cordless kettles make serving easier and are safer. The cord on the base of some kettles swivels, too, making them easier to position on the countertop.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of picks	Model (with Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
4	Braun WK 600 (discontinued)	details
3	OXO Uplift (*est. $50)	details
3	Revere Ware Copper Bottom Kettle (*est. $25)	details
3	Bodum Ibis Electric Cordless (*est. $40)	details
2	Krups Electric Cordless FLF2 (*est. $50)	-
2	Capresso H2O (*est. $60)	details
2	Russell Hobbs/Chef's Choice Cordless Electric (*est. $50)	details
1 each	Capresso Silver H2O , Krups FLF2 , Cuisinart RK-17 , Bodum Curl , Breville Ikon , Krups Tea Style, UtiliTEA Variable Temperate Kettle

We found the strongest recommendations for an electric tea kettle that's no longer available -- the Braun WK 600. After that, it's a tie between the Ibis, Krups and Capresso electric kettles. The Capresso, though more expensive, is the nicest looking of the three, with a glass carafe and separate base containing the heating element. The Bodum Ibis electric kettle costs less, but isn't as distinguished looking since it's made of plastic. The Krups is another plastic kettle that looks a bit nicer than the Bodum kettle, but has similar features and generally costs more.

As for stovetop tea kettles, we found the best reviews for the OXO Uplift. This model is pricier but comes in more colors than the basic Revere Ware Copper Bottom kettle.

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