Tea Kettles Buying Guide

It has been suggested by the British that America is way behind the curve when it comes to tea kettles.   So if you are ready to venture away from the standard stove top kettle  that takes 8 or 9 minutes to boil water as opposed to the 4 to 5 minute boil time achieved by the electric kettle,  then check out the electric kettles article. But if you are willing to wait a few extra minutes then a stovetop kettle is for you.

Features

• Whistle: Some people prefer to have a whistle to indicate when the water has boiled, but you can also buy silent models. Keep in mind, some kettles  have special whistles, so the noise is sonorous rather than a siren. Usually the higher end tea kettles have 'whistle options,' but the sound of the whistle is really a matter of personal preference.
• Removable Lid:Some kettles do not have a lid, and you must fill the kettle through the spout. These kettles are good if you are likely to lose the lid, which makes the tea kettle either useless or a very elaborate and impractical pot.
• Handle: Is the handle all metal? Is it made out of a material that will not overheat? Consider this as it will make things easier when picking up your kettle of boiled water.
• Material: Tea kettles come in a variety of materials:

• Carbon Steel : Carbon steel kettles are generally coated and resemble the cast iron kettles, but they tend to boil water faster.

• Cast Iron : Cast iron tea pots usually come with an enamel coating, so they are not only durable, but an attractive addition to your range.

• Ceramic : These kettles tend to be coated with porcelain or enamel, which makes them a lovely addition to any stove. Ceramic is durable and heats water quickly and evenly.

• Copper : Today many companies blend copper and steel, since copper requires special care such as polishing, but if you want the traditional look of an all copper kettle there are still many modern and antique versions available, but keep in mind that copper is expensive.

• Hand-Anodized Aluminum : These kettles are fairly expensive, but they are stain and scratch resistant, which makes them an aesthetic addition to any stove top.

• Stainless Steel : These kettles range from expensive to very inexpensive. You should be careful when purchasing a cheap kettle because they tend to use less steel, which causes the handle to be very hot when touching the kettle without an oven mitt. 

Recommendations

Below, a list of top brand names to keep in mind when choosing your tea kettle.

All Clad  Farberware  Kitchen Aid  Le Creuset  Old Dutch  Old Mountain  Teavana

Accessories

Before you are ready to serve tea, make sure you have everything you need.

Teacups  The best part of tea time! Get some large tea mugs  or small cups with saucers to make tea with guests or even by yourself fun.	Teabag Holders  These come in fun shapes and are great for disposing of your teabag without having to go over to the garbage.	Tea Cozy  Place this over you tea kettle to keep it warm while you are off doing other things. Also good for preventing burning to your hands and comes in lots of pretty prints and patterns.	Tea  Of course! Have a nice selection handy for guests or for yourself, ranging from chamomile  to English Breakfast.

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• Home and Garden
• Kitchen and Dining