Who doesn’t love a good cup of tea or coffee? But part of the magic and fun is in its preparation. We’ve reviewed a number of electric water boilers and electric kettles, but today we’re going to focus on the classic stainless steel tea kettle.
These are kettles that don’t need to plug in as they can be placed directly on the stove, and will generally heat up your water in under 10 minutes and whistle to let you know that your water is boiled and ready for use.
We focused on stainless steel due to its durability, safety (BPA and toxin-free), and classic look and feel.
We took a look at several different models and evaluated them based on their capacity, design, durability, price, and functionality.
We considered factors such as whether the handles were heat resistant? How easy is it to pour from the kettle and will you end up making a big splashy mess? Is the whistle notification any good? Will it rust easily? How much water can it truly hold?
Here is a quick look at our picks, followed by a detailed review of each stainless steel tea kettle.
1. KitchenAid KTEN20CB 2.0-Quart Kettle w/ C Handle and Trim Band
The people have spoken. This is the #1 Best Selling Tea Kettle on Amazon with over 2000 reviews and an average rating of 4 stars.
This porcelain enamel exterior KitchenAid kettle comes in a variety of colors, including yellow and red and It features a C handle comfortable grip and, a thumb-press spout. It has a smooth stainless steel trim brand, and whistles loud and clear to notify you when your water is ready to be served! It also has a removable lid that should make filling the kettle as well as cleaning it a breeze.
2. Oxo Brew Classic Tea Kettle – 1.7 quarts
This is widely regarded by everyone from Business Insider to Cooks Illustrated to users on Amazon itself as one of the best tea kettles in the market. This is a sturdy and lightweight tea kettle with a classic brushed stainless steel rust-free durable finish. It comes in a traditional shape with a wide-body and narrow top and wide opening with a spout that offers precise pouring for demanding coffee and tea lovers.
It has a firm grip handle, a pleasantly loud whistle (that can be optionally disabled) that you can hear from the next room, and a broad base to evenly cover the stove surface and heat your water quickly. Its wide open and foldable handle facilitates easy cleaning as well. Lastly, 1.7 quarts of capacity should be more than enough to serve several cups for you, your guests, or your family.
3. Le Creuset Enamel on Steel, 1.5 quarts
With an elegantly designed enamel on steel body that is rust-resistant, a heat-resistant handle, and a loud whistle, the classic Le Creuset is the Cadillac of tea kettles.
As far as functionality, it has a foldable handle and wide lid that makes for easy cleaning and storage heats up water quickly thanks to its inverted bowl shape and comes in a variety of colors. For those who want a stylish show stopper with class and are willing to pay a bit more, this kettle’s for you.
4. All-Clad Stainless Steel Tea Kettle
This is another established brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1971 that is made of easy to clean, rust-resistant, and non-reactive stainless steel. It has a secure handle (that some users have complained isn’t fully heat resistant), a well-fitting lid that prevents leaks. It has a 2-quart capacity and will boil your water fast and evenly.
Some users report that the whistle is too quiet for their liking and that you may need an oven mitt just to pick up the kettle itself since it tends to get hot.
5. Chantal Stainless Steel Classic Teakettle, 1.8 Quart
This traditionally designed stainless steel kettle had a wide bottom that facilitates fast heating and conduction. It has a melodic two-tone whistle that notifies you when your water is ready.
It has a large lid, a rubber gasket to the lid, and your heat in place. It can also be used on all surfaces, including induction stovetops. However, like the All-Clad, the handle tends to get hot as well so you may need gloves or a(included) handle cover when lifting the kettle.
6. Willow & Everett Surgical Whistling Tea Kettle
This whistling kettle is made of 3 different metals, steel, iron, aluminum to ensure a high-quality durable construction with a shiny finish. It offers a large capacity of 2.75 quarts, enough to entertain all of your guests.
It has an ergonomic handle with a silicone spout lever designed to protect you from burning your hand. It also has a wide bottom to ensure that water is heated up evenly and quickly and it even has the bonus of coming with a tea infuser to boot.
The only knock on this beautiful kettle is its heft. Due to its large capacity, it is definitely on the heavier side and could make pouring a bit challenging so if that is a potential concern, you may want to pursue one of the aforementioned smaller, lighter options.
7. Mr. Coffee 91407.02 Flintshire Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle, 1.75-Quart, Silver
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention this #1 Amazon bestseller budget steel tea kettle. It has over 23,000 reviews with an average of 4 stars. With such a low price, it may be a great option.
As for design, it is made of stainless steel that gives it a shiny finish, whistle notification, and a flip-up spot cover that should make pouring a breeze. It is best to hand wash this kettle rather than putting it in the dishwasher.
It’s a popular item but what’s concerning is that several users have complained about rusting in a matter of weeks and the whistle flat out ceasing to work after only a few uses. If you’re on a tight budget, then this tea kettle could be just what you’re looking for.
So there you have it, whether you’re looking for style, compatibility with multiple cooktop surfaces (induction & stove), or ease of cleaning or capacity, one or more of these kettles should be a great fit.
