The Best Tea Kettle For Brewing Loose Tea

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Nothing says relaxation quite like brewing a cup of tea. The warm steam envelopes your nose and mouth and the liquid ignites a warming feeling as it cascades down your throat. While the act of enjoying a cup of tea is easy, brewing the tea in the first place isn't always a piece of cake. Luckily, tools like stovetop tea kettles make the process easier and enjoyable. They can also add a touch of style and design to your kitchen or tea time. Discover the best tea kettle and how to find the right ones with this guide.

Stovetop Kettles Vs. Teapots

While the term teapot and tea kettle are used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two teaware tools. Tea kettles are typically designed for heating water on a gas or electric stove. They are made from durable, heat-conductive materials that can withstand high temperatures and direct flame, like those from a gas stove. Tea kettles are ideal for people who want to use one vessel to heat water for tea brewing and serving tea.

On the other hand, teapots can be made of a variety of materials from glass and stoneware to clay and porcelain. These materials are not durable enough to be used directly on the stovetop unless they are lined with a material like stainless steel or copper. Teapots are ideal for individuals who want to serve tea in a stunning vessel but don't mind using a pan or second kettle to heat the water.

We've put together this list of the best tea kettle for tea brewing, with a focus on units that can be used directly on the stovetop. Before we dive in, we'll briefly list the different types of tea kettles so you can decide which features are right for your brewing style.

Types of Tea Kettles

Whistling Tea Kettle

A stovetop whistling kettle is a tea kettle that has a whistling feature to indicate that the water is boiling. The loud whistle occurs when hot steam is pushed through the spout. These types of kettles are great for people who like to do other things while brewing the water for tea. The whistle is typically loud enough to be heard in the next room, so you can get things done without worrying about forgetting a boiling pot of water.

Electric Tea Kettle

Electric tea kettles are unique in that they are plugged into the wall or run on batteries to heat water. These types of kettles are not placed directly on the stove because they come with a built-in heating element, which typically serves as the base of the kettle.

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Electric kettles are useful tools if you enjoy brewing different types of tea. That's because most of these kettles feature a built-in temperature control feature that allows you to set the heating element to a specific temperature. That means you can easily brew a cup of green tea using an optimal water temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit and then follow up with a cup of oolong at 170 degrees Fahrenheit. The precision allows you to brew the perfect cup of any type of tea without guesswork.

The Best Tea Kettles

Stainless Steel Kettles

T-fal C76220 Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

The T-fal kettle offers a subtle silhouette and stainless steel body that blends in with any kitchen décor. This tea kettle features a grippy, heat-resistant handle that makes pouring a breeze. The stovetop kettle holds up to three quarts of water so you can brew one single cup or a pot of tea for the whole family. Best of all, this tea kettle features a limited lifetime warranty so you can brew comfortably for years.

OXO Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle

The OXO Classic Tea Kettle is a stunning tea kettle that is designed to last for years. The body is constructed of high-grade stainless steel so you won't ever have to worry about it rusting. The stainless steel construction also means that this tea kettle will brew water quickly and maintain heat evenly. The handle features a rubber grip that is heat-resistant and easy to hold.

In addition, the handle is moveable, making filling with hot water and storage easy. The Good Grips kettle is all about ease of use and safety when brewing tea. The tea spout has a rubber pad that ensures you won't burn yourself when you're ready to pour.

Hario V60 Buono Stainless Steel Gooseneck Kettle

The Hario V60 features a stunning gooseneck pour spout that adds elegance and glass to serving tea. The kettle has an easy-to-grip ergonomic handle and works on all types of stovetops including induction cooktops. The flat knob lid makes it easy to fill the vessel with water. The ribbed stainless steel finish gives the appearance of a beehive and adds a unique dimension to any kitchen.

Chef's Secret T-304 Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

The Chef's Secret T-304 features a copper center capsule bottom that offers excellent conductivity and heat retention. The construction allows the kettle to maintain heat better and longer than most other kettles. The mirror finish adds shine and elegance to a room and the opening lever on the pour spout keeps fingers away from heat and burns.

Enameled Kettles

Circulon 2-Quart Kettle

If you're looking to add a splash of color to your kitchen décor, the Circulon 2-Quart Tea Kettle is an excellent choice. The kettle features a rounded body that adds a touch of style and class while the circular handle intimates a retro feel. Color options like Capri Turquoise, Mandarin Orange, and Kiwi Green offer a vibrant take to tea brewing. The stainless steel kettle is wrapped in an enamel coating that is safe for use on the stove. The snug lid ensures your tea brews properly while the lifetime warranty ensures protection for years to come.

Le Creuset Zen Tea Kettle

The Le Creuset Zen Tea Kettle features a look similar to Japanese cast iron tea kettles known as tetsubins. The kettle is made on enamel on steel, making it durable enough for use on cooktops. The arched-Asian style handle is easy to grip and the pour spout has a lid to prevent spills once the water boils. The stainless steel construction resists chips and features a heat-resistant phenolic lid knob. The numerous color choices from Caribbean turquoise to cherry, cassis, and dark grey ensure there's a color for every kitchen.

Electric Kettles

Kitchenaid Electric Tea Kettle

The KitchenAid Electric Tea Kettle features a tall, tabular body that adds dimension to home kitchens. The dual handles add the impression of height, making this tea kettle the perfect statement piece. It can hold 1.25 liters of water and features an LED on/off switch that makes it easy to see when water is being heated. The kettle has a BPA-free interior and lime-scale filter to ensure your tea leaves aren't contaminated. With colors like pistachio, onyx black, empire red and an attractive trim band this tea kettle is guaranteed to be the star of your kitchen during tea time.

Zeppoli Fast Boiling Electric Kettle

The Zeppoli electric tea kettle is made from high-quality borosilicate glass that is complimented by a stainless steel base, handle, and lid. The glass kettle can boil 1.7 liters of water in 5 to 6 minutes, meaning you can heat boiling water for a cup of tea in no time. The kettle has an automatic shut-off mechanism and cordless technology in addition to a heat-resistant handle and anti-slip grip holds. The kettle is designed for easy cleaning after each use.

How To Pick The Best Tea Kettle

When you're looking for a stovetop kettle, it's important to keep a few things in mind to pick the right one. Here, we'll outline what you should look for in a tea kettle before you hit the stores or start searching through Amazon.

Size

There are thousands of different tea kettles and the best way to narrow down your search is to focus on size. If you like to brew multiple cups of tea, you'll want a kettle that is large enough to accommodate your needs. If you prefer to brew a single cup of tea, settling for a smaller tea kettle will save you valuable kitchen space and cut down on waste. As a rule of thumb, 4 cups of water or tea is equivalent to 32 fluid ounces or 1 quart. Keep these numbers in mind when searching for the best tea kettle.

Materials

The construction of a tea kettle will indicate whether or not it can be used on the stove. While porcelain tea kettles are stunning, they cannot be used to heat water directly. If you want a kettle that can be heated on the stove, look for kettles that are made of stainless steel, copper, and other metals. If you want a glass stovetop kettle, look for an electric option instead. Keep in mind that not all materials can be used on induction stovetops so make sure to choose your tea kettle wisely.

Bonus & Safety Features

Teapots offer additional features that make the brewing process even easier. Most tea kettles offer whistling features in addition to drip-free designs and ergonomic handles. A whistling teapot is particularly useful if you brew while also cooking other meals. If you like to brew loose leaf tea, you can also find tea kettles that feature built-in infusers.

Additional safety features include automatic shut-off switches that prevent water from boiling dry or causing a fire. You can also find stylistic features such as a gooseneck pour spout and mirror finish.

Many companies also offer warranties from a short one-year warranty to lifetime warranties. When choosing a kettle, a warranty offers an added layer of protection for durability and long-term use.

Cleaning

While you're typically only heating water in tea kettles, it's still important to perform regular cleaning on the devices. Look for tea kettles that have a wide enough opening to fit your hand and a removable lid. This will make it exponentially easier to clean the kettle — especially if you have hard water.

Some tea kettles are dishwasher safe, meaning cleanup is easy breezy. Others can be cleaned if you boil water and add a little soap to the mixture. Remember that some kettles, including stainless steel kettles and glass tea kettles, may be damaged if harsh scrubbers are used during cleaning.

Find The Best Tea Kettle

With tea kettles, there isn't one size that fits all. Start by identifying how big of a tea kettle you need. Stick to small kettles for single-cup brewing or go big with large tea kettles to brew pots of tea.

Materials matter in the world of tea kettles so make sure the one you choose works for how you want to brew. Porcelain and stoneware are beautiful, but they're just not suited for stovetop use. Stick to stainless steel, copper, or enamel-lined options for stovetop brewing.

Identify which additional features you want in your ideal kettle. Armed with this information, you can choose the perfect tea kettle for your brewing style. Dive in today with one of the best kettles on this list and head over to our shop to grab premium loose leaf teas to christen your new kettle.