Help me choose a new electric kettle!
Of all the appliances in our kitchen, we use our electric kettle the most. We fill it up and hit that lever probably a dozen times a day; probably more on the weekend - hey, it takes a lot of hot water to fuel that #tealife.
So when our kettle bit the dust last week, I immediately sprang into action to find a new one - preferably one a bit bigger than our old one, and maybe - just maybe - sporting a few extra features.
FYI: I have a new episode of The Tea’s Made coming out later this week where I’ll share my personal daily tea habits and rituals, as well as answer great listener questions including “How are a tea kettle and teapot different?” Follow now so you don’t miss it!
Before I share the models I’m considering, I thought I’d share what I’m looking for. Obviously, with as much as we use our kettle, it needs to be sturdy, practical, and functional. But there are a few specific “wants” we’re keeping in mind, too:
Simplicity. There are several high-end kettles on the market with lots of features, but I am drawn to simplicity. I do think a temperature readout would be nice, and am intrigued by temperature control—but suspicious of the potential for malfunction (or simple misuse) introduced by too many digital features.
Fast Boiling & Large Capacity. We use our kettle a lot, so ideally it will hold a lot of water and heat up quickly.
Aesthetics. I like a traditional-looking kettle, not something super modern or sleek. I prefer metal or enamel to plastic. And our kitchen is warm and tends dark, with lots of wood, so I’m looking for a lighter neutral or possibly cooler color to create balance - definitely no black. And no gooseneck kettles: I find they pour too slowly for my liking without a lot of benefit for tea.
With all those criteria in mind, here are three options I’m considering. Which is your favorite?
I audibly gasped when I saw this tea kettle. First of all, I love the design - a simple silhouette with an analog temperature readout, and all-stainless-steel interior (so no plastic touching the hot water.) It’s got a nice-sized capacity and boils quickly, too. And…that print!!! So dreamy!!!
Cons: My kitchen is already quite warm-colored; I’m not sure adding more yellow is the move (and my husband may think this one is a little over-the-top girly for our shared space, too.) Maybe I could go for the white and gold for our kitchen—also quite lovely—and snag this floral beauty as the first piece in my own private tea sanctuary?
There were a few things that attracted me to this kettle. First of all, my prior beloved kettle was also a (smaller and even simpler) KitchenAid, and I loved the look and functionality of it. I also like that this one has an analog temperature setting and an analog readout too. The styling is cool: kinda space-age retro. And I live in Southwest Michigan, home of Whirlpool/KitchenAid headquarters, so I like rooting for the home team (with my dollars) when I can.
Cons: The $200+ price tag. I’m not sure the features - or at least, my desire for those specific features - justify the cost. Plus, I can’t tell whether the entire interior is made from stainless steel or if it’s also plastic—and if so, is it BPA-free? Why is this not clear, O KitchenAid?
A cute and traditional-looking kettle at a great price, with an analog temperature readout and bigger capacity than you’d think from its stature. Plus, I’m always amused by these IKEA-soundalike product names with the descriptions written in poor English: “This electric kettle with power 1500W can easily boil 1.7L/57oz (about 7 cups) of water in 5-6 minutes, which saves your much time in a busy morning.” Please be assured to use our kettles!
Cons: Overall, not amazing reviews, and 5-6 minutes boil time is on the slower side - though the wattage is actually higher than the Hazel Quinn, which boasts a faster boil, so I’m not sure what to make of that. (I’m sure there are some mechanics I don’t understand at play here. Help, STEM-oriented friends!)
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