You should consider the capacity, style, weight, ease of use, whistle sound, material, and boil time while looking for the best tea kettle.
Capacity:
Capacity matters, especially when you’re preparing tea or coffee for guests. Most of the kettles boil a good amount of water at a single go. In fact, the large surface kettles can boil almost as much water as you need for a bath! This saves you from boiling water again and again.
Style:
There are basically three types of tea kettles.
The basic kettles have a simple lever cover that opens with a button. This is usually located at the top of the handle or close to the spout. Being close to the spout often makes them hot enough to burn your hand.
Another style is the spring-loaded spout cover with a trigger button. The idea behind these kettles is that the finger will naturally touch the button while holding the pot to pour.
Also, manufacturers try to keep the lever away from the kettle’s body, which causes it to heat up. One drawback is that the trigger requires you to hold the button for the entire time you pour out the liquid.
The third and final category is the push button located at the top of the handle. These may or may not require you to hold the button for the entire pouring time. It depends. You can make the decision based on your own preference.
Weight:
Lighter tea kettles are definitely a plus point as they are easier to carry around the kitchen. Even when they’re full, you are able to carry them easily without spilling the boiling water.
Some tea kettle makers might overstate the maximum limit of water, but it is preferable to fill less than the limit stated on the packaging to keep things safe.
Ease of Use:
Since tea kettles are a part of your everyday routine and you use them more often, convenience and ease of use matter the most. Kettles should be easy to use and lightweight.
Ease of Cleaning:
Being dishwasher safe and easy to clean is another advantage when seeking the best tea kettle. Your everyday tea sessions will become more convenient if you go for a kettle that ensures easy cleaning, preferably in the dishwasher.
Whistle:
Moving on, the whistling feature just adds to the effectiveness of any kettle. Being able to hear the sound when the water boils while you’re in another room helps you complete other tasks while your tea brews.
That said, some whistles can wake up the entire neighborhood and are quite unpleasant to the ears!
In contrast, soft whistles are difficult to hear. That’s why you should go for something mid-range. Check out demos and YouTube videos of the tea kettle you plan to purchase to learn more about its whistling features.
Material:
Most kettles are manufactured with stainless steel, plastic, or glass. The glass kettles may look aesthetically pleasing but are comparatively low in performance. Stainless steel remains your best option when it comes to making tea.
Boil Time:
The surface area and material are factors that impact the boil time of a tea kettle. For one liter of water, an average boil time would be five to six minutes. However, this may vary from kettle to kettle.
Some additional features that add to the quality of kettles include:
- Temperature control
- Non-slip handle
- Anti-scale filter
- Automatic shut down
Last but not least, the price also plays a major role in your any buying decision.