Buying guide for Best glass kettles
Whether you love a cup of chamomile tea in the evening or a steaming mug of gunpowder green to jump-start your day, you’re going to need a kettle to heat the water. One increasingly popular choice is a glass kettle.
Glass kettles range from simple to elegant. Most are made of strengthened glass for durability and can be a more eco-friendly option than those made of other materials. Given that they’re transparent, it’s also easier to see when water is boiling and gauge when you need to add more water to the pot.
When shopping for a glass kettle, you’ll quickly see there are lots of brands and types. This buying guide examines glass kettle features like size, price, and appearance. We cover the differences between stovetop and electric glass kettles and dig into the specifics of spouts, infusers, and boil indicators. We also share a few of our top picks and outline why we feel they’re among the best choices for your kitchen.
Key considerations
Size
Glass kettles typically range in size from 4 to 12 cups. When purchasing a kettle, first consider the size you need. If you typically brew tea for one or two people at a time, a smaller kettle might be a better and certainly lighter option. A kettle containing just 4 to 8 cups also comes to a boil more quickly. If you usually brew tea for a crowd or just really like tea, then a larger kettle of 8 to 12 cups might be more appropriate.
Electric vs. stovetop
There are two basic types of glass kettle: stovetop and electric.
Stovetop: These are the more traditional kettles that you can use atop your gas or electric range. While kettles of this type have few features, they’re dependable and simple to use: fill with water, place on the stove, and heat.
Electric: For dorm rooms, offices, and other places where you don’t have a stove handy, an electric glass kettle is a good option. These kettles have a variety of features that you won’t find on stovetop glass kettles, including automatic shutoff, boil indicator, and a warming element. They also often come to a boil more quickly than stovetop glass kettles.
Sets
Most glass kettles don’t come with any extras, but some include an infuser, which you can use to create the perfect cup of tea. Others come with teacups for a complete tea set. While this usually adds to the cost of the kettle, if you’re in the market for a tea set, it probably makes more sense and is cheaper than buying all the pieces separately.
Design
A stainless steel kettle does its job effectively, but it really can’t compare with the elegance of a glass kettle. Even a simple glass kettle provides you with an attractive accent piece that can be used for everything from your morning cup of tea to a more formal tea get-together with friends. Electric glass kettles tend to be less elegant, but you can find a wider selection of color accents that might be a better match for your kitchen décor.
Did You Know?
Some electric glass kettles can reach the boiling point in under five minutes.
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Features
Materials
Obviously, glass kettles are made of glass, often strengthened glass such as borosilicate (see below for more on this). Many glass kettles incorporate other materials including wood for the handle, stainless steel for the lid, or plastic for these and other components. All materials used in a glass kettle should be durable, BPA-free, and rust and corrosion-resistant.
Components
Spout: From a short V-shaped lip to an elegant long-necked spout, all glass kettles include some form of pourer. The spout should pour effectively and not drip when you pour water or tea from the kettle. The spout should also be designed so it doesn’t splatter and pose a safety issue when the water boils.
Lid: A lid is standard in glass kettles. It makes for a safer kettle and helps to shorten the boiling time. The best lids lock in place and don’t need to be removed for pouring.
Infuser: Some glass kettle lids include a built-in infuser. This is particularly handy if you’re a fan of loose leaf tea. You simply spoon the tea into the infuser, place it in the kettle, and heat to the desired temperature. Be sure any infuser you purchase is made of stainless steel for ease of cleaning and durability.
Handle: All glass kettles have a handle for pouring. These can be made of wood, plastic, or some form of composite material. The ideal handle is ergonomic, anti-slip, and stays cool to the touch so you don’t burn yourself when pouring the boiling water.
Boil indicator: Some stovetop glass kettles whistle when the water boils. This element is less common in glass kettles than in metal kettles simply because you can tell at a glance when water in a glass kettle has reached the boil. Some electric glass kettles also include some sort of audible boil indicator, although a light that turns either on or off is more common.
Base: Some electric glass kettles come with a corded heating base that the kettle rests on. This keeps the kettle cordless, which is safer when filling up or pouring from the kettle.
Did You Know?
Because glass emits no chemicals when heated, it’s one of the safest materials for kettles.
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Pricing
Inexpensive: Glass kettles start at around $15 to $20. In this range, you can find small stovetop kettles. These are lighter than other glass kettles but also less durable.
Mid-range: For $21 to $30, you can find a variety of glass kettles, from larger and more durable stovetop designs to smaller electric glass kettles. Stronger borosilicate glass is common in glass kettles at these and higher price points, as are warranties of a couple of years.
Expensive: For those who really love their tea, glass kettles in the $30 to $40 range offer more elegant designs and durability than less expensive kettles. Larger electric glass kettles can be found here, in addition to extras like infusers and teacups, so you’re essentially buying a tea set. Warranties of a few to several years are common here.
Did You Know?
The word “kettle” comes from the Old Norse word “ketill,” which means “cauldron.”
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Tips
- Don’t try to use a glass teapot on the stove. When shopping for a stovetop glass kettle, be careful that you don’t accidentally pick up a glass teapot. Glass kettles are built to withstand stovetop heat, but glass teapots are not.
- Note the advantages of a glass kettle. One plus is that water left in a glass kettle won’t corrode or rust the kettle. And unlike metal, some glass kettles or teapots can also be used in the microwave. Check the owner’s manual before using yours this way, however.
- Clean out the mineral deposits periodically. Glass kettles are susceptible to mineral, or scale, buildup. To eliminate it, fill the kettle with equal parts water and vinegar and let it soak for an hour. Bring the mixture to a boil. Empty and rinse the kettle. If your kettle has a long spout, you can remove build-up with a pipe cleaner or thin bottle brush.
- Store your glass kettle correctly. To store your stovetop or electric glass kettle for an extended period of time, first clean and dry it thoroughly. Replace and lock the lid, and wrap the electric cord securely around it (if applicable). A glass kettle should be stored upright with nothing stacked on top of it.
FAQ
Q. What is borosilicate glass?
A. Soda-lime glass makes up 90% of the glass sold worldwide. This glass is made from silica (silicon dioxide), soda (sodium oxide), and lime (calcium oxide). While it’s fairly durable, temperature extremes can easily cause it to crack or break.
Borosilicate glass is made with 15% boron trioxide and is much more resistant to thermal shock than soda-lime glass and a much better material for glass kettles.
Q. Are glass kettles dishwasher safe?
A. This largely depends on the glass kettle. Most stovetop glass kettles are dishwasher safe, although you might find it easier to just clean it by hand. Definitely check the owner’s manual before placing one of these in your dishwasher.
One type of glass kettle that you should never put in a dishwasher is an electric glass kettle. These typically contain a heating element that will be ruined if exposed to water. Whichever cleaning method you use, the interior of the kettle should be cleaned monthly, while the exterior should be wiped down once a week to remove any food splatters or dust.
Q. Can I use a glass kettle on an induction stove?
A. Induction cooktops only work with magnetic materials, so solid glass stovetop kettles are not compatible with them. The only type of stovetop glass kettle that you could use with a stove of this type is one that has a layer of some type of magnetic material on the bottom of it.
