Buying guide for Best stainless steel tea kettles
Whether you prefer green, Earl Grey, herbal, or oolong, there's nothing quite like a hot cup of tea. But, boiling water to brew tea can feel like a chore. Tea time is so much easier with a quality stainless steel tea kettle.
That might still leave you wondering what makes a decent stainless steel tea kettle from a subpar one, and how to pick one that will best suit your needs. With so many options on the market, it can leave you frustrated – and even more in need of a cup of tea!
We have done extensive research to bring you our top five stainless steel tea kettles, along with a thorough guide to tell you all you need to know about these handy appliances. So, read on and check out our favorite models if you’re ready to buy one.
Types of stainless steel tea kettles
Stovetop tea kettles
Stovetop tea kettles are the more traditional variety of tea kettle. This kind of tea kettle is essentially a container with a lid and spout that you place on the stovetop to boil water in. Stovetop stainless steel tea kettles tend to be more affordable than electric models and often have larger capacities. Because they're low-tech, little can go wrong with them, and they can last for decades if you treat them right. On the downside, they generally boil more slowly, and you need to have a stovetop or other heat source to place it on.
Electric tea kettles
With electric tea kettles you only need a power outlet, so they're ideal for spots such as break rooms or college dorms, where you might want a cup of tea, but don't have a full kitchen. They tend to boil water more quickly than stovetop models and they switch off once they've reached the desired temperature, so there's no risk of them boiling dry. Although they're more convenient than stovetop tea kettles, they do have some downsides. For instance, they usually cost more and there's more chance of them no longer working after a few years (as an electric appliance can, especially with heavy use). They are also available in cordless versions.
Expert Tip
Electric tea kettles with a 360° base let you place the kettle back on the base at any angle, rather than needing to line it up exactly.
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Stainless steel tea kettle considerations
Capacity
It's important that your kettle holds enough water to fit your needs. You'll generally find the capacity of a tea kettle listed either in quarts, cups, or both. It's worth noting that a "cup" in measurement terms is eight ounces (or 0.25 quarts), whereas an average mug is around 12 to 16 ounces. So, if a kettle claims to boil six cups worth of water, it may be more like three to four large mugs.
Spout
The spout of your stainless steel tea kettle affects how it pours. Longer, thinner spouts generally give you more control over your pour, whereas shorter, wider spouts can gush out and even spill if you tip the kettle at too great an angle. That said, tea kettles with wide spouts let you fill them with water through the spout, which is quicker and easier than lifting the lid each time. You'll need to decide which matters more to you when picking out your tea kettle.
Boiling speed
How quickly a stainless tea kettle boils water will vary depending on factors such as the temperature of the water when it goes into the kettle and the amount of water you're boiling at one time, so it's impossible to give exact specs that apply to all models. But, of course, some kettles boil more quickly than others.
When using a stovetop tea kettle, the speed of boiling relies more on your stove than the kettle itself, but electric tea kettles boil more quickly when they're more powerful. The power of an electric kettle generally ranges between 1.7kW and 3kW, with those around the 3kW mark labelled as "rapid boil" kettles that can reach a boil in about one minute.
Handle
Your kettle might be made from stainless steel, but the handle shouldn't be bare stainless steel, or you'll burn yourself on it when you lift it to pour your boiled water. Most stainless steel tea kettles have plastic handles, but a few simply feature a rubberized grip over the top of the stainless steel. While this does keep the handle cool to the touch, there's a chance that the rubber could degrade over the years, leaving you with a bare metal handle – and we've already explained why that isn't ideal. Some kettle handles have an ergonomic grip, so that they're easier to hold and to pour.
Lid
Ideally, your stainless steel tea kettle should feature a hinged lid for easier opening. Those that you must lift off and replace are more fiddly, which is a disadvantage if you need to fill your kettle through the lid, rather than the spout. Even better are lids that pop open at the press of a button. You can also find some kettles with lids that stay cool to the touch, which is useful if you need to boil water more than once in quick succession.
Caution
Because stainless steel is an excellent conductor of heat, your tea kettle will be extremely hot to the touch after boiling. Be careful not to scald yourself.
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Stainless steel tea kettle prices
How much should you expect to pay for a stainless steel tea kettle? This all depends on the type of kettle and the features.
Stovetop
Stainless steel stovetop tea kettles start at around $15 to $20 for smaller or more basic models. Mid-range offerings cost roughly $30 to $50, and high-end options cost up to $150.
Electric
Stainless steel electric tea kettles start at around $20 to $30 for basic models with few features other than the ability to boil water. Mid-range electric options cost between $40 and $70, including some models with temperature control. A high-end electric tea kettle could cost as much as $100 to $200. Nicer models that offer different settings depending on the type of tea (for example, delicate herbal teas require less heat than robust black varieties) will cost more, but this is a nice feature to have, especially if you prefer mildly-hot tea.
Tips
- Decide whether you want a whistling tea kettle. Some people find the whistle quaint or useful for letting them know when the water inside is boiling, but others simply find it annoying.
- Consider a quiet tea kettle. Kettles can be very loud, especially electric kettles with a quick boil time. If noisiness puts you off, you can find models designed to boil quietly. Also note if they kettle makes a beep when the water is ready, which may or may not be a desirable feature for you.
- Think about choosing a temperature adjustable model. Some stainless steel tea kettles allow you to heat water to a range of temperatures, not just to boiling point. This is great for tea connoisseurs, because some more delicate teas are better brewed at lower temperatures.
- Choose a tea kettle that isn't too heavy for you. You should be able to lift and pour it easily, even when full. If you can't, it could be dangerous as you're more likely to spill.
Did you know?
If you're opting for a stovetop model, a stainless steel tea kettle will work on all stove types, including induction.
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FAQ
Q. What are the benefits of choosing a stainless steel tea kettle over other materials?
A. Stainless steel is an excellent choice for a tea kettle. They're generally considered superior to plastic tea kettles, as they're BPA-free and don't impart a plastic taste into the water, which some people can detect when using a plastic kettle. Stainless steel tea kettles are lighter and more affordable than cast iron models and don't leave a metallic taste in the water like copper kettles.
Q. What's the difference between hidden and exposed elements in an electric tea kettle?
A. Electric stainless steel kettles can either have exposed or hidden elements, but what does this mean? Usually, the coil-like heating element is exposed at the bottom of a kettle. The trouble with this is that it gets covered in limescale over time, which can be hard to remove, because of the element's awkward shape. Newer, more high-end kettles tend to have hidden elements, where the element is located below the "floor" of the kettle chamber. This results in less limescale build-up, which is easier to clean off the flat bottom.
Q. How do I deal with limescale in my stainless steel tea kettle?
A. All tea kettles eventually suffer from a buildup of limescale, due to the minerals found in water. One option is to manually descale your kettle using wire wool and some elbow grease. Alternatively, you can find a range of products specifically designed for removing limescale from tea kettles, such as descaler tablets.
