Kettles are a practical thing to have if you like your drinks hot. Unlike electric kettles, they don't need to be connected to a power supply and work just like an ordinary pot or pan - just put them on the cooktop. You can choose from special kettles with strainers and types equipped with a handy acoustic signal. Read on to learn how to make sense of all the kettles available and choose the right one for you.
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How to Choose a Kettle
How large should it be?
Kettles are available in various volumes ranging from 1 to 3 litres. Before you buy, think about how much water you usually heat. For an average 4-member family, 2l is typically enough.
1 litre of water lets you comfortably prepare up to 5 cups of your favourite beverage.
What material do you prefer?
You can choose from kettles that are made of high-quality stainless steel or durable heat-resistant borosilicate glass.
- Stainless steel - a safe and sturdy material, the kettle is equipped with a thermally insulated handle, usually made of plastic. These kettles need to be occasionally cleaned of limescale deposits.
- Heat-resistant glass - a stylish, high-quality, and thoroughly safe material. The kettle is transparent and can be equipped with a glass or plastic insulated handle. As with other kettles, you will need to clean them of limescale deposits once in a while.
Will the kettle work on your cooktop?
Modern kettles can usually be used on all types of cooktops - gas, electric, induction, and glass-ceramic. Some kettles can even be used in the microwave.
When choosing a kettle, make sure it's compatible with your cooktop type. This is particularly important if you have an induction cooktop.
Neat and useful features
- Tea strainer - some tea kettles have removable strainers for easy preparation of loose leaf and fruit teas from ingredients such as ginger, fruit, herbs, etc. The strainers can have different filter fineness and material. We recommend stainless steel strainers; if you opt for a plastic one, make sure it's properly high-quality.
- Cooling - this kettle type is equipped with a special cooling part, which allows easy preparation of cold drinks such as iced tea. A very welcome feature on hot summer days.
- Acoustic boiling signal - a typical features for stainless steel kettles. The built-in whistle announces that the boiling point has been reached.
- Non-contact opening - boiling water means the kettle can be really hot to touch. Opening the kettle by pressing the handle reduces the risk of potential scalding or burns. Again, this feature is mainly the domain of stainless steel kettles.
- Design - with stainless steel kettles, you can choose from a wide range of shapes, colours, and glossy and matt finishes. Glass kettles will fit into the design of almost every household, and you can also choose from many shapes and designs.
