What Is the Best Tea Kettle?
If you’re a serious tea-drinker (or aspiring to be one), microwaving a mug of water isn’t going to cut it. Since different types of tea have the best flavor when brewed at specific temperature ranges, a tea kettle is key. Some tea kettles have whistling spouts to let you know when the water reaches boiling point, others allow you to control the temperature down to the degree. Moreover, many kettles are made from a variety of different materials such as cast iron, glass, and more, which all affect its durability.
While browsing for a tea kettle, you’ll likely spot variations in spout designs, special features like temperature presets, and options for both electric and stove top models. If you’re not sure which tea kettle style would be best suited to your tea drinking habits, we’ve researched several different kinds of kettles on the market, evaluating their capabilities, prices, and performance. We also asked tea and coffee expert Kayla Stavridis, a former barista and current head of marketing at Barista HQ, for tips on seeking a high quality tea kettle, and how to best maintain and use it to brew tea.
Best Cast Iron Tea Kettles
Cast iron is a popular material to cook with because it does a good job at getting hot and staying hot, plus, its durability allows it to last for years to come. If you’re a fan of these qualities in your other cookware, you’ll be happy to know they translate just as well for brewing tea. When shopping for a cast iron tea kettle, just be sure to find one with an enameled interior so you don’t have to worry about rust, introducing a metallic flavor to your tea, or having to re-season it.
Among the different cast iron tea kettles out there, we specifically loved the Staub Round Teapot for its enamel finish that allows it to be dishwasher-safe and resistant to damage. While other cast iron teapots may not be as low-maintenance, there are options that make up for this with their own special features, like the Suyika Japanese Tetsubin which has a stainless steel filter that allows you to brew tea directly in the kettle, or the Milvbusiss Cast Iron Teapot that has a patented silicone handle for safe gripping.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/staub-cast-iron-round-tea-kettle-5fba31423c2c475fb75290a90c661971.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/suyika-japanese-tetsubin-cast-iron-teapot-tea-kettle-pot-5cf0845444e74b47a2d9efa19c939932.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Milvbusiss-Cast-Iron-Teapot-3bb1b12bd3694b63960836b90148eddc.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Toptier-Cast-Iron-Teapot-12e004f3f94241189997715e903e0fae.jpg)
Best Gooseneck Tea Kettles
With their long, thin spouts, gooseneck style tea kettles give you better control over the amount of water and pour speed. This precision is especially beneficial for steeping delicate types of tea, because it gradually saturates the leaves with the hot water instead of blasting them with heat. This maximizes flavors and aromas, and also helps avoid scalding the leaves.
In particular, we really liked the Chefbar Gooseneck Tea Kettle, which is made with very durable stainless steel, giving you plenty of pours for years to come. However, a major standout is the Cosori Smart Electric Gooseneck Kettle, which features bluetooth capabilities and can be controlled via an app that lets you schedule start times, set the temperature, and send you a notification when your tea is ready. You don’t have to be a tea purist to appreciate a gooseneck tea kettle, as their unique and stylish design makes them a standout addition to any kitchen.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Hario-Enamel-Pour-Over-Gooseneck-Kettle-7dcae2fbf13748aab63c38f045ef541d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Fellow-Stagg-Pour-Over-Kettle-6a5ef919720b4fa6a07f1ea9b891265f.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cosori-electric-kettle-gooseneck-with-temperature-control-e1c67bca19f34b96b4923165267d2e3b.jpg)