OXO 1479500 Good Grips Classic Tea Kettle, Stainless Steel, Silicone, Silver

Product Information

The OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle is an excellent choice for those looking for an efficient-yet-affordable option. This model was the winner of the boiling test, bringing water to 212 degrees Fahrenheit in just a little over four minutes. Plus, after 10 minutes, it proved its impressive heat retention at 192 degrees Fahrenheit. Considering how sturdy, beautiful, and easy to use this kettle is, we think it’s a worthwhile splurge, especially if you love the look of it. Plus, it comes with a 5-year guarantee to cover manufacturer defects.

OXO Brew Classic Whistling Tea Kettle: A Must Have For Tea OXO Brew Classic Whistling Tea Kettle: A Must Have For Tea

Stovetop kettles don’t have many extra features—they heat up and usually whistle to let you know when the water is boiling. Electric kettles can have temperature control and safety features like auto shut-off and boil-dry protection. The most popular method to clean a tea kettle uses simply water and white vinegar. Just fill your kettle with equal amounts of both, bring it to a boil, and then dump out the water-vinegar mixture. Once the kettle is cool, scrub the inside with a non-abrasive cloth or brush. Finally, rinse the kettle thoroughly (or boil plain water in it) until all traces of vinegar are gone. This process is suitable for both electric and stovetop kettles and removes any potential limescale buildup. It’s important to thoroughly clean inside a kettle at least once every three months; otherwise, mineral buildup can alter the taste of your tea or coffee, and it may prevent some electric kettles from working properly. Other household products like baking soda and lemon juice are effective descaling agents, too, and many household cleaner brands sell descaling solutions in liquid or powder form. This 1.7-quart kettle has a removable, heat-resistant knob and ergonomic handle, as well as a single-tone whistle. Plus, the kettle is not only stylish but also durable: it's non-reactive, stain- and chip-resistant, and safe for all heat sources. During testing, 2 cups of water took 5 minutes to boil, and our tester noted that the whistle was louder when the kettle had more water. It does appear that filling this to the max, though, will cause some spillage during pouring. The handle can be swiveled to the side for easy cleaning. Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Tea Kettle: If you want an even cheaper option than OXO without sacrificing too much, the Cuisinart Aura is your best bet. The shining star of this kettle is the trigger on the handle that you can use to open the spout with one hand. And it came in a competitive sixth place in the boil speed test, finishing around 40 seconds later than the two winners. But there were some downsides to this kettle: The handle got hot during the 1.5-quart boil speed test and cleanup was not a breeze thanks to narrow opening.

Overall Take

There’s one minor design flaw—or, at least, hindrance—which is that the trigger that opens the spout overlaps with the lid. If the spout is open, the spout trigger rests on top of the lid and prevents users from taking the lid off. While it didn’t affect our experience using the kettle, it bears mentioning. If you are looking for a classic tea kettle that has a large capacity and a comparatively narrow spout that ensures that the brewing liquid flows steadily into your cup, then you should look no further than the OXO kettle. Heating speed: We added a liter of water at 50 degrees to each kettle and then timed how long it took to come to a boil, using a medium flame with stovetop models and the high setting with electric ones. We also tested how well the kettles could keep water hot by taking the the temperature of the water 10 and 30 minutes after removing from the heat. Taste Test: After three rounds of boiling and discarding water, we boiled another batch in each kettle and tasted them, one by one, to see if there were any off-flavors present. We tasted no difference in the water.

Tea Kettles 2023 - Forbes Vetted Best Tea Kettles 2023 - Forbes Vetted

Value: After concluding all of our other tests, we revealed the retail prices of the kettles. Stovetop kettles are generally less expensive than electric ones, so we looked at the categories separately, comparing individual prices to the average for each type. Choose a tea kettle with a capacity that aligns with your tea-drinking needs, including how many people will be drinking tea in your household. Most tea kettles are in the 1-2 quart range, which makes 4-8 cups. Kitchen space is important, too—if you have a small kitchen, you may not want to opt for a large-capacity kettle that will reduce your cabinet or countertop space. Unless otherwise specified, it’s not a good idea to brew tea inside a kettle. Tea kettles are pretty much solely designed to heat water. Placing tea bags or loose-leaf tea inside a kettle can leave stains and lingering smells, and the acids in tea can potentially damage the kettle itself. Pouring hot water over tea in a teapot is a superior alternative that will produce a much better flavor.This kettle has a unique shape that suits both retro and modern kitchens, and the brushed stainless steel fits any decor. We also found the material to be truly stain-resistant, and according to customers who have used the kettle for long periods of time, it's rust-resistant, too. While there are some more affordable kettles out there, this is an excellent value for money overall. Ease of use: As we performed the heating tests, we noted any difficulties with filling and transporting the kettle, as well as with the controls for electric models. We specifically evaluated pouring by using a full kettle to fill a mug on the counter. Models that splashed and spilled lost points, and more accurate spouts gained them. There are no maximum water fill lines, so overfilling can be an issue. In addition, the small vent holes on the top should not be positioned near the handle when heating, as steam could cause burns when grabbing the handle. During testing, the water reached a full boil after 6 minutes and 19 seconds, which was longer than the other top two brands. Still, we found that it held a higher, more consistent temperature 10 minutes after removing it from the burner than all of the other models tested. After heating, we observed a very slight but noticeable metallic taste in the water, which may dissipate over time.

Classic 6.8-Cup Brushed Stainless Steel Tea Kettle Good Grips Classic 6.8-Cup Brushed Stainless Steel Tea Kettle

For a long time, people used stovetop kettles in their homes—until the electric kettle took over as the popular way to warm water. But stovetop kettles arguably come in a greater variety of styles and colors than electric kettles, and they have that old-timey feel that some people crave in their kitchen. Electric kettles, on the other hand, tend to be sleeker and more convenient to use, and there are great options for those who like high-tech kitchen appliances. Ease of cleaning: After boiling several rounds of water in the kettles, we washed them following the manufacturers' directions, noting whether there was any mineral buildup in the kettle or spout, or any stains on the interior or exterior. With electric models, we also noted any difficulties cleaning the heating base or other parts that can't get wet. I think the Caraway Whistling Tea Kettle is a beautiful kitchen appliance that should last for years, even though it has some quirks I didn’t expect given the price. The OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle has a stay-cool handle that lets you easily grip and pour water out of the kettle safely and comfortably. The handle also has an easy-grip trigger that opens the spout with one hand so you can fill your mug with one motion and never spill a drop or burn your fingers. With its classic shape and stainless steel finish, this OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle will add style to any kitchen as well as functionality.Fill your kettle with one part water and one part vinegar and bring it to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, turn off the heat and let the solution sit for at least 20 minutes. After that, pour out the solution, and rinse with water, gently scrubbing any mineral buildup. For the exterior, simply use a sponge with warm soapy water, wipe clean, and rinse. Finally, to remove any leftover residue, fill the kettle with water, bring it to a boil, pour it out, and dry it completely. Le Creuset is known for its unique style and high-quality brand name, and this teapot comes in a range of beautiful signature colors. The enamel finish is resistant to chipping, and the inner chamber is non-reactive and resists staining. But just as you have to use care with pour-over coffee, you'll need to be cautious with the Hario V60 in general. The kettle doesn't have a fill line marked, and we found that it tends to boil over if filled up all the way. The kettle's base is also smaller than many other stovetop models, which means that you should use a lower heat level on a gas stove to make sure flames don't flow up around the sides and potentially melt the handle. It’s definitely a good idea to, as buildup can happen. In turn, that can affect the taste of your tea. "Descale calcium deposits in a tea kettle using equal parts water and white vinegar," says Asapahu. "Boil, let cool, and scrub off easily. Repeat if needed." To brew the perfect cup of tea, you need the perfect kettle. The OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle has a wide pour spout that pours slowly to prevent spilling hot water as it’s being transferred from kettle to mug.