Many people think of kettles as a tool for tea drinkers, but anymore, they’re great for coffee makers, too. You can use them for pour over coffee and French presses. These devices adorn the shelves of artisan coffee shops, and you may not even understand what they’re good for, but I’ll clue you in.
The design of the gooseneck spout is ideal for controlling your water flow rate, which, in simple terms, means that you can get maximum contact between water and coffee grounds or tea leaves, maximizing extraction and flavor.
A slow, thorough pour increases flavor, making your coffee or tea more intense and more enjoyable. Not to mention, the gooseneck kettles of today are stylish and elegant. They have plenty of features that you didn’t even know you needed and they come in a variety of options including stovetop or electric.
How to Shop For a Gooseneck Kettle
Gooseneck kettles come in many different varieties, so in order to shop for what you need, you need to understand your options.
Stovetop or electric
This is where you should start narrowing down your options. A stovetop model allows you to warm up your water on the stove. They feature simple designs, they tend to be cheaper, and they’re easy to store.
Alternatively, electric options are more convenient, and you can use them even when you don’t have a stove nearby. They have a larger capacity, they boil faster, and many models allow you to control the precise temperature of your boil.
Capacity
Next, you need to decide how much water you want your gooseneck kettle to hold. Smaller options are great for 1-2 people while larger versions will be perfect for entertaining. If you only want to make 1 cup of tea or fill a small French press, you don’t need a big kettle taking up space.
If you’re entertaining your friends or you and your spouse enjoy several cups of coffee every morning, you may need something larger.
Cleaning
You may only be boiling water, but it’s still important to think about cleaning, because letting stagnant water sit in your kettle can produce limescale, which is hard to clean. A large mouth allows you to fit your hand and a sponge inside to clean everything up while dishwasher-safe options are even easier.
Materials
Also, think about what your kettle is made of. Glass is the most sanitary option, and because you can see through it, you’ll notice limescale build-up right away, allowing you to tackle it before it becomes a problem.
Stainless steel may be more your style, and that’s fine, because they’re more durable. Just make sure they’re made with quality.
Gooseneck Kettle Options
These are some of the best options I’ve found on the market. I had the privilege of testing these recently, and I really enjoyed my experience. I can highly recommend any of the following models. I chose these models based on affordability, availability, and my personal experiences with these kettles.
Coffee Gator Pour Over Kettle
This gooseneck kettle was by far the easiest one to use and offered the best value. The design is elegant, and for the price, it had just the right amount of flair. It’s funky and cute. The size is perfect for 2-3 cups of coffee or tea, which makes it perfect for morning coffee for my husband and I.
Not only does it have a nice brushed stainless steel appearance, but it feels sturdy. It can withstand daily use without corroding or showing wear and tear. The comfortable coating on the handle makes it nice to hold without getting too hot. This ergonomic grip makes it that much easier to pour.
Speaking of pouring, the flow is incredibly easy to control because the size of the kettle means it can’t hold enough water to make it too heavy. It’s simply the perfect size for precisely pouring over coffee grounds or tea leaves.
The removable lid has a built-in thermometer, so you will always see the current temperature of the water inside. While it doesn’t have temperature presets, because it’s a stovetop model, it allows you to adjust the heat on your stove as the temperature increases, so you achieve the perfect level of heat.
The downside to this model is that it’s advertised with a 1-liter capacity, but the max fill line measures to be about 0.6 liters. This wasn’t a problem for me because I don’t need a lot of volume, but for those who entertain, it probably won’t be big enough.
At this price, you can’t go wrong with an elegant design and a simple solution. Plus, the company offers a 100% money-back guarantee, because they know you’ll love it just that much. If you don’t, you can send it back for a full refund.
Pros:
- Brushed stainless steel design
- Comfortable and ergonomic handle
- Excellent flow rate control
- Built-in thermometer
- Great value
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Only holds 0.6 liters
Willow & Everett Electric Kettle
If you want to brew coffee or tea in the dorm room, the office, or outside on the patio, this is a great option. It’s simple design makes it easy to use, and the quick boiling is super convenient. It also turns off automatically when it’s done.
This unit will heat water a lot faster than a stovetop model, but there’s no precise temperature control. Rather, this is an entry-level electric model that offers quality at a low price. There’s no thermometer, but you’ll always know that when it boils, it’s at 212 degrees. If you want something less, you can purchase an external thermometer and monitor the kettle as it heats.
The comfortable, cool touch handle makes it easy to pour so you can control the flow of water for your tea or your pour over coffee. The 1-liter capacity is enough for several cups and it feels much lighter than other kettles.
The downside to its light weight is that it doesn’t feel quite as sturdy or durable as the others. In fact, as the water approached boiling temperatures, the kettle began to rock the pedestal, making me fear that it would topple over and spill hot water everywhere.
At this price point, it’s still a fantastic quality kettle that offers rapid boiling. It also doesn’t take up a lot of space, so it’s good for small apartments, dorm rooms, or office cubicles.
Pros:
- Automatic shut off
- Rapid boiling
- Electric and easy to use
- Comfortable handle
- Lightweight kettle
Cons:
- No max fill line
- No built-in thermometer
- Seems to be made of lesser quality materials
Willow & Everett Gooseneck Electric Kettle with Temperature Controls and Presets
If you want to upgrade your electric gooseneck kettle, this option offers temperature controls. This kettle is definitely worth the increase in price and still offers a great value in the niche. Honestly, it’s probably the best electric kettle you’ll get at this price.
Each temperature preset has a suggestion under it. At 180 degrees, you’re good to go for delicate teas, while at 200 degrees, you’ll get a great pour over coffee. And of course, 212 degrees is boiling.
Just like all of the other Willow & Everett electric models, this one will shut off when it reaches your desired temperature. The great thing about it is that even after it turns off, it will illuminate the temperature you chose so you won’t forget.
It’s very sturdy and doesn’t rock the pedestal when it boils. It also has a Keep Warm feature so you can maintain the exact temperature you want for up to an hour before it automatically shuts off again.
It’s super easy to control the flow through this gooseneck kettle, but the 1-liter capacity does make it heavier than other options, because it’s built with great materials and it’s so durable.
The outside of this kettle will get very hot to the touch when you use it, so it’s not great for households like mine with small kids who like to touch things. It can also make it difficult to pour because there aren’t any additional cool touch points outside of the handle.
Pros:
- Sturdy stainless steel
- Temperature control and presets
- Illuminated buttons and audible beeps
- Keep warm option
- Easy to control pour
Cons:
- Heavy
- Outside of kettle gets hot
- No celsius reading
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour Over Kettle
This option may be outside of some price points, but it’s stylish and functional. You can choose from matte white, sleek black, shiny silver, or classy copper. It’s built with quality and will last for a long time.
This handle features one of the most ergonomic designs of any other gooseneck kettle. There are multiple spots to place your thumb, giving you even more leverage. You have more control over pouting this way, and it makes the weight of the kettle easier to handle.
The temperature dial allows you to select just the right temperature. You can select anything from 135-212 degrees. If you prefer 196 degrees for your pour over rather than 200, that’s no problem. It’s perfect for a variety of beverages.
Once the kettle reaches the temperature you desire, it will hold it automatically for up to an hour, so you don’t have to worry about reheating it. You can take your time enjoying your tea or coffee in the morning and your water will be waiting.
The display will show you the temperature you set as well as the current temperature so you can monitor its progress. You can also toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The built-in stopwatch will also allow you to time your incremental pours so it’s perfect every time.
Pros:
- Stylish and functional
- Comes in 4 colors
- Precise temperature dial
- Ergonomic handle
- Keeps water warm for an hour
- Built-in stopwatch
Cons:
- Expensive
FAQs
Answer: There are some things you should look for in a gooseneck kettle, as I addressed above. Flow rate, material, design, comfort, capacity, and extra features are all important. You need to figure out what you need for your lifestyle, and you’ll be happy with whatever you buy.
Answer: When you use it correctly, a gooseneck kettle offers greater control over your flow rate, so you’ll be more precise when creating pour over coffee. This ensures maximum extraction for the best flavor. Gooseneck kettles are easy to pour and respond well to just a gentle tilting of your wrist.
Answer: If you want to be able to control the temperature more precisely, you do need an electric kettle that allows you to heat to and maintain just the right temperature. However, you don’t have to have an electric kettle to make pour over coffee, and often, a stovetop gooseneck kettle can achieve the same results if you’re meticulous about how you heat the water and pour it.
Answer: We all remember Grandma’s tea kettle whistling on the stove, and often, we just want to replicate that experience. However, gooseneck tea kettles don’t whistle. While many people prefer the traditional whistling design, a gooseneck kettle gives you a more precise pour, if you can live without the noise.
Final Thoughts
My favorite gooseneck kettle is the Willow & Everett gooseneck kettle with temperature controls. Not only does it offer a great value when it comes to marrying features and price, but it’s stylish and easy to use. However, if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line gooseneck kettle, try the Fellow Stagg option. It truly has all of the features you need to create the perfect cup of coffee or tea and it’s also easy to use.
No matter what you choose, as long as you determine what you need and shop for those features, you’ll be pleased with anything on this list.