There is something endlessly nostalgic about a stovetop tea kettle that whistles you a tune when it’s ready. This, and the stunning new designs always appearing on the market, means that even after the invention of the electric kettle the classic stovetop version has never gone out of style.
On top of that, if you are cooking with gas, using a kettle like this will save you electricity and money in the long run especially if you make a lot of tea and coffee.
But how do you know which is the best to buy when there are so many on the market? We’ll be having a look at what to look for here as well as diving into the OXO tea kettle, in particular, to see if this stovetop kettle is worth your money.
OXO is a brand with a 30-year legacy that had its humble beginnings in a potato peeler designed so founder Sam Farbar’s arthritic mother could use it easily. From then on the brand has been dedicated to creating ergonomic products that can be used by anyone regardless of age or physical abilities.
They are a brand that focuses on high-quality home and kitchen products which is why they have chefs working in-house to consult on products so you know they will be efficient and cost-effective. They are also dedicated to protecting the environment, which is why they have pledged 1% of their annual sales to environmental nonprofit organizations.
The company has also founded a charity called Cookies for Kids Cancer that raises funds for less toxic cancer treatments for children. Their charitable endeavors and carefully designed products mean that their track record is good and their products seem to be well-loved and reliable.
Key Features
Now for the technicalities. Its dimensions are 9.75″ x 8″ x 9.75″ and have a 1.7qt capacity. Its weight comes in at a considerable 2.6lb so it won’t be knocked over easily so it is safe, especially in houses with small children. However, because of the weight, avoid letting children use a kettle like this unsupervised.
The kettle is made up of stainless steel body whose seamless design helps protect from rust so it will last you years if you take care of it. Since stainless steel is a good conductor the kettle will heat up really quickly so it is the optimal material for fast boiling so you’ll have a cup of tea ready in minutes.
The stainless steel handle is fitted with an ergonomic, cool-touch silicone grip and a silicone fingerhold on top of the spout creating a touchpoint to open the spout safely and avoid burns. The rest of the kettle will get very hot however so be careful not to touch it while it’s hot.
Some of the specialized details that set this kettle apart are the soft nonslip grip handle that makes handling it easy and the nondrip spout that helps prevent spills. On top of that, the wide handle is designed to fold down for easy filling and storage. On the subject of filling, the opening in the top of the kettle is very wide which makes it easy to fill as well as easier to clean.
When it comes to looks this kettle has a sleek brushed stainless steel finish and an elegant curving handle that would look attractive on any countertop. The shape itself is very classic and harks back to the style of old kettles in an effortlessly timeless way.
The OXO tea kettle comes with a warranty as an added bonus and guarantees the absolute highest quality or your money back. This really shows the confidence that the brand has in their product and that’s notable when you are deciding what brand to buy from.
Pros
- Attractive
- Large capacity
- Boils quickly
- Socially conscious company
Cons
- Only comes in one colour
- Expensive
How to Use the OXO Tea Kettle
Stovetop tea kettles work a little differently to your electric versions but it’s pretty simple to get used to. These are perfect for gas hobs but they can be used on gas, glass or electric hobs. These types of kettles are especially convenient if you have power outages because you can still boil water over the gas for coffee while you wait for the power to come back on.
Start by filling the kettle to your desired quantity; making sure not to overfill as this would cause the liquid to bubble over and spray boiling water everywhere. Place it on a hob that is large enough to accommodate the whole base and turn it on to high. Now leave it alone until you hear it whistle then remove it from the heat. Open the spout to stop the whistling and let the bubbles subside before pouring into the waiting mugs.
Since there are no electric elements cleaning the kettle is simple however the OXO kettle isn’t dishwasher safe so this should be done in a sink of hot soapy water.
Decision Making Tips
This kettle and similar options are available on Amazon as well as home goods stores and the brand’s websites.
If I was to be shopping for a tea kettle would be looking at the capacity, how well it fits my design style and whether it has cool touch features for safe use. The built-in whistle is another essential feature to keep an eye out for as this is a key safety feature. Its all about safety and convenience at the end of the day.
Alternative to Consider
Dclob Stovetop Whistling Tea Kettle
If you have a big family and you make a lot of hot drinks then this Dclob stovetop kettle is one to consider. At 2.4qt capacity and a price of $29.99 this option gives you a good bang for your buck and prevents you from having to reboil the kettle.
Like the OXO kettle this one has a very classic style, this time inspired by a quaint teapot. The thing that really makes this option stand out however is the 5 layers of stainless steel the body is made of which makes it heat up really fast for the utmost convenience.
The negatives to this however are that it has a small opening, which would make it difficult to fill, and the fact that the spout cover has no opener or protective measures. This and the large size could make this hard to handle and therefore the less safe option since you are dealing with boiling water
Conclusion
So, all in all, the OXO tea kettle is a really solid design and would last you a really long time if you have the money to invest in a kettle of this quality. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, one negative would be that this kettle only comes in one finish, which is at odds with a lot of brands recently that have released kettles in a vast array of colors. If you don’t mind a simple brushed steel finish then this one will suit you just fine.
However, you can’t ignore that it is a hefty price tag considering the simplicity of the design and the array of others on the market. The price being on the high side but also getting the quality you pay for is a delicate balance. On top of that, the kettle will last you a long time but if you don’t have that initial investment there are many on the market for cheaper that will serve you just as well.