What to Buy Coffee, Tea & Espresso The 4 Best Stovetop Kettles of 2023, According to Our Tests These top-performing models are stylish enough to leave out on display. By Kara Mickelson Kara Mickelson Kara is a writer, editor, chef, food stylist, author, and content creator. She is the deputy editor of Southbay Magazine, has appeared on several Food Network programs, and published her own cookbook, Friends: The Central Perk Café, in 2021. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines and Bridget Degnan Bridget Degnan Expertise: Food, Home, Lifestyle, Kitchen ProductsBridget is an Associate Commerce Editor specializing in kitchen product reviews and roundups. Bridget joined the Dotdash Meredith commerce team in 2019 and has three years of experience writing and editing food, drink, and lifestyle content for a variety of brands. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Southern Living, Food & Wine, Better Homes and Gardens, and more.Experience Bridget is an Associate Commerce Editor at Allrecipes and has three years of experience writing and editing for Dotdash Meredith brands. She has tested and reviewed several meal subscription services and has spent countless hours researching kitchen and food products. She has a B.A. in advertising from Iowa State University, where she found her passion for magazine writing thanks to her journalism professors.Bridget has always loved being in the kitchen, whether it's cooking a new recipe or baking a cake for no reason in particular. Most of her recipe inspiration comes from her dad (who loved to cook), Giada De Laurentiis, and Ina Garten. Bridget is also a coffee aficionado. The highlight of her week is her early morning coffee dates with her sister. For three years, they have met at different local establishments on Thursdays before work. Lavender oat milk lattes are her favorite. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 9, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite The Tests Factors to Consider FAQ What Didn't Make the List Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Jennifer Causey Stovetop kettles can add a bit of nostalgia to a mundane task. And a well-made kettle can do more than just boil water — it can offer predictable performance, function, and a pleasing design so you can actually enjoy your morning tea ritual. We reviewed the top stovetop kettles on the market that look great and perform well, and a few even whistle while they work. We considered qualities like design, durability, heating time, pour performance, and ease of cleaning. Read on for more details about our favorite stovetop kettles and how we tested them. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle at Amazon Jump to Review Best Value: Susteas Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle at Susteas.com Jump to Review Best Gooseneck: Hario V60 "Buono" Drip Kettle at Amazon Jump to Review Fastest-Boiling: Oxo Brew Classic Tea Kettle at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle Amazon View On Amazon View On Lecreuset.com View On Williams-Sonoma Pros Display-worthy design and very easy to clean. Cons The design is not ideal for storing in a cabinet due to size. It’s also very heavy when filled. 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. While this teapot is larger in size, making it more challenging to store, its body covers the whole burner, minimizing flames from damaging the exterior finish. “Le Creuset is a gorgeous brand and always looks nice on a stove,” our tester said. “While it is on the larger and heavier side, you don't really need to find a place to store it as it looks so good on the counter.” Though big, it also is quite light when empty, and the handle easily folds down. We found its whistle volume on the softer side, describing it as tempered and steady. This kettle can heat up to a full boil in under five minutes. While the exterior gets quite hot, the handle and spout stay cool, making it easy to pour. In addition, our testers found no metallic taste in the heated water. When it’s time to clean, the opening is large enough to fit a hand and sponge into the chamber easily. The black interior hides any watermarks or staining, and the exterior finish is easy to clean and maintain. Because the water lines are challenging to read due to its dark inner chamber, the kettle can easily be overfilled. We found the lid a little difficult to remove and put back on. This kettle works on most stovetops, including induction and electric, ceramic, and halogen. Price at time of publish: $115 Capacity: 1.7 quartsWeight: 48.25 ounces when empty; 102 ounces when fullMaterial: Enamel on carbon steelCompatible Cooktops: Gas, electric, inductionDishwasher safe: No Courtesy of Food & Wine / Isaac Nunn Best Value Susteas Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle Susteas View On Susteas.com Pros The kettle is easy to clean; hands can fit in the opening, but it's tight. Water beads off the exterior surface quickly, and there is no discoloration after drying. Cons It’s a bit bulky, making it difficult to store. This stovetop kettle from Susteas would look perfect sitting on display in a modern farmhouse kitchen. The empty kettle is very lightweight; however, it’s heavy when filled, so this kettle may not be ideal if you have weak wrists and arms. Large in size, the kettle covers the entire burner. Storing this one in a cabinet would require a good amount of space due to its large size and shape. During our tests, we found the kettle exterior gets very hot when heated. The manufacturer suggests only low heat to prevent the rubber handle and kettle from overheating, which could cause injury or damage to the finish. It has a handle lever that makes it easy to open the spout covering, allowing for a seamless pour. In addition, the “whistle when ready alert” is not loud compared to other brands with this feature. The kettle took about five minutes and thirty-nine seconds to boil. We found the heat retention to be quite good; the top of the kettle retained heat for at least ten minutes after heating, so take caution when handling. As an added safety feature, a silicon mitten comes with your purchase. The top is easy to remove but is prone to fingerprint marks, while the finish on the kettle's body is fingerprint-resistant. That said, it’s relatively easy to clean even though the opening is tight for somebody with larger hands. The exterior finish has a beading effect on water, making clean-up and drying easy. Overall, this kettle provides fantastic performance and style and is a great choice for everyday use. Price at time of publish: $50 Capacity: 3.2 quartsWeight: 32.5 ounces when empty, 144 ounces when fullMaterial: Stainless steelCompatible Cooktops: Gas, electric, inductionDishwasher safe: No Courtesy of Food & Wine / Fred Hardy Best Gooseneck Hario V60 Buono Drip Kettle Walmart View On Amazon View On Williams-Sonoma View On Walmart This unique, stylish, small kettle from Hario features a gooseneck spout for easy, precise pouring. It’s the perfect size for single-use tea service or pour-over coffee and comes in stainless steel, black, and matte finish. During testing, we noticed that this stovetop kettle does not whistle when ready. Its smaller size has a few disadvantages as it doesn't take up the whole burner. On high-heat gas stovetops, flames may shoot out from the sides of the kettle, and if positioned over a direct flame, the handle could melt. The manufacturer suggests using medium or low heat. Still, we appreciated its small size for easy storage. 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. The top opening is small, so most hands might not fit inside when cleaning. Drying overnight left no staining on the inside of the kettle. This kettle works with induction, halogen, gas, and electric stovetops. Price at time of publish: $48 Capacity: 1.3 quartsWeight: 14.5 ounces when empty, 54.25 ounces when fullMaterial: Copper, enamel and plastic, Teflon, and BPA free Compatible Cooktops: Gas, electric, inductionDishwasher safe: No Courtesy of Food & Wine / Isaac Nunn Fastest-Boiling Oxo Brew Classic Tea Kettle Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sur La Table Pros It’s compact, easy to clean, and heated up the quickest out of all of the models we tested. Cons When full of water, it’s fairly heavy to lift and pour. 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. In addition to its speedy heating and insulation, the kettle is easy to use, store, and clean. When the water is at boiling point, the kettle makes a loud whistling noise to let you know it’s ready. The stainless steel design fits with most kitchen styles, is built to last, and features a heat-resistant handle and a one-touch spout cap to keep your hands safe while lifting and pouring. The only thing to keep in mind is that it weighs about five pounds at capacity, so it can be quite heavy to maneuver with one hand. Overall, it has a straightforward design, functioned properly, and the handle folds down for fuss-free storage. Price at time of publish: $50 Capacity: 1.7 quartsWeight: 31 ounces when empty, 83.7 ounces when full Material: Stainless steelCompatible Cooktops: Gas, electricDishwasher safe: No COURTESY OF FOOD & WINE / Fred Hardy RELATED: The Best Electric Kettles for Tea, Pour Over, and More Our Favorite Our best overall pick is the Le Creuset Classic Whistling Kettle because it offers superior function and elegant design from a trusted brand name. We love the array of color options, the easy fold-down handle, and how easy it is clean. It’s an investment that adds some style to your every day. The Tests We put each stovetop kettle through a series of tests, including a timing test, a pour test, a taste test, and a cleaning test. The ultimate goal was to evaluate the ease of use, design, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value to determine which models we would buy ourselves and recommend to friends and family. The timing test involved filling the tea kettles with 1 liter of water at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, turning the burner to medium, and recording how long it took to come to a boil. We also noted whether or not the handle and body were hot to the touch and then recorded the water temperature at 10 and 20 minutes of rest to gauge heat retention. For the pour test, we boiled the maximum amount of water each kettle could hold and recorded how easy or difficult it was to lift off the burner and pour. We also noted how smoothly the water poured from the spout into the mug. For the taste test, we took a sip of the water after cooling down and recorded if there were any off or mineral flavors. Lastly, we cleaned each kettle following the manufacturer’s instructions and noted any stains on the outside and buildup on the inside. Factors to Consider Capacity The first consideration is capacity when choosing the perfect stovetop kettle. Stovetop kettles range from a petite 2-quart to a generous 6-quart or larger, so buying the kettle that will be the best fit for your use is key. Larger kettles take longer to boil and often have a minimum fill level, so they are not ideal for smaller needs. If you are one or two of you most days and only need a cup or two of tea in the morning, a smaller kettle is the best way to go. If you have a large family or tend to love to entertain with tea, scale up as needed. Material Most stovetop kettles are made of stainless steel, but there are also ones constructed of solid copper and cast iron. We prefer stainless steel stovetop kettles because they are durable (crack- and rust-resistant), ideal for heating water quickly, easy to care for, and look great in most kitchens. Plus, stainless steel kettles usually have a silicone handle for safe transferring. Weight The kettle's material can contribute significantly to the weight of the kettle. And while you always want a kettle with a heavy bottom for even heat distribution, you also want to be sure it is easy to handle and pour when full of boiling water for safety's sake. If the kettle feels heavy to you when it is empty, you may want to shift to a different style to ensure you can lift and pour easily when it is full. Ease of Cleaning Since most stovetop kettles require handwashing, it’s important to find one that isn’t a hassle to clean after each use. We recommend looking for one with a larger opening and a higher handle, so you can easily see the inside and reach in there to remove any mineral residue. If the one you’re interested in has a smaller opening, it’s not a deal breaker because you can use a small brush instead of a sponge if needed. Frequently Asked Questions Is a stovetop kettle better than an electric one? The short answer, as we discovered, was not necessarily. In our testing, electric kettles out-rated stovetop versions across the board. But for some, stovetop kettles are just their personal preference. Jessica Easto, the author of Craft Coffee: A Manual, agreed with our findings: “A stovetop kettle is not necessarily better than an electric one. It depends on what features you are looking for. Electric kettles often come with additional features, such as the ability to be set to and hold specific temperatures, which can come in handy for tea-making and coffee-making (in which you don't want to scorch your product). You can also walk away from the kettle and not worry about it boiling dry or going cold. But those additional features also tend to mean a higher price tag.” Can you use a stovetop kettle on a gas stove? “You should be able to use a stovetop kettle on either a gas or standard electric stove, but always check the manufacturer's instructions,” says Easto. “If you have an induction stovetop, you'll need to make sure your kettle is suitable for induction (i.e., made of a ferrous metal).” Can you heat milk in a stovetop kettle? This one is a hard pass for Easto. “I would not recommend heating milk in a stovetop kettle, and most manufacturers warn against this, too. Just warm your milk in a saucepan!” How do you clean a stovetop kettle? 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. What Didn't Make the List Strong Contenders: Mr. Coffee Flintshire Stainless Steel Whistling Tea Kettle ($20 at Amazon) Results Still Simmering: Chantal Anniversary Enamel on Steel Whistling Tea Kettle ($50 at Amazon) Low Performers: Cuisinart Aura 2-Quart Tea Kettle ($25 at Amazon) Our Expertise Kara Mickelson is a recipe developer, professional chef, producer, writer, food stylist, an alumnus of UCLA and Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts, and the creator of Styled Delicious, a boutique culinary brand. She trained in Spain as well as in Napa at the famed French Laundry and has worked behind the scenes with top Food Network chefs. She is the author of Friends: The Official Central Perk Cookbook. In addition, Stacey Ballis, a writer, recipe developer, and product reviewer who has been published on Food & Wine, Eating Well, Allrecipes, MyRecipes, Delish, and more, offered her expertise for additional research. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit