A retro tea kettle is a perfect appliance to brew your tea if you are a vintage enthusiast. When it comes to the tea ritual, many people take this to a whole new level, from picking the right premium quality tea leaves to measuring the right water temperature. These things may be important, but it’s also important to have the right kettle that will suit your needs.
There are a lot of different types and brands of kettles, so which one should you buy? In this post, we will break-down everything you need to know when you are looking for a nice retro tea kettle.
History of tea kettles
We usually take ordinary things today for granted. We rarely think of an object history and how was it invented.
Well, sometimes I do think about this kind of stuff, and I wanted to share with you what I’ve learned.
It seems that kettles can be traced back to 2000 BC. The archaeologists found in Mesopotamia evidence that shows bronze vessels with a similar look to our modern tea kettles, but those were used more for cooking food.
Kettles first started to be used for boiling water in China, with the purpose to remove impurities from the water. Chinese soldiers and travelers discovered the beneficial effects of drinking boiled water and started to add flavor to the water by using green tea leaves.
Later, Japan developed a meaningful ritual for serving tea which became a tradition. Also, they’ve started to improve the tea kettles for this purpose.
When the iron casting technique evolved, around the 16th century, tea kettles gained popularity as they became more accessible to anyone. Afterward, tea kettles started to be used by cowboys for boiling water in order to make coffee during a long cattle drive. Those kettles were made of cast iron or copper.
Tea kettles have a long history and were an important piece, almost like a survival tool for soldiers and travelers.
Different tea kettle materials
Copper – When it comes to vintage tea kettles this is the material that comes to my mind. Copper is a great heat conductor, so will boil the water very fast on medium heat.
The disadvantage here is that they require more maintenance as it gets tarnished easily. Also, keep in mind that copper reacts with various foods. When cleaning a copper kettle be careful to use mild cleaning soap and dry the kettle thoroughly with a soft cloth.
Stainless steel – This may be the most popular tea kettle material, and this comes to no surprise. Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, is easy to clean and maintain, and doesn’t react with food. The drawback here is that it heats relatively slowly. Those types of kettles are usually cheap and provide good value for money.
Cast Iron – These type of kettles are usually the heaviest and are great for retaining heat, but will take longer to boil the water.
They require extra attention as they are prone to rust. Usually, they are coated with enamel inside which can be easily scratched, so be careful when you clean them. Obviously, you have to dry the kettle thoroughly after cleaning to prevent it from rusting. However, after you use the kettle for a long time, the surface will get covered in a thin layer of minerals which will make the cast iron almost completely rust-proof.
Aluminum – Those types of kettles are usually the lightest and are very resistant to scratches and stains which makes them perfect for taking them outdoors. The heat almost as quickly as a copper one, but usually they more expensive.
Glass – Those kettles tend to be very elegant and are also easy to clean, but they are easy to break, so be careful how you handle them. Also, don’t heat the kettle too fast as it could break, and try not to heat it directly on the eye of a stove. Instead, you can use a metal trivet, which helps to diffuse the heat.
Those are a great choice when you want to impress your guests with some blooming teas.
Tea kettle Types
There are broadly two types of kettles:
Electric kettles and Stove-Top kettles.
Now, you may think that the electric kettles can’t be vintage, but they were invented back in the 1890s!
Which type is better? It depends on your needs, each type brings his own advantages.
Advantages of Stovetop Kettles
As a vintage enthusiast I like more the classic stovetop kettles, but that’s just my personal choice.
Those types of kettles can come in handy when you have more kitchen appliances than power outlets.
Also, they generally cost less than electric kettles.
I personally find the process of heating water on the stove for tea very relaxing and is a must in my tea-making ritual.
Advantages of Electric Kettles
The main advantage of an electric kettle is that it heats water faster, so it can come in handy when you are in a hurry. Also, it is more energy-efficient.
Another useful thing is that some electric kettles have built-in water filters to remove hard water deposits from the water.
Some devices are even equipped with a temperature-control thermometer and will stop heating the water before it reaches the boiling point. This is helpful if you want to make a cup of green tea or white tea, as you probably know for those kinds of teas the perfect water temperature is between 160°F and 180°F
Nowadays, this type of kettle probably suits better for the majority of people as a busy lifestyle became more and more common.
Other things to consider
The Size
The size of a tea kettle is quite important, so your choice, based on its capacity, will depend on the number of people you will making tea for.
If you have a large family, for example, you don’t want to have to boil water multiple times to serve all the members of your family, so you will need a bigger kettle.
Also, you don’t want your tea kettle to be bigger than you need, to not take more unnecessary space in your kitchen.
The Spout
The spout should let you control the water flow easily. You want a spout big enough so filling a cup of tea would not take an eternity.
Regarding the aspect, there are different models of spouts, ornated, or not. So, make sure to look for different models, to see what you like.
The Handle
Typically there are two types of handles for tea kettles, metallic or with different material protection.
The choice here is pretty simple, try to look for a retro tea kettle with a stay-cool handle made from rubber, or plastic. The metallic handle will get very hot when you use the tea kettle so you will need to use some protection before handle it. Of course, this applies to stove-top kettles, as the electric ones don’t come in direct contact with the source of heat.
The Whistle
Obviously, there are two options: retro tea kettles with a whistle or without. I personally like the whistle as I can carry on my other stuff and the whistle will notify me when the water is boiling. Practically I save some time by not having to monitor the tea kettle constantly or risking the water spilling all over.
Also, the whistling sound enhances the tea making ritual.
The Source of Heat
There are some particular cases when you cannot put the tea kettle directly on the fire, like glass kettles. The manufacturer will specify which type of heat source the tea kettles works efficiently. The vast majority of today’s stove-top tea kettles can work with any heat source, but make sure to check de description of the product.
The Budget
Depending on your budget you can opt for a stove-top or an electric retro tea kettle. Keep in mind that the electric one is usually more expensive. After picking the type of the kettle, the next things that will influence the price will be the material, its functionalities (especially if it’s an electric one), and other things like ornaments and so on.
Where you’ll be using the retro tea kettle?
Depending on where you intend to make a cup of tea, there are some things to take into consideration when you are looking for a retro tea kettle.
I’ll exemplify some scenarios to have a better idea or what I am talking about.
At Home
If you are mainly going to make tea at home for you, your family, or friends, your choices are simple. You can choose either a stove-top tea kettle or an electric one. If you are a busy person you should go to an electric one as it is faster. Or, if you don’t have much counter space, you should opt for a stove-top one.
After you choose the type, you can try to look for a retro tea kettle that matches well your kitchen décor.
At the office/ hotel rooms
If you want to make a cup of tea regularly at your office, at work, you should go for an electric retro tea kettle as you will probably do not have a stove there. This thing applies even when you are going on a vacation and want to make your own cup of tea in the hotel room. You should go for a small, easy to transport, electric tea kettle for vacations.
On the Road
If you use to travel a lot and go camping, you can still have a warm cup of tea whenever you like.
If you are tent camping you can get a nice retro cast iron tea kettle, which is durable enough to heat it directly on a campfire or grill.
If you are camping using a recreation vehicle (RV) and you don’t have a stove, you can opt for an electric tea kettle.
The Best Retro Electric Tea Kettles
1. Nostalgia RWK150AQ Retro Stainless Steel Electric Water Kettle
This retro tea kettle is simply amazing. It boils the water super fast with its 1500 watt power. Has a capacity of 1.7 liters, enough for 7 cups, so is enough for a big family.
It has boil-dry protection, so it will shut off the power when the water has reached the boiling temperature or if the kettle is empty.
It’s very friendly to use and features a lighted on/off switch, a temperature gauge, and a water level window which is very useful.
It’s made of stainless steel which provides durability and corrosion resistance and the handle has a chrome cover.
Besides the awesome features, what I like the most, is its awesome retro look. Is just perfect. It makes me think of the 1970s.
2. ZKIAH Electric Kettle
The Zkiah electric kettle boils 1.7 liters of water in just 5 minutes. Features a nice thermostat controller, and has boil-dry protection. It will auto shut-down within 30 seconds after the water started boiling, and also when is no water in the kettle.
Made out of stainless steel, so it is corrosion resistant and it has a nice food-grade pp plastic filter.
With the classic vintage design, this electric water kettle is a great artistic decoration and an ideal gift for family and new homeowners.
3. Russell Hobbs KE5550BKR Retro Style Electric Kettle
Practical and elegant, this electric kettle from Russell Hobbs is the perfect addition to a style-conscious kitchen.
The retro design adds timeless beauty to any kitchen, no matter your kitchen style.
Features like durable stainless steel construction with a pull-off lid, drip-free spout, auto shut off, and cool-touch handle make it as practical as it is elegant.
The pour spout is designed to prevent dripping by creating a single water stream that keeps the boiled water safely contained. The water temperature gauge on the front of the kettle simplifies the process of heating water to precise temperatures for teas, pour overs, and other recipes.
The water level gauge on the rear of the kettle shows markings up to 7 cups (1.7L), and the inside of the kettle features level markings for quickly boiling 1-3 cups of water. Additionally, the removable anti-scale filter prevents mineral buildup from passing through the spout so you may enjoy freshly boiled water for tea, hot cocoa, oatmeal, French press coffee, and more.
4. BELLA Electric Tea Kettle
Boil water for your tea and coffee in style with the BELLA Electric Ceramic Kettle. This one of a kind full ceramic kettle is the perfect entertaining piece for all you tea and coffee lovers out there. Offered in a variety of colors and patterns it is the perfect decorative piece to add to any kitchen. This ceramic tea kettle is a home essential, combining undeniable style and versatility with reliable functionality and safety. Boil hot water for tea, coffee, oatmeal, instant soups, and more.
This kettle features automatic shut off & boil dry protection as well as a concealed heating element for maximum safety & ease of use. A long gooseneck-style spout is ideal for controlled pours & avoiding dangerous over pours.
With a 1200 watt, the heating element boils the water pretty fast. Has a fully detachable 360-degree power base with cord storage & a safe, easy to use design.
Additionally, the full ceramic design delivers great tasting water free of metallic or rubber tastes. Clearly marked minimum and maximum fill lines for guess-free boiling.
5. Elite Gourmet Americana Electric Water Tea Kettle
This Americana Electric Kettle by Elite has a 1.7L capacity (7.2 cups) and is ideal for making hot tea, coffee, baby formula, noodles, oatmeal, or even to simply boil water for sterilizing. It features a nice double wall for anti-scalding and heat preservation.
Constructed of 100% food-grade 304 stainless steel interior plus a PP exterior which always remains cool. No plastic of any kind comes in contact with hot water for safe healthy drinking water every time.
This stylish retro design featuring an exterior temperature gauge is here to make your life easier and add a touch of nostalgia to your countertop.
The auto shut-off function will make sure that the kettle is turned off when the water starts boiling, so you don’t have to worry about it! Just set it and forget it! Plus, the handy on/off switch is the only thing you need to learn! No fussy instructions, no complicated parts!
With 1500 Watts of power, you can quickly boil a full 1. 7L / 7 cups in under 8-minutes, conveniently preparing hot tea, delicious cocoa, or instant soup. Save time and energy for more important tasks.
It has a large pouring spout that features a stainless steel filter for perfect, spill proof pours!
The Best Stove Top Tea Kettles
1. DEMMEX Hammered Copper Stovetop Tea Kettle
This vintage-looking stove-top tea kettle is handmade out of solid copper with a thickness of 1mm. The interior is lined with tin to prevent tarnish and reaction with the food. With a capacity of 1.6 Quarts is big enough for an entire family. The outside is not lacquered so it will develop a natural patina layer in time.
The manufacturer guarantees that the kettle is made out of 1mm thick copper and they have an authenticity test program. After receiving the teapot, if for any reason you suspect that it is not copper, drill a hole anywhere on the teapot’s body and check the hole. You will see 1 mm thick copper along the hole. Nothing else. They will send you a replacement immediately if you decide to do this test and send the photos afterward. (This test should be done within 7 days of receiving the kettle to avoid abuse of the replacement guarantee)
You can also find this kettle with an antiqued copper version.
2. DEMMEX 2017 Engraved Copper Stovetop Tea Kettle
This vintage-looking handmade hammered copper tea kettle has a really unique and special design. With the capacity of 1.6 Quarts is big enough for an entire family. It is entirely made of solid 1mm thick copper and lined with lead-free tin for extra protection against tarnish. The outside will inevitably tarnish in time as the copper in untreated. If you like the aspect of tarnished copper you can leave it like that or otherwise you can luster the copper surface with some copper cleaner using a non-abrasive pad.
Keep in mind that copper is a great heat conductor, so it’s best to use the copper kettle on medium heat or lower.
Notice that this is not a whistling tea kettle.
3. SUSTEAS Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle
The Susteas tea kettle perfectly combines modern materials and techniques with a vintage style. With a capacity of 3L is big enough for an entire family. But keep in mind that the minimum usage capacity of the kettle is 2L. If below this minimum water level, the original color will become brown after using it.
Also, the maximum boiling capacity of the kettle is 2.6L. Only when the water is boiled below this capacity, there is a loud whistle.
It features a nice cool handle ergonomically designed and a push-button which makes pouring a breeze.
The whistle is very nice and loud enough, so you can hear it from another room when the water starts boiling.
The water starts boiling pretty fast, as the bottom of the kettle is made of 3 layers, and the body of the kettle is made of stainless steel, so is corrosive resistant.
This is an incredible high-quality tea kettle and the classic style ensures that will fit well in any kitchen.
4. Gibson Alderton Tea kettle
The whistling tea kettles by Mr. Coffee add an aesthetic appeal to your stovetop to enhance the overall appearance and functionality of your kitchen.
The timeless look goes well with any kitchen layout and design. The distinctive shape of this teakettle looks fantastic on the stovetop or around the kitchen, and it boils water for delicious hot cocoa with the family or medium to a large pot of tea or coffee.
Made of stainless steel, so is resistant to rust, and features a flip-up spout cover for safe and easy pouring and a stay-cool trigger for safety.
It is recommended to hand wash it with a soft pad or sponge and dishwashing soap.
5. CAFÉ BREW COLLECTION Borosilicate Glass Stove Top Whistling Tea Kettle
The list wouldn’t be complete without a glass tea kettle.
This kettle is an absolute amazing piece of craftsmanship. Made entirely out of high quality borosilicate glass from Duran, Germany it features a whistling lid. How awesome is that!
The kettle is perfect for boiling water on gas, electric and glass stove tops. A steel heat diffusing Trivet is included with every Kettle and should be used on electric range coils between the coils and glass.
Whether boiling water for tea, pour over coffee, hot cocoa or even instant soup, this kettle is the ideal solution. And the unique glass design even looks great simply sitting on your counter!
It’s easy to clean, but be careful how you can handle it as it can break if dropped, like any other glass appliance. Use only sponge or soft pads with soapy water to avoid scratching the glass. It is also dishwasher top rack safe, but be careful to avoid contact with other items in dishwasher.
Conclusion
For many, drinking tea is a tradition and a way of relaxation. Drinking tea has a lot of benefits, like reducing anxiety, is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. To complete this beautiful and meaningful tea ritual you will need the best tea kettle. And even more, you will need a vintage-looking tea kettle to bring you back with your imagination back in the 1800s.
This way you will benefit both the quality and improvements of today’s tea kettles and the aspect of a vintage tea kettle.
This guide will help you make the best choice on what retro tea kettle you should buy.