Electric Tea Kettles??

[pampam]

We use a stovetop tea kettle, but I understand an electric one will save us money on hydro, so I plan on buying one. Which one is the best? I'd like one with a window to see how much water is in it, and one with a lid, so I can clean it out. I don't want necessarily the cheapest, but a good one. What kind do you recommend?

 

[ShiPooOwner]

We use a stovetop tea kettle, but I understand an electric one will save us money on hydro, so I plan on buying one. Which one is the best? I'd like one with a window to see how much water is in it, and one with a lid, so I can clean it out. I don't want necessarily the cheapest, but a good one. What kind do you recommend?

I bought mine at Target and love it! I'd never go back to the stovetop tea kettle now that I have an electric one. I have no idea if it's the best but it's a Hamilton Beach. It shows the water level in the little window and has a lid. I didn't know this next part , but my friend who was born in England and knows all the ins and outs of electric kettles says you can buy ones where the little on/off lever is switched on by pulling the lever up rather than pushing it down. She says if anything ever fell out of the cupboard on it or there was some other mishap, the lever couldn't be pushed down and started accidentally. I don't leave mine plugged in the way she does so that part didn't worry me. She also said she prefers the kind that aren't clear because there's always some sediment in the water and she doesn't want to get grossed out. I guess what she doesn't see doesn't bother her even though she knows it's still there.

 

[vicki_c]

My mom is on her 2nd electric tea kettle (over 20+ years); I don't think she could live without it. She has an expensive Russell Hobbes, I believe it is (Williams-Sonoma, I'm guessing) but as I said the first one lasted at least 10 years, maybe 15.

 

[Purseval]

We use a stovetop tea kettle, but I understand an electric one will save us money on hydro

If you just want enough water for a cup of tea wouldn't the microwave be more efficient than either the electric tea kettle or the stove?

 

[ardig123]

The electric teakettle heats water so much faster than the microwave...especially if you are making more than one cup...ours just broke and I am looking to replace it. One of those things that you do not realize how much you use it until you are without one.

 

[Gigi22]

We use the tea kettle frequently, much faster than boiling water for a pot of tea in the microwave. An added bonus feature is the automatic shut off, once the water has boiled. I keep mine unplugged on the kitchen counter, next to the sink.

 

[momrek06]

We use a stovetop tea kettle, but I understand an electric one will save us money on hydro, so I plan on buying one. Which one is the best? I'd like one with a window to see how much water is in it, and one with a lid, so I can clean it out. I don't want necessarily the cheapest, but a good one. What kind do you recommend?

Oh, I am going to check out 'electric' tea kettles. I have never heard of them.
I have gas at my home and find it very efficient. I actually have gas everything, cooking, dryer and heat etc.

Heading to WS to check them out.

 

[tzolkin]

We have a "hot shot" which is a different design. Water goes in the top and you press a button to dispense it below. My grandma got one and liked it so much she bought one for everyone in the family.

I use it for hot water for different things every day. (Tea, oatmeal, to dissolve something, etc.) We use propane and it takes a while to heat our ice cold water on the stove. It's also faster than the microwave (less than 30 seconds for 2 cups) and I don't have to worry about anyone spilling boiling water while transferring it from the microwave (over the stove) to a bowl on another counter.

 

[Purseval]

I have gas at my home and find it very efficient.

When you put a kettle on the stove you either have to turn the gas down to make it heat slowly or turn it up and lose lots of heat going up the sides of the kettle, making it faster but less efficient. An electric kettle element is under the water so there is rapid heat with little loss.

 

[charming23]

We have a Rival electric tea kettle that we got at walmart a few months ago and I love it. It was $10 and is so easy to use. I love being able to see from the outside how much water is in the container.

 

[TiggerTails57]

http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BKE820XL-Variable-Temperature-1-8-Liter-Kettle/dp/B001DYERBK
This is the one I have.........I drink tea that requires a full boil. Plus, this has a hold water temp feature that will hold your water at the correct temp for 20 mins. I had to have one that makes a 'bing' sound when the water boils.

 

[RachaelA]

I bought mine at Target and love it! I'd never go back to the stovetop tea kettle now that I have an electric one. I have no idea if it's the best but it's a Hamilton Beach. It shows the water level in the little window and has a lid. I didn't know this next part , but my friend who was born in England and knows all the ins and outs of electric kettles says you can buy ones where the little on/off lever is switched on by pulling the lever up rather than pushing it down. She says if anything ever fell out of the cupboard on it or there was some other mishap, the lever couldn't be pushed down and started accidentally. I don't leave mine plugged in the way she does so that part didn't worry me. She also said she prefers the kind that aren't clear because there's always some sediment in the water and she doesn't want to get grossed out. I guess what she doesn't see doesn't bother her even though she knows it's still there.

We have the Hamilton Beach from Target as well. I think I paid $19.99. I love it. Its cheap and does the job fine.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I have had several and would get another one immediately if something happened to the one I have now. We use it daily - it even went on our last Disney trip with us.

I don't have a brand recommendation, but I do advise getting one that you can really get into. The first one we had had a small opening at the top, and you really couldn't get in it to clean it well.

 

[krcit]

If you just want enough water for a cup of tea wouldn't the microwave be more efficient than either the electric tea kettle or the stove?

I can't stand tea made in the microwave. It just doesn't taste good

 

[crisi]

Water and gas have to be pretty expensive for an electric tea kettle to have a return on investment. They are lovely to use - absolutely lovely, but one is going to run you $40+ bucks (you can get really cheap ones, but they don't work as well and won't last, nor is the water as good for tea since the heating element is usually in the kettle instead of the kettle on the heating element).

There is also the counter space/cupboard space issue.....I never have enough of it.

 

[Purseval]

The electric teakettle heats water so much faster than the microwave

But her reason to buy an electric kettle wasn't about speed it was about saving money and the microwave is already paid for. As another poster pointed out it would take quite a while to get a return on the investment of buying a kettle just to save on water and electricity.

I can't stand tea made in the microwave. It just doesn't taste good

My wife is British and drinks tea several times a day. She agrees with you 100%. However I think boiled water is boiled water so now I'm going to surprise her with a cup and see if she can actually tell the difference.

 

[PigletsPal2]

I have to laugh every time I hear about electric tea kettles. Both DDs are huge Nigella Lawson fans and a lot of her recipes call for hot water, i.e., water from a "recently boiled kettle." Both DDs asked for and received "recently boiled kettles" for Christmas; one has a Bodum and the other a Cuisinart. Each is thrilled with her choice.

Queen Colleen

 

[pampam]

Water and gas have to be pretty expensive for an electric tea kettle to have a return on investment. They are lovely to use - absolutely lovely, but one is going to run you $40+ bucks (you can get really cheap ones, but they don't work as well and won't last, nor is the water as good for tea since the heating element is usually in the kettle instead of the kettle on the heating element).

There is also the counter space/cupboard space issue.....I never have enough of it.

Our area has now gone on Time of use electricity with smart meters. We now pay 3 times as much for electricity in the daytime as we do at night. I'm looking for ways to save on hydro costs.

 

[Minnie116]

I can't stand tea made in the microwave. It just doesn't taste good[


I was going to say the same thing. It just does not taste the same

 

[toklotursa]

We use a stovetop tea kettle, but I understand an electric one will save us money on hydro, so I plan on buying one. Which one is the best? I'd like one with a window to see how much water is in it, and one with a lid, so I can clean it out. I don't want necessarily the cheapest, but a good one. What kind do you recommend?

We have two electric kettles. One is a real nice one my DW has had for a few years. That one is for the house. The second one is a cheaper one (9.95 at Walmart) it has all the same features of the expensive one. Well except the price of course. The cheaper one is the one we travel with. They both work great.

Make sure the one you purchase has the auto shut off.