Kettles: everything you need to know about making the best brew
When you’re considering the best or most valued appliances in your home, it’s rare to consider your kettle.
Many of us will instantly jump to the more modern inventions.
Think, dishwasher, coffee machine, air fryer – but where would we be without the classic kettle?
While the kettle instantly makes me think of a good cuppa tea, it’s also a failsafe for boiling water for cooking, baths, cleaning and more.
Therefore it definitely still deserves it’s spot on your kitchen worktop.
How does a kettle work?
A kettle works by converting electrical energy into heat through a heating element which warms water via conduction and convection until it reaches it’s boiling point.
A thermostat then ensures an automatic shut off for safety.
Kettles were first used as early as 3500 BC where in Mesopotamia bronze vessels were used to heat water over fire.
These were popular as they could withstand frequent use for cooking and water needs.
Although it’s worth noting that they didn’t have handles or spouts.
Kettles in the form we use today, the modern electric version, were invented in 1891 in Chicago.
These still took a whopping 12 minutes to boil though, so many advancements were made before the brew we can make in the ad break of our favourite telly show.
Can a kettle be used to boil other liquids?
No, kettles must only be used to boil water – if you’re heating up milk or other liquids it’s best to do it on a pan on the stove.
How to clean your kettle
Kettles are actually ranked as the UK’s most dirty appliance.
With research from Ninja Kitchen revealing that 1.2 million of us Google search ‘how to clean kettle’ every month.
Actually the best way to clean your kettle is really simple, quick and easy as the experts at Ninja Kitchen explain.
“To descale a kettle, fill your kettle with equal parts water and white vinegar and let the solution sit for 30 minutes.
“After 30 minutes, discard the solution and rinse the kettle with clean water.
“Repeat as needed.
“Regularly descaling can increase the lifespan of your kettle by removing the build-up of mineral deposits caused by hard water.”
Best kettle buys
Looking to invest in a new kettle? Let us guide you through the most innovative buys on the market to get you the best morning brew.
Quiet kettle
If you have a baby or young child in the house, a kettle that keeps noise to a minimum is definitely up there on your list of requirements.
Luckily, lots of kettles these days have the Quiet Mark certification – so while they will of course still make a noise, you can rest assured they will be quieter than other models.
One such example of this is Dualit Pour Over Kettle, which is ideal for making tea and using with drip through coffee makers.
It has great temperature control which can be altered one degree at a time from 38°C to 100°C.
Crucially, this appliance also enables you to be able to turn off alerts and notifications – so there can be no loud click when water is boiled if desired.
- Dualit pour over kettle, £99.99 from Dualit – buy here
Variable temperature
If you’re someone that likes to have their hot drinks at optimum temperatures, getting a kettle that has variable temperature settings is a must.
Especially if you’re a fan of delicate, green or white teas, as these can be damaged if water is too hot.
This kettle enables you to select from 7 different temperatures between 50° C and 100° C, so you can get the optimum taste from the tea leaves.
The generous 1.7L size means you can heat water for multiple servings of tea, coffee, soups and more.
It’s convenient to fill with the lid-release button, and a nice chime will let you know the water is ready for your desired brew.
The removable and washable limescale filter will help to reduce the limescale build up on the kettle, too, which is great for peace of mind.
- KitchenAid Variable Temperature 1.7L Kettle, £134.25 from KitchenAid – buy here
Glass kettle
This modern kettle design is elegant and easy to care for, and it’s perfect for the modern tea drinker.
It boasts a removable tea strainer, exact temperature setting and keep-warm function, with the water not touching the plastic at any time in this model – ensuring pure taste and enjoyment.
The GRAEF WK350 has a glass body made from heat resistant glass and stainless steel housing, with chic LED lighting indicating when the appliance is boiling.
It also offers overheating protection and automatic shut off, making boiling water especially safe.
The temperature setting on this operates by touch display with a residual heat indicator, filter coffee function and 30-minute keep warm function.
- Graef Glass Kettle & Tea Maker, £99 from Graef – buy here
Kitschy kettle
Bodum as partnered with Disney to release this one-of-a-kind, bold, stylish kettle.
It’s been created in partnership with the New York Museum of Modern Art, the electric kettle offers the perfect blend of style and reliable performance.
It includes all the trusted kettle features, including a rapid boil system, automatic shut off and integrated cord storage to keep your kitchen neat and tidy.
The water level indicator ensures you only boil the exact amount of water that you need, which is great for sustainability.
The kettle is available in a range of fun colours, so you can choose which fits best with your space.
- Water Kettle, 1.0 L, Disney-Mickey, £89.90 from Bodum – buy here
Retro design
Smeg has long been our go-to for stylish, retro designs across our kitchen appliances, and kettles are no exception to that.
With a huge array of colours to choose from, a Smeg kettle boasts vintage elegance with a sleek enamel 1950s finish.
It’s not retro in its workings though, boiling water faster than ever with its powerful 300W voltage and 1.7L capacity.
The removeable, stainless-steel limescale filter and concealed heating element ensure that every pour tastes as good as it looks, too.
- Kettle in pink, from £149.95 from Smeg – buy here
Iconic design
If you’re looking for a kettle with an impactful design for your kitchen space, then this Laura Ashley offering should definitely be on your radar.
The 3KW dome kettle has a rapid boil, and its 1.7L capacity means you can make up to 7 cups of tea at once – fantastic for entertaining.
The viewing window means it’s easy to see the water level, too, with a perfect pour spout for easy usage.
What we love most about this kettle though, is the stylish, patterned design that will make your kettle more than just an appliance.
- Laura Ashley Elveden 1.7L dome kettle in Navy, £90 from Laura Ashley – buy here
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