Comments on: sunday night surf-n-shop: tea kettles

By: judy

judy — Tue, 20 May 2008 03:50:34 +0000

I have original Michael Graves tea kettle with red singing bird and have used it daily since 1985. Unfortunately, black ball top has melted over the years and the black finial that is currently being sold will not fit it. Anyone have any idea where I can find that black screw on piece? I would dearly love to replace it.

Thanks much.

By: miranda

miranda — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 12:30:57 +0000

PS – to the Michael Graves haters: the stuff at Target is lower-end than the rest of his branded goods. There are slightly different versions in spendier stores at higher price points, and those models are sturdier. Specifically, his first kettle is considered a design icon, but the Target version is basically a knockoff of the real thing.

By: miranda

miranda — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 12:28:21 +0000

Experience similar to Jen’s – my mom is a great one for forgetting to lower the whistle on kettles. We went through two or three enamelled Chantal kettles, which are not cheap. One was on a new flat-top range, and the kettle fused to the range; we were able to chip it off, but it did permanently mar the surface of the cooktop. We’d paid $100 for the first kettle, then whatever Marshall’s was charging for the second two (around $40-60, IIRC). We also burned Revereware and a couple of Copco kettles.

I’m now in the electric kettle camp, because it shuts itself off. I recommend spending a little on one – go for one with a metal mesh filter, for example, rather than something flimsier. I use a lot of hot water – tea drinker, etc – and to me, it’s worth the counter real-estate.

By: Betty

Betty — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 13:19:34 +0000

Can’t lose with the classic Revereware kettle. Not the made in china crap out now, but the made in Clintonville, Ill oldies. Picked up at a thrift for $4. Loud loud whistle and easy to clean. It’ll last longer than you.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 02:40:06 +0000

I’ve been without my tea pot for a few months now. I had a Chantal that I dearly loved and used quite frequently… until one day.
The harmonica sound was lovely, until one day it decided NOT to work after I’d started a pot on the stove. I went back to work at my computer waiting for that lovely sound and promptly remembered the pot on the stove when a strange smell came in to my office. I ran into the kitchen to rescue it and found the bottom had completely melted and dripped into the pan underneath it. No warning, not a peep. Now when I put anything on the stove, I set the timer to remind me to check on it after 5 minutes.
If your pot needs a new home, I’ve space on the new burner.

By: Victoria

Victoria — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 18:11:16 +0000

Go with the Windsor, if you like its traditional style. I have had one for over 10 years and adore it. It has a robust whistle that reminds you that you were making tea on those times when you leave the kitchen and head back to the computer (some multitasking is possible with a quick boil model).

Long ago, someone gave me the original Graves kettle that the Create & Barrel is modelled on, it is expensive rubbish. You have to remove the bird whistle from the spout to pour and hot steam is coming out of the spout. That could be a problem with its Crate & Barrel offspring?

By: becky

becky — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:52:33 +0000

I use a regular pot to boil my tea water. We steep the water in the pot and then decant it into a vaccum thermos. My thermos keeps the tea hot all day.

I am sometimes tempted by the electric kettle but I don’t know how I’d make my giant pot of tea? (can’t put loose tea in my vaccum thermos and a regular tea pot doesn’t insulate well enough)

By: mirdreams

mirdreams — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:07:17 +0000

Getting ready to register. I’m sold on the electric, but are there any good looking ones?

By: Angela M.

Angela M. — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 23:01:09 +0000

Wow. That Chantal one Baba Yaga suggested is lovely. Worth the splurge, perhaps? Thanks for all the comments. I will have to do a search for attractive electric kettles and then we can have a showdown vs stovetop.

By: scott

scott — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:44:42 +0000

i have the windsor whistler quick boil, and it’s fantastic. also comes in copper, for even speedier (and more expensive) heating. this site is wonderful!