Unique Kettles Guide
There are many very interesting and unique kettles that you could get to enhance your kitchen. Following extensive research, we selected our favourite ones. After all this work, there is only one regret that I have – it is a shame that I cannot get all of them.
Some interesting history related to tea drinking in the UK
Tea drinking is seen as something very British. Hence, it is interesting to mention that Britain actually only started importing tea in the second half of seventeenth century. Before that English used to drink plain hot water, heated in open pans hanged over the fire. When tea initially arrived, it was taken on as a storm. Firstly it was very expensive and English higher classes found the idea of putting “dried tree leaves” simply appaling. more
Ritter KettlePRICE: €140 – €160 INTERESTING STORYThis is an eco-friendly kettle. Firstly it uses less power due to temperature adjustment feature. It allows making tea at a drinkable temperature, also good for green tea which should be brewed at around 70° Celcius. The kettle is also made using nature-friendly materials.
As one can expect from a kettle made in Germany, it feels high quality and should last a long time. The housing is made out of heat-resistant acrylic which looks and feels great. Definitely different from simple plastic. The base allows 360-degree swivel, and overall it just feels well thought and yet simple.
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Alessi Kettle by Michael GravesPRICE: €120 – €140 INTERESTING STORYMichael Graves is a very famous American architect recognised for his contribution to contemporary architecture. For example, he designed Portland Building and Denver Public Library. Alessi, a luxury Italian kitchen brand, has asked for his help in making some striking pieces like this.
This Italian kettle comes with handles and whistles in different colours, to match to other pieces in your kitchen. Alessi started selling this design in 1985 and until today it is still the best selling product. Hence you might have seen this kettle before. Just these days you also have an option to get an electric one if you prefer. Among the fans there is a trend to collect different whistles that come in different colours and shapes, for example, a classic bird can be replaced with a dragon. expand.. |
Staub Iron Cast TeapotPRICE: €460 – €500 INTERESTING STORYThe inspiration for this unique looking Staub iron cast teapot is actually coming from a Japanese teapot. Cast iron teapots have been used for generations in Japan, and are relatively new to European makers.
It is a kettle if you want to boil water, but it is also designed to be used as a teapot too. It has a tea leaf bowl inside, should you wish to serve your family or guests using this piece of kitchen art. Enamel covered cast iron is a long-term investment. It is very sturdy and corrosion resistant, all parts are metal, hence it will last decades not years. Some people also use it to make sauces as well as make and pour soups during dinner parties. MADE IN: Turckheim, Alsace, France (have three manufacturing facilities in France) expand.. |
Mulex SamovarPRICE: €210 – €240 INTERESTING STORYSamovar in literal translation means “self-boiling”. Invented and heavily used in Russia it is also very popular in Eastern and Central Europe, Iran and the Middle East. In its original design samovar was heated by coal or charcoal.
It has a capacity of one litre in the teapot and another two litres in samovar itself. Once it reaches the set temperature it continuously keeps it at the same level, while in energy saving mode. The teapot has a tea leaves strainer, and inside of the kettle is made out of stainless steel. Outside is made out of high-quality synthetic material (not plastic) while teapot is ceramic.
Picture credits go to Mulex. expand.. |
Richemond KettlesPRICE: €290 – €415 INTERESTING STORYFirst British kettles were made from silver. Poor people, or commoners as they were known then, could later afford cheaper kettles, hence the choice of copper. I personally find this metal more striking and impressive. But, if you wish to go the aristocrat route, the company released a silver plated Jubilee edition too.
This Jubilee special edition kettle celebrates tea drinking and English heritage. It marks HRH Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee, and, of course, due to limited numbers, is appreciated by collectors.
Talking of the Copper metal, is used for two main reasons: very good heat conduction and, frankly, it looks great. Interestingly with age, the copper kettle should not shine as new. It’s age and effect on the brass is part of the charm of the slowly and appreciatively ageing classic kettle. Picture credits go to Richemond Kettle Company. expand.. |
Aga Classic British KettlePRICE: €130 – €150 INTERESTING STORYFirst kettles were made from silver to accommodate the image of tea as a luxury item. Then, when lower classes started being able to afford tea they had copper kettles due to the availability of the metal then. Aluminium kettles are a much more recent invention.
These kettles come made of plain polished aluminium or an anodised aluminium. I personally prefer anodised kettle as it is more decorative – it just looks so much classier. But also anodised aluminium is more durable and corrosion-resistant, meaning it is more likely to last longer too. Comes in 2 or 3 litre capacity. Made in Birmingham, England.
Picture credits go to Aga. expand.. |