Best Stove Top Kettle 2024

Way back in the 70s, whenever anyone visited my nan’s house, they’d have a fresh, hot cup of tea within seconds of entering the house. My nan’s kettle was permanently on the hob, in a state of semi-boil from first thing in the morning until late into the evening. It was the way of life back then, people popping in for a cuppa, she passed away in the late 70s, and I don’t ever remember her owning an electric kettle.

Jump forward 50 years, and the hob top or stove kettles are making a come back. Many people are suffering from increased energy bills and with electricity an average 4 times more expensive than gas, electric kettles are slowly but surely being replaced with the less expensive mode of water boiling. Stove top kettles have improved over the years too, they boil faster, look more stylish, and have much improved insulated handles.

It’s not just nostalgia and economics though, there are so many electrical kitchen gadgets nowadays that are “must haves” that fitting them all on the countertop is becoming a problem. Kitchen worktops can take on the appearance of spaghetti junction with the amount of cables adorning the counter.

Best Selling Stove Top Kettles UK

How Does A Stove Top Kettle Work?

We all know how  kettles work, water goes in, the kettle is subject to heat on the base via a hob, and boiling water comes out. But, that’s just physics, there’s slightly more to it than that, the design of the standard stove top kettle has been improved upon in many ways. The bottoms have been constructed using heat conductive metals to speed up boiling times.

What Are The Benefits Of Stove Top Kettles

When considering the benefits of stove top kettles we have to think of comparisons, in this case with electric kettles, so many of the benefits are also the disadvantages of electric kettles.

• Not reliant on one energy source
  Stove top kettles can be used on any hob – electric or gas, they can also be suspended above an open fire at a push. Stove top kettles are also suitable for use on camping stoves too.
• Rolling (or continuous) boil
  This is very handy if you are constantly serving or drinking coffee, or like my nan, making tea all day.
• One less appliance on the worktop
  Countertops are getting cluttered with all manner of gadgets nowadays that are supposedly essential for our busy lives. By removing the electric kettle and replacing it with a stove top kettle, you free up some space on the worktop for the next “must have” gadget.
• Boil larger quantities of water
  Stove top kettles are available in a range of sizes, from 0.45 litres up to a massive 6 litres, this allows you to boil a substantial amount of water in one kettle.
• Kettle whistle
  Some people will view this as a disadvantage, but the loud, shrill whistle that lets you know the kettle has boiled can be heard from 2 rooms away. Allowing you to be working elsewhere and still know when the kettle boils.
• Nostalgia
  When you get as old as me, it’s nice to see some of the old implements making a comeback, as I mentioned earlier, whenever I think of a stove top kettle I’m reminded of my old nan.
• Can be very economical
  Under some circumstances, using a stove top kettle can save money on energy bills. More on this later.
• Faster to boil
  Some stove top kettles are quicker to reach boiling point than electric kettles.
• No cable drag
  With a stove top kettle there’s no cable to get in the way.

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Stove Top Kettle

There are always a few disadvantages with any product and stove top kettles are no exception. Here are the main disadvantages in no particular order: Stove top kettles are more expensive to buy, the handles can get very hot, for some people the whistle is annoying, most are slower to reach boiling point, and the larger models can be heavy when full to capacity.

Stove Top Kettle Buyers Guide

Here are the main points to consider before buying a stove top kettle.

Whistle Loudness

Depending on the kettle you choose, the whistles can be whisper quiet, or deafeningly loud. Check before you buy that the whistle is suitable for you and your household.

Rust-Resistance

Stove top kettles are usually made from metal, (unlike electric kettles that are fabricated from plastic) many metals will rust under the right conditions. Unfortunately, the right conditions for rust to form are moisture and heat. So a kettle is in the perfect conditions for rust to form, full of water and subject to heat constantly. 

There are rust-resistant kettles on the market and if you’re going to invest in a new kettle it should be one that’s going to last.

Water Capacity

How much hot water do you need? Stove top kettles range in capacity from less than 1 litre up to 6 litres and anywhere in between. Remember though, 6 litres of water will weigh around 6 kilos, plus the weight of the kettle.

Weight

Water weighs 1 kilo per litre, add this to the weight of the kettle, which will be heavier than a plastic electric kettle, and you will need to have pretty good arm strength to operate one safely. Some kettles are made from lighter metals, but they are all heavier than electric kettles. Consider how heavy is acceptable for you and buy accordingly.

Kettle Spout

The design of the spout, will affect the way the water pours, it can also have some influence on heat loss. Can you refill the kettle through the spout, or do you have to remove the lid to refill? Does the whistle need to be physically removed? Or just opened by a flap? 

How hot does the spout cap get? Does it have a whistle? Some spouts are operated by a trigger system in the handle would this be more to your taste? Can the spout be locked open for easy filling?

Kettle Design

Stove top kettles come in many different styles, from traditional, old fashioned styles, to sleek, modern designs. The kettle is on display constantly, consider how the kettle you buy is going to fit in with your decor. Some resemble cauldrons, there are even some that look like the curls used in ice curling games. 

Kettle Colour

This goes hand in glove with the design, modern stove top kettles come in many colours. There will definitely be a colour that suits your style.

Handle

The kettle handle should ideally be made from a heat resistant material like wood or bakelite. To prevent burning when handling. Also it should have an ergonomic design for comfortable use. Can the handle be moved to ease opening of the lid?

Kettle Mouth

The mouth of the kettle is revealed when you remove the lid. It needs to be wide enough to fill easily and clean as and when necessary.

Kettle Bottom

Style is fine, but don’t forget the ultimate goal here is to boil water as fast and efficiently as possible. The kettle bottom plays an important role in this. Too narrow and heat is lost all round the sides of the kettle. Too wide and it will not fit easily on the hob.

Hob Suitability

Some stove top kettles are only suitable for one type of energy source. Consider your stove, is it gas, electric or induction? Be sure the kettle type you choose is suitable for your stove type.

Brand

There are many brands making stove top kettles, some are familiar household names, others are often unheard of companies. It’s always better to go with a well-known and established company as their products have been tried and tested over many years.

Warranty

Any warranty is only as reliable as the company that issues it. This is another reason to use reputable companies. Also, they will likely have a decent customer service department in the event of any problems. Some stove top kettles have a 10-year warranty. It’s worth looking at how long the guarantee is, as this is often a reflection on how confident the company is of their workmanship.

Stove Top Kettle Price

The price you pay for a stove top kettle can be anything from around £9 up to around £125 and this is not dependent on size so much as style. You will have your own budget and it is always wise to have a price in mind and stick to it. It is well worth looking online as prices for the same item can vary considerably from site to site.

Kettle Material

The material the kettle is constructed from can vary quite a lot, some materials are better heat conductors than others. Stove top kettles are available in:

• Stainless Steel
• Glass
• Cast Iron
• Aluminium
• Porcelain
• Copper

The material the kettle is made from will affect its weight as well, so bear that in mind before making your decision. Some will also be less robust than others too.

Availability

Most decent retailers sell stove top kettles, but some are only available from online specialist outlets. This might affect availability and delivery dates, check before you buy.

What Are The Different Types Of Hob & Does The Type Make Any Difference?

There are 3 types of hob that can be used with a stove top kettle, they are:

• Gas Hobs
  Gas is the cheapest form of power in the UK with one unit of gas costing around 4 pence per Kw/h but that doesn’t mean gas is the most efficient way of heating a kettle. Much of that heat spills around the sides of the kettle or pot.
• Electric Hobs
  Electricity creates less condensation, but heat is wasted due to the time taken for the hob to cool after use. That said, electricity can be a cheaper form of heating water than gas, as it has a 70% efficiency which means 70% of the heat from an electric hob actually reaches the water in the kettle. But that is around the same as a gas hob too.
• Induction Stove
  Induction stoves create heat by passing an electromagnetic current directly into the pot. This creates around an 85% efficiency. Induction technology is relatively new and therefore expensive to buy. Plus only certain pans or kettles can be used on induction stoves, adding to the expense.

Just in the interest of transparency an electric kettle has around 80% efficiency as they are well insulated and lose less heat.

Frequently Asked Questions