Tea lovers are often confused between the terms tea kettle and teapot. Most people think both to be the same, simply because they both look quite similar, have a spout and a lid, and they both contain hot water at some point in the tea-making process.
But regardless of the similarities, a tea kettle and a teapot are not the same. You use the kettle to boil the water, and you use the teapot to steep in the tea. The kettle goes on the stove, and the teapot does not.
This is the basic difference between both the products. We’ll learn about them in detail throughout the article hence continue scrolling.
Table of Contents
What Is a Tea Kettle?
The tea kettle is a simple utensil you use to boil water for tea. There is no hard process of using one. You simply need to fill in water, heat it, and pour the water into your mug or a teapot.
You will get two variants of it in the market; stovetop tea kettle and electric ones.
Both of them are useful kitchen accessories, but you don’t need to buy both types.
Remember that tea kettles are only meant to boil water and not brew tea. If you want it to last longer, only use it for heating up the water.
Always wash the kettle before using it for hygiene purposes, and don’t forget to empty it after every usage.
Leaving the tea kettle with water will lead to rust and bacterial growth, and you definitely don’t want that to happen.
Electric Tea kettle
An electric tea kettle is quite similar to the non-electric one. The only difference is here; you boil water using an electric base instead of the stovetop. The electric kettle is better in the sense that it boils water much faster than the non-electric ones.
It comes with a base that plug-ins into an electric outlet. The kettle gets the heating source from this outlet and uses it for boiling water.
Some electric kettles come with temperature sensors using which you can select to what temperature you can boil your water too.
Like the stovetop kettle, you should also empty the electric kettle after each use. Leaving water in it will make the kettle rusty.
What Is a Teapot?
A teapot, on the other hand, is mainly made of ceramic that we use especially for brewing tea. After you boil water in the tea kettle, you pour that into the teapot along with the tea bags.
The teapot is something that you can carry to your breakfast spot or when serving tea to the guests.
The ceramics and intricate decorations are some of the specialties of teapots.
You can’t place the teapot on the stove; it’s only meant for brewing and serving tea.
The pots are usually pretty delicate, so putting them on the stove can cause cracks.
Teapot v/s Kettle: Do You Need Both?
From the above definitions, you must have got an idea about these two. Here are some quick pointers highlighting the difference between the kettle and the teapot-
- The kettle is a basic kitchen utensil that we use to boil water. You don’t necessarily use it just to boil water for tea. The teapot, on the other hand, is more like a serving pot. You place either the dry tea leaves or tea bags in it and then pour hot water to brew the tea.
- There are two variants of the kettle: stovetop kettle and electric kettle. You can place the kettle on an open flame, but you can’t do the same with a teapot.
- The kettles are usually made of steel or aluminium, and the teapots are made of ceramic.
- Electric kettles sometimes come with temperature adjustments. There are no such facilities in a teapot.
- You get different designs sizes for teapots. They are usually quite appealing to the eye. But kettles are very average, and there are no decor elements in them.
How to Choose a Teapot?
You must make sure that your teapot is not that fragile and should last you for a long time. Moreover, the teapot must do justice to your tea, and the material plays a huge role in that. Here are some best tips for choosing the best teapot-
If you are a tea lover, you should go for the ceramic teapot. It won’t interfere with the flavors, so your tea would taste best in a ceramic-based teapot.
If you are not a tea person and need one just for occasional use, you can pick a glass teapot.
Another thing to remember while buying a teapot is heat retention.
You should go for one that holds heat longer, making it better for higher steeping times. Ceramic teapots hold heat for longer than glass teapots.
Some teapots also come with infusers. But you can always buy separate infusers if you need any. Lastly, don’t forget the teapot size. A teapot with a serving capacity of four to five cups should be an ideal size.
If you are still struggling to select the best kettle on the market then feel free to check out our top 10 reviews.
How to Choose a Kettle?
Choosing the right kettle will depend on factors like your budget, mode of function, size, etc. If you want temperature adjustments and a short water boiling time, an electric kettle would be best for you.
But if you like the traditional mode of boiling water, a whistle to remind you when the water is ready, you should go for a stovetop kettle. Besides, the material should be sturdy enough to bear the wear and tear of everyday usage.
FAQs
- Can I Leave Water in the Kettle or Teapot?
No, you should not leave water in the kettle or teapot. The right way would be to empty the kettle and teapot after each use. Letting the water sit for a longer period will degrade the quality of both the utensils.
- Do I Need to Buy Both the Kettle and the Teapot?
Both the items have different usage. You boil water in the kettle and brew tea in the pot. So yes, you need to buy both the kettle and the teapot.
- How to Clean the Kettle?
You will use the kettle just for boiling water; hence it does not require a rigorous cleaning every time. But you should clean it with soap at least once a week.
Conclusion
Teapots and kettles are a great addition to your kitchen, especially if you are a tea lover. Both of them are useful in their own ways if you choose the right product. Now let’s go shopping and get home your favorite set of kettle and teapot.
