At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Hot Water Kettles
By now, you have probably figured out there is many a coffee brewing method for making a good cup of coffee. Java lovers enjoy debating about which method is the best almost as much as they love the brew. But if there is one thing that is consistent across all the brewing methods, it’s that for a good cup of coffee you need hot water. And one of the best ways to get it is a quality kettle.
Perfectly heated water is almost as important as the beans you use. Today, we decided to take a look at some of the best kettles you can use to heat your water and keep it at the perfect temperature for brewing nothing but the finest cups of coffee.
Quick Summary: The Best Hot Water Kettles for Brewing Coffee
 | Our Top Pick MUELLER PREMIUM ELECTRIC KETTLE |
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 | CUISINART JK-17 CORDLESS ELECTRIC KETTLE |
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 | BONAVITA MINI ELECTRIC KETTLE |
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 | MR. COFFEE FLINTSHIRE WHISTLING KETTLE |
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 | MEDELCO GLASS STOVETOP WHISTLING KETTLE |
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 | OVENTE ELECTRIC HOT WATER KETTLE |
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 | COSORI ELECTRIC GOOSENECK |
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 | FELLOW STAGG EKG ELECTRIC POUR-OVER KETTLE |
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 | WILLOW & EVERETT ELECTRIC KETTLE |
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 | BONAVITA ELECTRIC GOOSENECK KETTLE |
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Roasty Rankings: The Best Coffee Kettles on the Market
Traditional Kettles
Mueller Premium Electric Kettle
This electric kettle from Mueller comes at an affordable price, which is great news for our at-home hipster baristas who aren’t looking to spend the big bucks on a new addition to their coffee brewing routine. But don’t let a lower price point trick you into thinking you aren’t getting a worthwhile product.
This electric kettle is made with high-quality borosilicate glass, 304 stainless steel, and copolyester. This means it’s durable, heat-resistant, and will keep your water safe and fresh. Its other features include a high-quality thermostat controller, an auto shut-off that kicks in 30 seconds after the water’s boiling, and a boil-dry safety feature that turns the kettle off if there’s no water inside. The kettle is versatile, too, as it’s cordless when removed from the base.
Cuisinart JK-17 Cordless Electric Kettle
Thanks to its backlit water window that allows you to see exactly how much water is in your kettle at all times, Cuisinart’s JK-17 gives the classic kettle a more modern design. This electric kettle has a 1500-watt heater that boils your water in no time at all, so it’s a good and fast option for tea in the afternoon or, of course, coffee in the morning. And the non-slip, stay-cool handle makes sure only the contents of your mug, not your hand, stay hot.
There’s also an easy-open lid, a scale filter that’s removable for easy cleaning, a cordless connector with a 360-degree swivel, and an auto-shutoff and boil-dry protection, all wrapped up in a sleek and shiny stainless steel package.
Bonavita Mini Electric Kettle
Are you a Roasty reader who travels a lot but still wants to enjoy a good cup of coffee on the road? We know that sometimes, hotel coffee makers just won’t cut it, but the Bonavita Mini Electric Kettle just might be a gamechanger for your on-the-go brewing machine.
While its half-liter capacity won’t hold a lot of water, the little thing will fit easily into your suitcase, so making a cup of coffee while you travel will be a breeze. It’s built with a 900-watt heating element and automatically shuts off when your water is boiling, so you don’t have to worry about it getting too hot while you’re out exploring your destination during the day.
Mr. Coffee Flintshire Whistling Kettle
Mr. Coffee’s Flintshire whistling kettle is another stovetop buy that will heat your water to the perfect temperature for coffee, tea, or whatever else you use your boiling water for.
This kettle features satin-finished stainless steel and sports a classic look any kettle-lover would want. While it isn’t oven-safe, the Flintshire will work on most stovetops so you can easily heat your water no matter what you have in your kitchen. It’s got a flip-up cover on the spout for safe and easy pouring, and the handles stay cool, so you won’t burn your hands. No wonder this kettle is such a bestseller!
Medelco Glass Stovetop Whistling Kettle
The next offering on our list comes from Medelco. This classic stovetop kettle replaces the satin or brushed stainless steel of which many coffee kettles are made with glass. You can watch the water boil through the crystal clear borosilicate glass that’s designed to be perfectly safe on your stove if that’s your thing, and like other standard kettles, it whistles to let you know when your water is ready.
What’s our favorite thing about Medelco’s glass offering? It’s top-shelf dishwasher-safe, so cleaning it is a total breeze!
Ovente Electric Hot Water Kettle
With many different shades available, Ovente’s electric kettle is designed to bring a splash of color to your kitchen. With options like white, purple, brown, and more, chances are you’ll find something that matches your decor.
But forget about looks! The Ovente kettle features an 1100-watt heater that warms your water quickly and evenly, and the element is concealed for maximum safety. This is also one of the most affordable electric kettles we could find, making it a good choice for anyone shopping on a budget.
Gooseneck Kettles
COSORI Electric Gooseneck
Have you ever heard of Cosori before? If you haven’t, here’s all you need to know: it’s a relatively small kitchen appliance company, and they manufacture what just might become your trusty and reliable kettle.
The electric gooseneck kettle features five water temperature presets, a ready tone that beeps when your water’s hot enough to use, and 1200 watts of power that get your water to boiling in three to five minutes. Combine those features with its 100 percent food-grade stainless steel body, leak-proof and precise pour spout, and one-hour keep warm plate, and you’ve got a fine addition to your coffee and tea brewing arsenal.
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle
Fellow Stagg’s electric gooseneck is a favorite of many, thanks to its aesthetically pleasing design and functionality. The spout on this particular model is designed for perfectly precise pours, and the counterbalanced handle provides a more comfortable and stable pour. The 1200 watt heating element heats your water quickly, and if you flip a switch on the back of the kettle’s base, the Stagg EKG will maintain the water temperature for up to an hour.
Additional features include a brew stopwatch for timing your pour-over brewing and a goal and current temperature display. Plus, you can control the temperature to the degree, from 135 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (or, if you’d prefer to measure degrees in Celsius, there’s a setting for that, too!)
Willow & Everett Electric Kettle
Next up on our list of best coffee kettles is an offering from Willow & Everett. The one-liter stainless steel product holds its own when compared to other electric gooseneck kettles, thanks to its impressive features.
The preset setting allows you to heat your water to the same temperature every day, guaranteeing you won’t burn your coffee grounds or tea leaves ever again. Precision pouring was definitely on the brand’s mind when this kettle was designed, as there’s a spill-free lid and narrow gooseneck spout.
Bonavita Electric Gooseneck Kettle
We get that a regular non-electric kettle isn’t appealing to everyone, and that’s why we’ve included yet another electric model in our line-up.
Allow us to introduce you to the Bonavita Electric Kettle. The gooseneck spout kettle creates a way for more precise pouring, and the brushed stainless steel design fits well with any kitchen setup. If you need your water hot quickly, this beautiful kettle’s 1000 Watt heater makes it an excellent option for you.
Hario v60 Buono Coffee Drip Kettle
The Hario v60 Buono exists because sometimes, you just need to kick it old school. Pour-over brewing experts love this kettle because of its slender, curved spout, but its aesthetic appeal doesn’t hurt, either.
The classic stovetop kettle, with its classic and elegant design and ergonomic handle, is a frequent flyer at specialty coffee shops. Plus, you can place it directly on top of virtually any stove. Unfortunately, it has a little less flow control than other options, but if you prefer a non-electric option and still want something top-of-the-line, this is the one for you.
Ovalware Slow Dance Gooseneck Kettle
If you’re willing to veer away from name brands for a moment, this relative newbie might just win you over. The Slow Dance gives you great control over water-flow and the handle is ergonomically designed. It’s slightly smaller than the Buono, but it is also cheaper. Plus, it’s popular among both coffee and tea drinkers.
Coffee Gator Gooseneck Kettle
While it may look like a regular kettle on the surface, Coffee Gator declares its gooseneck pour-over kettle is the Lamborghini of the coffee world. That’s a pretty bold statement…does it live up to it? We’ll let you decide.
But before you test drive this “Lamborghini,” you should probably know a little bit more about its specs. This product is made with premium-grade stainless steel, and it was the first kettle to be made with a triple-layer base; that means it can work on any stovetop and will stay rust-free for years. Coffee Gator’s kettle may be old-school (non-electric), but that doesn’t mean it’s not convenient. You may have to keep a close eye on your kettle as it’s on the burner, but the built-in thermometer tells you exactly when you should remove it from the heat.
Gooseneck Kettles?
You may notice that the spouts on some of the kettles we recommended look a little…different. The tall, thin spout is one of the main identifiers of a gooseneck kettle. Now, that name comes from the look of the kettle, but its other name gives away its function: the pour-over kettle. That’s right, these things are the key to brewing great pour-over coffee. Here’s why:
It’s All About Control
A gooseneck spout kettle gives novice or professional baristas excellent control. As you may know, to brew using a pour-over, you have to slowly and precisely pour hot water in a circular motion. This is to evenly bloom (soak) all of the grounds and make for even, excellent extraction.
And that can get pretty messy if you’re using a typical kettle with a large spout and super-fast flow rate. Goosenecks allow you to slow down and really make sure you cover everything without getting messy and overall makes brewing consistently high-quality cup possible without much of a hassle.
Why Wouldn’t You Want One?
We also included some non-gooseneck kettles here, but you may be asking: if goosenecks are so great, why would you get anything else?
The main thing that holds back the gooseneck is the flow rate. While a slower, more precise flow of water might be perfect for your pour-over, it can get a little frustrating when you’re using a brewing method that doesn’t require it. For example, if you were using a French Press or an Aeropress, only having a gooseneck could get a bit tedious, especially if you’re in a bit of a hurry.
Can I use a regular kettle for pour-over coffee?
Yes, you can. But as we mentioned before, the narrow spout of a gooseneck gives you a level of control a normal kettle can’t. If you opt not to buy a gooseneck but still intend to brew pour-over coffee, be prepared to proceed with extra caution as you brew.
Jug vs. Traditional Kettles
While gooseneck describes the type of spout on the kettle, there are also different types of “bodies” for kettles. There are two main kettle styles featured here: jug and traditional. Many of the kettles listed above are jug-style, meaning they are taller and more cylindrical. This is the go-to style for most electric kettles.
On the other hand, traditional kettles, like the Mr. Coffee Flintshire and the glass offering from Medelco, have the shape you probably think of when someone mentions kettles. As you can see, these tend to be stovetop models, though the occasional electric model will borrow the look.
What To Look For When Buying
Electric or Stovetop?
The first thing to consider is whether you want an electric or stovetop kettle. Obviously, electric kettles are going to be a bit faster, however, they also tend to come with higher price tags. On the other hand, a stovetop kettle is perfect for someone who loves doing things “the old-fashioned way,” but you might find them annoying or inconvenient if you’re frequently on-the-go or need to heat water multiple times a day.
We recommend taking both your budget and typical brewing volume into account as you decide. Additionally, if you tend to switch between brew methods that require different types of kettles, we recommend purchasing an electric version of the one you use most frequently.
Capacity
This is a big one. No one wants to have to heat up a small kettle multiple times to serve a whole crew. Likewise, using a family-sized kettle to serve one also feels a tad ridiculous. So, you should consider how many people you are usually serving at once.
Have a whole family of coffee drinkers? Tend to throw parties where coffee is present? Opt for a bigger kettle. Just looking to brew for you? Then you can save on space and, often, money by downsizing. One liter is a pretty standard size, but you can find some as small as half a liter.
Flow Rate
We’ve mentioned flow rate a couple of times now, and that’s because in some cases, it’s seriously important! An avid pour-over user absolutely needs to take it into account, as the brewing method takes some finesse and a pour that is too fast or too slow for your tastes could be disastrous (or at least messy).
However, those who brew with other methods don’t need to worry too much about the flow rate unless it is unbearably slow.
Helpful Extras
For the most part, kettles tend to be pretty basic. Unless you’re going all out with an iKettle that connects to your phone, the extra features are pretty consistent across the board. Here, we’ll talk about a few you should keep an eye out for.
First, a pretty common feature now is a gauge that marks the minimum and maximum water capacity in addition to showing the current water level. If you’re buying an electric kettle, you should also check for a limescale filter (a protective mesh in the spout), which helps keep your brew clean.
Another nice feature to have is a multiple temperature setting. This is particularly helpful for people who are brewing more delicate cups, as the temperature can seriously impact the ultimate flavor of the drink. However, this feature does tend to be exclusive to higher-price points.
Price
The last and often most important consideration for some is the price point. There are a couple of different factors that affect the price. The main two are power and build material.
Electric kettles are going to be more expensive while stovetop kettles generally come at a more reasonable price point. That’s because you’re paying for convenience. On the other hand, stainless steel, premium build kettles will be on the higher end of the price range; whereas, trading steel for glass or plastic parts will lower the price. Here, you’re sacrificing durability and, ultimately, longevity.
However, sometimes you can get pretty similar products for different prices. This is usually due to brand or size differences.
What is the lifespan of a kettle?
As Robert Frost famously wrote, “Nothing gold can stay.” And unfortunately, that applies to kettles, too. Your favorite gooseneck kettle (or traditional one, if that’s more your speed) won’t last forever. But just how much time do you have with your beloved product before it kicks the bucket?
The answer to that question depends on a couple of different factors, but many agree that a kettle used on a daily basis should be replaced approximately every 2 years. If you neglect proper kettle care (including rinsing mineral build-up off weekly or frequently descaling it if you live in a hard water area), you may find yourself needing to replace it sooner.
Two years is just an average, and the kettle’s lifespan varies based on the model, but as a general rule, know your kettle’s life is coming to a close when you begin to see rust form on it.
Wrapping Up
Remember, one of the main ingredients in any good cup of coffee is hot water. Without it, you simply cannot enjoy many of the best flavors and nuances you will find in each cup of coffee. Using any one of these hot water kettles will help you make sure that you have water that is at the perfect temperature every time. That way you know that the next cup of coffee you make will simply be spectacular.
Happy Caffeinating!
