Countertop Appliances
HOW TO USE A KETTLE
You might think that you only need to turn on a kettle filled with water to make the perfect cup of soothing tea or aroma-rich coffee.
Whether you’re making your morning cup of pour over coffee or relaxing with a book while enjoying herbal tea, knowing how to properly use a kettle can help you make your favourite hot beverages and more.
Keep reading to learn about the various types of kettles and how to use and take care of them. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the perfect cup of tea or coffee whenever you want.
WHAT IS A KETTLE?
A kettle is a container used to heat water and its main components are a lid, handle and spout. Kettles are mainly used to boil water for coffee, tea, hot chocolate or other hot drinks. They can also be used for meals that require hot water like soup and oatmeal.
New parents find kettles to be a useful tool for preparing formula or cleaning baby bottles.
How to use a kettle depends on the type of kettle and what you want to brew. Keep reading to learn more.
TYPES OF KETTLES
Kettles come in two different types: Stovetop and Electric.
Stovetop kettles work similarly to pots in that they generate heat via an external heat source like a stovetop burner. Electric kettles, on the other hand, have an integrated heating element designed to generate heat by using electricity.
There is also a gooseneck kettle, available in both electric and stovetop varieties. Gooseneck kettles have a long and slim spout that can achieve a precise pour like the kind needed for pour over coffee. There are two different electric gooseneck kettles offered by KitchenAid brand:
A streamlined version with an on/off switch
A digital electric gooseneck kettle that lets you select your preferred brewing temperature customizable in 1-degree increments
The type of kettle that’s best for you comes down to what you want to make and how your kitchen is set up.
Let’s review how to use the various types of kettles and which might work best for your favourite recipes. Or, if you’d prefer, you can skip ahead to our Kettle Buying Guide and get started with your own kettle creations.
HOW TO USE AN ELECTRIC KETTLE?
With a wide range of electric kettles available, it’s important to note that each has its own set of operating instructions. Make sure to read your owner’s manual to learn how to use your electric kettle model.
Here are some general steps to use most electric kettle models:
STEP 1:
Place your electric kettle base on an even surface.
STEP 2:
Fill the kettle with water up to the max fill line or below.
STEP 3:
Check that the lid is securely in place.
STEP 4:
Place your kettle onto the base and then plug it into a working outlet.
STEP 5:
Turn it to the boiling setting or select your desired temperature (if your kettle has this option).
Your kettle may have indicator lights, icons or audible tones that alert you once the water is ready. Certain electric kettles automatically shut off as soon as the water reaches a boil or the desired temperature set by you. Other models may have a hold option, such as the KitchenAid® Precision Digital Electric Kettle, a great feature designed to hold your selected temperature for up to 30 minutes.
SHOP ELECTRIC KETTLES FROM KITCHENAID
The KitchenAid® line of electric kettles can do everything from quickly boiling water for a cup of tea to reaching that ideal temperature for that rich cup of pour-over coffee.
Browse KitchenAid® electric kettles with a range of innovative features, stunning colours and beautiful finishes to match your tastes and elevate your style.
STOVETOP KETTLE USAGE TIPS
Despite stovetop kettles being available in many styles, like gooseneck or traditional, most have roughly the same use instructions.
You want to refer to your owner’s manual for the exact instructions for your stovetop kettle.
Below are some general instructions on how to use the majority of stovetop kettles:
STEP 1:
Add water to the kettle, making sure you never go above the max fill line.
STEP 2:
Check that the lid is securely in place.
STEP 3:
Place the kettle on your stove, cooktop or heating source.
STEP 4:
Whatever heating device you use, turn it to high.
STEP 5:
Turn off your heating source and remove the kettle once it’s done heating.
Certain kettles alert you that the water has started boiling by whistling. Other types require monitoring. You can buy a stovetop kettle with a built-in thermometer that can help you reach the desired temperature. Keep in mind, that it may be tough to reach and then hold a precise temperature due to stovetop kettles relying on an external heating source. These kettles continue to heat until you turn the heat source down or off and remove it.
WHY DO TEA KETTLES WHISTLE?
Some kettles can whistle thanks to a device built into the spout. This device releases steam through a tiny opening. The whistling sound comes from a condensed jet of steam as it escapes. This happens once the water inside the tea kettle reaches a boiling point of 212º F (100 C) and starts evaporating. The whistle signals that your water is ready.
HOW TO MAKE TEA USING A KETTLE?
The process to make tea begins with heating water in a kettle, then pouring it over tea leaves or allowing the tea to sit or steep in the hot water to release its flavour.
The exact methods, temperatures and brewing times are different based on the type of tea you are making. There’s a lot to know but it’s worth it for the perfect cup of tea.
HOW TO STEEP TEA & HOW FOR HOW LONG?
To steep tea, you need to soak tea leaves in hot water. During this time, the brewing process occurs. For most tea types, you should use 1 tsp (4.9 ml). of dried leaves for every 6–8 oz (177-238 ml). of water.
The water temperature and the time needed to steep depends on the tea type and how strong you like it.
This table is a basic guide to steeping different teas:
| TEA TYPE | GREEN | WHITE | OOLONG | BLACK | HERBAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUGGESTED TEMPERATURE SETTING (C°/F°) | 80° | 85° | 90° | 95° | 100° |
| 176° | 185° | 194° | 203° | 212° | |
| SUGGESTED STEEP TIME (MINUTES) | 1-3 | 3-5 | 3-5 | 4-5 | 5-7 |
HOW TO MAKE TEA USING AN ELECTRIC KETTLE?
Each electric kettle on the market has a unique set of operating instructions. After purchasing one, you should check your owner’s manual for usage instructions.
You can also use these general instructions that apply to most electric kettles:
STEP 1:
Place your electric kettle base on an even surface, usually a counter or a kitchen island.
STEP 2:
Add water without exceeding the max fill line.
STEP 3:
Secure the lid
STEP 4:
Place the kettle on the base and plug it into an outlet.
STEP 5:
This step depends on your kettle. You will either turn it on or select a temperature.
The two important elements to achieve optimal tea flavour are water temperature and steep time.
An electric kettle with a temperature selector lets you precisely brew your ideal cup of tea. The electric KitchenAid® 1.7 L Tea Kettle simplifies the process even more with different settings that can help preserve the unique flavours and aromas of the different tea types. If you yearn for more convenience, you can go for an integrated steeper that heats water and then steeps and serves brewed tea in the same appliance.
HOW TO MAKE TEA WITH A STOVETOP KETTLE?
STEP 1:
Add whatever amount of tea leaves you want to a teapot, tea infuser or single-serving brewer. If using a tea infuser, put it inside a cup or container for the steeping process.
STEP 2:
Boil water using a stovetop kettle.
STEP 3:
Pour the right amount of water over the tea inside a teapot or infuser.
STEP 4:
Let the water and tea brew for the recommended length of time.
STEP 5:
Remove the tea from the water using either a tea strainer or by taking out the infuser.
THE LAST STEP IS TO SERVE AND ENJOY!
If you want to achieve the right temperature for your type of tea, you should go for a stovetop kettle with a built-in thermometer. This might not be the most scientific method, but by keeping an eye on the temperature, you can get fairly close to the precision of some electric kettles.
MAKING HOT-BREWED ICED TEA
To use this method, you simply follow the steps for making hot tea.
Boil roughly 8 cups (1.8 l) of water, then add over 3 Tbsp. of loose tea in an infuser or 6 tea bags to the serving container you’re using. You need to let the tea steep for about 4 minutes. Next, remove the tea leaves or bags and give the brew some time to reach room temperature and then refrigerate. Lastly, add ice, serve and enjoy.
HOW TO MAKE ICED TEA?
Maybe you’d prefer a cool glass of iced tea on a summer day instead of piping hot tea.
You can make iced tea in one of two ways. One is by making the hot tea with the brewing method and then cooling it. The other uses cold water and extracts a full-bodied iced tea.
HOW TO MAKE COLD-BREWED ICED TEA
Here’s one way to achieve a smooth, rich result without any of the bitterness that is often synonymous with brewing tea.
Add roughly 6 tablespoons of loose tea using an infuser or 10 tea bags to 8 cups (1.8 l) of cold water in a serving container. Refrigerate the covered container for 15 to 36 hours, or until you feel that it’s strong enough. To finish this method, remove the tea leaves or bags, add ice and serve.
Did you know that you can make cold-brewed iced tea using the KitchenAid® Cold Brew Coffee Maker? All you have to do is replace the loose leaf tea with coffee grounds.
HOW TO MAKE COFFEE USING A KETTLE?
There are a variety of ways to brew coffee using an electric or stovetop kettle including French press, pour-over and even cowboy coffee.
Start by heating some water in a kettle and then mix it with coffee grounds per your preferred brewing process.
Here are some things to look for when kettle shopping:
CAPACITY: If you think you’ll want to brew more than one serving often, go for a larger capacity kettle like the 1.5 L Pro Line® Series Electric Kettle with variable temperature control.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL: The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCA) recommends that water temperature reaches between 195 and 205° F (90-96c) for most brewing methods. To make coffee, shop for a kettle with a built-in thermometer or a temperature-controlled electric kettle.
POURING PRECISION: If you’re making pour-over coffee or using an AeroPress or a device with a small brew chamber, you should consider a gooseneck kettle. Incidentally, if you’re using a French press or similar method, you can opt for a more traditional kettle.
HOW TO MAKE COFFEE USING A GOOSENECK KETTLE?
Gooseneck kettles are great for pour-over coffee or a brew method that relies on a precise pour. The narrow spout is key to helping ensure the proper water distribution over the coffee grounds. It also produces a lower flow rate that helps avoid any grittiness in your cup of coffee.
Here are the steps to make coffee with a gooseneck kettle:
STEP 1:
Fill your gooseneck kettle with a bit more water than what is needed for your final brew. Heat the water to a temperature between 195 and 202° F (90-96c)
- (Some brewers recommend a higher temperature—closer to 208° F (98.3 )— for this method)
STEP 2:
Put a filter-lined pour-over cone over a coffee cup or carafe. Pour the correct amount of water, just enough to wet the filter and warm your container, and then get rid of the water.
STEP 3:
Add medium-fine coffee grounds to the pour-over cone. To achieve extra precision, place the setup on a scale to maintain the perfect ratio and track how much water you will add in the following steps.
STEP 4:
Slowly and carefully pour about double the amount of water as there are grounds. Start in the centre of the cone and spiral in the direction of the edges. You need to ensure that the grounds are evenly saturated. Once they are, wait 30 seconds for the grounds to release gasses, a process known as blooming.
STEP 5:
The next step is to slowly pour about ⅓ of the remaining water over the grounds with a spiral pattern. Start from the centre and work to the edges and then double back. Let the coffee sit for between 45–60 seconds.
STEP 6:
It’s time to pour another ⅓ of the water over the grounds again using a spiral pattern. Then let it rest until the water is close to fully drained from the filter. Now you’re ready to pour the remaining water over your grounds and let it completely drain.
STEP 7:
Discard the filter with the used grounds and sip your delicious creation!
Don’t forget to shut off and unplug your electric kettle.
The ideal water to coffee ratio depends on your preference. A good place for most to start is 1:16. Let’s say you’re brewing around 350 grams of water, divide that by 16 and the result will be about 22 grams of coffee grounds. Don’t forget, if you want stronger coffee then decrease the ratio or vice versa if you want a weaker brew.
Learn how to make coffee with a gooseneck kettle, and how it compares to auto-drip coffee by reading our comparison guide.
HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN A KETTLE?
To clean a kettle, wipe its exterior with a damp cloth. You should avoid using any type of abrasive or scouring agent.
Over time, water can cause calcium deposits, also called scale, to build up inside a kettle. If you want your kettle to perform as intended, you should descale it every now and then. How often you do this depends on the hardness of your water.
DIRECTIONS TO DESCALE A KETTLE:
STEP 1:
Fill ⅓ with white vinegar and then add water to the max fill line without exceeding it.
STEP 2:
Boil and let it stand overnight.
STEP 3:
Empty the kettle so that it’s clear of all solutions.
STEP 4:
Fill the kettle with water, boil it and then drain. You need to repeat this step twice.
KETTLE SAFETY TIPS
Before using any appliance, take some time to read all instructions provided in your owner’s manual and basic safety precautions. These should always be followed and may include:
- Use your kettle’s handle and never touch any hot surfaces.
- Be careful to never overfill your kettle. Look for the max fill indicators.
- For electric kettles, never immerse any part of the kettle (the base, cord, plug or the kettle’s body) in water or other liquids.
- Always unplug an electric kettle from outlets when not in use and prior to cleaning.
Review your owner’s manual for more safety tips and information.
DISCOVER THE KITCHENAID® KETTLE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR KITCHEN
With the right kettle, you can brew your favourite beverages or make your own unique creations. KitchenAid® offers a line of electric kettles that will suit your tastes and enhance your creativity. Shop the full collection of KitchenAid® electric kettles and transform your kitchen into a Parisian cafe.
