Whistling Tea Kettle by Kennedy Home Collections - 12 Cup

I am tired of tea kettles that rust out after a few months so decided to go with glass again. I had a glass teakettle many years ago, which broke when I accidentally knocked it against the edge of a sink. This kettle seems to be much sturdier than that one, but I am still doing my best to be careful when washing it. This tea kettle is made of thick tempered glass (a bit thicker than that in the glass carafe provided with most coffeemakers), the whistle works well, the top is easy to remove even after boiling (although you have to be careful to hold the handle with one hand and use your other hand to lift it out and back using the lid tab so as not to steam burn your hand with steam from the whistle hole - if you are having the klutzies, use a potholder!), and the top and handle don't get too hot unless you turn the heat up too high. You should really never use more than medium to low heat with a glass tea kettle - and you shouldn't need to use more than medium or low as the glass heats and boils the water more quickly at a lower temperature than metal does at a higher temperature. I also like that I can brew the tea and serve it right out of this kettle and can even see the tea steep so I don't overdo - and the taste is definitely better when brewed in glass, which is non-reactive. Altogether, this tea kettle is much nicer than my last one, or than anything equivalent I have seen in local stores, so if you would like to try out glass, this is the one to get.

I was boiling water on my gas range, on low, and walked into the next room. The whistle on this tea kettle is so soft that you can't hear it for more then about 5 feet away. Since I couldn't hear the whistle the water continued to boil until the kettle cracked. Fortunately it dod not shatter, but is unusable. I will be returning this defective tea kettle.

I just received this tea kettle last night so this is a very early impression. Overall, the tea kettle does the job for a good price. Heated water on medium heat pretty quickly and it whistled, so overall I'm satisfied. I like the glass so that I can make tea right in the kettle without having to use additional containers. I did not have any plastic smell like others mentioned, but I also washed it before using it. Some things other buyers may want to know: 1) I was very interested in the cup measurements on the tea kettle as that would eliminate having to use measuring cups. However, the cup measurements are wrong. The 2-cup measurement at the bottom is correct. After that, the cup measurements show as increments of 2 cups (2, 4, 6, etc) but they are not accurate. For example if you want 5 cups, you have to fill to about the 9-cup level on the kettle. This also means it is not a 12-cup tea kettle as advertised. The most you can get in would be 7 cups which puts you above the 12-cup mark and about an inch below the neck. 2) The instructions indicate if you are using the kettle on an electric stovetop you have to use a little ring that they include with the kettle between the kettle and the stovetop. Fortunately for me we use propane so the ring is not needed, but had I had electric I would have been unhappy having to keep track of the little ring as I'm sure I would lose it over time. 3) The lid is not attached to the kettle. I had thought that when you pushed down on the little thumb part that it would flip up like a coffee carafe at a diner. It does not and instead you have to pull the lid off the kettle entirely. Not a problem, but not quite as I expected or would have preferred. 4) Whistle was a little anemic, but I also didn't let it go for long. 5) The handle is a little jiggly, but feels secure enough that I don't worry using it.

Bought this for my wife to replace an older whistling kettle and she didn't want even a hint of metal in her taste (mountain well water has spoiled her). It boils on an electric eye with the heat wire and doesn't crack. It does take four forevers to boil as you dare not use high (about 8 out of 10 is OK).The lid doesn't seal well enough to allow a whistle. I installed an O ring (aka a manilla rubber band) on the lid and presto-- it whistles. Figure on this or go down to the hardware store and buy a legit O ring as a gasket.BTW a copper revere ware kettle with perfect lining is much better at boiling water, or just a old fashioned stainless steel pan. New stainless is crud from China and terrible & full of heavy metals, despite any pretty paint jobs or styles. This is better than that.

I've researched and researched to find a good kettle--I thought I'd try glass to avoid rusting. But only weeks after receiving this, I paid the $80 for a stainless steal kettle. I prefer to use my kettle daily, for it to heat rapidly, and for a whistle to blow when it's ready. This glass kettle feels flimsy, there IS rust around the screws that connect the handle to the pot (it's only a matter of time before it breaks), it's a pain in the butt to have to remove the plastic lid to pour, the handle does get hot (you need to wear an oven mitt because the handle is too close to the glass--you'll burn your hand), it takes terribly long to boil, and the plastic lid looks like it's beginning to melt--after just a couple uses! I gave it two stars because it does heat water, it does whistle (weakly), and it works. It's fun for when you want to use tea flowers. But if you want something that will last, that will not break, and that isn't a hassle to use, just cough up the dough and get the stainless steal kettle. You won't regret it.

I actually really like this simple water pot. It does make noise as long as you put the lid on tight before turning on the burner. It won't burn you, like it did me, if you are VERY CONSCIOUS when you pour from it into your cup. The steam (I didn't remove the lid, but it was loose so I figured I could pour anyway) burned my hand actually really badly. It was really hot. My own fault. Warning. The black top is only meant to stay tight in place while boiling in order to make the sound. Then remove the top carefully. Then, hold the handle and stay away from the steam while pouring! I'll buy another one if this one ever breaks. I do like it.