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Lunch » Tags » Electric Tea Kettle » Reviews » Le Creuset 1.8 Qt Whistling Tea Kettle » User review

The Great Tea Kettle Race

  • Sep 25, 2010
Rating:
+4
Confession: I didn't need a tea kettle. You see, boiling water doesn't need to be particularly high tech or fashionable.

Don't believe me? Just go camping. Fire + water + something to hold the water (that doesn't melt) = boiling water. Voila! 

And yet, I felt the need to replace my $15 -- or maybe it was $10 -- tea kettle from a bargain store because although it boiled water, it didn't bring me joy.

When I saw that Le Creseut was selling its green tea kettle for $30 instead of its usual $70, I thought, "I want to go to there." I did. I turned a blind eye to all the other colors and shapes and picked up the green kettle.

But then I felt a little guilty. This purchase provided no new functionality to my kitchen. It was redundant, but I had justified it because it was pretty and from a brand associated with quality.

The Great Tea Kettle Race:

Perhaps, I thought, it's a higher quality and will boil water faster. I decided to test my two kettles.

I filled each with 4 cups of water. I placed them on burners next to each other. With my lovely assistant, I started the gas flame under both kettles at the same time and set it to the same heat level.

I hoped my Le Creseut would boil faster, proving itself a time-saving investment. I stepped away from the stove, grab mugs for my tea and waited. I watched wisps of steam rise out of each kettle's spout. I sang "I'm a little teapot" to myself a couple of times.

The Data:

The Le Creseut kettle whistled at 7:06.4.

My old tea kettle whistled 6:41.0.

My new kettle lost by 24 seconds. Admittedly, I cannot be sure that the starting temperature of the two kettles was exact. For that reason, I'm willing to assume that they are, for all practical purposes, equal in speed.

I also took the temperature of a cup of the water from each tea kettle a minute or two after they whistled. It seemed that the Le Creuset water was slightly colder, but it was also a more ideal temperature for tea.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, I am happy because I keep my kettle out all the time, and I love the aesthetic of the Le Creseut tea kettle on my stove. It looks more classy and sophisticated in its own, green way.

Additional Notes and Tips:
  • Despite Le Creseut's fancy name and French origins, my kettle was not made in France. A little sticker told me so.
  • If you are not picky about color, but generally like Le Creseut products, visit one of its outlet stores. I've been to them in Gilroy and Camarillo, California. Then get on their mailing list to hear about deals and get coupons.
  • Beware. They always try to sell you utensils!
The Great Tea Kettle Race

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July 11, 2011
I'm impressed by the use of the scientific method.
 
September 27, 2010
Great review. I'm looking forward to a whole series of "Appliance Races" reviews in the future.
 
September 25, 2010
It does look pretty, I confess. I lack the "gotta have it even if I have one already" bug, but even at a bargain price, it seems expensive. My wife loves LeC products, and I realize that their brand does represent Old World quality... but it is disappointing to hear it's really not from France. I hope this is not a sign of another respected maker offshoring to a Third World enclave under the guise of continuing First World craftsmanship.
 
September 25, 2010
Okay, I officially want one of these now. Great review!
 
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There are two advantages a whistling kettle has over its silent relatives. One, when your water is hot you'll know right away, making your time and your use of energy more efficient. Two, you aren't as likely to leave a kettle on the stove to boil dry - damaging the kettle and creating a safety hazard. Fans of Le Creuset will love the bold coloration and traditional French styling of this kettle as well.
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