Customer Reviews

Alessi Michael Graves Kettle with Bird Whistle, Ivory Handle

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It boils water. It looks pretty on the counter. It has maintained its luster. You can get your hand inside it to clean.
Beyond that it is just an expensive pot that doesn't have the usual features of a Tea kettle.
You can't pour water until you grab the hot plastic bird whistle and pull it out. With hot stream gushing out this is an interesting game. We went through a couple "birds" before we got one that even whistled and as many others have said, it doesn't sound like a bird. It sounds like the whistle of a guy who was just at the dentist. It also has a cheap wire spring clip and lasts about a month. We have some Alessi stuff. Some is good, some is like this, overpriced... way way overpriced. Did I mention that it is not worth the money.

I have owned this tea kettle for about 10 years. Not only is it fully functional as staple in my kitchen, it's adorable. Everyone who enjoys tea at my house comments on it. It is very durable, heavily constructed, and uniquely designed by Michael Graves. And of course, it "whistles". This is one tea kettle that you'll never have to replace; you won't be disappointed. It looks as good today as the day I opened the box. It's definitely a 5-star item.

You know it when you see it, there is no other like it. I use mine daily and have for more than 15 years. I've replaced the bird once, though I did buy several extras. The first one broke after only a few months, but the replacement has been in use for the balance of the 15 years. The shinny finish is all scratched from cleaning and the bottom needs a really good scrubbing around the edges occasionally. There is some mildew build up in the rim on the bottom. I wish I'd taken better care cleaning it over the years, so it would have stayed all shinny, but with splatter from all the other things cooking on the stove, it required some scrubbing. If I'd thought about it, I'd have moved it off the stove when I was cooking other things. If it wasn't so expensive, I'd get another, but the one I have was a gift and hard to part with. So, bottom line, it holds up well, does everything it's designed to do. The handle is cool to the touch, but you do have to remove the bird to pour, so wait a minute after a full boil, and the bird should cool completely before replacing it, so it doesn't crack. It looks beautiful for years, but you should take extra care to preserve the original shinny look.

Because first of all this thing is 18/10 stainless steel which is somewhat hard to find in a quality tea kettle. second of all, this whistle is decently loud enough for me to hear throughout my entire house as long as everything is quiet. People may complain about the bird whistle not being loud enough, it is because you have to make sure the holes are positioned facing up and down and or make sure the water level is not too high. Also people complain about the bird whistle breaking, well it is because they are pulling it out at an angle which causes it to snap, when you pull out the bird whistle, make sure you are pulling straight. This tea kettle is worth the money because it will last you lifetimes and it is very easy to use. The ergonomics are perfect for me, the handle is positioned so you wont get burned unlike some other tea kettles. The other 18/10 tea kettle that I bought before this one was a chantel and the whistle was attached to the kettle, that whistle did not work and the design of the handle was inferior. Also this tea kettle was in the movie "Crocodile Dundee" I noticed it one day while watching tv. I bought the one with the ivory handle.

I have owned, and used daily one of these kettles since 1982 and I love it. Wouldn't own another. It looks like it did the day I purchased it. I've had to replace the birds about 3 times, and once one of them did break after a few weeks. The other two lasted for years. I've developed the art of pulling the bird from the spout quickly and have never been burned. If the kettle is overfilled, the owner will risk being burned when removing the bird because of hot boiling water rising up from the spout. Do not overfill it. This is the sturdiest tea kettle I've ever owned and I highly recommend it for any buyer. Before purchasing it I had gone through several expensive tea kettles only to have them break or chip. This kettle is outstanding, plus it looks classically beautiful!

After frying my 3rd Alessi kettle,I ordered a replacement through Amazon from Urban Lifestyle. The delivery was very fast, the packing beautiful, and the product improved over my previous holdings. Great experience.

If you are shopping for an Alessi kettle it probably is for the design. The kettle itself won't boil water any faster or better than much cheaper kettles, but it is of quality construction and should last you for many many years.

The little bird sits in the spout of the kettle and whistles when water has reached a boil, but must be removed before pouring. The handle is sturdy and stays cool during use.

Amazon offered the best price I could find on this kettle and although a little high, you get a very attractive kettle that is built to last.

Filled Kettle, turned on stove, went downstairs to do some work. Twenty minutes later remembered kettle still on hot stove. Rushed upstairs. Kettle empty. Kettle very hot. But ... kettle not damaged. True, the plastic material insulating the interior of the cap had melted and oozed out a little below the knob, and the chrome at the base had developed a slightly yellow tint, but the interior looked flawless. One new lid later, a little polish, and Mr. Kettle is back in service.

So, do you need to spend $175 for a pot to boil water in? You might want to if you don't like shopping to replace things because they wear out, and you tend to be abusive of your kettle. The handle and whistle stay cool to the touch under normal use, and even under extreme conditions (see above) do not melt, change shape, or catch fire. It's durable, boils water quickly (some would say too quickly), and looks nice and shiny on the stove.

Update - 02/28/2011
Although still my first choice as a kettle, the Alessi is far surpassed in function and utility by the less costly Zojirushi CV-DSC40 VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer, Stainless Steel

I think it looks great and I've enjoyed it for years. However, it is on its 8th year and the handle is becoming unattached where it meets the "triangle" or tea kettle on each side. I'm not sure how long a tea kettle is supposed to last, but maybe more than 8 years? Oh, the bird trick? Well, I've learned it over years, but it is hard to maneuver, and I have almost burned myself several times. I guess I'll go for a different one next time around!

Alessi Michael Graves Tea Kettle stainless-steel Azure HandleThis is a beautiful classic for which I was willing to pay top dollar. It does what it's supposed to do beautifully and quickly: look good and boil water. However, I was disappointed that my whistle does not sing like a bird or sing much at all. Also, it didn't occur to me that before I pour water from the kettle the bird must be removed. It's a bit of hassle, so we just leave it off much of the time.