Customer Reviews

Chantal Enamel-On-Steel Classic Teakettle

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have had my Chantal Teakettle for approximately 14 years (it is blue, however, instead of red). It has performed perfectly and still looks as new as the day it was purchased and given a home. Unlike other tea kettles I have owned, it has remained not only as beautiful but as strong as when it was new. Others I have had, have deteriorated in a short amount of time. I truly think this one will last a lifetime. I highly recommend it and how easy to be able to order it here.

The Chantal 2 1/2-quart teakettle is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also energy efficient because it heats water to the boiling point in a short period of time. I bought a Chantal teakettle when it first came on the market, and I have used it on a Jenn-aire ceramic stovetop, a gas burner range, and an electric range--all with good results for heating water quickly. However, I have had to ask Chantal to replace my teakettle twice because of rust on the inside near the lid. Also the lid would become stuck in place and impossible to remove, so I would fill it with water through the pouring spout. The charming two-tone Hohner "harmonica" top of the spout has stopped playing on the one I have now. I think the reason for the problems with the Chantal teakettle have everything to do with the hardness of one's water. Yet, I love this teakettle so much that I will replace it myself if I must.

Extremely well constructed and well designed. It should last for a lifetime. It's beautiful and easy to clean. It's made of very conductive material so I don't have a problem with boiling water quickly on my electric stove. The handle doesn't get hot unless you position it so that it's heated by the element from below. Once you hear the harmonica "whistle" when the water boils you'll love it... :)

We got tired of cheap, flimsy teakettles burning through the bottom and corroding on the inside after a couple of years normal use. When we got our Chantal Kettle over 10 years ago we could feel the difference in the heavy guage steel with a hard porcelain enamel finish. In 10 years of daily use this kettle has had lots of abuse and still looks like new. No discoloration, no corrosion anywhere. The Hohner Harmonica whistle is music to my ears and the insulated stainless handle makes it easy to lift the kettle without a pot holder (unless overheated on a gas flame!). We often give these as gifts and find that people treasure them for years and years. Anyway, the teakettle of choice for Jerry Seinfeld's kitchen is good enough for me

UPDATE 1: After 5 years of use, the harmonica came out of the cap, so it no longer signals boiling water. For this price, it should have lasted at least 10 years.

UPDATE 2: After 6 years of use, the spring-loaded spout no longer flips out of the way. Pouring water is clumsy at best without a way of having it out of the way and staying there. The kettle is still pretty, and I loved the harmonica when it worked, but we will get a cheaper, larger one and throw this one out.

This 1.8 qt teakettle is a bit small, maybe 2/3 the size of a typical teakettle. One kettle of boiling water is not enough for morning tea for the two of us, as it was with earlier kettles.

PROS: stylish; nice choice of colors; reasonably well-made; unique harmonica whistle which is the main reason for paying a higher price; includes mitt for easy handling (see CONS).

CONS: expensive; smallish size; enamel can chip on enamel kettles; must use mitt on the metal handle when pouring hot water (or wait until it cools).

The whistle blows at a good volume, so we can hear it from the second floor when it boils in the kitchen. The two-note harmonica sound is much more pleasant than the shrill whistle of a traditional kettle, but ours is a bit dissonant, not a chord; this seems to vary from kettle to kettle, judging by other reports. It starts with one steady note, gets louder, then the second note comes in.

Because the kettle is smallish, the base is a bit smaller too, and we cannot turn the flame up full force without having it lick up the sides. Still, it seems to boil water fairly fast, about right for its smaller size.

We were originally shopping for one on ebay (where some other colors are available), but found that older kettles did not come with the hot-kettle mitt that is included with new units, and this mitt is essential, because the metal handle does get hot when it boils. Also, the ebay prices end up without much savings over a new one, and you can't usually return it (for example, if it does not whistle). I suggest that you do not put the mitt on the handle when the pot is heating; instead, wait until you have turned off the flame.

If you search froogle, you will find at least one online store that sells the unit for eleven dollars less than amazon, with fair shipping fees.

We chose the enamel kettle for its look and color (onyx, which is slightly darker than stainless steel). The disadvantage of enamel, according to other reports, is that it can chip and, when it does, it can rust. This is more of a problem for the interior. The stainless-steel and copper models have a stainless-steel interior, and should never rust. The exterior of those models has a coating to keep it looking nice and make it easier to clean, but I assume with time this clear coating will peel, scratch, or otherwise deteriorate.

Washing it once every few weeks with a non-scratch sponge and regular dishwashing liquid (not when it's real hot) will keep it looking nice. There is also a special ceramic cleaner that we bought, but I have my doubts that it is needed.

To get long life out of any kettle, it is important to turn off the fire after it comes to a boil. Boiling water for a long time will eventually heat the plastic parts and cause them to melt or warp. The Chantal is mostly metal, but there is a gasket in the water-fill hole, and there might be some plastic in the flip-up whistle assembly at the end of the spout.

We fill the kettle from the spout. It does not take any longer, and that way you won't wear out the gasket in the water-fill hole. If you wear out the gasket, or if the flip-up whistle-cover for the spout warps or is bent, you won't get a good seal, and the kettle won't whistle. Without the whistle you're in danger of overheating the kettle, and that leads to rapid deterioration.

The Chantal kettle is well-made, and with proper care, could last many years [see UPDATE above: ours broke after 5 years]. You can buy replacement parts, for example if the gasket needs to be replaced.

Why three stars? I took one star off for the price, which I think is high for a teakettle. I took one star off for the relatively smaller size, and because the tone is dissonant. I'm happy with this unique kettle, but a bit stingy with my stars: only a few of the finest products get five stars.

I bought this kettle as a gift to myself for the holidays. This has been an excellent kettle so far. I only boil water for tea in it, about twice a day, and so far no problems. It boils water quickly. The whistle (which sounds like a harmonica..very cool) works every time, and is loud enough to hear anywhere in my house. The whistle flips up easily, and stays up. It feels solid and well constructed. No chipping of the enamel at all (knock on wood).

To address a few issues as to why some reviewers may have complained.

#1 Do not overfill it. The whistle will work.

#2 It has a metal handle, duh, it will be hot, so use a mitt. Just like when you handle your pots on the stove.

#3 It is a teakettle, not a pot, so boil water in it, not soup, not hot chocholate. It is normally quite easy to clean.

Lastly, this is one sharp looking tea kettle. A lady at the store told me that Chantal actually makes a handle cover for like $3.00 if you call the 1-800 number on the tag.

I've owned my Chantal kettle for more than 10 years now and it looks and works like new! No scratches, no chips, a perfect kettle for your home.

Great kettle,,looks great and is the nicest kettle I have ever owned. I really like the look and the whistle sound is cool.

i love this kettle because it is both well made and nice to look at. i have a gas stove, so i don't have the same issues with heating it that earlier reviewers have. it heats up very quickly for me. and i love the whistle.

also, i have a small quilted pot-holder like thingy that fits over the metal handle, so the fact that the handle does get a little warm doesn't affect me. you can buy this kettle handle thing at most well-stocked kitchen stores.

overall, its a very nice kettle to own. it never gets scratched, warped, or beat up looking, and always makes a nice cup of tea.

I purchased a red Chantal teakettle over 12 years ago. It still looks like new and works great. I have twice through the years accidently turned on the wrong burner and scortched it. It both time cleaned up well and kept on cooking. If you didn't know, this is the teakettle of television. The first I noticed was on 'Family Ties' and it has been on numorous other sitcoms including 'Seinfeld,' Jerry owned a red on like mine. Great little kettle, love the train-like whistle.