Customer Reviews

KitchenAid Porcelain Enamel on Steel Curling Teakettles

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I bought the smaller version of this tea kettle, the 1.5 quart. It's a pretty red color (darker than it appears in the picture) and I love it's sleek design that seems almost art-deco or maybe mid-century modern. It looks stylish sitting on top of my stove. And that's good, since I always keep it out since I drink so much tea. And nothing seems quite as homey as a kettle on the stove, as far as I'm concerned. However, that is where the love affair ends. My kettle is completely non-whistling. That means I have to stand in front of the stove to make sure I'm there to turn off the heat when the water boils. This is inconvenient in the mornings when I am in a rush and trying to do several things at once. Also, the box clearly declares "strong, loud whistle". No, absolute silence for mine. My other issue with the kettle is that it pours sloppy. This leaves me with a steaming hot puddle to wipe up on my counter most mornings. Another issue is that there should be some kind of button release or something for the lid. It's stiff and sticks, so you have to really tug to pull it off. This means that a lot of times when it comes to refilling, I end up smashing my fingers on the underside of the handle. Yeah, I love it's looks, but I'm going to need to find another tea kettle that actually does what it promises.

I've read all of the mixed reviews and felt it was time to share mine. Here is a quick pro's and con's list:

Pro's
1. Nice design, nice color selection
2. Porcelain enamel is great. I don't get mineral build-up as I have with other kettles
3. Heats water very quickly
4. I have not experienced a "sloppy pour" because I take mine off the heat just as it begins to whistle. The water is still plenty hot!
5. I have not experienced a "too hot to handle" moment since I don't bring the kettle to full-boil, however, I can see that it may get very hot if I did.

Con's
1. While the handle is stylish, it's fixed placement does cause you to "tilt" the pot to fill with water.
2. If you have large hands, it may be more difficult to clean and wipe out due to the handle.

It may have clean lines but it is the worst kettle from a functional standpoint I have ever used. The spring in the spout cover is too weak to keep the whistle lid closed during the boiling process. Thus the steam goes out between the spout and whistle lid and guess what? no whistle! Next, the handle is awkward to operate if the kettle needs to be tilted more than average. Say you are trying to squeeze the last cup of water out of the kettle. The handle is almost vertical and since the handle is straight your wrist has to twist to the same angle as the handle. Next, Heaven forbid you don't get to the kettle immediately after it starts to whistle (if it whistles) and the steam builds up it the kettle - be prepared for a hot handle and the steam enveloping your hand as you try to pour. Trust me, there are plenty of other ways to scald yourself!

The only way this kettle could be any worse is if it actually poked you in the eye every time you used it. How is the design horrible? Let me count the ways.

The flappy whistle thingy doesn't seal tight to the spout. At All. You can barely hear this thing whistle if you're physically seated on the next burner, much less from another room.

The handle and the lid are too close together. You have to apply way too much leverage to the handle to get the lid off, then it lets go and smashes your knuckles. I expect that from a starter motor bolt on a '79 Chrysler 225 slant-6, not a teakettle.

The trim ring around the top opening is already loose, and the handle's ever so slightly wobbly after a couple months of use. You'd think it were made by FIAT.

It dribbles worse than a Thorazine patient at Bellevue when pouring.

The lid is ridiculously TIGHT, but it doesn't SEAL. You'd really better let this thing come off the boil before trying to pick it up, unless your idea of a fantastic evening is watching your skin slough from your newly steamed fingers.

Avoid this product like you'd avoid the girl with openly weeping sores at a Sadie Hawkins dance.

Length:: 0:31 Mins

I'm a busy mom of 2 boys. This kettle has been sitting on our flat top stove. I've used it a handful of times, but mostly for decoration. Please do not buy this product. It may look nice, but the quality just isn't there. While trying to get mine replaced, I spent 30 minutes on hold only to be told to call another number. That number told me to call yet another number. So onto my 3rd number, nobody picks up! I also found that Kitchen Aid DOESN'T manufacture their own products! There are as many as 2 companies that manufacture not only Kitchen Aid, but many other brands as well.

This tea kettle does not work properly. All of the other bad reviews are exactly right. When you pour, it slops all over the place. I have already burned my hand several times from the splashing water. The handle also becomes super hot such that I have to use a mitt to pick it up. What a waste of money.

Although the design is sleek and cute, this tea kettle has done nothing but cause problems!! When pouring boiling water, it splurts out the water like a geyser, which not only makes a mess, but has burned me several times. And whether it's lukewarm or boiling, the spout is so poorly designed that it dribbles down the front of the kettle, leaving puddles all over my kitchen counter. Also, the placement of the handle makes it impossible to open up the top without great struggle.

I've never voluntarily written a product review before, but this product design is SO HORRIBLE that I was compelled to. Don't buy this kettle.

After reading quite a few reviews on quite a few tea kettles I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my mother. I was hesitant because there was a lot of negative feedback. I took my chances though and was very satisfied. Granted, we've only been using it about a week, but we use it at least 4 times a day as it is how I warm water to warm my son's bottles. The whistle works extremely well and is VERY loud. Overall, A+!

I read the reviews and bought mine at a well known discount clearance story for home goods. Hint. Well it was $15 and it looks good, heavy, great warranty, whistles without deafening, and heats 16 oz in 4 min on my small ceramic top burner. Sturdy handle and great working spout cover. Lid fits tight. Comments regarding handle placement make no sense to me since the handle is where it is to give this pot it's style...change the handle and you change style. There are plenty of other choices with different handles that may please other reviewers.

I think it is important for reviewers to consider the impact of their complaints on the design of the product they bought for it's style...and to think about how style will impact ease of use.

Like so many others reviewing this particular KitchenAid Kettle, I'm disappointed. I love the color; looks great in my kitchen and as far as the pouring, spills, burns, etc., that other reviewers have experienced, I haven't had too much of a problem. Carefully pouring's mandatory to avoid hot steam from burning ones hands. Poor design? Perhaps.

My complaint? The cheap @SS, cheapo, poorly designed, spring-loaded spout/whistle piece of **@*; did I say CHEAP? !! The "whistle" worked for maybe 8-10 heating cycles and than...

Silence!!


P.S. ... it's CHEAP!



Edit:September,2010:

I was sent a replacement kettle by KitchenAid and this replacement's been functioning just fine for several months now. The first kettle? Could have been a clunker that in not representative of the product in total. Although the kettle was under warranty, I appreciate KitchenAid's assistance, nonetheless.