Customer Reviews

LIVESTRONG by Chantal 1.8 Quart Enamel Loop Teakettle, Glossy Golden Yellow

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While this tea kettle is pretty to look at, the harmonic whistle invariably dies after only a few months. In less than a year I have had to request replacement whistles four or five times. Changing the whistle involves removing the handle, which is secured by screws and bolts. This process weakens the flimsy bolts, and the handle can become dangerously loose. Soon I had to take the screw driver to the kettle once every few days. Once when I picked up the kettle with hot water in it, the main body separated from the handle and fell back down. Incidentally, one of my whistles arrived already broken. Buy this kettle if you like trouble -- I know other owners, and they report the same problem. Without abuse or accident, simple kitchen items are supposed last decades, if not a lifetime. This tea kettle requires repair more frequently than a computer.

This year (2009), because of the economic recession, Chantal cut down on their staff. While I was satisfied with their customer service before, I found my last interaction disappointing. Chantal changed the website so their customer service number is harder to find, and no live person ever picked up my three or four calls requesting for a replacement whistle. Someone did get back to my voicemail eventually, and while Chantal did send a replacement, it took more than a month and a few reminders. To be fair they sent me a replacement tea kettle, not just a whistle, but by then I've had enough. Incidentally, the customer service rep. was adamant that Chantal harmonic whistles are long-lasting. They break, the rep. said, only on kettles that the customer did not pay for the full price for. This absurd claim is an insult to the intelligence of Chantal's customers. A $40-50 kettle is a premium product, and until Chantal can provide quality service to justify the extra cost, I for one will deem it unwise to do business with them.

I brought this after my oldest son put our 10 year old enamel Dansk tea kettle on to boil without water in it and totally destroyed the finish along with a burner on the stovetop. I was looking for a replacement that offered a quality finish, good design and some heft. I don't mind spending a bit more for something that promises to last. This tea kettle fit the bill; it is well constructed with a thick enamel coasting, a sturdily attached handle and seems built to last. Other high-end whistling kettles seemed flimsy in comparison. Three points to note: 1)be sure the lid is solidly on (it is a tight fit) otherwise steam will escape from that opening, 2)our kettle has a metal whistling cap - which I think is best - and the photo is showing a black plastic one, and 3)this is a VERY bright deep yellow - not for the timid. My kitchen walls are yellow and the kettle seems to make them fade in comparison. But, it is cheerfully eye-catching and seems like it will last for a decade (unless my son gets to it again).

I have been searching both on-line and in shops for a colorful and sturdy tea kettle. The plastic on the spout of my last Copco kettle burned on my gas range so I knew I wanted a kettle with no plastic parts near the heating element. This kettle is a lovely yellow, is easy to clean and makes a nice soft whistle when ready. The handle stays cool and there's no plastic close to the flame. My search is done.

Oh I liked this teapot enough when it worked. The harmonic whistle always got my attention, and to give it credit it lasted about 2 years but then it stopped whistling without warning and I nearly boiled the water aways since I can be forgettful at times. My other issue was the lid can get very hot so if you are removing it to steep tea bags you need to pull it off with a towel. Also the handle and your hand are in the way of filling it so you kind of have to hold it a bit sideways to fill.

Picked up the "onyx"-colored one at Bed Bath & Beyond (same price as Amazon), after seeing this kettle recommended in "The Week" magazine for having a nice whistle. Stylish design..

Put it on our gas stove and it heated quickly but the whistle is terrible! When it's about to go off, it sounds like someone gradually whistling from a low note to an ear-piercing high note. Drives us and our Golden insane: it honestly almost hurts your ears. Plus, the handle and "trigger" to pull the spout up is made of plastic and both were warm, almost hot to the touch after it came to a boil.

Per the other reviews, I could see the plastic melting on this. Maybe it's not designed for gas stoves. (We were using one of the largest burners, I guess...)

Great looking kettle and fast-heating but considering the reviews about parts melting (causing the whistle to stop working after a while), plus the insanely loud noise it makes, we're taking this one back.

I initially purchased this kettle because the color matched the decor in my kitchen but it has turned out to be one of the best houseware items I have purchased yet. Not only does it hold a larger amount of water than I thought but the whistle is extremely effective. It could also act as a serious alarm because there is no way that it will ever go ignored for more than a minute - even in a deep sleep. It takes me back to when my great grandmother used to boil water in her whistling tea kettles. Anyone who enjoys tea can add a little fun while making it in this kettle. If they make it in green, I'm getting that one too.

I agree with several others about the dangers of this kettle, as beautiful a design and as great a whistle as it has AT FIRST. After more than a year the whistle has not been consistent and certainly no longer has the great train sound. I put on water for a cup of tea, got busy, did not hear a whistle and when I finally realized something was wrong, the plastic cap melted, the plastic attachment to the metal part of the cap melted/broke, and the lid plastic was a bubbling mess! This could have caused a very real problem on the gas stove top! I thought it was "just me" until I read the reviews as I looked for a replacement. I will not replace with another Chantal.

It's a nice looking kettle but it failed in its most important and pretty simple function of whistling only a year after purchase. It still holds water but it's become dangerous to boil it.

Maybe it can become a watering can.

Waste of money.

The teakettle is perfect- just what I was looking for and just like it is in the description. =)