I have definite opinions about kettles. DO NOT for any reason buy a cheap one. I actually had a cheap one to begin with and it caught on fire. I bought another cheapish one thinking that had to be a fluke and the whistle shattered on it one of the first times I used it. After that my husband bought me a Le Creuset one in my very favorite color that has now lasted me 5 years. I use it pretty much every day and love it. I don’t think they sell the style I have any more which would explain how we could afford it in the first place.
Two words – electric kettle. I am a heavy tea drinker who switched a few years ago and I’ll never go back. I kept having to replace my stove top kettle (plus it was in the way when cooking in a small kitchen). I keep mine on top of my cake stand. I tell myself it looks classy that way, but really it’s just a little weird and a good way of storing to kind of awkward things. I have this one now, a little pricey but I like the scale and how quickly it heats up. http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Buono-V60-Power-Kettle/dp/B0099962KA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1389983601&sr=1-1&keywords=hario+electric+kettle
I was sort of thinking that too! I had an electric kettle in college that was awesome. Unfortunately, the only above-counter outlet in my kitchen is right where I like to do all my food/prep work — and having a big chord in the middle of the place I am always making messes would drive me nuts. If this doens’t pan out, maybe I can build a mini-shelf above an outlet just to hold the kettle (for real).
I second the Le Creuset kettle, my husband also had to buy mine because the price was too painful for me to even think about. But I melted two cheap ones, and the electric ones always have plastic parts (I have a major phobia of hot liquids and plastic, there’s no way that’s healthy in a 5 cup a day tea habit) so he got me one in cobalt blue so I would stop complaining. I love it, pretty, easy to clean and still looks new after literally hundreds of uses over the past 5 years. It doesn’t stay super warm for long though, so if you really want that you might look for a thicker one.
Isn’t Chris Lilley fantastic?!?! Summer Heights High has his best characters in my opinion, but you should also checkout We Can Be Hero’s & Angry Boys. Ja’mie Private School girl just finished up on HBO and it’s the weakest of what he has to offer, but that could just be because I have an extreme distaste for Ja’mie. Rumor has it he’s working on Jonah series which could be pretty awesome. Hopefully he will get around to a Mr G one before he’s done.
Hey there! A Canadian chiming in. Electric kettles are the way to go for me. I have a cordless that sits on its base with a shut-off on the boil. Best, fastest, and cheapest way to get boiling water for tea or other things.
a cordless kettle? sounds like a solution for all my kitchen counter problems! also take note that tea likes to brew in water that are below the boiling point. i like to make cold-brew to take with me to work- i toss a little green tea(or even just a cinnamon stick) in the bottle and fill with room tmp water, try it its really refreshing and has lower acidity then chilled brew… and just a quick podcast shere- vagina chronicles (my newest crush),stuff mom never told you(from how stuff works) and this american life (which is based in Chicago so you prob heard?)
ahh,sorry for the long comment- had my first coffee while reading:) i love your blog!!
GET A KEURIG…yes it is great for tea and so easy to use. Fresh brewed when you want it. I purchased mine from QVC at Thanksgiving time and use it constantly. Use refillable Kcups and you will save money and can blend your own teas (or coffees). I love my Keurig.
I like the look of stainless steel, & found one with a large opening in the top at Christmas Tree Shop. The large opening is important, because how else will you clean the inside? Especially if you live in a hard water area. However, I am already asking for the the La Creuset french press set for christmas. Because some things should be quality…
Erin Patton
I have definite opinions about kettles. DO NOT for any reason buy a cheap one. I actually had a cheap one to begin with and it caught on fire. I bought another cheapish one thinking that had to be a fluke and the whistle shattered on it one of the first times I used it. After that my husband bought me a Le Creuset one in my very favorite color that has now lasted me 5 years. I use it pretty much every day and love it. I don’t think they sell the style I have any more which would explain how we could afford it in the first place.
PEACHES
I think we are on the same page. When I think heavy duty I think LeCreuset, so I’m glad to hear you have had a positive experience.
Kathryn Humphreys
Two words – electric kettle. I am a heavy tea drinker who switched a few years ago and I’ll never go back. I kept having to replace my stove top kettle (plus it was in the way when cooking in a small kitchen). I keep mine on top of my cake stand. I tell myself it looks classy that way, but really it’s just a little weird and a good way of storing to kind of awkward things. I have this one now, a little pricey but I like the scale and how quickly it heats up. http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Buono-V60-Power-Kettle/dp/B0099962KA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1389983601&sr=1-1&keywords=hario+electric+kettle
PEACHES
I was sort of thinking that too! I had an electric kettle in college that was awesome. Unfortunately, the only above-counter outlet in my kitchen is right where I like to do all my food/prep work — and having a big chord in the middle of the place I am always making messes would drive me nuts. If this doens’t pan out, maybe I can build a mini-shelf above an outlet just to hold the kettle (for real).
Stephanie Scott
I second the Le Creuset kettle, my husband also had to buy mine because the price was too painful for me to even think about. But I melted two cheap ones, and the electric ones always have plastic parts (I have a major phobia of hot liquids and plastic, there’s no way that’s healthy in a 5 cup a day tea habit) so he got me one in cobalt blue so I would stop complaining. I love it, pretty, easy to clean and still looks new after literally hundreds of uses over the past 5 years. It doesn’t stay super warm for long though, so if you really want that you might look for a thicker one.
PEACHES
Aha, glad to hear this — Thanks!
LauraEC
Yay! So glad you like Helen & Ollie!!!
PEACHES
No, thank YOU, Laura! Never would have found Helen & Olly had you not suggested them in the first place. Thanks again!
Amy Albanese
Isn’t Chris Lilley fantastic?!?! Summer Heights High has his best characters in my opinion, but you should also checkout We Can Be Hero’s & Angry Boys. Ja’mie Private School girl just finished up on HBO and it’s the weakest of what he has to offer, but that could just be because I have an extreme distaste for Ja’mie. Rumor has it he’s working on Jonah series which could be pretty awesome. Hopefully he will get around to a Mr G one before he’s done.
jeen-marie
So far so good.
Received a le creuset for Christmas this year and I have been pleased. It is a bright red one!
Vryka
Hey there! A Canadian chiming in. Electric kettles are the way to go for me. I have a cordless that sits on its base with a shut-off on the boil. Best, fastest, and cheapest way to get boiling water for tea or other things.
happy*chickens
a cordless kettle? sounds like a solution for all my kitchen counter problems!
also take note that tea likes to brew in water that are below the boiling point.
i like to make cold-brew to take with me to work- i toss a little green tea(or even just a cinnamon stick) in the bottle and fill with room tmp water, try it its really refreshing and has lower acidity then chilled brew…
and just a quick podcast shere- vagina chronicles (my newest crush),stuff mom never told you(from how stuff works) and this american life (which is based in Chicago so you prob heard?)
ahh,sorry for the long comment- had my first coffee while reading:)
i love your blog!!
GunnyMom
GET A KEURIG…yes it is great for tea and so easy to use. Fresh brewed when you want it. I purchased mine from QVC at Thanksgiving time and use it constantly. Use refillable Kcups and you will save money and can blend your own teas (or coffees). I love my Keurig.
GunnyMom
P.S.- The personal size doesn’t take a lot of counter space.
GunnyMom
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurinda
I like the look of stainless steel, & found one with a large opening in the top at Christmas Tree Shop. The large opening is important, because how else will you clean the inside? Especially if you live in a hard water area. However, I am already asking for the the La Creuset french press set for christmas. Because some things should be quality…