Kettles are very popular in many households because of their versatility. Stainless steel is the most often used material for kettles, but there are glass and plastic kettles on the market, each with its advantages and drawbacks. Which type of kettle is better?
Glass kettles are better for your health, while plastic kettles are better for your budget. Additionally, glass versions are much easier to maintain and keep clean due to the slick surface. Unlike plastic kettles, glass kettles do not introduce toxic contaminants into the liquid during heating.
This article will go over the benefits and drawbacks of both plastic and glass kettles, including some of the features to consider before purchasing a kettle. Let’s get started.
Why Should You Consider A Glass Kettle?
Glass kettles are especially common for flower tea brewing, as you can watch as the leaves and flowers unfold and infuse the hot water with flavor.
Brewing tea in a glass kettle enables you to develop expertise in tea’s visual properties. Knowing the proper color of certain true teas, such as green tea, enhances the drinking experience for tea connoisseurs.
Apart from enhancing the tea brewing experience, glass kettles have a slew of additional benefits.
They Last A Long Time
Kettles made of glass are not as delicate as many say.
Borosilicate glass kettles can be far more sturdy and long-lasting than other types of teapots. These kettles are composed of a silica and boron trioxide mixture, which results in a tough, shatter-resistant glass that is less likely to break when subjected to thermal stress.
Tempered glass is another strong medium that is used to create glass kettles. Manufacturers use thermal and chemical treatments to toughen the glass and are usually made of heat-resistant glass.
Another durable alternative is the clear glass double wall kettle. Two layers of glass make an insulating layer in this style of a glass teapot, which aids in maintaining the temperature of hot water for a more extended period than single wall glass types.
They Are Easy To Clean
Glass kettles are easy to clean due to their slippery surface, and it takes minimal water to wash because contaminants do not adhere readily to its surface.
Apart from this, glass is a non-porous substance, which means that liquids can not seep into it and get trapped. As a result, they do not stain easily, ensuring that the kettle retains its neat look for an extended period.
Glass Kettles Are Microwave-Friendly
Glass kettles are microwave-safe, which is particularly advantageous when all of your stove’s burners are in use. Glass kettles do not leak contaminants into the liquids when microwaved, making them much healthier than BPA kettles.
However, if the kettle has metal components, you must separate them before using it in the microwave.
It Has No Effect On The Flavor Of Your Beverage
Glass neither consumes nor leaches smells and flavors into a beverage, so it can never change the flavor of the liquids they are used to hold. Furthermore, boiling water or other liquids in a glass kettle has no impact on the color, so your warm drink will always be in its purest state.
They Are Environmentally Conscious
Glass kettles are built to be reusable, as glass has an infinite recycling life, which reduces environmental waste. Once your kettle has served its purpose, you can recycle it without jeopardizing its purity. Recycled glass kettles may be repurposed to create new glass materials such as bottles or windows.
They Are Versatile And Functional
Glass teapots retain heat well, and some variants come with a glass lid to keep moisture and aromas in.
Another advantage is that these kettles can brew loose leaf tea, tea bags, or just heat water and can be used in conjunction with a teapot warmer to maintain the temperature of the liquid for extended periods.
Why Should Glass Kettles Not Be Considered?
While glass kettles are durable, they are not as durable as stainless steel kettles and will break relatively quickly if the temperature changes rapidly.
Despite their ease of cleaning, they need regular washing, as the scale build-up is more visible on these surfaces due to their clarity when you do not clean them regularly. Another disadvantage of glass kettles is their high cost. When compared to their plastic counterparts, these instruments are relatively expensive.
What Are the Benefits Of Plastic Kettles?
The primary benefit of plastic kettles is their low cost. They are the most economical kettle option available today and will accommodate a wide variety of household budgets. They are also more portable and less likely to crack when falling since plastic is a lightweight material.
Apart from these, plastic kettles are not a one-time usage item. Numerous brands sell versions with a lifetime comparable to or greater than that of other materials. Once you continue to use the kettle, the environmental waste rate decreases.
What Is The Problem With Plastic Kettles?
The primary disadvantage of using a plastic kettle is the susceptibility to chemicals. Due to the presence of a chemical called BPA in plastics, boiling water in a plastic kettle can be hazardous, as they can leach into liquids during the heating process and be absorbed by the body.
BPA Exposure
When you boil water in a plastic kettle, the heat degrades the plastic, allowing BPA to permeate your drinks. According to some studies, BPA can leach into food or beverages from BPA-coated containers, even when no heat is applied.
BPA is a chemical compound in polycarbonate plastics, which is used to make the majority of plastic kettles. The use of BPA is a cause for concern due to the potential for adverse health effects on the brain and young children.
The US Food and Drug Administration, on the other hand, has stated that BPA is safe at extremely low concentrations. However, this is not so when plastics are heated. As a result, you’ll want to use a plastic kettle to hold cold drinks rather than boiling water.
Plastic Kettles Alter The Taste Of Your Drinks
In plastic kettles, the liquid reacts with the polymer, altering the flavor. Whatever you boil, your hot beverages will inevitably develop a plastic taste.
Additionally, plastic kettles affect the scent of drinks and can produce an unwanted odor. When the kettle starts to make liquids that smell like rubber, it is recommended that you discard the teapot. Notably, in some cases, the taste and scent changes are insignificant and can be tolerated by some consumers.
Environmentally Destructive
Per year, over 6 billion metric tons (6,000,000,000,000 kg.) of plastic materials are not touched, which ensures they end up in waste streams, which includes the number of plastic kettles discarded.
According to the material’s qualities, glass can be processed several times into a multitude of various items, but plastics are restricted from this incentive.
Plastic kettles have a limited lifespan and lose their quality and integrity after a few uses, which means that recycling facilities are more likely to downcycle, incinerate, or deposit this waste in a landfill.
Which Kettle Is Best For Your Health?
By far, the healthiest choice is a glass kettle, so you’ll want to purchase a glass kettle to avoid ingestion of BPA.
If you want the most dependable kettle possible, look for one made of Borosilicate glass, as it is exceptionally durable. It is also more resistant to thermal shock than other glass forms, making it less prone to shatter when heated.
It is more likely to fracture than collapse if it does break, which minimizes the risk of injury and simplifies the process of disposing of the defective kettle.
How To Choose The Best Kettle For You
If you’ve settled on a glass kettle, you might want an electric kettle over a stovetop model, as they are simple to use and easy to transport. These devices have the following benefits over stovetop models:
- Saves time: Generally, electric kettles have a high voltage and can heat liquids in a matter of minutes.
- Temperature regulation: Certain beverages are too delicate to be boiled, and over boiling will ruin their natural scent and taste. However, the majority of electric kettles provide an accurate temperature control system, so you can adjust the water temperature to obtain the true taste of green tea, coffee, or some other beverage.
- Energy-saving: The heating unit under the kettle heats the water directly, with no energy wasted. The fires encircle the kettles on the stove, heating both the air and the water inside, which wastes more energy.
- Automatic shutdown: When the water reaches the desired temperature, an electric kettle automatically shuts off. Not only does it avoid overheating, but it also conserves electricity.
When looking for a glass kettle, keep the following attributes in mind and ensure that the kettle suits your lifestyle’s expectations.
Consider Its Heating Power
Heating power determines how fast the water heats up and is specified in watts. As a rule of thumb, a 1500 W Electric Kettle can boil 33.8 fl. oz. (1 L.) of water in roughly 3 mins, but a higher-capacity kettle could boil the same amount of water in less time.
Verify the Capacity of the Kettle
Kettles come with a defined capacity, meaning that you cannot boil beyond the capacity in one heat session.
A kettle that holds approximately four cups of tea might be sufficient for a small family. However, if you only brew tea for yourself, a single-cup kettle is more fitting. Consider a 10.14 fl. oz. (300 ml) kettle for a single user and a 67.6 fl. oz. (2 L) kettle for a family of six or more.
You should note that a higher capacity requires a higher heat power to match the heating speed. For example, a 1500W heating power will take longer to boil (1.5 L) of liquid than 33.8 fl. Oz. (1 L) You will require a higher rating to achieve fast boiling.
Know Which Style You Are Looking For
There are two types of kettles:
- Jug form: Jug designs heat liquids such as water, milk, and tea and are the most popular style for electric kettles. These kettles have a spout at the top that aids in pouring out the water.
- Cooker form: This kettle has a wide opening to accommodate the cooker vessel and is capable of heating liquids as well as ingredients such as vegetables or noodles.
The jug style would be ideal for the majority of households. However, the cooker is more flexible and should be considered by chefs and connoisseurs of cooking.
Filter For Hard Water
Filters are critical if you want to use untreated water, as the minerals in tap water may affect your water’s flavor, and therefore on the taste of your tea or coffee. These particles will also accumulate inside the kettle and gradually corrode a kettle to shorten its life. Typically, the filters are removable and aid in ensuring pure-tasting water.
Safety Features
Electric kettles can be unsafe, particularly if you have family members who could inadvertently touch the kettle and harm themselves or spill the water. Cool housing, locking lids, and caps that slowly emit steam help prevent uncomfortable burns and spills. When shopping for a glass kettle, keep these features in mind.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.