History

• Down through time, people have used kettles to heat water or food. "Kettle" comes from the Middle English word "ketel," which in turn derived from an old Norse word "ketill," which had roots in a prehistoric German word that borrowed from the Latin "catillus," for "bowl." The word "teakettle" entered the language in 1705, when tea became popular in Europe. Golden Moon Tea notes that early kettles evolved into those small enough for heating just enough water for a cup of tea. Today, when you shop for a teakettle, you face a vast selection that grew out of that early invention.
  
  

Uses and Purposes

• A teakettle is filled with water and heated; the hot water is then poured over the tea. A teakettle is not a teapot. Teapots are used to steep the tea once the hot water from the kettle has been poured into it. Teakettles often have a whistling mechanism to indicate when the water has reached the boiling point; if electric, a light may indicate this and the kettle may then shut itself off. Teakettles can also be used to boil water for other foods or beverages.
  
  

Types

• The two basic types of teakettles are electric and stove-top. The cordless electric variety has been common for about 30 years, allowing the user to pick it off its electric base to fill or pour the water. Stove-top teakettles are heated on the stove or some other heat source.
  
  

Materials

• Modern teakettles come in many styles and varieties.tea kettle image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
  
  Teakettles come in materials to appeal to any taste, decor or budget. Materials include copper, stainless steel and glass. The material matters because some, especially some metallic kettles, can impart an unpleasant taste to the water, while glass leaves behind no taste. To prevent that, many metal teakettles are coated with enamel.
  
  

What to Look For

• You may shop for a teakettle to match your kitchen, as they come in every color of the rainbow. They even come in various shapes, such as animals. Golden Moon tea suggests looking for a cover that fits well so that it comes off without problems and a solidly built handle that is heat-proof to prevent burns. A good whistle is also a plus for letting you know when the water is hot enough to make tea. Whistles are available for attaching to a teakettle that came without one.