How to Use a Tea Kettle on the Stove? A Step by Step Guide

Have you heard the saying 'Not everyone's cup of tea'? Well, in this case, we are going to apply this to most people out there. Tea is a famous drink that the majority of people around the world love to sip as a refreshment beverage.

Brewed with boiling water and the use of fresh leaves of Camellia Sinensis provides a captivating aroma.

The basic way to make tea is by using a tea kettle, but not everyone can work it out perfectly. We are here to tell you how to use a tea kettle on the stove to master the finest of tea.

Kettle and Teapots

Before discussing how you can use your tea kettle on the stove, let's tell you a surprising truth. Most people have a hard time finding out the distinction between a teapot and a kettle. They don't know the difference. Let's break it down.

Kettles

A kettle is used to boil water, as simple as that. Kettles are made with different materials like copper, stainless steel, and aluminum to maintain optimum boiling temperature. The handles have silicone or secured plastic grip. It comes with a detachable lid and spill-free sprouts for ease of use.

Teapots

Teapots are where the hot water is poured. The tea leaves rest in the bottom of the pot, and the water goes in from the top and starts the brewing process. It is mainly the brewing jar. Made of porcelain, glass, and glass materials, they are very sturdy and durable to store piping hot tea.

How to Use a Tea Kettle on the Stove? Definitive Guide

We are here to show you how it's done. If you have a traditional tea kettle on your hand and are planning to prepare tea for the first time, this part will explain every bit of attaining the perfect cup of hot water.

Fill Up The Kettle

First and foremost, you will need the purest of water. You can boil tap water, but we don't advise this. It's always best to use filtered water because there will be no unharming minerals like you get from the tap.

You should fill up the kettle and leave some space from the top, but don't go for a half-filled kettle. Half-filled kettles are prone to overheating the water, and you might even end up melting the stovetop kettle.

Turn The Stove on And Place The Kettle

The next thing to do is to put the kettle on the stove. Now you have to turn on the stove; it can be a gas stove or an electric one. Make sure you know how to use your stove properly.

A simple twist on the knob can light up the fire if your stove has an auto-turn on-off system. If manual, you need to light it up using matches or gas stove lighter.

Now it’s time to put the kettle on the stove burner. Make sure to take necessary precautions to prevent burning your hands.

Know What Type of Kettle You Are Using

Your kettle can be a standard kettle that needs to be looked after as it works on the fire stove. Keeping an eye for the boiling limit is a must with such kettles.

If you have a whistling kettle, you can save your time and multitask while the kettle is heating up. When the water reaches the desired temperature, it will signal you automatically through whistling.

Boiling Temperature

How will you know that the water is boiled to perfection? Well, it's about the mastery of boiling water with time. You will know when the water reaches an adequate temperature.

If you are still confused, we can give you a hint. For black tea, boil the water to 212 degrees Fahrenheit - it is known as full boiling temperature; for green tea, you should go below this limit for best results; say, 175-180 degrees Fahrenheit is good for green and white tea.

Bring It Off with Safety Measurements

Now, when the water is done boiling, you need to take the kettle away from the stove. For this, you must turn off the stove first. Then, hold the insulated handle of the kettle to move it from the fire station.

Keep in mind not all kettles will have an insulated handle. It depends on what you bought from the market. Cheap kettles are likely to have shielding. A quality kettle will certainly have protection to keep your hands safe from burning.

Pour The Water Into The Teapot

Ready your teapot with the tea leaves from the start. Then you bring the kettle closer and start pouring the hot water into the teapot. This looks easy but, you have to be cautious. Always maintain a safe distance while performing this task.

Always keep your face away from the steam. Your hands must be away from the kettle spout to avoid burns.

Steep Your Tea

Now it's about extracting the flavor from the camelia synesis you purchased. Steeping for 1 to 2 minutes is a good way to go. If you are using green tea, then 30 seconds should be fine. Don't forget to agitate the tea leaves gently to bring out the flavors from the leaves.

You can follow the instructions on the tea packaging for good results. Keep in mind that if you plan to use teabags, get pyramid-shaped ones; this will give enough room for the leaves to mix well even when inside the bag.

Final Touch

We are almost done. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add sugar cubes or teaspoons of sugar. The quantity depends solely on your taste. If you are not into sugary things, you can enjoy the tea straight away after steeping and agitation.

To know more, check out this visual reference.

What If You Have an Electric Kettle?

The above procedure is for people who own an orthodox kettle. You can find an electric kettle, and these are very handy and fast to operate. Electric kettle can be put on the countertop, and it only needs a power source to heat up, no fire source. These kettles boil water using the electricity provided.

They have a water gauge that boils water on its own and works faster than conventional kettles. The good thing about an electric kettle is that it will turn off automatically and signal you when the water is done boiling.

Conclusion

Stovetop kettles have been running the tea game for years and years. It can heat water surpassing the boiling temperature, which can be positive for certain types of tea making. Imagine you have a kettle but don't know how to use it.

Well, this article on how to use a tea kettle on the stove is just for your convenience to get into the art of tea making. Know the differences between kettles and how to run a stove fire with precaution. Simply follow the basic set of rules we jotted down for you, and we promise you will be coming up with exquisite homemade tea.