List Price: $120.00
Sale Price: $87.59
Today's Bonus: 27% Off
I have had my Chantal Teakettle for approximately 14 years (it is blue, however, instead of red). It has performed perfectly and still looks as new as the day it was purchased and given a home. Unlike other tea kettles I have owned, it has remained not only as beautiful but as strong as when it was new. Others I have had, have deteriorated in a short amount of time. I truly think this one will last a lifetime. I highly recommend it and how easy to be able to order it here.
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Extremely well constructed and well designed. It should last for a lifetime. It's beautiful and easy to clean. It's made of very conductive material so I don't have a problem with boiling water quickly on my electric stove. The handle doesn't get hot unless you position it so that it's heated by the element from below. Once you hear the harmonica "whistle" when the water boils you'll love it... :)Best Deals for Chantal Enamel on Steel Classic Teakettle
The Chantal 2 1/2-quart teakettle is not only aesthetically pleasing but is also energy efficient because it heats water to the boiling point in a short period of time. I bought a Chantal teakettle when it first came on the market, and I have used it on a Jenn-aire ceramic stovetop, a gas burner range, and an electric range--all with good results for heating water quickly. However, I have had to ask Chantal to replace my teakettle twice because of rust on the inside near the lid. Also the lid would become stuck in place and impossible to remove, so I would fill it with water through the pouring spout. The charming two-tone Hohner "harmonica" top of the spout has stopped playing on the one I have now. I think the reason for the problems with the Chantal teakettle have everything to do with the hardness of one's water. Yet, I love this teakettle so much that I will replace it myself if I must.Honest reviews on Chantal Enamel on Steel Classic Teakettle
UPDATE 1: After 5 years of use, the harmonica came out of the cap, so it no longer signals boiling water. For this price, it should have lasted at least 10 years.UPDATE 2: After 6 years of use, the spring-loaded spout no longer flips out of the way. Pouring water is clumsy at best without a way of having it out of the way and staying there. The kettle is still pretty, and I loved the harmonica when it worked, but we will get a cheaper, larger one and throw this one out.
This 1.8 qt teakettle is a bit small, maybe 2/3 the size of a typical teakettle. One kettle of boiling water is not enough for morning tea for the two of us, as it was with earlier kettles.
PROS: stylish; nice choice of colors; reasonably well-made; unique harmonica whistle which is the main reason for paying a higher price; includes mitt for easy handling (see CONS).
CONS: expensive; smallish size; enamel can chip on enamel kettles; must use mitt on the metal handle when pouring hot water (or wait until it cools).
The whistle blows at a good volume, so we can hear it from the second floor when it boils in the kitchen. The two-note harmonica sound is much more pleasant than the shrill whistle of a traditional kettle, but ours is a bit dissonant, not a chord; this seems to vary from kettle to kettle, judging by other reports. It starts with one steady note, gets louder, then the second note comes in.
Because the kettle is smallish, the base is a bit smaller too, and we cannot turn the flame up full force without having it lick up the sides. Still, it seems to boil water fairly fast, about right for its smaller size.
We were originally shopping for one on ebay (where some other colors are available), but found that older kettles did not come with the hot-kettle mitt that is included with new units, and this mitt is essential, because the metal handle does get hot when it boils. Also, the ebay prices end up without much savings over a new one, and you can't usually return it (for example, if it does not whistle). I suggest that you do not put the mitt on the handle when the pot is heating; instead, wait until you have turned off the flame.
If you search froogle, you will find at least one online store that sells the unit for eleven dollars less than amazon, with fair shipping fees.
We chose the enamel kettle for its look and color (onyx, which is slightly darker than stainless steel). The disadvantage of enamel, according to other reports, is that it can chip and, when it does, it can rust. This is more of a problem for the interior. The stainless-steel and copper models have a stainless-steel interior, and should never rust. The exterior of those models has a coating to keep it looking nice and make it easier to clean, but I assume with time this clear coating will peel, scratch, or otherwise deteriorate.
Washing it once every few weeks with a non-scratch sponge and regular dishwashing liquid (not when it's real hot) will keep it looking nice. There is also a special ceramic cleaner that we bought, but I have my doubts that it is needed.
To get long life out of any kettle, it is important to turn off the fire after it comes to a boil. Boiling water for a long time will eventually heat the plastic parts and cause them to melt or warp. The Chantal is mostly metal, but there is a gasket in the water-fill hole, and there might be some plastic in the flip-up whistle assembly at the end of the spout.
We fill the kettle from the spout. It does not take any longer, and that way you won't wear out the gasket in the water-fill hole. If you wear out the gasket, or if the flip-up whistle-cover for the spout warps or is bent, you won't get a good seal, and the kettle won't whistle. Without the whistle you're in danger of overheating the kettle, and that leads to rapid deterioration.
The Chantal kettle is well-made, and with proper care, could last many years [see UPDATE above: ours broke after 5 years]. You can buy replacement parts, for example if the gasket needs to be replaced.
Why three stars? I took one star off for the price, which I think is high for a teakettle. I took one star off for the relatively smaller size, and because the tone is dissonant. [UPDATE: I think the kettle should have lasted longer than 5-6 years at this price, but I did not take off another star for the failures.] I'm happy with this unique kettle, but a bit stingy with my stars: only a few of the finest products get five stars.
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