Do all Tea Kettles Whistle?
Do all tea kettles whistle? Well, not exactly. The whistling sound that you hear is actually just air escaping from the kettle’s spout. This occurs when the water boils and produces steam. While some people believe that it’s a sign of boiling water, this isn’t always true. Most modern kettles have automatic shut-off features, so they won’t continue to boil after reaching desired temperature levels.
That being said, there are two reasons why your kettle may be making noise:
- A) If the lid is not on properly
- B) If your kettle was designed with an open pour spout or nozzle
Many people are nostalgic about old kettle designs that produce whistling sounds, so you will find some designs on the market that have this feature for old time’s sake.
If your kettle is not designed to produce a sound, and yet you find it making noise, the other reason may be that the lid isn’t properly closed, and air is escaping.
How to Use a Whistling Tea Kettle
Below are steps on how to use a tea kettle:
- If you are using a brand new kettle straight from the box, then you may want to clean it first before using it. You can do this by using a mild dishwashing detergent and some water. Washing it will also take care of any metallic or plastic smell that new items have.
- Fill up the kettle with clean cold water. Ensure the water you use is filtered if you have that option. Unfiltered tap water tends to have traces of mineral deposits that can coat the insides of the kettle, causing problems over time.
- Put the kettle on its stand, turn on the stove and wait until it whistles. If you are using a gas range, simply light up one of your burners underneath the kettle to boil water faster. Do not fill the kettle to the brim; instead, you should fill it up to the maximum limit indicated.
- If you have an old-school kettle, then you should heat up your stovetop and place the kettle on it. How hot the water becomes depends on what kind of tea you’re making. For black and herbal teas, the water should be piping hot. However, if you’re making white or green tea, you should only heat the water to about 185-190 degrees, meaning the water should be hot but not boiling hot.
- For black tea, you’ll know the kettle is ready once it starts whistling.
- If you’re using an electric kettle, you can follow the steps mentioned above. Still, instead of stovetop, you place the kettle onto its electric stand or plug it in. For white or green tea, do not allow the kettle to come to a full boil. You can switch it off just before the water reaches its boiling point.
- When you’re done using the kettle, avoid leaving any water to stand in it, as this can cause rusting. Instead, you should empty the kettle and allow it to dry before storing it away.
There are kettles that whistle and those that do not. Which one you opt to use is a matter of preference.
