Teakettle

A teakettle (tea kettle) is a small kitchen appliance used for boiling water in preparation for making tea or other beverages requiring hot water. Kettles may be electric or for stovetop use.

A teakettle is usually a kettle with a spout and (usually) a lid. There are also lidless kettles, filled with water through the spout. Some teakettles have a whistle attached to the spot, to signal the moment when the water starts boiling. Modern electric teakettles vary in design from simple kettles with electric heater elements to more advanced ones, with thermal and water level sensors, cordless ones, etc.

A cordless teakettle consists basically of two separable parts: a kettle and a base with electrical connection. When the kettle stands on the base the heating element in the kettle is powered through the base.

Tea is not made in the kettle itself; a teapot serves this purpose. An exception is the Japanese tetsubin which can be used for both boiling water and brewing tea.

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