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Show Me Your Traditional Stove Top Whistling Kettles!
GinnyStrupac · 15/07/2020 15:24
Together with a few other people, I've been kindly given a small bequest of £100 from an old friend. I would like to spend it on something to keep and to remember her by. We do need a new kettle and I would like to replace our failing electric one with a traditional stove top whistling one to go on our gas hob. This will remind me of my friend as she had a very old one, and we also had one growing up and so it will remind me of my late parents too.
I looked at the Le Creuset ones as we have some very old inherited cookware of theirs which is still going strong. I like the look of their chunky large Traditional Whistling Kettle in stainless steel or one of the coloured enamels, and it would fit in our old country kitchen, best described as rustic and shabby not chic. I've seen them with a bit of money off just now so they come in just under budget.
So far, so good? Except, reading the reviews, not all but quite a few seem to question the quality and durability of the current Le Creuset kettles, saying that the manufacture of them has been farmed out to cheaper options and it shows. Breaking handles, rusting insides, chipping enamel, holes, spurting spouts and even weak whistles are mentioned. We all know there's nothing worse than a weak whistle. I see that Le Creuset offer a 5 year warranty, but I don't want to run the risk of buying something in memory of my friend only to have trouble with it.
Do you have a traditional whistling kettle, suitable for a gas hob, not in a modern style, currently available in the UK, which will stand the test of time in a busy household and coming in at £100 or less? Any you can review to recommend or avoid?
Thank you. 
billybagpuss · 15/07/2020 15:41
I do love mine, it’s a stainless steel one and looks gorgeous, but honest advice is don’t. It takes so long to boil, and the handle gets very, very hot so it needs an oven glove. I would show you a pic, but it’s buried way back in the dumping cupboard to be pulled out if there’s a big party or a power cut.
The other thing is if you have kids it’s far less safe to use. I’d worry even about older teens as it’s heavy to use and you’re far more likely to get burned accidentally.
RudeAF · 15/07/2020 16:16
I have a cheap one I got on Amazon and it’s great. I have a ceramic hob and a small kitchen so wanted to free up the space taken up by a wired one. I really wanted a Le Creuset one though! I read lots of moaning about them being rubbish these days but I have no complaints with anything I’ve ever bought from them so I’d say go for it if they are on sale. It will make you happy every time you look at it!
RudeAF · 15/07/2020 16:20
Gatekeeper · 15/07/2020 16:23
i've got this one www.agacookshop.co.uk/aga-stainless-steel-whistling-kettle-crm.html
I tried the Le Creuset one but took it back as the whistle was crap!
Gatekeeper · 15/07/2020 16:27
the best ones for gas stoves are the ones that have holes around the bottom bit- I used to have one and it heated up as quick as an electric
some here but they are ££££££. It's the Buckingham one
neweybloomer.co.uk/
Randomdogbite · 15/07/2020 17:05
Also have a la creuset enamel one in green and I love it, probably about 2 years old now and no problem. It’s really quick on the induction hob, much quicker than the electric one. I like throwing the whole thing in the washing up every now and then but I’m not sure if it would get grubby with gas.
GinnyStrupac · 15/07/2020 20:32
Thanks all. It's amazing how much time you can waste on these things. I've disappeared down a rabbit hole of whistling kettles! It's not like I've got nothing else to do. Right, time to put the kettle on - of course - and peruse these replies.
About a 2 litre capacity will be enough, which is the same as the current - no pun intended - creaky electric one. We've got a 30 litre boiler for those times when a lot of cups or flasks are needed.
GinnyStrupac · 16/07/2020 15:54
it came with the boat
I liked the sound of that. I did wonder about looking for a second hand vintage or antique one, especially as it could possibly go on the outdoor fire too, but on this occasion because of the circumstances of the purchase I think I'd prefer a new one. I've just had a look at the Klausberg website thanks, @CatBatCat . They have over a hundred to choose from and, although they're a bit modern-looking for what I'm after, my guilty pleasure would be the parrot one!
GinnyStrupac · 16/07/2020 16:07
That looks right up my street, @Vickmo - especially being British made and with a wooden handle. I'd never heard of them - assuming it's Netherton rather than Netheron? The only downsides, looking on their website just now, is they're all out of stock, black only unlike your's, not whistling, and start at £125 up to about £160 which puts them out of the £100 budget unless they have a sale or discount code. The replaceable and wooden parts is a real plus as it seems Le Creuset use some sort of plastic.
GinnyStrupac · 16/07/2020 16:20
Your nice Aga one is probably a bit modern-looking for our old kitchen, @Gatekeeper . Yes, some of the reviews of the Le Creuset whistle mention it's more of a whisper. I need to be able to hear it from upstairs or outside, otherwise the kettle will boil dry and burn out, I fear.
The Newey Bloomer type would be pretty perfect in a better than half price sale....is kettle porn a thing?
CarrieMoonbeams · 16/07/2020 16:22
I have a Le Crueset traditional one, a creamy colour (meringue) and I love it. I bought it with some vouchers I was given when I retired. It does indeed take a while to boil, but that's part of its charm for me - I'm not working so it's just a nice symbolic gesture to myself that I'm not in a hurry in the mornings.
I also have an electric kettle too though, for the times that I'm gasping for a cuppa and can't wait!
Londonmummy66 · 16/07/2020 16:44
I've had one of these for 18 years and it is still going strong. It does take longer than an electric one though.
www.dentonscatering.com/beverage/kettles/farmhouse-kettles-3.5-pint-2-litres
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