OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle Review

We purchased the OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

OXO prides itself on solving everyday kitchen dilemmas with smart solutions. As the recipient of many design awards, the company has invested a great deal of time into understanding what people need out of kitchen appliances and cookware in order to make them easier, safer, and quicker to use.

We tested the OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle by heating water and cleaning the kettle several times to evaluate its durability, heating ability, and ease of use. The classic tea kettle design certainly gets a thumbs up for its beautiful aesthetic, but how does this popular product perform when it comes to heating water? Read on to find out.

Design: Classic but modern

Modeled after traditional whistling tea kettles, this kettle has a slightly curved spout and narrow body. The spout is positioned lower on the kettle, which makes dispensing water quick and easy. If you overfill the kettle, which holds 1.7 quarts, the water will pour out rapidly. However, we found that the thin lip on the spout made pouring precise and prevented drippage.

Material: Heavy-duty and high-quality

The tea kettle is made with high-grade stainless steel. The outside of the kettle is brushed so it won’t show streaks or stains, while the inside is unpolished. We found that the thick metal kept our water warm for longer than other thinner tea kettles we’ve used in the past. The metal is also rust-resistant, which will keep it from getting corroded, even after years of use.

The stainless steel does make the kettle fairly heavy—it weighs in at 2.65 pounds—but it’s still lighter than many similar ceramic, glass, or steel kettles available today.

The kettle’s handle—stainless steel wrapped with heat-resistant silicone—is comfortable to hold and pour, even when the kettle was full. The push-button spout opener also has a silicone tab, so we didn’t have to touch hot metal when opening the whistle. However, the placement of the tab meant we had to put our hands close to the steam to open the spout.

Heating Capacity: Quick to boil

The one-piece construction of this kettle’s body helps heat water rapidly. The base, which measures about 8 inches in diameter, is a bit larger than small stovetop burners and slightly smaller than large ones, so it doesn’t fit perfectly on either. However, the flat bottom kept it level and the water boiled quickly, no matter which burner we used.

Once the water was boiling, the kettle’s whistle was easy to hear. We heard some popping and crackling as the water approached boiling temperature, and when we returned the kettle to the stove, the popping continued until the kettle cooled down.

Cleaning: Easy to wash by hand

The swinging handle and large lid opening made this kettle very easy to fill. We were able to simply set the kettle in the sink instead of awkwardly holding it under the faucet. When it comes time to clean the product, the rotating handle moves to one side, and we found that the lid opening is large enough for an adult’s hand. Plus, the spout is wide enough to clean with a soft cloth or small sponge.

Helpful Features: A rotating handle

Many kettles use rigid, stationary handles, but the OXO Brew Classic Tea Kettle is unique thanks to its rotating handle. Out of the box, the handle was tight enough to stay in standing position, but we expect it to slightly loosen up over time.

Price: A high price tag for beauty

At $40, this product is a high-quality, beautifully designed kettle, but it’s fairly expensive. Less expensive options are available, but you may sacrifice material quality or looks. Plus, OXO offers a guarantee with all its products and will replace or refund the item if you aren’t happy.

Competition: Plenty to choose from

T-fal C76220 Stainless Steel Whistling Coffee and Tea Kettle: The OXO kettle is smaller and more expensive than the T-fal kettle, which holds 3 quarts of water, but you get your money’s worth thanks to its beautiful design, rotating handle, sturdy materials, and no-questions-asked warranty. Plus, the OXO kettle is one piece, which protects against leaks or seepage, while the T-fal kettle has a seam at the bottom of the kettle where we could envision water beginning to leak over time.

Circulon 2-Quart Circles Teakettle: Both these kettles are heavy because of their high-grade materials. The polished stainless steel look of the OXO kettle may be more timeless, but the Circulon kettle comes in three fun colors. Further, the Circulon whistle can be opened from the handle, while you have to press a tab on the OXO kettle’s spout for it to open, putting your hand close to the escaping steam.