Tea Kettles

Tea kettles are used only for boiling water. They usually have a wide base. However, a deep, pot-shaped style is sometimes sold for use on a coal range, where the kettle may fit down into the stove hole. As they are usually rather heavy when full, the handle is in the shape of a bail which distributes the weight evenly. The bail is usually protected at its central part where the hand comes, by a wooden cylindrical covering, since wood does not conduct heat so rapidly as metal. Sometimes coiled wire is used for this central section, as heat takes longer to pass through the coils than through a straight piece of metal and thus becomes lost.

The spout is curved to prevent the water from splashing when it is boiling and is placed at the bottom of the kettle to insure easy pouring.

The covers are small, as no foods are cooked in these kettles, and the water can be poured in through a small opening. They should be large enough, however, to admit of cleaning.

Double boiler insets are provided with some tea kettles. This is a fuel-saving device, as water can be boiled in the lower part while food is cooked above.

Tea kettles are made of aluminum, enameled ware, cast iron, nickel-plated copper, and tinware. Those of tinned ware often have copper bottoms, because copper conducts the heat so rapidly. In sizes tea kettles range from four to seven quarts. Six quarts is the size for the average family.

Kettles or pots for other uses are known under a great many names. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are made of enameled ware, aluminum, tinned ware, and cast iron. The cast iron and tinned ware ones should not be used for cooking acid foods.

Preserving kettle is the name applied to the deep, wide-topped, bailed shapes. They are usually lipped on one or both sides. A projecting ear on the side opposite the lip is a convenience in steadying the kettle when pouring from it. Preserve kettles usually come without covers, though separate ones may be easily fitted to them.

Berlin kettles are those with rounded rather than straight or flaring sides. These also have bail handles in the large sizes, but the smaller ones often have ear handles on opposite sides. These kettles usually have covers.

Windsor kettles are those with straight flaring sides. They usually come with covers.

Soup kettles, stock pots, or stove pots are various names given to large straight-sided kettles used for cooking large quantities of any kind of food. They are usually covered.

Fish kettles are long, narrow, deep, covered kettles for boiling fish whole.