Kitchen

[pommom]

I have always boiled water in a saucepan and then added tea bags, covered it and let it sit for about 6 minutes before adding it to water to make ice tea. However, the last couple of times I noticed the taste was off. Then I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that I simmered apples & cinnamon to freshen the air in my home and the taste somehow lingered even though the pot had gone through the dishwasher a few times.

Then it dawned on me that perhaps I need to buy a tea kettle, so I started pricing them. Some, IMO, are ridiculously high especially if all I'm doing is boiling water.

Finally, I've just about decided to buy a small sauce pan and use it exclusively for boiling water in preparation for making ice tea.

Any advantages to using a tea kettle over a pot?

[pattypeep]

We use our microwave to heat water.

[stevieb]

I just like having a tea kettle. I doubt it matters what you boil water in for tea, but I've just always had a kettle sitting on the stove and just enjoy the look of a kettle.

[house cat]

Okay, this is going to sound very superficial, but there's something about a pretty teapot that makes me smile. Can you get by without it? Yes, but I just love them.

I use the microwave for tea when I'm at work and have no choice, but I try to avoid using it at home. The jury still isn't in regarding the dangers of microwave cooking.

[Lacey1]

I use a stainless steel kettle that I got from a garage sale. I use it strictly to heat water. I like it because the lid is wide enough to get my hand in to wash it. The whistle is pretty worn out, but it would just make my dog bark. I use it for tea, (steep in a tea pot), some recipes, adding hot water to soup, (so it doesn't cool down), and hot water for washing dishes, hand washing clothes etc. Only use it for water, and keep it clean-tap water will put mineral deposits in it.

[house cat]

On 2/2/2014 stevieb said:

I just like having a tea kettle. I doubt it matters what you boil water in for tea, but I've just always had a kettle sitting on the stove and just enjoy the look of a kettle.

You were probably typing your comment while I was typing mine! I agree. I just love tea kettles… and coffee pots, too.

[Tigriss]

I have an electric tea kettle that I love. I have one at home and one at work. I don't boil my water for tea but bring it to a nice steam, as boiling water is too hot for a properly brewed cup or for sweet tea. I picked up both of mine on clearance, one at Lowe's and the other at WM. One for around $20 and the most recent one at WM for $10 (it has pre-set temps and will keep it at time for over an hour as I drink hot tea for cup after cup). I think it is Hamilton Beach. They are also great for cooking, hot chocolate, and steaming my sinuses when I have a head cold.

[Deadeye Daisy]

I use a kettle, a teapot and a cozy if making more than one cup, even for myself. I often have 2 or 3 cups, so the cozy keeps the tea hot.

Tea is always best with fresh drawn water. It needs the oxygen. If you use a Brita or Pur pitcher, draw fresh water, then filter right before putting in the kettle. Never use distilled water for tea or coffee. Never use water that's been sitting in your Brita or Pur pitcher. If your filter is on the kitchen spigot, let some run through the filter before drawing the water for your tea.

With most teas, you NEVER use boiling water. Most teas do better with lower temperature water, especially light and green. Darker oolongs and black teas are fine with hotter water. The lighter the tea, the lower the water temperature and lesser amount of brewing time. Light & green teas - 160° to 175°, steep only a minute or two. Oolong up to 184°; black teas - just under boiling point, steep for 2 - 3 minutes. Herbal teas also just under boiling point, but steep up to 5 or 6 minutes.

While the water is heating, I warm the teapot with hot water. I do use a fine mesh filter in the teapot.

[Snowpuppy]

Daisy, thanks so much for those tea brewing tips!!

I keep iced tea in the fridge year round. I do have a tea kettle but it's not large enough for a batch of brewed ice tea so I use a stainless open pot to heat water and then add a large Lipton tea bag for iced tea.

I don't care for a cup of tea from the microwave. Just isn't the same as a brewed tea.

[pinkcrystal]

Electric tea kettles are wonderful and so easy to use. We got ours relatively inexpensively online. I prefer it to microwaving or boiling on the stove.