The process of brewing tea can be instant for some but most of us love the process. The process of brewing tea is meditative, soothing, and peaceful. One of the ways to brew tea is in a cast iron tea kettle. A cast iron tea kettle is one of the purest ways to brew tea.
The cast iron tea kettle really brings tea to life. Without adding any additional flavors or damaging the tea leaves. There is no comparison. I knew cooking with a cast-iron skillet took some talent. I was concerned about the benefits of a cast-iron kettle. I found that not only is a cast-iron kettle the way you want to go, it’s a simple answer to some of the best-tasting tea. Let’s get brewing!
This kettle has a grip that does not get hot and a non-drip spout. It includes a large loose leaf tea filter. The kettle holds 30 fluid ounces. The lid is vented to release steam as the tea steeps. Both lid and kettle are enamel lined. The delicate and simple pattern is of a maple leaf. The total weight is 3.36 pounds 
Why a cast iron tea kettle
First, a tea kettle sits on your stove and uses fire to boil your water. A teapot you put your loose leaf tea into and pour the appropriate water into to brew your tea. Most tea kettles are made of stainless steel or aluminum, some ceramic. But a cast iron tea kettle is made of the most versatile metals A cast iron tea kettle puts other tea kettles to shame. It keeps your water hot longer. It also adds iron to your tea which can be beneficial to those with iron deficiency.
The heat of a cast-iron kettle, it’s far better than any other tea kettle out there. The water is also heated evenly allowing for a more even brew of your tea.
Cast iron may be heavier than other metals but its versatility is well worth that extra weight. Cast iron when cared for will last you a lifetime.
When you brew your water in a cast-iron kettle it brings out the best flavor of the tea.
Benefits of a Cast Iron Tea Kettle
Keeping your tea hot is always a problem. No one likes warm tea. No matter what you try the tea never seems to stay warm long enough. Enter the cast-iron kettle. While that tea in your cup may start to cool off you can easily warm it up with a few drops of hot water from your kettle. Cast iron kettles stay warmer longer than glass, ceramic, and stainless steel. Cast iron also distributes water better than any other material. This helps steep your leaves evenly.
If you are a tea lover you have to experience brewing a cup of tea with water from a cast iron tea kettle. The taste will surprise you as it will be different. The difference will be a fresher cup of tea, closer to the natural flavor of the tea.
Not only does it heat up your water fast, but it keeps it hotter longer. You can pour yourself a cup of tea. Heat up your oatmeal and then refresh that tea all from the same boiled kettle of water. Retains heat very well – The cast iron keeps the water warmer longer. It will heat up fast and retain that heated water for a longer period of time. More cups of tea from one heated pot of water!
Cast iron is natural and one of the first metals used in producing kitchenware. It’s nontoxic and even adds iron to your brewed beverages. Iron is pulled from the cast iron into the hot water. iron kettles are designed to last a long time. They are made out of thick clay that won’t break easily.
Indestructible! You have to really try to destroy one. Neglect would be the one way to destroy a cast iron tea kettle. Don’t let the water remain in the bottom, it will rust your pot. It’s not fun to clean the rust from the inside of a kettle so it’s best just not to have it happen. Cast iron is one of the most indestructible products out there. Even when you find a cast iron skillet that looks destroyed, with just a bit of effort you can bring it back to perfection.
Pros
- The purported pure taste of brewed water in the tea
- Non-Toxic
- Attractive design
- Pretty as a tea set or on counter
- Stays hot longer
- Indestructible
- The benefit of iron seeped into tea
- Little cleaning required
Cons
- Cast iron is heavy
- Can be too small for brewing water for many people
- No removable basket for constant tea brewing
- Can rust if the water is left standing
- Hand wash only
- Iron is steeped into the water from the kettle
The aesthetics of this teapot won us over. It looks great sitting on a counter or table (even our desks). Easy to clean. Keeps tea warm for a long time, no need to re-heat. Includes stainless still mesh filter. holds approx. 26 ounces of fluid. This is not a stovetop tea kettle.
Weight: 4 pounds
The first cast iron tea kettle was a teapot
The original cast iron teapots were made in Japan. These teapots are called tetsubin. These are really long-lasting and usually, come with an enamel coating that prevents rusting.
A tetsubin is a Japanese cast iron teapot that was used in Japanese tea ceremonies for many centuries. However, it is used for tea brewing and holding boiling water. Currently, if you purchase a cast iron teapot it will have an enamel lining. These are not tetsubin and are called Tetsu Kyusu which means “iron teapot”.
If you see the enamel lining you will know you have a western teapot (steep tea) and not a tetsubin (boil water).
A real Japanese cast iron teapot does not have an enamel lining. So make sure to check the inside of your kettle before purchasing. Avoid tea kettles that are mass-produced. A Japanese cast iron teapot (tetsubin) is not cheap. If you want to enjoy the pure service of tea, it’s best to purchase a good quality tea kettle.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Cast Iron Tea Kettle
Besides the unique way of brewing tea, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a Cast Iron Tea Kettle. Durable. – Cast Iron is solid, heavy, and very hard to destroy. Cast iron if cared for can last forever and even generations.
Are cast iron tea kettles safe?
Cast iron has been used for thousands of years. It is also non-toxic. You will get no metallic or toxins added to your water to throw off the taste of your teas. Cast iron is one of the oldest metals used in baking and cooking. The material is durable and safer than any other material used.
I am not a fan of rust, however, it is perfectly safe. Many Japanese drink rust-tainted water with their tea. That is how they prefer the taste. I’m not one of those people. So, if your tea kettle gets a little bit of rust, do not worry. For me, I prefer mine not to get the rust to begin with. Cleaning it is a bother. Taking care of your kettle will make it last a long time and be durable lasting for generations to come.
What is a tea kettle’s capacity?
How much tea do you drink? Is your cast iron tea kettle for single-use or more? On average a cast iron tea kettle will hold one-two quart of water. There are bigger as well as smaller tea kettles. You have to decide what size kettle you will need.
Can a cast-iron kettle be heated on a stove or microwave?
If you have a solid cast iron tea kettle you can heat your water on a stovetop. Do not heat an enamel-lined cast-iron pot as it will crack the enamel and eventually chip off. A solid cast iron tea kettle can be used over any sort of flame including an electric, wood stove, or campfires. Never microwave or place your kettle. Metal and microwaves don’t mix and you can cause damage to both the microwave and the kettle.
Are cast iron kettles dishwasher safe?
No! It will destroy your kettle. The detergent you use should be a gentle soap and gently wash and rinse. Wipe dry after each use.
Can you boil water in cast iron tea kettles?
At least once in our lives, you have to experience boiling water in a cast iron tea kettle and brewing tea with it. People say the flavor changes and I agree. It’s a much more pure flavor and the tea will taste a bit different. The same if you change the water you use. My water at home is very hard. I never use it for anything, I use purified water and the taste is so much better. Remember never to put a teapot over an open flame, it is not made for that.
Why does my tea taste different in a cast-iron kettle?
When the water is boiled it changes the structure of the iron and the iron combines with your boiled water. This changes its taste and in turn changes the taste of the brewed tea. This coating helps protect your tea kettle as well.
Do cast iron tea kettles rust?
Yes is the simple answer. It’s easy to keep your kettle from rusting. Keep the inside dry between uses and towel dry after cleaning. That alone should be all you need to keep your tea kettle clean and clear of rust. Hard water, as I have here in my town, also can cause rust to invade your kettle. Therefore, I choose to use filtered water.
If rust does invade your kettle and you want to remove it. Allow the kettle to dry and use a soft brush to brush away what rust you can. Fill the kettle with water and tea leaves, boil and toss out. The tannins in the tea help “heal” the pot and seal it up securing a less likely recurrence of the rust.
You can also use lemon juice mixed with baking soda to scrub stubborn rust away.
If not a cast-iron kettle then what?
Life is always brewing faster than our tea kettles – and you need a tea kettle now to fill your tea needs. So here are the top tea kettles we recommend – if you want to know why, or see the other reviews, feel free to check them out below. But if you need something now, here’s our top choice:”
Whistling Tea Kettle
A stainless steel kettle that whistles. There's no ceremony here. But there is hot water that comes to temperature on a stove top. This kettle is easy to use. Fill It with water, replace the lid and put it on the stovetop.
A stainless steel kettle that whistles. There’s no ceremony here. But there is hot water that comes to temperature on a stovetop. This kettle is easy to use. Fill It with water, replace the lid, and put it on the stovetop.
The stainless steel kettle holds more water than a Japanese tea kettle. The handle is cool to touch and there is a push-button mechanism for easy release of your water to the cup/mug.
You can overheat the water in a stovetop tea kettle. Boiling your water in a stainless steel kettle can give your tea a different taste. Dark spots can develop on the inside of the kettle if you leave water in it for extended periods of time. Never heat an empty kettle, it’s an easy way to ruin it completely.
Miroco electric kettle
Precise Temperature Control Electric Kettle: Choose from 6 preset temperatures to get the best, most flavorful teas, coffees or simply boil cooking water
Take your kettle off the stovetop and place it on your counter. An electric tea kettle is what I consider an electric water heater. Bring your water to a certain temperature. Making it easy to create the perfect water temperature for your tea. It’s fast boiling but most teas do not need to have boiling water, it will kill the flavor of your tea. Auto shut off is a nice feature as well.
Similar to the Stovetop kettle. The capacity of the electric kettle is much more than a Japanese kettle, it’s fast but minus the ceremony. Stainless steel and BPA-free. The metal can cause a metallic flavor to your tea water.
Not all tea kettles are 100% stainless. Some have small pieces of plastic generally in the stout that does come in contact with the hot water. Electric tea kettles must be cleaned by hand and are hard to clean.
Ovente Electric Kettle
For Those who Need it Fast– Need a quick sip of coffee before you head to work? This electric kettle operates on 1100W (120V) and boils a full 1.5L pot of water within minutes! It is 50% more efficient than traditional stovetop kettles in reducing your daily electricity use.
It sounds fun to watch your water boil. How many of you will? We generally purchase these kettles because they are fast. We like fast tea. There is nothing wrong with that it does take away from the peaceful meaningful ceremony.
Reaches boiling temperature in 7 minutes and shuts off once it reaches boiling. BPA free. A filter is attached to the spout and is easy to clean and removable. The handle is a cool touch. The heater element is hidden in the base and the kettle can rotate 360 degrees. The spout cover can lock in a flip back position. Glass and Stainless steel materials.
Conclusion
While it may cost a bit more. Might be a bit heavier. A cast iron tea kettle is the way to go. Not only does it look great on your counter you are bringing a bit of diversity into your home. You are sharing the culture of Japanese tea with all who enter your home.
A cast iron tea kettle is the safest way to boil water for your tea. Hot water for your tea for longer periods of time. The purest tasting water makes your tea take on a whole different flavor.
While Cast Iron tea kettles are good for only heating water it does not have to be for tea. Use your hot water for morning breakfast. Anytime you need hot water you can turn to your kettle. Plus it keeps that water warmer longer.
Tea kettles are available globally through the web as well as on amazon. Lots of choices. Teatopia Saint Louis has a beautiful cast iron tea kettle. I took a picture of it last week when I was in town. Contact them for purchasing information.
9 thoughts on “Benefits Of A Cast Iron Tea Kettle And Why You Need One”
Thank you, that was a very clear article !
I’m definitely getting myself a tetsubin now 🙂
Hi Ray!
Thanks for the comment and please let me know what you purchase! I’d love to see it.
Could you suggest where to buy cast iron tea kettles? I only see lists for cast iron tea pots.
Hello! I’d be glad to help. Each tea kettle should have a link to direct you to a site to help you purchase a tea kettle? If you have any other problems please let me know…
Hi,
thank you for your article, it’s very helpful.
There’s one point that confuses me though: you say above that it is safe to use the kettle on campfire and later you mention not placing it on open fire.
What is the difference? Can I boil my water in my cast iron kettle on the fire of a gas stove?
Hello Marina and thank you for asking. I had to go over my blog post to make sure I did not mis-speak (or type) and I did find an error. The difference between a tea kettle and tea pot could be the problem here. If you have a the kettle, solid cast iron no enamel on the inside. This is used for open flame.
The Japanese teapot is cast iron on the outside and enamel on the inside. These are not to be put on open flame but to have hot water poured into them and the tea is steeped either inside, through an infuser or in a cup.
If you are unsure of your tea pot/kettle, feel free to send me an image at [email protected] and I can help clear up that question.
My rule of thumb.. when in doubt.. don’t.
Hope this helps and thank you for supporting my blog!
LisaB
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Hello I’m french and I’ve read your article. Very interesting, thanks!
Hello Lucia and welcome. Thank you for supporting our efforts. So glad you are here!