Types of Big Water Kettles
Sometimes referred to as a large water kettle, the big water kettle comes in various styles and designs, including what is commonly referred to as the colonial kettle, Japanese tetsubin, Turkish teapot, Brazilian chimarrao kettle, and the whistling kettle.
- Colonial kettle: It is a large, typically brass kettle from the 18th century that is often used for decorative purposes. It is usually suspended over a fire on a frame. Although there are some that are smaller in size, the big ones can hold between 30 to 80 quarts of water.
- Japanese tetsubin kettles: These cast iron kettles are heavy and typically lined with unglazed clay. They often have a removable stainless steel teapot. In the past, they were used over an open hearth, but nowadays, they are primarily used to brew green tea. Because they are made from cast iron, the kettles can retain heat for long periods of time. Using it for the first time involves filling it with water and bringing it to a boil without tea. This process removes any residual sand or dust. The lining inside the kettle helps to purify the water and prevent the tea from getting a metallic taste. To preserve the kettle, it is advisable to dry it out after use and keep it in a cool, dry place.
- Turkish teapot: Known as a demlik, this double teapot is commonly used to prepare strong brewed tea called çay. The smaller pot, usually made of stainless steel or ceramic, brews the tea, and the larger pot heats the water. Once the tea is brewed in the smaller pot, it is mixed with water from the larger pot to serve tea in cups. The result is a strong and aromatic tea that is typically served with sugar. The teapot has an elliptical shape that ensures the tea is brewed properly with aromatic oils and tannins.
- Brazilian chimarrao kettle: The kettle is used to prepare a popular drink called erva mate. The preparation involves filling a cuia or gourd with erva mate, then placing a filter bombilla straw inside the drink after it has been steeped in hot water by the kettle.
- Whistling kettle: These kettles are typically made from stainless steel, enameled cast iron, or carbon steel. They have a simple design consisting of a handle, spout, and lid. Once the water has boiled, the lid's spout makes a whistling sound that alerts one that water is ready.
Function and Features of Big Water Kettles
Here are the functions and features of big water kettles.
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Capacity
The main function of large kettles is to boil water rapidly for different meal activities. Modern kettles can boil water for up to one hundred cups in one go within a short time. This large capacity is very useful in large households, offices, and events where many people are served tea or coffee.
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Rapid Boiling
Commercial big kettles have powerful heating elements that heat water to the required temperature levels within a short time. Whether boiling water for cooking or preparing hot drinks, these kettles save users time by boiling water quickly.
Temperature Control
Most big kettles have temperature control features that allow users to set the required temperature levels for different tasks. They also come with temperature gauges that show the temperature of the boiling water. The temperature control feature is useful for accurately brewing various types of tea or coffee.
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Energy Efficiency
Big water kettles consume a lot of energy because they boil large amounts of water within a short time. However, modern kettles have energy - efficient features that boil water using the required minimum energy. These energy – efficient kettles help users to conserve energy and reduce their utility bills.
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Electric Vs. Stovetop
Electric kettles are popular because they come with many modern features that allow users to customize their boiling experience. Electric kettles also heat water faster than stovetops. However, electric kettles require separate electric connections. Stovetop kettles, on the other hand, are traditional models that are less expensive than their electric counterparts. They also don't need electric connections, so they can only be placed on a stove or hot plate to heat them.
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Safety Features
Manufacturers equip big kettles with various safety features to protect users from serious accidents. Auto shutoff and boil-dry protection features prevent fires by shutting themselves off if they are empty or boil water for too long. Additionally, []]big kettles often have cool touch handles and lids with locking mechanisms to prevent burns and open accidentally. It also has condensation channels to distribute excess heat and prevent condensation from building up around the kettle.
Applications of big water kettle
Application of big water kettles is diverse and depends on the needs of the user. Whether for commercial purposes or at-home use, big water kettles serve functions that are highly efficient. Here are some of the more prominent applications:
- Brewing coffee: Coffee is generally made by running hot water through ground coffee. This kettle is a quicker option since it can bring the water to a boil within minutes. This will cut down on the typical brewing time for coffee.
- Cooking: Cooking large pasta pots or steaming vegetables are some culinary tasks that can be accomplished more quickly with the help of a big kettle that boils a sizable amount of water quickly.
- Brewing Beer: One of the many processes in all-grain home brewing that requires a significant amount of water is mash temperature stabilization. Ideally, brewers should use a large kettle to produce the wort for brewing beer.
- Making Soup or Stew: High-capacity kettles are essential for preparing large batches of soup or stew, especially if the soup or stew will be served at an event or to a large number of people.
- Canning: Preserving food by canning requires the use of kettles to heat treated jars and create a vacuum seal. These kettles can also be used to sterilize canning jars. The water level must be at least two inches above the jar lids for the jars to boil.
- Boil Seafood: A big kettle is needed to boil a large amount of water to season the water with various spices before adding the seafood to be cooked. This kettle can be useful for cooks to make the water reach a rolling boil and create a flavorful broth in which to cook the seafood.
- Camping: High-capacity kettles that can hold a lot of water are helpful when camping because they can boil water quickly for cooking or making coffee. They are also practical for transporting and using with camp stoves or over an open fire.
- Cleaning: Big water kettles can be used for cleaning purposes like laundry, dishes, cleaning the floors, etc. Boiling water kills bacteria and helps with tougher stains or grime.
How to choose a big water kettle
When purchasing large kettles for sale, it is important to consider a few factors. They help determine which type is more suitable for a specific user.
- Material: A big water kettle made of stainless steel is durable and resistant to rust. In addition, it is a great heat conductor, which helps boil water quickly. Other materials include aluminum and enameled steel. While aluminum is lightweight, it is less durable than stainless steel kettles. Also, some aluminum kettles may have a non-stick coating that is toxic when heated. Kettles made of enameled steel are durable, but the enamel may chip off after some time of use.
- Capacity: Consider the capacity of a big water kettle that will suit specific needs. Kettles are available in different sizes, ranging from 2 to 20 liters or more. Whether purchasing the kettle for personal use or commercial use, large kettles are ideal if there are many people to serve.
- Handle type: Kettle handles are available in different types. Some kettles have a long handle, while others have a fixed or folding handle. Models with long handles are more cumbersome, but they offer a better grip when pouring hot water from the kettle. Fixed handles are usually found in kettles that come with a whistling lid. They are also the most common and can be found in most kitchen kettles. On the other hand, folding handles take up less space and are mostly found in camp kettles.
- Spout design: For better control when pouring, consider a kettle with a well-designed spout. It prevents water from spilling and helps conserve water. Also, spouts come with an integrated stopper that controls the flow of water. Users should note that not all kettles have the same spout design.
Q&A
Q: What is a kettle for boiling water called?
A: A kettle is commonly referred to as a tea or water kettle. The word kettle usually describes a rounded pot with a wide belly, a small spout, and a lid.
Q: How many litres is a large kettle?
A: A standard kettle has a capacity of around 1.5 liters, but large water kettles can hold 5 to 7 liters or even more, depending on the brand and model.
Q: What materials are commonly used to make big water kettles?
A: Big water kettles can be made from different materials, including stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and cast iron. Each material has unique features and gives. For example, kettles made from stainless steel are durable and heat up quickly. On the other hand, glass kettles are attractive and allow users to see the boiling water.