7 Best Tea Kettles Made in the USA – Not in China (2024 Guide)

The “buy American” sentiment is growing, but can you still buy tea kettles made in the USA? Sort of, but it’s complicated.

There are many websites with lists of the best tea kettles made in the USA. Unfortunately, many of them provide misinformation because they just want you to buy the products that they are advertising.

When taking a deeper look into these kettles, you will notice that they are almost always made in China.

Companies sometimes avoid revealing where their products are made, knowing that the “made in the USA” label is appealing. Let’s clear up the confusion and take a look at which products are not made in China.

Why Buy an American Made Tea Kettle?

China makes some fine-quality products, including tea kettles, but buying products made in the US has clear advantages:

But Are There Any Tea Kettles Made in the USA?

Only one company manufactures tea kettles in the US — West Virginia-based Fiesta. Their brightly colored ceramic pots have been mainstays in American kitchens since 1930. Used only for serving and not to boil water, however, they’re not “kettles” in the truest sense.

Medelco, a Connecticut firm, assembles kettles here but with globally sourced parts. Strictly speaking, they’re not “made” in America.

Why Aren’t More Tea Kettles Made in the USA?

The high cost of labor and materials in the US drives up prices, so most American companies can’t compete with cheap foreign imports in a limited market.

The United States is ranked 35th among countries in tea consumption — far below nations including China. Our higher cost of living plus the limited popularity of tea here is a double-edged sword.

There are several reasons why almost all tea kettles are manufactured in China:

Best Tea Kettles Made in the USA Reviewed

As mentioned earlier, there are very few tea kettles made in the USA. Unfortunately, no electric kettles are made in the USA anymore.

Below are the few US-made (or assembled) options available on the market today.

Whistling Tea Kettle: Café Brew Collection Whistling Glass Tea Kettle

Medelco’s whistling tea kettle is a classic. A workhorse in diners across the country, it’s a rare traveler who hasn’t seen one. Made of safe, globally sourced materials, including German-made borosilicate glass, it’s BPA-free and assembled in the USA.

The generous 48-ounce capacity is plenty for a family plus guests. Kettles come with a complimentary steel trivet, so they’re compatible with all cooktops. Carafes are marked with minimum and 6-cup fill lines for convenience and pour smoothly. All parts are dishwasher-safe except the lid.

This kettle isn’t the most advanced, but what it lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for in price. And spending a bit of money to support American manufacturing is always a pleasure.

Best Teapot Made in the USA: Fiestaware 44-Ounce Teapot

Fiestaware’s art deco-inspired teapot is timeless. Crafted entirely in the USA by the Homer Laughlin China Company of West Virginia, its colorful and curvy lines are a bold addition to any home. There are many nice colors to choose from.

This quality pot holds six to eight generous cups — the perfect size for an afternoon tea. Guaranteed to be lead-free, it’s so safe you can invite the kids. Made of vitreous china, the shiny glass-like finish gleams, yet the pot is not particularly fragile and both dishwasher- and microwave-safe. It’s the ideal blend of charm and convenience.

Few people know that Fiestaware once went out of production in the early 1970s but returned by popular demand a decade later. New pieces match vintage lines, so with this one affordable purchase, you can start or complete your collection of this quintessential American product.

Tea Kettles Not Made in China — Top Picks from Other Countries

If you want to buy a tea kettle not made in China, there are a few great options available. Here are our favorite products that represent top-line products from Europe and Japan.

Stainless Steel Tea Kettle Made in Japan: Quickone Takei Whistling Kettle

If you can’t buy an American kettle, the next best thing is to purchase one manufactured to similar standards, like the Quickone Fuefuki. Made of top of top-of-the-line 18/8 stainless steel, it has a large 2.5-liter capacity and is compatible with all cooktops, including induction ranges.

Features of this kettle include a sloped design with a broad base to encourage quick heating and save energy. Why wait a minute longer or pay more than you have to for that first delicious cup? An audible whistle tells you when the water is ready.

The spout has a lever for convenient, one-handed operation, and the lid stays up once opened for splash-free pours. The exterior is mirror-polished for easy care, and surprise — it’s dishwasher-safe. The handle, spout, and lid have plastic parts, but they’re durable, and none touch your water.

We would expect a high-quality, well-appointed kettle like this to cost far more than it does, but we won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. If you want a deluxe kettle on a budget, you won’t be disappointed.

Premium French Tea Kettle: Staub Cast Iron Kettle

Staub cookware is in a league of its own with the finest brands, including All-Clad and Le Creuset. Made in France, their premium cast-iron tea kettles are crafted from investment-grade materials and feature a distinctly European design.

Enameled inside and out for durability, the precision finish is rust-, scratch- and chip-resistant. Ideal for all cooktops, including gas, electric, and induction, and it’s oven-safe to 500 °F. The dual steel handles get hot, but the trade-off is that there are no plastic parts to warp, melt, or shatter. Rare among cast-iron kettles – it’s also dishwasher-safe.

Given its superior construction, the price is jaw-dropping but not surprising. But if you’re value-oriented and able to spend a few dollars more for safe cookware, the petite Staub is a forever-quality kettle that could make tea for generations.

Authentic Japanese Cast Iron Teapot: Iwachu Tetsubin

This traditional Japanese cast iron teapot is manufactured by Iwachu, a well-respected company known for their premium cast iron cookware. The teapot looks beautiful and has a sturdy build — the high quality is obvious.

This teapot has the traditional hobnail design but Iwatchu teapots come also in various stunning colors and designs. Click here to see their full selection available on Amazon.

This Iwachu teapot has a 22-ounce capacity and it brews 4 small cups. It’s well-balanced, pours nicely, and comes with a removable stainless steel mesh infuser basket. The interior is enameled for easy cleaning — just rinse it and dry well after each use.

The finish is durable but not scratch-proof and the handle isn’t wrapped, so use it with care to not burn your fingers.

Whether you are looking for an authentic Japanese tea experience or just want a high-quality cast-iron teapot, Iwatchu is a great choice!

Best Alternative Options Reviewed

When you want to buy an electric tea kettle, you have to settle for a China-made product. This doesn’t mean that you have to choose a low-quality option, though.

Here are our recommendations for the best electric kettles that can match the standards of US-made products.

Best Electric Kettle for Making Tea: Buydeem One Touch Electric Kettle

Take your brew to the next level with Buydeem’s cutting-edge electric kettle. Packed with 5-star features, it puts safety and convenience at your fingertips.

These kettles are made of chemical-free glass and will never absorb unwanted tastes or odors — plastic parts are BPA-free. The full-length infuser resists rust and is dishwasher-safe — it’s higher quality than the 304-grade stainless steel seen in comparable models.

One of the nicest features of this kettle are the 5 temperature preset buttons that begin the brewing process with one touch.

When you’re done brewing, the kettle keeps your tea warm for one hour. The boil-dry feature protects your investment.

The Buydeem isn’t the cheapest kettle on the market — it’s three times the price of the Mueller kettle (in the review below). But its top-quality materials, full range of features, and industry-leading warranty make it an exceptional value. It’s more than your money’s worth.

Best Value Electric Kettle: Mueller Premium 1.8L Electric Kettle

Mueller’s premium electric kettle isn’t just for tea. Boil 1.8 liters of water in record time for coffee, baby formula, oatmeal, and more. It’s manufactured in China but from the safest possible materials.

The practical design features a removable glass carafe on a powerful 1500-watt base — carry it conveniently from the countertop to the tabletop. Made of shatter-resistant borosilicate and BPA-free plastics, it’s both durable and safe. The ergonomic, slip-resistant handle stays completely cool.

Other features include blue LED lights that signal when the unit is on and a boil-dry switch that powers down the kettle 30 seconds after it reaches boiling temperature. It’s not only a safety feature but one that protects your kettle from damage.

Compared to similar models, the budget-friendly Mueller is short on bells and whistles, but it’s engineered for easy handling and top performance. It’s the one all-purpose appliance every kitchen needs.

What to Consider When Buying a Tea Kettle

In addition to where a kettle is manufactured, consider these essential features as you shop.

1. Stovetop or Electric

Conventional kettles heat water on gas, electric, or induction cooktops — not all materials are compatible with every type of burner. Electric kettles have a built-in heat source — just plug them in, and water boils in minutes.

Stovetop kettles are low-tech, simple to use, and as decorative as they are practical. Nothing offers a more traditional tea experience. But heating can take 30-50% longer and controlling the water temperature is challenging — short of boiling, it’s anyone’s guess. Better electric kettles let you choose the perfect steeping temperature within a few degrees.

Electric kettles do take up space on the counter and require an outlet, but they free up burners — a plus when cooking big meals. Also, power consumption is lower because heating elements are the same size as the pot, so no heat energy is wasted. If you use your kettle often, the savings add up.

Other features that make electric kettles popular include windows that show how much water is in the pot — heat just what you need without measuring it first — and an automatic shut-off switch that keeps the kettle from boiling dry.

If you’ve ever had an expensive metal kettle warp beyond repair after being heated without water in it, you know how valuable a boil-dry feature is.

2. Quality and Safety

Two essential features of a kettle are quality and safety. Why invest your hard-earned money in a product with limited durability or worse, unsafe materials that could make you sick?

Of course, value matters, so unless your budget is unlimited, you’ll need to balance features and price. We suggest you consider kettles made of sturdy materials without plastic and free of toxic chemicals.

Good choices include stainless steel and borosilicate glass, but glass kettles with plastic parts should be labeled BPA-free. Glazed porcelain pots from China may contain lead, so purchase them only with a safety guarantee. American-made Fiestaware is an affordable, risk-free alternative.

The best cast iron teapots are made in Japan and are durable and safe to use.

However, nowadays most of them are manufactured in China where lower quality control standards resulting in less refined products. But the good news is there are no documented cases of lead or other toxic chemicals in cast iron kettles from overseas, so consumers can feel safe.

3. Capacity

Tea kettles should hold enough to serve everyone gathered for a meal. Figuring out what size you need is straightforward — multiply the capacity of your favorite cups in ounces or milliliters by the maximum number of people served.

4. User Friendliness

Small appliances that are too complicated to use or impossible to keep clean are destined to be doorstops. You want a kettle that’s a great fit for your lifestyle, so consider the care-specific materials and designs require.

If the most you want to do with a dirty kettle is to put it in the dishwasher, opt for models made of dishwasher-safe borosilicate glass. But if you don’t mind spoiling your kettle with a little TLC, cast iron and stainless steel are top choices.

Beyond materials, examine how kettles are constructed. Not all parts on a “dishwasher-safe” kettle, for example, really are. If you have to remove the handle, gaskets or other parts before putting them on the rack, the time it takes to disassemble and reassemble the pieces outweighs the advantages of a dishwasher-safe carafe.

Hand wash-only kettles should be accessible:

• Can you fit your hand and a sponge inside?
• Are there seams in the metal or small parts that will attract limescale?
• Does the exterior require polishing or special cleaners?

Things to consider with electric kettles include how long the cord is:

• Does it reach the most convenient outlet?
• Are digital control panels back-lit so you see can see them in the dark?

Our best advice is to read product descriptions carefully and imagine yourself using the kettle, step-by-step so you can consider how each feature will impact its function and your life.

FAQs

Are there any tea kettles made in USA?

Yes, the Café Brew Collection stovetop tea kettles are made in the USA. However, not all parts and materials used in these kettles are sourced from the USA.

Unfortunately, there are no American-made electric kettles on the market due to the high manufacturing costs.

Why are so many tea kettles made in China?

Most tea kettles are made in China mainly because of the cost-effective labor and well-established supply chains. Lower labor costs allow more cost-effective production and higher profit margins. In addition, China has developed extensive and sophisticated supply chains enabling manufacturers to source materials and components easily, quickly, and often at a lower cost than in other regions.

Are there any electric kettles that are not made in China?

Currently, the majority of electric kettles are manufactured in China. It’s very difficult to find an electric kettle not made in China, and even if you do, it’s probably manufactured in Taiwan, Thailand, or the Philippines.

Are tea kettles made in China safe?

Tea kettles made in China, like those made anywhere else, can be safe when manufactured under appropriate standards and regulations.

Safety concerns usually arise from a few key issues:

1. Materials Used: Concerns are often raised about the quality and safety of materials, such as plastics or metals, that come into contact with boiling water. When considering safety, it’s crucial to look for kettles made from food-grade, BPA-free plastics or high-quality stainless steel.
2. Quality Control: Quality control can vary among manufacturers. Established brands usually have stringent quality control measures to ensure their products are safe and reliable.
3. Regulations and Standards: China has its own set of standards and regulations governing the manufacture of consumer products, including electric kettles. Well-known brands selling internationally often also adhere to international standards, such as those set by the European Union or the United States.
4. Counterfeit Products: Like many other popular products, there are counterfeit or sub-standard electric kettles on the market. These might not meet safety standards and can pose risks.

To ensure you’re purchasing a safe electric kettle:

1. Buy from Reputable Brands: Established brands have a reputation to uphold and are more likely to have stringent quality control measures in place.
2. Check for Certifications: Look for safety certifications relevant to your region. For example, in the U.S., you might look for a UL certification, while in Europe, you’d look for a CE mark.
3. Read Reviews: Online reviews and feedback from other consumers can give insights into the quality and safety of a product.
4. Avoid Suspiciously Cheap Products: Extremely low prices might indicate that corners were cut in production or that the product is counterfeit.
5. Inspect the Product: Once purchased, inspect the kettle for any visible defects or issues.