Kettle vs. Teapot — What's the Difference?

Often made of metal or other heat-resistant materials.

Not designed for direct heat but for maintaining the temperature of hot water.

A vessel for boiling water, with a lid, spout, and handle.

Often used in a set with cups and a serving tray as part of a tea service.

A device used to heat water quickly, especially electric models.

Comes in various artistic designs and materials, reflecting cultural styles.

Designed for direct heating on a stovetop or through an electrical element.

Central to the ritual and presentation of serving tea.

Essential for preparing hot beverages or boiling water in various settings.

A container for steeping and serving tea, typically with a lid, handle, and spout.

A kettle, sometimes called a tea kettle or teakettle, is a type of pot specialized for boiling water, with a lid, spout, and handle, or a small kitchen appliance of similar shape that functions in a self-contained manner. Kettles can be heated either by placing on a stove, or by their own internal electric heating element in the appliance versions.

A teapot is a vessel used for steeping tea leaves or a herbal mix in boiling or near-boiling water, and for serving the resulting infusion which is called tea. Dry tea is available either in tea bags or as loose tea, in which case a tea infuser or tea strainer may be of some assistance, either to hold the leaves as they steep or to catch the leaves inside the teapot when the tea is poured.

A container or device in which water is boiled, having a lid, spout, and handle.

A pot with a handle, spout, and lid, in which tea is brewed and from which it is poured.

A small area in which demonstrators or protesters are confined by police seeking to maintain order during a demonstration

A covered pot with a spout in which tea is steeped and from which it is served.

(of the police) confine (a group of demonstrators or protesters) to a small area, as a method of crowd control during a demonstration

A vessel for brewing and serving tea.

A metal pot, usually with a lid, for boiling or stewing.

A vessel with a spout, in which tea is made, and from which it is poured into teacups.

A teakettle.

Pot for brewing tea; usually has a spout and handle

(Music) A kettledrum.

(Geology) A depression left in a mass of glacial drift, formed by the melting of an isolated block of glacial ice.

A pothole.

A group of flying raptors, especially when ascending in a rising current of warm air.

To fly on a rising current of warm air. Used of birds

Chiefly British To confine or corral (a group of people) to an enclosed area as a means of crowd control

A vessel for boiling a liquid or cooking food, usually metal and equipped with a lid.

The quantity held by a kettle.

A vessel or appliance used to boil water for the preparation of hot beverages and other foodstuffs.

(geology) A kettle hole, sometimes any pothole.

A group of raptors riding a thermal, especially when migrating.

A steam locomotive

(musical instruments) A kettledrum.

An instance of kettling; a group of protesters or rioters confined in a limited area.

To contain demonstrators in a confined area.

(intransitive) Of a boiler: to make a whistling sound like the boiling of a kettle, indicative of various types of fault.

A metallic vessel, with a wide mouth, often without a cover, used for heating and boiling water or other liguids.

A metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid

The quantity a kettle will hold

(geology) a hollow (typically filled by a lake) that results from the melting of a mass of ice trapped in glacial deposits

A large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it

There are stovetop kettles and electric kettles, each designed for efficient water heating.

A kettle is used to heat water either on a stove or through an electric heating element.

A teapot is used for steeping tea leaves in hot water to brew tea.

Generally, teapots are not designed for heating water directly as they are made from materials that may crack under direct heat.

Kettle materials are chosen for durability and heat-resistance, such as metal and heat-resistant plastics, while teapot materials like ceramic and porcelain prioritize flavor preservation and heat retention.

Electric kettles are generally more energy-efficient and faster at boiling water than stovetop kettles.

Electric kettles provide quick heating and convenience with features like automatic shut-off and precise temperature settings.

Consider the material and design, which should correspond to your brewing needs and aesthetic preferences.

Unless specifically designed for such use, traditional teapots should not be used on any stovetop, including induction.

Kettles often prioritize practicality and safety, while teapots are designed with aesthetic appeal and cultural significance in mind.

While a microwave can heat water, kettles are specifically designed for this purpose and are generally more efficient.

Many modern teapots include a built-in infuser to hold loose tea leaves, making the brewing process more convenient.

Use a tea cozy to cover the teapot, which helps to keep the tea warm for a longer period.

Safety features like automatic shut-off and cool-touch handles are common in kettles.

Porcelain retains heat well and does not impart any flavors to the tea, making it ideal for brewing a variety of teas.