Redesigning the tea kettle

Whistling tea kettles have been letting off steam for at least 100 years letting people know their water has boiled. But could the tea kettle be topped? Susan Spencer talks with Donald Strum, who in 1984 designed the Alessi Whistling Bird Tea Kettle, which has since sold over a million units.

[@davidhunternyc1]

These kettles don't age well. The handles gets dirty and can't be cleaned and the plastic birdy starts to melt. It's cute but not as efficient as the Oxo Uplift Kettle.

[@pam0626]

I’m glad I read this. It’s a beautiful-looking tea kettle - like a sculpture almost - but not worth $200 if it doesn’t age well. I’ll stick to my Chantal kettle.

[@harrykirk7415]

You would expect that from the way the fluff head designers talk to each other. They think they do, but in reality they have no idea what beauty is.

[@magdamanoli8753]

It's the worst whistling kettle I've ever used. The bird barely makes any noise. Looks pretty but it's not for actually using all day to make tea.

[@gbxgbxgbx]

my bird expanded a bit after one day using and barely fits the hole. Also needs much boiling power to whistle.

[@eugenegress5896]

Ok People...This is what you get when you try and Reinvent the Wheel. The old Tried and True, still works the best....AND, When your flimsy cheap Tea Kettle needs replacing; You just want a new one!!, Well DON'T Throw it away, UNTIL..., You take off the flipper door part that makes pot whistle. WHY???, Because it makes an awsome predator call... animal in distress. Hold to your lips and inhale , exhale air back and forth , at various cadences.... DRIVES THE WIFE NUTS, LMAO.

[@zippy2u]

My bird hardly whistles. Not an ideal functional response to the problem.

[@QUABLEDISTOCFICKLEPO]

Are there good and reliable whistling tea kettles? You know, ones that whistle.

[@littlestar5737]

My Japanese made Takahiro kettle beats alessi hands down. Any day.

[@LarryOfilms]

It’s cool but I always hated whistling kettles. Who likes the sound of that?

[@teeroosam6781]

I Hope the new models Will have a silicone cap instead.

[@troyhayder6986]

Have laser kettles been invented yet??? Small industrial laser inside the kettle bounces a laser through the water off mirrors inside the kettle... Laser can be fine tuned for exact intensity based on amount of water in kettle... Boils in seconds...

[@anniediaz1574]

For sale?

[@Daizy8031]

Bird like that mistake squeak

[@EstrafaDC]

These are JUST NOT GOOD KETTLES. Thr birds melt, the components corrode and the "innovative" design is horrible to clean. How about featuring the designer of the Chantal twotone kettle, an “actually functional” tea kettle that's beautiful and cleverly uses Hohner harmonica reeds to make a lovely two-tone whistle! Chantal was one of the first woman-owned homegoods companies and makes beautiful AND well designed products.

[@blockmango1637]

0:08 How To Sound Old No Good Sound Bad Sound 2001 Sound Bad And 1999 and 1000 Years Get Sound Bad!!!

[@firkalali5302]

I got mine recently. It's too pretty to use, which is silly in itself.