13 Eco Kettles That Boil Water, Not the Oceans
It’s high (tea) time we pay more attention to our environment before it starts boiling.
We can start sipping away at our most used products and switch to alternatives like eco kettles.
What is an eco kettle, you ask?
Think: better materials, designed to minimise water and energy usage, and created by a company conscious of that cuppa’s carbon footprint.
Secondhand kettles make the best eco kettles. Etsy, eBay, or Amazon Renewed offer boundless options for you to choose from.
If those don’t hit the right temperature, the Vektra vacuum eco kettle might. It’s thermally insulated, eliminating the need for reheating.
But if vintage is your style, KitchenCraft’s non toxic stovetop tea kettles are made of stainless steel and are durable enough for even the most extreme tea addictions.
While the water’s boiling, head to the end of the article to see more eco kettle considerations.
*This post contains affiliate links
QUICK LINKS FOR ECO TEA KETTLES
Eco Friendly Stovetop Kettles and Hob Kettles
Eco Friendly Stovetop Kettles And Hob Kettles
1. ETSY VINTAGE NON ELECTRIC KETTLE
About Etsy’s Eco Tea Kettles
Vintage kettles are not only unique but they also do away with the manufacturing footprint of a new kettle.
Are you looking for eco friendly tea kettle for a particular aesthetic and budget?
Etsy has them all: splatter-ware, stoneware, and even kettles dating back to the 1920s.
Just be sure to steer clear of those older models that have potential toxin leaching (I.e made of plastic, aluminium, copper, colour coatings (unless external only), and enamelled cast iron kettles).
Etsy’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Invite Etsy over for a cuppa and you’ll be supporting small, independent businesses.
You can search for eco kettle UK sellers to minimise shipping impact, but regardless, you’ll receive it with carbon offset shipping.
Their data centres, global offices, and even work-from-home employees are powered by renewable energy, too.
Available: Etsy
2. KITCHENCRAFT
About KitchenCraft’s Eco Friendly Kettles
KitchenCraft’s impressive range is made entirely of uncoated (internally) stainless steel and is safe for all cooktops (induction included).
Many of their products feature heat resistant handles, aluminium bases that improve heat distribution and efficiency.
If you don’t believe stainless steel is made to last, maybe their 15-year guarantee for their eco kettles will.
KitchenCraft’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
KitchenCraft’s Birmingham headquarters saves energy and resources by using auto-lights, efficient water usage, electric vehicle charging points, and an airtight infrastructure that requires no heating.
Their shipping polybags are 100% recyclable and any shrink-wrap used is also recycled.
They have a modern slavery act statement (zero tolerance for slavery and human trafficking) and transparently share their gender pay gap.
For their commitment to the environment, people, and politics, they’re the only hob kettle brand recommended by Ethical Consumer.
Available: Amazon
3. ALESSI
About Alessi’s Hob Kettles
The Alessi hob kettle range may feature novel designs (dragon, dinosaur, and bird-shaped whistles, anyone?), but they’re all made of classic stainless steel.
This includes their “designer boilers”, which feature a magnetic heat-diffusing bottom.
They also offer an electric kettle made with a thermoplastic resin, making it highly responsive to temperature without requiring toxic chemicals, like other types of plastic.
Alessi’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
The Certified B Corp has taken an impressive approach to corporate social responsibility, including charitable contributions for orphans and striving to reduce environmental impact.
Most of their sustainable tea kettles and other sustainable kitchen products are made by skilled workers in Omegna, Italy.
Available: Amazon
4. BODUM
About Bodum’s Non Toxic Tea Kettle
Bodum is another brand offering both eco friendly electric kettles and non toxic stovetop tea kettles.
Suitable as a kettle for an induction hob (or any heat source), their non-electric gooseneck kettles are made from stainless steel.
Narrow, slow-pour spouts make for precision pour-over coffee as well as your favourite Whittard blend.
Their Bistro Electric Kettles are also stainless steel, and come equipped with an automatic shut-off and measuring guide so you boil only what you need.
Bodum’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Bodum is a family-owned company and a hot beverage specialist. They started out with vacuum coffee makers seven decades ago.
Their environmental commitments include cutting production waste to packaging and reducing CO2 emissions in their Portuguese factory via solar panels (with plans to make it entirely self-sustaining). But are solar panels sustainable? Read our deep dive to find out how this renewable is still the most preferred alternative energy source.
In their words: “Make taste, not waste”.
They’re also committed to supporting the wellbeing and safety of their workers.
Available: Bodum
Electric Energy Efficient Kettles
5. USED ELECTRIC KETTLES
About Used Eco Friendly Electric Kettles
Used electronics are the most ethical electronics—and eco electric kettles are no different.
There are many options when it comes to sourcing used kettles. They’re a common find at thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Gumtree.
To have a sip-worthy kettle shipped directly to your door, consider:
- eBay: eBay has a range of certified refurbished, seller refurbished, and used tea kettles. Many are made with stainless steel and some come with warranties.
- Amazon Renewed: You can find refurbished, open-box, and pre-owned kettles that are professionally inspected and tested and come with at least a 90-day guarantee. Many on offer are energy efficient kettles, too.
We’d recommend looking for fully stainless steel kettles, as these are the most durable as well as the most non-toxic.
Be sure to check that the heating coils and brass fittings aren’t exposed, as they may leach nickel, lead, and heavy metals.
Available: eBay | Amazon
6. VEKTRA
About Vektra’s Quiet Energy Efficient Kettles
Vektra kettles feature a protective outer casing and insulation layer (both stainless steel) to direct heat into the water.
For continuous cuppas, they keep water at 80℃ for two hours and 68℃ for four hours, cutting energy use and extending the life of the kettle.
The kettle is CE certified and free of banned substances. The trim and handle are the only plastic bits.
Vektra’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Maker of the world’s first thermal insulated electric kettle, Vektra’s four-hour heat maintenance is backed by a guarantee.
The kettle has a two year manufacturing warranty.
Available: Amazon | Ethical Superstore
7. SEVERIN
About Severin’s Eco Friendly Electric Kettle
Severin’s kettle range is vast, mostly featuring glass or stainless steel models.
All feature hidden heating elements, BPA-free materials, and wide openings for easy cleaning and maintenance.
While we generally recommend the insulated stainless steel varieties, there is one half-glass one worth noting: the WK 3422 all-in-one efficient tea kettle
It allows you to adjust the temperature, and upon reaching it it automatically sinks an integrated tea strainer into the water for a pre-programmed amount of time.
For an eco one cup, the 0.5L WK 3647 Mini Travel Kettle consumes only 115/230 volts and has a washable limescale filter.
Severin Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Severin is an award-winning German appliance brand, and one of the country’s biggest.
Having recently implemented a sustainability task force, they believe, “Companies have a social responsibility to act in the spirit of a sustainable economy. We take this responsibility seriously.”
Striving towards a zero waste office, their green measures include digitalising communications where possible, using green electricity, having sustainably sourced furniture, shipping in recycled cartons, and aiding local reforestation projects.
All products are repair-friendly with easy to swap parts, but they’re also committed to designing more sustainable products.
Available: Amazon
8. DUALIT
About Dualit’s Sustainable Kettles
Tea time equals green time with Dualit’s range of non toxic electric tea kettles, all stainless steel designed to minimise limescale buildup and with automatic shut off functions.
At just 2300 watts, the Architect Kettle is an ideal low wattage water kettle.
Their Classic Kettle has an eco one cup setting for a quick cup on the go. Unlike others, it comes with a replaceable 3KW heating element to extend its lifespan.
Dualit’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Dualit values sustainability and ethical sourcing, which is why they offer reparable toasters and kettles and industrial compostable coffee capsules.
These coffee capsules are mostly Fairtrade certified, too.
Available: Amazon
9. PHILIPS
About Philips Sustainable Electric Kettles
The silk white matte finish may look unassuming, but the Philips low watt kettle is made with 100% plant-based plastic that reduces the kettle’s carbon footprint by 25%.
The recyclable and durable biobased plastic is created from used cooking oil.
It’s packaged in 100% recycled cardboard and plastic.
Those that own any one of their electric kettles (eco or otherwise), check their Service & Repair options to help keep them in use longer.
Philips Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Philips is a carbon neutral company and plans to use 75% renewable energy in their operations by 2025.
They also plan to generate 25% of their revenue from circular products, including medical equipment that can be responsibly repurposed.
Their ESG strategy aims at improving the health and wellbeing of more than 2 billion people by embracing diversity and inclusion, providing opportunities for development, and paying at least a living wage.
Available: Amazon
10. SMEG
About SMEG’s Green Electric Kettles
They may look like something out of that 70s show, but SMEG’s retro kettles feature all the modern tea tech.
On top of a keep warm function, the temperature settings allow for customisation for your favourite tea type, and an auto shut off feature.
Their enamelled stainless steel surface (available in several colours) and uncoated stainless steel interior provides for the most efficient heat conduction.
Each kettle has an in-built but removable stainless steel limescale filter for cleaner cuppas.
SMEG’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
A well-known eco friendly appliance brand, SMEG combines high performance and energy efficiency in their range of kitchen and laundry products.
They prioritise easy-to-recycle materials such as steel, glass, aluminium, and brass.
As an Italian company (who obviously have plastic-free coffee makers, too), they adhere to REACH and RoHS standards set by the EU. This restricts hazardous chemicals and materials in their supply chain.
Available: Amazon
11. TEFAL
About Tefal’s Eco Friendly Tea Kettles
Tefal’s kettles are inspired by British design.
The Retra Kettle and Loft Kettle have a stainless steel interior and a less desirable plastic exterior.
Both feature auto shut-off functions, an anti-scale filter, and an energy saving water-level window.
The Smart’n Light shows the temperature of the water and, with double wall construction, can keep water warm for up to 30 minutes.
Tefal’s Ethical and Sustainability Practises
Tefal is committed to ethical production and respect for the environment.
Their factories are ISO 14001 certified and their ECODESIGN products are made with recycled materials. We’re hoping to see kettles added to this lineup soon.
Each product they sell comes with the option for replacement parts, as well as a list of repairers.
A portion of certain product sales are donated to UNICEF’s nutrition projects in Asia and Africa. So far, they’ve donated more than €1,5 million.
Available: Amazon
ELECTRIC TEA KETTLE VS ECO STOVE TOP KETTLE
If you’re wondering what type of kettle is more sustainable between hob kettles and electric kettles, the jury’s still out.
Some suggest it takes the same amount of energy to heat the same amount of water—regardless of how you do it (unless the forgotten hob kettle is left to whistle away, of course).
Others recognise the potential energy wasted on the body of the kettle and the stove itself.
So are electric kettles eco friendly?
Or, at the very least, are electric kettles more eco friendly than hob kettles?
Not necessarily.
The main drawback to electric kettles is that all the electronic components and mixed materials make them difficult to recycle and tricky to dispose of.
Electronics in general have this problem, which we think makes hob kettles arguably a little greener than their counterpart.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF OLD KETTLES
Kettles contain components that can be toxic when they end up in a landfill.
We recommend not contributing to the UK’s annual 378,200 tonnes of electrical waste by taking it to a local recycling centre.
While the recycled components aren’t terribly valuable, the process will yield low-value metals that can be upcycled into other products.
Because recycling is far from the solution we thought it was, the best thing you can do is to look after your kettle for as long as possible.
To prevent limescale, regularly wash it with a 1:1 water and white vinegar solution by letting it soak for an hour then boiling with plain water.
And don’t leave water sitting inside the kettle as this too will result in limescale.
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST ECO KETTLES
The world of technology is rapidly advancing. The world of sustainable technology, on the other hand, is not quite heating up at the same rate.
While truly ethical electronics are a long way off, there are things we can do to minimize e-waste and energy consumption.
Materials
Materials for eco kettles include mostly stainless steel, glass, and sometimes recycled plastic.
Stainless steel is the most popular choice for good reason. It’s durable, heat resistant, elegant, and leaves no flavours or smells. However, it may affect some people with nickel allergies.
Glass kettles are elegant and won’t impart flavours or smells, but they can be quite fragile.
While plastic would have been avoided previously, BPA is generally no longer a concern as most manufacturers have phased it out (still something to keep in mind with used kettles).
Recycled plastic or biobased plastic are better options for the planet, but they do still produce a risk of toxicity, especially when repeatedly heated, so consider those with stainless steel linings.
While plastic kettles are cheaper and lightweight, they can leave smells or odours and won’t last as long as stainless steel eco kettles.
It’s also best to avoid exposed heating elements as they may be a source of nickel leaching, not to mention an obstacle to removing limescale.
Traditional hob kettles often feature materials like enamel, copper, and cast iron. While durable, these materials can leach metals and other toxins in your sustainable tea.
Energy Usage
In British homes, a whopping 6% of electricity is used by the kettle.
Continuous cuppas mean kettles use more electrical energy than kitchen hobs, ovens, and microwaves.
While electric kettle wattage ranges from 1500W to 3000W, this will influence the heating time (higher W = faster) and won’t have an impact on energy usage.
The best energy efficient kettles are not those of certain wattages, but rather those equipped with insulated walls, auto shut-off, and one cup water heating features.
The most important thing is to fill the kettle with only the amount of hot water you need!.
It takes no time to measure a cup of water to heat, or use the handy water level if your eco friendly kettle has one. Simply doing this will save more than 3% on your electricity bill.
Regularly descaling it (especially if it lacks a limescale filter) will also help, and be sure to unplug it after use to prevent phantom energy draws.
Recyclability and Repairability
Fortunately, many brands are making a significant effort to help replace and repair kettles.
Look for specific brands that back their products with extended warranties and offer options to recycle or repair the broken ones.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON ECO FRIENDLY TEA KETTLES
Should you invest in an eco kettle?
Absolutely.
But for the greenest cup of green tea, the most eco friendly kettle is one you already own.
Then consider this guide for best eco friendly tea kettles in support of brands that are making each cup cleaner for you and our planet.
That’s the tea on eco kettles. Feel free to spread the word to fellow cuppa loving mates or those adventurers needing a kettle to help purify water!
