Oxo Is Not Infallible.
Written: Mar 23 '05 (Updated Mar 23 '05)
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Pros: You put water in it, and it boils! Oh, wait. It's SUPPOSED to do that.
Cons: Stains like Grampa's WWII helmet. Also falls apart like his teeth.
The Bottom Line: Like all Oxo products, the kettle is an attempt to meld form and function. However, the construction is flimsy, making one wish they spent more time on "function."
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| azumpano's Full Review: Oxo Uplift Tea Kettle |
Even if the only thing you make for dinner is reservations, even if your culinary skills result in burnt salad, you are capable of boiling water. Here's the recipe:
1. Pour water into a heatproof, preferably heat-conducive vessel.
2. Place said vessel onto stove (or fire pit or similar source of heat/flame).
3. Wait until the water boils. Watching the vessel seems to make the boiling take longer; some say watching prevents the boiling from ever occurring, though this is probably a wives' tale.
I'm assuming you've mastered the intricacies of pouring and using your heat source, but what kind of vessel should you use? Obviously you could use a pot of any size, or a Pyrex measuring cup, or even your hands, if you're into that sort of thing, but most likely the job will require a kettle.
Consider the kettle. Its purpose is simple: boil water. You can heat other beverages with it, but you won't. And sure, you can plop your teacup in a microwave, if you're a philistine. There is neither pot nor pan as valuable to a kitchen than the kettle. In my kitchen, only the kettle is allowed to sit on the stove 24 hours a day. And when I'm using all my burners and I have to move the kettle off the stove, it looks homesick.
Which brings me to the Oxo and its kettle. When faced with a buying a kitchen gadget, I'll select the Oxo product by default. The can opener? splendid. The corncob holders? Priceless. So why not an Oxo kettle?
The sleek silver-and-black design is consistent with that familiar Oxo look – modern enough that it's not your grandma's kettle, yet not too timely that it will go inevitably go the way of "harvest gold" appliances and linoleum flooring.
Filling it is simple; the opening is large enough to accommodate people who have to pump their own water. However, the handle, which spans the top of the opening, can get in the way, so you'll likely have to hold the kettle as it fills rather than plopping it under running water and walking away for a few moments.
One lifts the handle to open the spout, a bit of convenience, I suppose, except the handle can get mighty hot. The whistle is annoying enough to force you to shut off the stove before the water boils away.
The drawback to leaving the kettle on the stove all the time is that it serves as a reminder of all your other cooking experiences; that is, it stains rather easily from nearby grease. I feel the stains give the kettle an antique "distressed" look, but I'm just too lazy to clean it. The stains don't contaminate the water inside. More annoying is the screw that connects the handle mechanism to the pot: it likes to liberate itself; one wonders why Oxo couldn't find a better way to secure the parts.
In short, am I in love with this kettle? No, but I always give Oxo extra leeway with their products. It's not so troublesome that I'd replace it with something else, but if you're looking for a new kettle, I'd suggest you consider cheaper options. I mean, you're only boiling water. How complicated should it be?
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 50
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Epinions.com ID:
azumpano
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Reviews written: 38
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
Return of the mack.
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