Shocked I couldn't find an stainless steel electric tea kettle not manufactured in China

[Panina]

Whenever I purchase something new I first try to find it made in the US. I am willing to pay more, much more.

Today my quest was to replace an electric tea kettle that rests on a base and has auto shut off. I could not find one manufactured in the US. That actually didn't surprises me. Well known brands that in the past were not made in China now stated designed in "their country". Dig deeper and they are made in China.

I did find a few brands that were made in Italy, Germany and the UK but none are available to purchase/use in the US.

 

[mauitraveler]

Whenever I purchase something new I first try to find it made in the US. I am willing to pay more, much more.

Today my quest was to replace an electric tea kettle that rests on a base and has auto shut off. I could not find one manufactured in the US. That actually didn't surprises me. Well known brands that in the past were not made in China now stated designed in "their country". Dig deeper and they are made in China.

I did find a few brands that were made in Italy, Germany and the UK but none are available to purchase/use in the US.

Breville has one that is made in the U.S., but you are right in that it is very costly!

 

[WinniWoman]

Best one we ever had was in a timeshare resort in Scotland. Super fast and very hot! Liked it so much when we got home I looked for the same one and couldn’t find it. But I did buy one on Amazon anyway- but not the same.

Came in handy when we remodeled our kitchen years ago. I haven’t used it since.

I usually use a stove top
Kettle.

 

[pedro47]

Whenever I purchase something new I first try to find it made in the US. I am willing to pay more, much more.

Today my quest was to replace an electric tea kettle that rests on a base and has auto shut off. I could not find one manufactured in the US. That actually didn't surprises me. Well known brands that in the past were not made in China now stated designed in "their country". Dig deeper and they are made in China.

I did find a few brands that were made in Italy, Germany and the UK but none are available to purchase/use in the US.

Why are you shock the majority of items that are manufacture all come from China.
American workers in the past made items to look good and to last with American Pride. Made in the USA.
China makes items to look good; but will not last. IMHO

 

[VacationForever]

Labor is cheaper elsewhere. Consumers want to pay less, hence the disappearance of Made In USA products. Economics 101.

 

[ScoopKona]

There are several induction cookers which are made in the US. Add to that a US-made cast iron pot or other ferrous pot (easy to find made in the USA).

Whammo. That's the fastest way to boil water.

I have half a dozen induction cookers because they're so useful. Frying? Induction cooker, extension cord, and cast iron dutch oven -- OUTSIDE. No smell. Wipe off the induction cooker after it cools. Done. Frying on easy mode. Boiling? It's the tool for the job. Holding hot food in a water bath? It's not as precise as a circulator. But for tasks like "keeping hollandaise at temperature for a couple hours so it doesn't turn to glue," induction works like a champ. And although it's unlikely people do this at home, for slow-poaching tasks (like garlic in oil), the induction cooker is peerless.

On any given holiday, I'll have two or three going at the same time. If I decide to do any catering, all of them are coming with.

 

[tombanjo]

One thing to consider, no one in America uses an electric kettle. There just isn't a big market here. I like Delonghi Kettles, designed in Italy, but, yes, made in China. Very well made though, I have one I have used for years.

 

[tombanjo]

And, to agree with ScoopKona, induction is perfect for kettles. I used the Delonghi at work, as it has the auto shut off. That way if I get busy, it turns itself off. Home is a whistle kettle on induction. Calphalon makes nice traditional whistle kettles.

 

[ScoopKona]

One thing to consider, no one in America uses an electric kettle.

There's one in nearly every Asian-American household I have ever visited. "The kettle is over there" is pretty much the second thing you'll hear after "take off your shoes."

Haoles don't use electric kettles for some reason.

 

[Panina]

Breville has one that is made in the U.S., but you are right in that it is very costly!

Which one? Everyone I looked at said China.

 

[Panina]

Why are you shock the majority of items that are manufacture all come from China.
American workers in the past made items to look good and to last with American Pride. Made in the USA.
China makes items to look good; but will not last. IMHO

Shocked because I thought I could find another country that made one that I could get.

 

[montygz]

Whenever I purchase something new I first try to find it made in the US. I am willing to pay more, much more.

Today my quest was to replace an electric tea kettle that rests on a base and has auto shut off. I could not find one manufactured in the US. That actually didn't surprises me. Well known brands that in the past were not made in China now stated designed in "their country". Dig deeper and they are made in China.

I did find a few brands that were made in Italy, Germany and the UK but none are available to purchase/use in the US.

Tea originated in China, thus they make all the kettles.

The U.S. and other companies that design these kettles decide the level of quality. The factory in China just builds them to the U.S. specifications, which are a balance of cost vs. quality.

Do U.S. companies tell the Chinese factory to "make a shoddy kettle?" No, but they may select cheaper materials, forgo extra inspections, and do everything they can to get the per-unit cost as low as possible.

Everyone knows these kettles aren't going to be as good, but in the mass market, cheaper is usually the winner.

There is a YouTube channel called Project Farm that does a great job and reviewing all kinds of items and includes where they are manufactured.

In watching those videos, generally the most expensive products are the best, although sometimes cheaper products are pretty close. The most-expensive products are more likely to be made in the U.S. or Europe and generally are made of higher-quality materials, but not always.

 

[Ken555]

no one in America uses an electric kettle

I used mine just last night. Guess there’s at least one of us…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jp10558]

I think the thing that amazes me is that there way too often isn't even a "I'm willing to pay 10x" made in $westernnation option. I think the issue is two things.

1) a lot of people who claim to be willing to spend that money are all bluster.
2) the people who do spend that money buy the thing *once* and it lasts 15+ years and so the company would go out of business waiting to sell a replacement to the small group of these people. Kind of like what happened with Instapot.

I'm not sure what changed in the ~1990s that made companies unable to stay in business on a multiple decade replacement cycle like they did from like 1900 through 1980, but something changed and it's a big driver of disposable stuff. Of course, eventually we'll have environmental reasons that necessitate longer lasting options, but maybe civilization collapses first IDK.

 

[mauitraveler]

Which one? Everyone I looked at said China.

Breville Variable Temp Luxe Kettle at Williams-Sonoma.com. Williams-Sonoma has several by Breville, but the Variable Temp Luxe Kettle was made for use in the U.S.. Sorry, I misread the description...

 

[VacationForever]

I used mine just last night. Guess there’s at least one of us…


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

.... and being Asian American, I do not own a kettle.

I have an under counter that does instant hot with the reverse osmosis water, viola, hot water in an instant.

 

[DrQ]

I'm a heathen and use the microwave. I have the 25 oz Dormco Whistling Tea Kettle:

It safely boils water in ~4-5 minutes. It's simple and easy to clean.

Microwave Whistling Tea Kettle

Shop at DormCo for our Microwave Whistling Tea Kettle! This dorm essential allows the college student to boil water right in their microwave with stress free cooking for hot Ramen and other cup noodles and cups of tea. This BPA free kettle holds 25 oz.

www.dormco.com

 

[Brett]

I think the thing that amazes me is that there way too often isn't even a "I'm willing to pay 10x" made in $westernnation option. I think the issue is two things.

1) a lot of people who claim to be willing to spend that money are all bluster.
2) the people who do spend that money buy the thing *once* and it lasts 15+ years and so the company would go out of business waiting to sell a replacement to the small group of these people. Kind of like what happened with Instapot.

I'm not sure what changed in the ~1990s that made companies unable to stay in business on a multiple decade replacement cycle like they did from like 1900 through 1980, but something changed and it's a big driver of disposable stuff. Of course, eventually we'll have environmental reasons that necessitate longer lasting options, but maybe civilization collapses first IDK.

yes, most people don't want to pay more for disposable kitchen appliances. I remember when General Motors made Frigidaire refrigerators, now it's made in ............... Mexico?

(I don't use a tea kettle)

 

[Tia]

We have an electric tea kettle, was a gift . I really like that it heats water much quicker my microwave it seems.

 

[Passepartout]

A couple of reasons kettles come from China:
1) They build 'em to the standards they are assigned.
2) If made in Europe or other places, their electricity is higher voltage than in N. America. Makers would need to make them different for us anyway.
3) The kettles just naturally build up the calcium and other minerals from the water we boil- and this shortens their life. No matter where it's made. Most of us find it preferable to just get a new (cheap) one than to try to clean this build-up from a 'better' one.

 

[jp10558]

A couple of reasons kettles come from China:
1) They build 'em to the standards they are assigned.
2) If made in Europe or other places, their electricity is higher voltage than in N. America. Makers would need to make them different for us anyway.
3) The kettles just naturally build up the calcium and other minerals from the water we boil- and this shortens their life. No matter where it's made. Most of us find it preferable to just get a new (cheap) one than to try to clean this build-up from a 'better' one.

Ahh, where I live, you have to clean the things every few uses or they mostly stop working with the white 16th inch of scale. A little vinegar for a couple minutes and it's all fixed. At least the Cusinart (yes made in china, no not cheap) lasted something like 10 years till someone got the base too wet and shorted it out I think. We bought the same model again, and then the person who used it passed away so no more kettles for us.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I make my iced tea using an electric induction kettle that I bought at Costco. I have been using it for about four years. Love that thing, but I am sure it's made in China.

Impresses Rick so much that he boils water for pasta and pours the boiling water into his pan on the stove.

I have broken so many Mr. Coffee Iced Tea pots over the years, and I keep the containers and just pour the tea into those. Some of the plastic containers have also broken/ cracked, making the entire tea maker useless.

 

[Panina]

Breville Variable Temp Luxe Kettle at Williams-Sonoma.com. Williams-Sonoma has several by Breville, but the Variable Temp Luxe Kettle was made for use in the U.S.. Sorry, I misread the description...

Very deception descriptions if you don't read the whole thing.
"This product is intended for use in the United States and Canada, and is built to United States electrical standards."
and
"Designed and engineered in Australia, made in China"

 

[WinniWoman]

.... and being Asian American, I do not own a kettle.

I have an under counter that does instant hot with the reverse osmosis water, viola, hot water in an instance.

Is it boiling though? A must for tea.

 

[WinniWoman]

A couple of reasons kettles come from China:
1) They build 'em to the standards they are assigned.
2) If made in Europe or other places, their electricity is higher voltage than in N. America. Makers would need to make them different for us anyway.
3) The kettles just naturally build up the calcium and other minerals from the water we boil- and this shortens their life. No matter where it's made. Most of us find it preferable to just get a new (cheap) one than to try to clean this build-up from a 'better' one.

I actually boil water, vinegar and lemon juice in my stove top kettle every two weeks and never have build up.