For the longest time, I have wanted to replace my perfectly functional but boring stovetop tea kettle with a stylish electric one. But though I love to shop, I am slow to make decisions, often ruminating on my options for months until all doubt has been eliminated — or until the spirit moves me to just get on with it and buy something already. Like so many other people searching for a good-looking kettle, I initially felt drawn to the widely beloved (and increasingly ubiquitous) Fellow Stagg electric kettle. Its sophisticated colors, matte finish, and graceful gooseneck almost make it more of a piece of kitchen décor than an appliance. But the longer I considered it, the more I was put off by the price and the fact that it was starting to show up as a prop in so many wellness influencers’ and “cool people” Instagram posts.
Then I came across this one from legacy tea-kettle brand Chantal, a comforting grandma name that makes me think of evening tisanes and Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast. It’s far less trendy looking than the Stagg but still has its own distinct style inspired by Scandinavian design, with simple clean lines and a faux-wood-patterned handle. It comes in seven colors and finishes, including white, black, gray, buttery yellow, sage green, cornflower blue, and shiny or brushed stainless steel. And if you want, you can buy it as a set with its own matching ceramic French press.
The only other electric kettle I have ever owned was a giant Zojirushi water boiler. It was great for three roommates — and even played a little song when the water was ready — but it was not by any means a viable aesthetic option. I lost that water boiler when I moved out, and now that I care more about how my kitchen looks, the Chantal Oslo kettle is a far more logical choice. Like the Zojirushi, it holds an impressive amount of water, which is most important in the summer when I make massive amounts of iced tea to store in the fridge as an enticing way to stay hydrated and refreshed. The Oslo kettle holds just over 57 fluid ounces while the gooseneck Stagg holds around 30. And while the slim curved neck of the Stagg looks nice, it is a pain when you just want to dump out a ton of hot water to make big batches of sage, mint, and chamomile tea before chilling them. The Oslo kettle has a more traditional spout that can pour water much faster while still creating an easy-to-control stream that never drips or spills.
Best of all, the Oslo is blissfully uncomplicated. All I have to do is fill it up, push down its one and only button, and wait. The cord wraps into the base for neat storage, and the smooth resin handle feels good to hold, giving me just the right amount of leverage to lift, fill, and pour over and over again with just one hand. The interior is almost entirely stainless steel and any of the limited plastic elements are BPA-free, so I feel safe using it and know it will last a long time. I got mine in cornflower blue, which is surprisingly more neutral than I expected, and each morning when I step into the kitchen to prepare a new batch of tea, the sight of the kettle and its glowing blue button makes me happy all over again.
It isn’t the most affordable electric kettle on the market, but it is significantly less expensive than any of Fellow’s electric kettles and costs a little less than the color-block 50-ounce Hay electric kettle that I also had on my list of products to consider. I wish I had bought the Oslo sooner, but in this case, I’m pretty sure my lengthy and deliberate searching style paid off.
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