Le Creuset Whistling Tea Kettle

Pros: Colorful, French, chip-resistant, easy to use.
Cons: Can be heavy when full, has been known to sputter.

I’m a little teapot, short and stout
Here is my handle here is my spout
When I get all steamed up hear me shout
Just tip me over and pour me out


...

Pros: Classic design.
Cons: Enamel inside chips easily, rusts quickly.

I am very surprised at the poor quality of this teakettle, especially given the superior quality of other Le Creuset cookware. The whistle has never worked well, and it was only on the 3rd replacement that any noise came out of it.

The enamel inside started cracking and peeling away within just a few months. Rust formed soon after, and of course, the pace of rusting only accelerated. Within a year, the teakettle was useless. Given that we use filtered water, we expected more than 1 year of life from this product.

The top has a steam release hole, but it is carefully hidden. That means that unless you are paying careful attention, you are likely to aim it towards the handle or your face, giving you a little surprise when you wonder if its ready or not. You wouldn't have to wonder if the whistle actually worked, of course.

We continue to buy other Le Creuset products, but the teakettle is not worth the money at all. Very disappointing.

Pros: Looks nice
Cons: Whistle stopper is poorly designed and could cause burns

Purchased this kettle as a gift for my wife. Within a year rust started forming inside and that problem has only grown worse over time. The outside enamel chipped recently and this point the kettle has become completely worthless. The kettle appears to be constructed of steel with enamel coating. Unlike the Le Creuset cookware which is manufactured in France, this kettle is manufactured in Asia. It retails for $80 today although lower prices can be found. It does not represent a good value and I would not purchase again nor recommend it to anyone.

Pros: None.
Cons: Expensive. Potentially dangerous.

This kettle spews boiling water out of the spout whenever you attempt to pour. I can't believe this thing hasn't been yanked off the market.

Pros: Beautiful, comes in cool colors, handle is sturdy.
Cons: Whistler didn't work - ruined tea kettle and one stove burner.

We bought a larger version of this tea kettle, with the same style whistler only 2 weeks ago. Tonight, I tried to make a pot of tea and forgot that the water was on the stove. The tea kettle didn't whistle and I didn't realize anything was wrong until I went back in the kitchen an hour later. Enamel paint melted to the burner, all the plastic turned into a goop. So now I am shopping for a new tea kettle and in addition have to run out and buy a new burner for my stove. (I had always thought Le Creuset was a cool brand, and wanted to buy their cookware someday - it seems well made). However, the fact that the whistler doesn't work well may be an issue for people (see above).

Pros: Pretty to look at
Cons: Not functional

I have gone through two different Le Creuset Whistling Teapots and have experienced the same thing with both. The enamel coating comes off the bottom of the kettle after about 5-6 months of daily use. It is too bad this isn't a better product as I thought it visually appealing and easy to handle.

The first teakettle I exchanged thinking the enamel loss was due to a random manufacturing defect, but after the second kettle also lost it's coating I have to conclude this is a poorly made product.

You can imagine my surprise when I went to rinse out the tea kettle and found many black flakes of enamel coming out in the rinse water. Apparently we had been drinking these little enamel flakes for some time without noticing (they look similar to coffee grounds). Not something I would prefer as extra flavoring in my tea or coffee!