Buying a lins kettle

[odarwin]

Hi guys, im planning on getting a lins kettle and need some inputs...

Im planning to get a 2000cc version but am also considering the 1400cc version too... and id just like to get opinions from people who have these kettles...

1. I havent seen these inperson and will be ordering on line so i dont have an idea of how it would feel and handle in person so would 2000cc with water be too heavy and distracting for you to enjoy the tea experience?

2. As advertised, they are selling it as 2000cc and 1400cc, but what is its actuall water "working" capacity? I ask this because like in my experience with a tetsubin, you always dont get the actual size because you can only fill the water up to about midlevel of the spout oppening in the inside of the kettle so that water wont spray out of the spout when its boiling... In effect a 1600cc tetsubin for example can actually carry around 800-900cc of water more or less

I ask this because as much as possible, i wouldnt want to be adding water often during tea making... Normally i have a total of 4-5 people in a tea session so the bigger the better... But hopefully the bigger size wont be too heavy to requee too much focus when using the kettle


Thanks in advanced
Darwin

[debunix]

Googling lins kettle brings up a lot of varied images and discussions including here on teaChat. You might get more response to this question if you provide a link to the actual kettle you're considering, in case other people are unsure of which you mean.

[David R.]

I have a 2l Lin's kettle. I find it to be very handy, not too heavy. I don't think that you want it to be more than 3/4 full to avoid water spilling out from the spout. I prefer to use it half full anyway and put fresher water if I need more. I don't like to let the water boil for too long.

[odarwin]

I have a 2l Lin's kettle. I find it to be very handy, not too heavy. I don't think that you want it to be more than 3/4 full to avoid water spilling out from the spout. I prefer to use it half full anyway and put fresher water if I need more. I don't like to let the water boil for too long.

hi david, thanks for the reply...

do you use the aclohol lamp or just an electric stove and how long does it normally take to boil the kettle from half full as you mention your usual practice is?

[wyardley]

I think 1.5L is better size (having handled all 3 sizes).

The 2 L one (which is the one I own) is pretty big and heavy. It's not really comfortable to lift if from a seated position when it's full.

I definitely fill it above the spout level (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't). Just don't let it overboil quite so much.

[odarwin]

I definitely fill it above the spout level (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't). Just don't let it overboil quite so much.

hi will, thanks for your reply,
this is the exact answer i was hoping for...
i ask this because in my tetsubin, when i first got it, i filled the kettle to about 2 inches below the lid and the inside hole of the kettle is completely submerged, and when it started to boil, water came splashing out...

so in your 2L kettle, what is the max volume of water to avoid water splashing out when the water comes to a boil?

in handling... my tetsubin is a 1.6L version of a kunzan kettle sold by hojo, size wise its ok and if the 1.4L version of lins is roughly the same size, then i think id go with the 1.4L version of lins as i think 2L may really be too big to be comfortable to handle

-darwin

[wyardley]

Just don't boil it so hard, and it won't squirt out of the spout. I fill it 3/4 full or more with no major problems.

Occasionally this will happen if I am not paying attention when it's boiling on the stovetop, but I don't have problems with it bubbling out when it's on the alcohol burner on my tea table. The alcohol burner can barely bring the thing to a boil in the first place...

[odarwin]

The alcohol burner can barely bring the thing to a boil in the first place...

ive read an old post about taking 3 hours to boil!

i think ill be going for the model that doesnt have the coating for the induction plate... as i dont intend on using it with an induction cooker...
ill probably be just using it on the hot plate that i normally use and the alcohol burner for just the table top to warm the kettle

by the way will, does your kettle come with the base that can be used with an induction heater?
in their price list, they have 2 models one is "for electronic stove base" and one i guess is their regular model. i really dont know what electronic means... they answer quite slow... but i guess it implies induction heater?
if thats the case, since i dont intend on using an induction heater, then i can just go with their regular model right? since a hot plate is just the same with a gas stove? i would also assume that their regular model also has a flat base right?

-darwin

[David R.]

I have a 2l Lin's kettle. I find it to be very handy, not too heavy. I don't think that you want it to be more than 3/4 full to avoid water spilling out from the spout. I prefer to use it half full anyway and put fresher water if I need more. I don't like to let the water boil for too long.

hi david, thanks for the reply...

do you use the aclohol lamp or just an electric stove and how long does it normally take to boil the kettle from half full as you mention your usual practice is?

I have a Lin's alcohol burner. It is really well made btw. But I use it only to maintain the temperature. Before that, I put the kettle on my gas stove. First on very low fire, then I increase it after a couple of minutes. This is far more effective timewise.

Finally, I like the 2l cause it works whether you are alone or have guests. It is a little big for me alone, but I don't complain.

[odarwin]

I have a 2l Lin's kettle. I find it to be very handy, not too heavy. I don't think that you want it to be more than 3/4 full to avoid water spilling out from the spout. I prefer to use it half full anyway and put fresher water if I need more. I don't like to let the water boil for too long.

hi david, thanks for the reply...

do you use the aclohol lamp or just an electric stove and how long does it normally take to boil the kettle from half full as you mention your usual practice is?

I have a Lin's alcohol burner. It is really well made btw. But I use it only to maintain the temperature. Before that, I put the kettle on my gas stove. First on very low fire, then I increase it after a couple of minutes. This is far more effective timewise.

Finally, I like the 2l cause it works whether you are alone or have guests. It is a little big for me alone, but I don't complain.

Hi david, do you have the kettle that is for the electric stove version? Or the normal version?

[David R.]

I honestly don't know. I bought it from Essence of Tea and followed David's instructions. My understanding was that there was one model for electric/gas and another one for induction. I never used it with an electric stove, only gas and alcohol.

[Oni]

I have bought mine from imperialtea, it is 1.2 liters, it can boil 800 ml, that is enough for a 3 person session with a 100 ml yixing, if you intend to boil water for more you actually need at least 1800 ml.

[odarwin]

Hi oni, thanks for sharing the ifo and picture!

May i know if the version of you kettle is the one that can be used with an induction heater? And may i know what you use to heat it?

Thanks!

[Oni]

My version is not for induction, I heat it on an electric stove, or on a metal plate on gas fire. I find it better when I heat it on gas fire on a metal plate, it boils quicker, and the water is more lively.

[odarwin]

My version is not for induction, I heat it on an electric stove, or on a metal plate on gas fire. I find it better when I heat it on gas fire on a metal plate, it boils quicker, and the water is more lively.

hi oni, thanks for the info... by electric stove you mean hot plate right?

is it ok for you to post a pic of the "metal plate?" just to give me an idea on what exactly it is.. thanks!