Materials
There were many different materials being used in the manufacturing of kettles. These materials were constantly being changed throughout history as technology advancement provided options to companies to utilize other materials.
Though these materials were different, they have to meet certain requirements before they can be considered to be used as a material for kettles. It has to be able to contain water without any leaks and strong to withstand the pressure brought about by the heating of water. In addition, it needs to be able to function at temperatures over 100 degrees Celsius (the boiling temperature of water), which may result from being closed to the heating sources such as fire.
Kettles in the past were often made of steel due to its properties of being strong and its ability to conduct heat well. However, as technology advance, other materials became available for use.
Though these materials were different, they have to meet certain requirements before they can be considered to be used as a material for kettles. It has to be able to contain water without any leaks and strong to withstand the pressure brought about by the heating of water. In addition, it needs to be able to function at temperatures over 100 degrees Celsius (the boiling temperature of water), which may result from being closed to the heating sources such as fire.
Kettles in the past were often made of steel due to its properties of being strong and its ability to conduct heat well. However, as technology advance, other materials became available for use.
Cast Iron Kettle
Cast Iron
Traditionally dated back in to 513 BC, the Chinese develop a furnace that was able to melt iron and thus enabling them to produce the world’s first cast iron. Cast iron, which usually has carbon content between 2% to 4%, improves its strength through heat treating. Some of the properties of carbon are listed below that makes it a suitable material for use in kettles:
Ø High strength
Ø Toughness
Ø Low cost
Ø Able to withstand high temperatures
However, there are still some disadvantages to cast iron. It is hard to join and therefore, great care must be taken in the joining methods and that it has poor thermal and electricity conductivity which cause a slower transfer of heat.
Traditionally dated back in to 513 BC, the Chinese develop a furnace that was able to melt iron and thus enabling them to produce the world’s first cast iron. Cast iron, which usually has carbon content between 2% to 4%, improves its strength through heat treating. Some of the properties of carbon are listed below that makes it a suitable material for use in kettles:
Ø High strength
Ø Toughness
Ø Low cost
Ø Able to withstand high temperatures
However, there are still some disadvantages to cast iron. It is hard to join and therefore, great care must be taken in the joining methods and that it has poor thermal and electricity conductivity which cause a slower transfer of heat.
Copper Kettles
Copper
Another material used was copper. It was developed as an alternative to cast iron as it can be used in the same castings as that used to form cast iron and in addition, it is easier to join than that of cast iron. Even though, pure copper is unable to withstand high temperatures, by creating alloys with other materials such as zinc and tin increase its service temperature and thus allowing it to be able to use over direct sources of heat. Some properties of copper that makes it suitable for kettles are listed below:
Ø Corrosion resistance
Ø Easy to shape
Ø High thermal and electricity conduction
Another material used was copper. It was developed as an alternative to cast iron as it can be used in the same castings as that used to form cast iron and in addition, it is easier to join than that of cast iron. Even though, pure copper is unable to withstand high temperatures, by creating alloys with other materials such as zinc and tin increase its service temperature and thus allowing it to be able to use over direct sources of heat. Some properties of copper that makes it suitable for kettles are listed below:
Ø Corrosion resistance
Ø Easy to shape
Ø High thermal and electricity conduction
Ceramic Kettles
Ceramics
Ceramics was used extensively in World War 2 as there was a shortage of metals which hindered the manufacturing of kettles. One benefit of using ceramic over metals was that it is lighter and hence, easy to carry around. Furthermore, ceramic are chemically inert and this means that it will not add additional products into the water even at high temperatures. Other benefits of ceramics are listed below:
Ø Do not rust
Ø Resistant to corrosion
Ø Do not form scale deposits
Ø Relatively easy to maintain
Ceramics was used extensively in World War 2 as there was a shortage of metals which hindered the manufacturing of kettles. One benefit of using ceramic over metals was that it is lighter and hence, easy to carry around. Furthermore, ceramic are chemically inert and this means that it will not add additional products into the water even at high temperatures. Other benefits of ceramics are listed below:
Ø Do not rust
Ø Resistant to corrosion
Ø Do not form scale deposits
Ø Relatively easy to maintain
Stainless Steel Kettle
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel was developed during the Industrial Revolution and it is one of the main materials used today to manufacture kettles. Steel is an alloy based on iron, and therefore it inherits some properties seen in iron:
Ø High strength
Ø Toughness
Ø Easy to shape
Ø Relatively cheap
Ø High density
Ø Poor conductor of electricity and heat
Even though stainless steel is not a good conductor of electricity, this is a benefit for the kettles as it is less likely for the kettle to become live and cause serious injury if there was a fault in the electrical circuits.
Stainless steel was developed during the Industrial Revolution and it is one of the main materials used today to manufacture kettles. Steel is an alloy based on iron, and therefore it inherits some properties seen in iron:
Ø High strength
Ø Toughness
Ø Easy to shape
Ø Relatively cheap
Ø High density
Ø Poor conductor of electricity and heat
Even though stainless steel is not a good conductor of electricity, this is a benefit for the kettles as it is less likely for the kettle to become live and cause serious injury if there was a fault in the electrical circuits.
Glass Kettle
Glass
A material that is currently being used is glass. Glass kettles have an advantage which is similar to ceramics which is that it does not introduce any chemicals or agents even at high temperatures. In addition, being able to provide a translucent view of the water being boiled gives it an aesthetic appeal that cannot be obtained from the other opaque materials. Furthermore, the translucent view also has another practical use which is to allow the user to see the water level within the kettle. Glass kettles are also easy to maintain.
A material that is currently being used is glass. Glass kettles have an advantage which is similar to ceramics which is that it does not introduce any chemicals or agents even at high temperatures. In addition, being able to provide a translucent view of the water being boiled gives it an aesthetic appeal that cannot be obtained from the other opaque materials. Furthermore, the translucent view also has another practical use which is to allow the user to see the water level within the kettle. Glass kettles are also easy to maintain.